SIA Fleet: Airbus A350-900 ULR

The Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 fleet operates in three configurations. This page details the A350-900 ULR configuration, which operates ultra long-haul non-stop flights from Singapore to the USA in a 2-class configuration.

For the A350-900 Long Haul or A350-900 Medium Haul, click the links below.

A350-900 LH	A350-900 MH	A350-900 ULR
42 J (2013 J) 24 W (2015 W) 187 Y (2013/17 Y) 253 Total	40 J (2018 RJ) 264 Y (2017 Y) 303 Total	67 J (2013 J) 94 W (2018 W) 161 Total
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This is our fleet guide for the Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 ULR aircraft. For the A350-900 LH or A350-900 MH aircraft, click the respective links above.
A350-900 ULR aircraft in service at 31st December 2023: 7
9V-SGA	9V-SGD	9V-SGG
9V-SGB	9V-SGE
9V-SGC	9V-SGF

How can I tell which Version I’m flying on? If you’re flying in Business Class and the seat map ends at row 22, you’re on an A350-900 LH aircraft, if it ends at row 21 you’re on an A350-900 MH aircraft, and if it ends at row 29 you’re on an A350-900 ULR aircraft (you’re on the right page already). If you’re flying Premium Economy Class and the seat map goes up to row 33, you’re on an A350-900 LH aircraft. If it goes up to row 43, you’re on an A350-900 ULR (you’re on the right page already). The A350-900 MH does not feature a Premium Economy cabin. If you’re flying Economy Class and the seat map goes up to row 62, you’re on an A350-900 LH aircraft. If it goes up to row 70, you’re on an A350-900 MH. The A350-900 ULR does not feature an Economy cabin.

The A350-900 ULR features 67 of the 2013 J Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration and 94 Premium Economy class seats in a mostly 2-4-2 configuration, with three rows of 1-4-1 at the back including ‘solo’ seats by the window.

Singapore Airlines also operates a Long Haul Airbus A350-900 aircraft type, an A350 Medium Haul configuration.

A350-900 ULR Business Class

The 2013 Business Class seats (2013 J) are fitted on the A350-900 ULR. Effectively they are identical to the Business Class seats first introduced on the 777-300ER, but as the A350 fuselage is narrower than the 777, some sacrifices were made.

The aisles are much narrower than on the 777, and the seat itself is slightly redesigned too. It’s narrower, the foot well is smaller, and the seat pitch is reduced compared with the 777-300ER.

Unfortunately if you wish to fly a non-stop flight from Singapore to the USA you don’t have the choice of the bigger Business Class seat on the 777-300ER, so you’ll be stuck with the smaller version on this aircraft.

However, the A350 Business Class seat is still one of the better products out there, with good privacy and the latest IFE system.

If you can secure a seat in one of the bulkhead rows there is more space provided, however these are blocked for selection by non-PPS Club members until online check in opens 48 hours prior to departure time.

Luckily thanks to aeroLOPA there is a much better to-scale version of the A350 ULR seat map, and here’s how the two Business Class sections look.

Best Seats

Business class on the A350-900 ULR is split across two sections, the smaller front section which occupies the forward portion of the aircraft between the first two doors, and a larger cabin between the second and third doors.

In both cabin sections, the front row of seats (10A, 11D/F/K and all of row 19) are the best seats on the plane as they have more space, especially for your feet as the small “cubby hole” style foot well found in other seat rows is gone – replaced by a spacious full-width bench which also makes the bed bigger once the seat is converted.

In these seats there is no need to extend your legs at an angle while sleeping.

Do be aware though that unlike the other Singapore Airlines A350 variants the forward galley is no longer a ‘dry galley’ on the ULR variant, and ovens / food preparation does now occur here for the forward Business Class section.

Business Class meals are served from the second main galley on the A350 LH and MH, however that galley is used to serve the rear Business Class cabin section, with Premium Economy then served from the rear galley.

That means there is likely more noise from the forward galley on the A350-900 ULR than you may be used to flying on SIA’s other A350 aircraft.

Worst Seats

Seats 17D/F: This seat pair is located between two cupboards at the side with the toilets immediately behind on both sides. It is also directly in front of the main Business Class galley meaning more foot traffic and potentially more noise in this row. Although there is a full galley between row 18 and the first row in the second business class cabin (row 19), be aware that row 19 is the only bassinet position in Business and that some noise is therefore possible. Avoid.

Row 19: If there is a screaming infant in one or both of the bassinet positions, say goodbye to a peaceful flight if you’re seated here (otherwise, they are great seats, second only to row 10/11 – see above).

Row 29: This row is directly ahead of the toilets at the back of the Business Class cabin, which may mean more noise and foot traffic in this area. Also row 31 behind this row is the only bassinet position in Premium Economy. If any infants are travelling in that section – some noise is possible. Avoid.

Toilets

Unlike the Singapore Airlines A350-900 LH, this ULR variant has no Business Class toilet at the very front near the cockpit, either that or it exists but is solely reserved for crew use as it is not marked on SIA’s seat map.

Instead there are two toilets at the back of the first main cabin section, one on either side, and two at the back of the second main section in the middle, a total of four toilets giving a passenger to toilet ratio of 17:1 at full capacity.

That’s a little worse than the Long Haul SIA A350-900 (14:1) and the Medium Haul variant (13:1).

Other tips

If travelling solo, one of the window seats (A or K) is preferable, giving you the highest level of privacy.

As a couple it’s up to you whether you prefer two A or K seats one in front of the other, or the slightly more sociable (but still sufficiently private) D/F middle pair. We tend to go for the middle pair, as it’s easy to talk and provides the best food envy at meal times.

A350-900 ULR Premium Economy Class

Premium Economy makes up the balance of the seating capacity on the A350-900 ULR and is the largest cabin by capacity with 94 seats occupying the rear cabin section between the third and fourth main aircraft doors.

The configuration is nine rows of 2-4-2 seating and three rows of 1-4-1 seating, with an additional row of four middle section seats behind that.

Sadly it’s the same story as with the Business Class cabin – when comparing with Premium Economy on the 777-300ER and A380, the seats have had to shrink to maintain a 2-4-2 configuration in the narrower A350 cabin.

The aisles are narrower, and seat width has been sacrificed from 19.5 inches to 19 inches, though seat pitch remains the same at 38 inches.

We’ve always thought that Singapore Airlines should have gone with a 2-3-2 configuration in this cabin, like both Lufthansa and China Airlines opted for on their A350 aircraft. We’ve seen this cabin on the SIA A350, thankfully on a walk-through not as a passenger, and it’s honestly not something we would choose.

Here’e the better aeroLOPA seat map for this cabin.

The airline has made some enhancements however to the seats installed on the A350-900 ULR variant compared with the standard A350, including:

• A higher seat back pocket
• A redesigned armrest cup holder
• A solid armrest on both sides of each seat
• A non-airbag (therefore smaller, less bulky) seatbelt

Best Seats

Seats 40C/H, 41C/H and 42C/H are solo seats also featuring a large storage bin by the window for your belongings. There should also be plenty of floor storage ahead of the storage bin towards the cabin wall.

These are ideal positions for solo travellers.

The first row in the cabin, row 31, has additional legroom at seats 31C and 31H. Other seats are row 31 are not sold as extra legroom seats but do have at least some additional space compared with other rows. Be aware of a few drawbacks – firstly row 31 is the bassinet row, secondly the IFE screens in the middle four seats are mounted on the bulkhead wall in front of you, not housed in the armrest as with other seats in this cabin.

Worst Seats

Row 43 is the last row of four middle seats on the aircraft, jut ahead of the main Premium Economy galley and three toilets. That means high footfall and more noise in this area. Avoid.

Toilets

There are three toilets in the Premium Economy section, all located at the very back of the aircraft near the rear galley. You aren’t allowed forward into the Business cabin to use their toilets, so the passenger to toilet ratio in this cabin is 31:1.

Other Tips

Solo travellers will clearly be drawn to the 40C/H, 41C/H and 42C/H seats, however with only six of these single seats available on the aircraft our experience from viewing the seat maps is that they are snapped up early and you’ll be lucky to secure one.

A seat alert service like ExpertFlyer offer might be a good bet here, as soon as someone cancels or changes their plans you can then jump on one of these options right away.

Failing the individual seats being available, solo travellers will probably want to opt for one of the aisle seats (C, D, G or H), or possibly a window seat (A or K) depending on personal preference. For couples, the window pairs (A/C or H/K) make perfect sense.

A350-900 ULR Economy Class

There is no Economy Class cabin fitted on the A350-900 ULR, only Business Class and Premium Economy Class are featured.

If you are flying in Economy Class on a Singapore Airlines A350 you must be flying on the A350-900 LH or A350-900 MH, not this ULR variant.

Comments?

What did we miss? If you have personal experience of specific seats to favour or avoid on this aircraft, please let us know in the comments section below, and we’ll certainly try to incorporate your feedback.

(Cover Photo: Singapore Airlines)