Back in November 2017, Singapore Airlines unveiled a new layout as well as new products across three of the four classes of its Airbus A380 superjumbos.
Along with redesigned products in its first class suites, business class and economy class, the airline also drastically reworked the layout of the aircraft. This entailed dropping first class from 12 to just six suites, while also shifting all premium economy and new slimline economy seats to the bottom level so that the top deck comprised nothing but premium seating.
This had the effect of “densifying” the aircraft, bringing between 30 and 92 additional seats compared with the 379- and 441-seat variants already in its fleet. Not only has the airline got five new re-configured A380s joining its fleet, it will also be retrofitting its other 14 superjumbos with the new layout between 2018 and 2020.
So far, only three destinations are served by these new A380s – Sydney, the launch route for the first re-configured superjumbo in December 2017, followed by London and Hong Kong in February this year. The remaining A380s currently serve Auckland, Beijing, Frankfurt, Melbourne, Mumbai, Delhi, New York, Paris, Shanghai and Zurich.
And while the first class suites will be restricted to just the A380, Singapore Airlines has suggested that the new business class seats may appear on other aircraft in its fleet.
So with these products set to become more widespread in the foreseeable future, just how do they hold up?
Business Traveller has reviewed all four classes on board the reconfigured A380s across flights on the airline’s Singapore-Sydney and Singapore-London routes. Here is what you can expect to encounter.
First class suites
From our review: “It’s hard to see how these first-class suites can be bettered. You have lots of room, lots of storage space, extremely impressive food and drink, superb service, and a comfortable seat and separate bed for when you want to sleep.”
Read the full review here – Flight review: Singapore Airlines A380 new first class suites
Business class
From our review: “This is a thoroughly comfortable seat and one in which Singapore Airlines has emphasized the ‘business’ part of business class. While it may be a slightly tighter squeeze than the older products when it comes to sleeping, the addition of numerous smaller storage spaces makes this an easy environment in which to work.”
Read the full review here – Flight review: Singapore Airlines A380 business class
Premium economy
From our review: “Premium economy is a good choice for these long haul overnight routes if your budget doesn’t stretch to business class (or the First Suites). The food is good, the choice of entertainment excellent, there’s enough room, and the seat is comfortable enough to get some sleep.”
Read the full review here – Flight review: Singapore Airlines A380 premium economy
Economy
From our review: “While the pitch may not be any different on paper compared to its predecessors, the seats feel spacious and the smart addition of new – sometimes hidden – features makes it easy to maximise the space you have without it becoming crowded.”
Read the full review here – Flight review: Singapore Airlines A380 economy class
