Best business class seats on Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350-900ULR

Singapore Airlines' ultra-long range Airbus A350-900 jet takes wing in October with non-stop flights to New York starting October 11, followed by direct flights to Los Angeles on November 2.

Those globe-striding flights – which in the case of Singapore-New York will also be the world's longest, stretching out to almost 19 hours – will be made possible by a special 'A350-900ULR' edition of the Airbus A350, designed to carry extra fuel as well as featuring several small but significant aerodynamic enhancements.

The long-legged Airbus A350 sports the same well-appointed business class seat as its standard-range A350 sibling, although there are far fewer total passengers in number – in fact, the A350-900ULR has an 'all-premium' layout with just 67 business class (divided into two cabins) and 94 premium economy, and no economy seats.

Those 67 business class passengers will enjoy a seat that delivers a winning combination of comfort, privacy and features, and converts into a fully-flat bed which will see plenty of use on these long flights.

Indeed, faced with such long flights, it's more important than ever to choose the right seat – so here are the seats to shoot for, plus a few to think twice about.

Seat 10A

Located on its own at the very front of the A350's first and smaller business class cabin, 10A will be your best chance for the 'private jet' feeling.

 Here's an equivalent seat on Singapore Airlines' regular A350-900:

However, noise and movement from the galley kitchen area could well cruel its appeal – we'd definitely not suggest 10A if you're a light sleeper.

On the plus side, at least there won't be any traffic to the toilets, as these are found at the rear of the cabin; nor will crying infants disturb your trip, as the baby bassinets are located in the second business class cabin, in front of row 19.

Row 11: seats 11A, 11D, 11F and 11K

The 'front row seats' are usually a top pick for frequent flyers, and Singapore Airlines' A350 business class seat offers a little extra space for your legs and feet in rows which face the bulkhead wall, as seen on this photo from the standard A350's bulkhead rows.

All the same, being in such close proximity to the galley is the price you'll pay for that extra degree of comfort.

Solo flyers: seats A, K 

Any of the window seats will suit business travellers flying on their own...

... although these don't provide an unimpeded view because each seat is located directly adjacent to the aisle, with a storage area and shelf between the actual seat and the window.

All the same, if you want a shot at something resembling a view, stick to seats A or K in rows 10 through 20 – the remaining rows (21 through 29) are located directly over the wing.

If you can't snare a window seat, either of the middle seats (D and F) also afford ample privacy from your neighbour. 

Rows 19 and 29

These are two we'd caution against if you have a choice.

The four seats at row 19 are at the very front of the second business class cabin, which means you're smack up against a busy galley plus two toilets which will mean a fair degree of foot traffic from your fellow passengers. Row 19 is also where you'll find two baby bassinets (specifically, they'll be mounted in front of seats 19A and 19K).

The last row of Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350-900ULR business class cabin – row 29 – also has a pair of toilets just behind it, and beyond that is the first row of premium economy (row 31) with two more bassinet positions.

Row 17: seats 17D, 17F

This pair of middle seats is equivalent to 18D and 18F on Singapore Airlines' standard Airbus A350.

Here is how those seats look on Singapore Airlines' standard A350-900:

You're not flanked by window seats, which may hold some odd appeal, but having the galley and toilets directly behind you is going to make for quite some noise, movement and distraction.

David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.