Concept designs for new Singapore Airlines first, business class
By David Flynn, November 25 2015
Singapore Airlines is planning a new generation of first class suites and business class seats for both the Airbus A380 and an ultra-long range Airbus A350, which will take to the skies in 2017-2018.
The Singaporean flag-carrier invests heavily in creating superb cabins for its premium passengers – its latest Boeing 777-300ER first class and business class are arguably the best seats in the world – so it's always intriguing to see design concepts for its next-gen seats.
A case in point: these concepts created for the airline by British firm DCA Design International.
Developed in 2014, a year after Singapore Airlines' current first and business class seats made their debut, they could even provide some hints as to what we'll see next from SQ.
The first class concepts reveal an elegant if compact suite (which appears to be located on the top deck of an Airbus A380).
Singapore Airlines first class concept
DCA Design International, 2014
DCA Design International, 2014
Immediately noticeable is a novel 'split seat' which would provide "an intimate shared space for a couple travelling together", DCA explains, or it can simply be an oversized seat which delivers "an extremely spacious cosseting and luxurious space for an individual traveller."
DCA says the notion was inspired by research which revealed a "growing tendency for business travellers to take partners or families with them on business trips."
And while the ottoman could also be used as a companion seat, "the suite can easily accommodate four people, including the option to dine together."
Singapore Airlines first class concept
DCA Design International, 2014
DCA Design International, 2014
DCA even proposed that the large HD video panel could display two different pictures, although that'd prove more distracting than anything else.
The finishes in these mock-ups are undeniably high-end and share some of the design language found in Singapore Airlines' current seats.
Singapore Airlines first class concept
DCA Design International, 2014
DCA Design International, 2014
The proposed business class seat is also a stunning effort and incorporated suite-like sliding doors.
Singapore Airlines business class concept
DCA Design International, 2014
DCA Design International, 2014
DCA's business class cabin concept retained the front-facing 1-2-1 layout.
Singapore Airlines business class concept
DCA Design International, 2014
DCA Design International, 2014
A frosted opaque panel between the middle seats offers a choice between privacy and interaction with fellow travellers.
Singapore Airlines business class concept
DCA Design International, 2014
DCA Design International, 2014
As you'd expect from a modern premium seat, there's generous space for spreading out and stowing your personal gear.
Singapore Airlines business class concept
DCA Design International, 2014
DCA Design International, 2014
Note that these are purely concepts which DCA has chosen to make public – they're not Singapore Airlines' actual next generation seats for 2017 onwards, with a spokesman for Singapore Airlines confirming to Australian Business Traveller "these seats are design concepts from a previous design submission."
All the same, they provide a glimpse into the advances being made in first class and business class design.
Read more:
- Is this BA's next-gen Club World seat?
- Singapore Airlines' new A380 first class, business class in 2017
- Singapore Airlines: 'all-new' business class for long-range A350
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
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.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
25 Jul 2013
Total posts 72
Gorgeous designs. I like the idea of 4x people sharing a meal together in First. I also like the privacy of the business cabins.
I wonder why DCA only chose to release these images now...?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
Maybe they missed out, so are putting them out there to tout for future business.
not sure why you'd put four in those F cabins, when presumably they'd all have the same equally sized space -- being able to usefully use two centre cabins on the otherhand.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 274
That awkward moment when you are travelling alone and the other cabin has 4 people dining in it :/
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 645
LOL..an 'intimate shared space' in F/C..that's called 'creative marketing' lol...If i'm paying SIA prices,I don't want to be rubbing shoulders with my companion during takeoff/landing...or inflight... no matter how much we 'love' eachother lol..as the concept F/C seat is basically a bench for 2...the concept J/C seats look great though :).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2014
Total posts 213
Haha :-) I believe the suite concepts were intended to be sold as individual seats to a single traveller, however with the added ability to invite a partner to share the space next to you during the flight, if you so choose. The idea was not to have you sharing a pod with a second person; imagine the implications if you were travelling on your own! :-P
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 274
Look's good - Etihad's Apartment is still the seat to aim for as The Residence is too niche a segment to focus on.
I wonder if it really does bring the 'wow' factor like The Apartment's do though...
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
"I wonder if it really does bring the 'wow' factor like The Apartment's do though..."
Personally, I don't think this is a very creative concept. Its basically a standard First Class enclosed suite product, totally off the rack, but enlarged to support two people.
But even though I wouldn't describe it as very innovative, it will be fantastic for paired/partner travel... its Honeymooner Bait.
I do see there being a problem though... economically speaking, this product would INCREASE the cost for solo First Class passengers (due to taking up more room). However, it would DECREASE the cost for duo First Class passengers (because the seat cost would support both one and two passengers, the cost for paired passengers would only be the additional price of First Class service (but not an additional seat) for one person).
This would mean, basically, the solo traveller would be getting a worse deal than before, and it might make the solo First traveller shift to Business Class. Solo travellers are effectively being forced to pay for two First seats and one unit of First service.
In addition, the Business Class is so good that it may cannibalize First demand.
At the very least, the ability to join two middle suites means that every passenger pays their fare share of the ticket (i.e. 1 unit of First Class seating and 1 unit of First Class service).
Etihad's apartment is a more creative seating concept, and there's still the ability for double beds to be made. That said, this new SQ first would probably be cheaper for a pair travelling together (versus two Etihad First Apartments), and would probably be better for paired travel.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Aug 2014
Total posts 72
Nice, my first choice when flying, Sorry Qantas you lose again...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 382
How is Qantas "losing again"? Based on their financial report they seem to be doing quite well without you Anthony.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Sep 2012
Total posts 231
I don't think Anthony is referring to the financial status of Qantas, I believe he is rather referring to which airline he offers his loyalty.
04 Dec 2013
Total posts 156
By all means choose an imaginary seat that doesn't yet exist, for your imaginary first class journeys...
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
Those seats look incredible. I bet that the First Class ones are pitched three-abreast in order to make room (inside both the upper deck of the A380 and the front of the A350) for two people. Making every First cabin into a potential "Love Seat" for two actually is excellent for companion travel and also would increase the value-for-money proposition of First Class (since I'd presume two people in the same cabin would only be a bit more expensive than 1 passenger in that cabin).
The Business Class is an excellent design too. Sure, its basically a suite-like adaptation of the current design but it REALLY helps push the product into "Business-First" territory.
True, they are just a concept, but if SQ do go for these seats it will be very impressive.
21 Feb 2015
Total posts 68
Interesting. If these submissions lost, I wonder which one won? Makes you wonder if they lost because they were too opulent, or not opulent enough :) ?
06 Jun 2015
Total posts 11
Needs more Emirates bling bling gold and lights everywhere.... But yeah I think they suit the SQ style well.
09 Mar 2015
Total posts 13
my first impression
DAAAAAAMMMN
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jul 2013
Total posts 203
Love the colour palette and the obviously very high-end materials. Hate the idea of sharing my seat and private space with anyone - I get to do that every day at home and work without having to pay for it. I love my spouse, but I love the "alone" time we share across the aisle from each other and being able to dine together in either of our suites/seats and then each go back to our own seat. As far as "innovation" goes, it's not a particularly groundbreaking design, basically just a First Class suite/seat widened for two. How would pricing work for a seating arrangement like this?
12 Nov 2015
Total posts 4
Very impressive yet Etihad has set the benchmark in premium travel and they just keep getting better. #Reimagined
26 Nov 2015
Total posts 1
Dont you people read?
"Note that these are purely concepts which DCA has chosen to make public – they're not Singapore Airlines' actual next generation seats for 2017 onwards, with a spokesman for Singapore Airlines confirming to Australian Business Traveller "these seats are design concepts from a previous design submission."
Basically, these were old submissions that were turned down my SQ. You people actually think an like Singapore Airlines would not outdo Etihad? Seriously.........
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
25 Apr 2013
Total posts 542
"you people actually think an _______ like Singapore Airlines would not outdo Etihad?"
10 Mar 2015
Total posts 6
Singapore Airlines has not been on top of its game for the last few years. The first class suites from Etihad would be extremely difficult to beat.
QF
11 May 2015
Total posts 28
The First Class "bench" needs a moveable armrest in the center for comfort when only one pasenger - it can be put up if you really need to cuddle your partner. Many business class seating proposals including this one puts the seat near the isle, and equipment holders etc near the windiw. A window seat should be right next to the window - which puts it further away from the isle for privacy as well. I am a window seat flyer and the views on a good day beat movies any time - and you can read with more natural light. At least this version is not one of those herringbone design failures.
11 May 2016
Total posts 12
I believe this product to be quite impressive, SIA's business class always exceeds most of the first class products among other airlines, especially for adjacent TG
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
19 Mar 2016
Total posts 30
I also think the concept is impressive and also think its quite academic as SQ has still not upgraded the 777 fleet to the newer design and apart from a few flights into Aus SQ does (according to the purser on a flight last week) not see it as a priority for Aus to upgrade cabins.
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