Singapore Airlines goes flat-out on Australian business class
All Singapore Airlines flights to and from Australia now feature lie-flat beds in business class.
By David Flynn, November 1 2019
Singapore Airlines has completed a renewal of its Australian network which now sees every flight boasting lie-flat business class, with modern Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-10 jets phasing out older jets which offered angled 'sloping sleeper' seats. And with 137 flights each week across six cities, that's no mean feat.
The Star Alliance member completed its multi-year fleet refresh this week with the upgrading of the Singapore-Melbourne-Wellington route to an Airbus A350.
“We have been flying to Australia and the wider South West Pacific region for more than 50 years and over that time we have invested heavily to ensure our customers are provided with more flights, better products and greater options,” observed Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President Philip Goh.
“This level of product consistency across the region is something we are very proud to deliver and reinforces our longstanding commitment to the Australian and New Zealand markets.”
Even Singapore Airlines' 'regional' business class sports fully-flat beds.
Singapore Airlines' rapid adoption of the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-10 has seen one of these new jets roll into the hangar on average every 13 days this year.
Also read: Your guide to Singapore Airlines business class seats
2020 will also see lie-flat beds introduced on the relatively shorter flights of regional sibling SilkAir, as part of its integration into the Singapore Airlines brand, so as to provide 100% consistency in business class regardless of where the passenger is headed.
A promotional image of the Vantage seat design to be adopted by SilkAir.
SilkAir's Boeing 737s will move from conventional recliners to Thompson Aero's popular Vantage design, with staggered rows of forward-facing seats, some of which not only have direct aisle access but also sport a 'throne' design which gives solo flyers more privacy as well as more room to spread out and get down to work.
Read more: SilkAir scores Vantage lie-flat business class beds
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.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 340
Now that's how you run an airline!!
30 Nov 2018
Total posts 7
And yet people still choose Qantas on this route?!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
14 Mar 2017
Total posts 152
At least where Qantas is running a A330, its Business is certainly competitive, if not sometimes better.
30 Nov 2018
Total posts 7
Better than....?
Plane? No
Staff - definitely not
Service? No
Seat - absolutely not.
I struggle so see ANY reason one would choose QF over SQ, EK, QR or EY. Unless the brainwashing of a 'Gold' status on QF is clouding peoples rationale decision making?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
14 Mar 2017
Total posts 152
Have you actually flown the SIA A350 Regional business product? It's very narrow in the shoulders and arms, hard when sleeping and has no topper. There's no amenity kit nor PJs. I'd rate the QF seat much higher, its considerably more spacious.
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
16 Jun 2017
Total posts 35
Have to agree with xtfer. I have flown the regional A350 out of ADL, and it is awful. The seat entry is very narrow, and the seat itself not that wide. Feels like you are in a coffin. I used to complain about the old A330-300, but it is way more comfortable for daytime flights, and there is a feeling of space. I cant compare to QF as I rarely fly them.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Sep 2018
Total posts 153
I prefer Qantas' stagger Busienss class seat on their a330 and refurbed a380 because I don't have to tuck my feet into the corner like on SIA
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
15 Aug 2012
Total posts 171
Great news from Singapore airlines and great to see the tradition of turning positive stories into Qantas bashing.
Both great airlines with world class products, I'm only seeing positives for consumers here.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 382
Agree 100%, I like flying both SQ and QF, both do a great job.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 276
Here's my thought - the A330 flight on Qantas Business was the best flight I've taken to Singapore in the last 2 years in Business. Singapore First class on the 777 was certainly better, but not as big a gap as you'd think (the soft products in Singapore were better). So while all the Qantas bashing is going on, I'd say I was incredibly impressed with Qantas on that flight.
I'll be having two Singapore flights early 2020, so I will compare since it's been a while since I flew them - but all in all, this is a great win for us as consumers, regardless of your allegiances.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Mar 2013
Total posts 171
Dullard, respectfully, you're a little off on the QF Bashing.
In the last 18 months, I've flown First in QF, EK, EY, QR & SQ. Same in Business. QF has a fine product, and yes I think the service can be exceptional Over the years I have been PPS & Solitaire with SQ, these days mainly with QF/QR/EK.
The service by ET now has a more global reach than what it once had with AusBT. Listening to others, respectfully, is what makes this Community the great one that it is. I'd also say that I'm always happy to walk onto the flying Kangaroo.
Yes, sometimes QF does deserve a clip around the ears, but I'd also suggest it does do many things very well. Cheers.
UA
09 Mar 2016
Total posts 55
There can be no doubt that the QF business seat on A330 routes to Singapore is considerably more comfortable than any SQ seat variant, 777ER, A350, 787-10 on the route. Dealing with ones legs is a real issue on SQ as is the hard seat without mattress topper in sleep mode. The 777 is not a great aircraft IMO but the A350 and 787-10 blow the aging QF A330 out of the clouds. I also think the SQ soft product is usually better than QF. And what really seals the deal ex-MEL is the number of flights SQ operates. Choice is the best thing.
19 Sep 2017
Total posts 10
More and more SQ 787-10 and medium haul 359 flying to OZ now. It might be a upgrade from 333, but definitely a downgrade from 777/380/longhaul359. No topper, no quilt(just blanket), narrow seat(no matter sitting or lying down). I heard SQ is planning to introduce PJ's in J CLS. couldn't imagine pax in sleeping suit with blanket on!
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
11 Mar 2015
Total posts 190
yes indeed on photo it looks great but the actual product is nowhere near as nice as on the pics-a few people made the right comments who actually flown on the 350-s! It's like a coffin-can't even turn around when lying down and I'm just an average built guy-on the 777 the space is big but the angle that you have to put yourself and the legroom kills the product once again! They had an opportunity to make it grand and they failed!
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