Singapore Airlines mulls business class pyjamas
Singapore Airlines could join the slowly-growing ranks of airlines which offer pyjamas to business class passengers.
By David Flynn, November 5 2019
With Singapore Airlines swiftly stepping towards lie-flat business class seats on every flight, the Star Alliance member is looking to add pyjamas to the business class experience.
While stylish 'sleep suits' are de rigueur in first class, only a relatively small number of airlines offer them to business class passengers.
Singapore Airlines, which currently holds the record for the world's longest flight – 17+ hours between Singapore and New York – has steadfastly resisted putting PJs on the menu.
During the inaugural Singapore-New York flight, Singapore Airlines' senior vice president of sales and marketing, Campbell Wilson, told Executive Traveller "in our experience, most people don’t use pyjamas during a flight, they either sleep in what they're wearing or they bring a change of clothes. We haven't seen a very strong demand (for pyjamas) to date."
This could be set to change, at least on Singapore Airlines' longest routes into North America and the UK, with the airline now inviting samples and pricing for the supply of a 'Business Class Unisex Sleeper Suit', according to procurement tender notice posted on the airline's website.
Singapore Airlines is shopping around for business class pyjamas...
Approached for comment by Executive Traveller, Singapore Airlines spokesman Siva Govindasamy suggested "there is nothing to confirm at this point. As you are aware, we regularly evaluate options to enhance our in-flight products and services."
PJs or not, 2020 is shaping up to be a year of renewal for Singapore Airlines' business class. As Executive Traveller revealed last month, the airline is considering a 'dine on demand' meal service alongside a refresh of its popular Book The Cook service.
“Singapore Airlines is always looking to evolve the meal service inflight, whether it be a flexible dining approach or a (full) dine on demand approach, and passengers are telling us this maybe is something that we should be working towards,” Singapore Airlines Director of F&B Antony McNeil told Executive Traveller.
Read more: Singapore Airlines plans 'dine on demand' meals in business class
Late 2020 will see the opening of an upgraded SilverKris Business Class Lounge at Singapore Airlines' flagship Changi Airport Terminal 3, which is being renovated alongside the First Class Lounge, The Private Room and the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge.
A highlight of the new Business Class Lounge will be a full service bar which will double as a self-service breakfast station in the mornings.
The bar at Singapore Airlines' new Changi T3 Business Class Lounge.
The expanded lounge will feature four distinct zones, each catering to travellers with different needs. Customers with a short transit can have a light snack in a relaxed café setting, while those with more time to spend can sample a full selection of Asian and international cuisines in the dining hall, including live stations that will offer signature local delights.
Productivity pods will offer privacy while you get down to work, while a rest area with chaise lounges will be provided for customers to catch some shut-eye before their flight.
Hospitality designers Hirsch Bedner Associates will oversee the revamp, giving each lounge "a fresh look and feel that is modern yet homely, while inspiring a sense of timeless elegance."
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.
11 Mar 2019
Total posts 5
For J and F classes, airlines should reintroduce travel satchels like the retro carry-on bags when our parents and grandparents travelled. Have them filled with amenity kits and pyjamas. They can't be *that* expensive for airlines to source; they'd be an exponentially cheap marketing investment. I'm sure the first airline to make the leap would quickly be followed by others.
20 Jul 2019
Total posts 5
Not surprised at the airline response, as if they have time to individually address every query on every rumour like this from travel sites.
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 483
I think the difference is that AusBT/ET doesn't write up 'rumours' like so many travel blogs, in this case for example there's proof that SQ is tendering for the supply of business class pajamas. I think SQ's response is 'boilerplate' and the same thing which many airlines will say when they can't say anything else, eg can't confirm because it's not been announced but can't deny because it is actually happening.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 340
AsiaBizTraveller, this is standard PR practice for any company, not just airlines
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 483
That's very true but it doesn't change the fact that this is generally the only sort of response you can expect on many issues even if the media is right on the money, and I'm sure that when it comes to a respected site like AusBT/ET then SQ *does* make the time to address its queries.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
02 Jun 2019
Total posts 16
Those dreamy, soft jim jams offered long haul can make or break a flight. Down side is, all the other passengers think you're a tool for walking around the cabin when you try to stretch your legs.
20 Jul 2019
Total posts 5
I would have to agree with them, no reason to be strolling into economy in J PJs apart from trying to show off.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
02 Jun 2019
Total posts 16
Unless like me and thousands other flyers, you have enough medical reasons to keep the blood flowing and walking the cabin is the only way to do that.
15 Mar 2017
Total posts 15
I never understood the big deal on pj's.
I've always brought my own
I wish SQ would do free wifi more than some pjs
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Nov 2012
Total posts 127
I thought every premium airline did PJs. Everyone on my recent QR QF WY flights all changed into them before or just after takeoff. I'm really surprised by this as I had imagined SQ to be a premium carrier.
Lufthansa - Miles & More
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 2
Hmm I'm sceptical. I always admired SQ for not having amenity kits in J - regular travellers will use one or two of the contents and then they get thrown away. Very wasteful, and you can get all the bits in the bathrooms.
Unless they plan on washing and reusing the PJs I am worried about the waste here too.
I'd rather they invested money in the food service, entertainment, providing better wifi and better quality duvets and mattress covers.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2015
Total posts 580
Yea they should spend the money on mattress covers instead. I sleep on my side and their current bed surface is like sleeping on the floor and is literally a pain in the arse (and lower back).
03 May 2013
Total posts 684
premium service and cabin means premium everything thats useful. PJ's are a must on ultra long haul if you're paying for a flat bed, otherwise whats the point - would you sleep in your clothes at home? As for not walking around in Y class in your PJ's for fear of "showing off" what a load of rubbish; walking is healthy. Im in business, I've paid for it and I like walking the cabin once or twice to stay a little active. You make it sound people are undertaking a fashion parade down a Y class isle catwalk in a pair of $5 airline PJ's!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Nov 2016
Total posts 64
I give mine away
19 Sep 2017
Total posts 14
With more and more regional A350 operating on Australian routes, the quilt in J has been replaced by blanket. Quite cold and uncomfortable while sleeping. What the point to provide PJ?!
28 Sep 2018
Total posts 13
I like to see PJ's but I also like the amenity kit. You can always hand it back if you have collected too many but I generally travel on by train in UK and the amenity kit is handy and enables me to freshen up a few hours later and possibly shave before meeting family. And saves searching through main luggage for your toilet bag. Also the grandchildren love to get the bag!
I like SIA but I don't agree with their policy on amenity kits - they tell me its to reduce weight but then last year they had a spell of offering "anniversary" kits, which were quality.
Just been to UK and back with Qatar and it was exceptional - especially the 2 long flights in Q suites. They had amenity bags and PJ's.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
11 Mar 2015
Total posts 190
SQ have elegant blue PJ and a nice Salvatore Fergamo bag with all the goodies on First class but nothing on business as I experienced a week ago,just a sock and eye mask thrown into your seat.They claim since they stock the toilets with all the other stuff like toothbrush and shaving kits -why bother-Really wasn't impressed with them at all.Flew up to Europe with Qatar on the Q suites and I have to tell you they are much better in business class so SQ has a lot to catch up.Regarding the food it's true that you can book the cook with SQ but even that was mediocre-I mean the quality of the food.The bed on the 777 was huge but the angle layout is a killer! Also the smaller plane a 350 from Sin_ADL was nice but once again very tight and I'm not big at all.The PJ is always used on Qatar I can tell most passenger do.The lack of privacy on Singapore maybe contribute it that not many people bother to change in the toilet for it hence the agenda from SQ managers that they don't see the need for it.It's a shame as on a long flight over 10 hours or more it's more comfy to sleep in PJs than in your own clothes for sure!
16 Nov 2018
Total posts 26
I give my PJs and amenity kits away to people who re-blog my social media posts about flight experiences. I guess that's why I'm not on SQ a lot.
03 Nov 2017
Total posts 2
I don't particularly want the pj's, but improvements to the vegetarian menu and a softer mattress would be most welcome.
06 Nov 2019
Total posts 11
I'm amazed at how many passengers just don't reuse their sleeper suit, are they that lazy or disorganised they can't just wash one and reuse? Shouldn't we be adopting a more waste less approach, rather than get whatever we can ( even if we don't need it). Like in the lounges, just sit back and watch people Hoover plates of food and drink, so they don't miss out- and it's free, and then get onboard and pig out again! OMG!
I've been travelling more than probably most readers here for more than 30 years, so my entertainment is not to eat and drink as much as I possibly can, I'm not interested in as many sleeper suits and amenity kits as I can get my hands on and I'm not into annoying the crew with petty requests AND I'm not into posting dribble here! But some of the comments and expectations are kinda silly! My entertainment is watching the punters make pigs of themselves at the ‘all you can eat' buffet and to see them down as many drinks as they can!
Thankfully there seems to be some contributors that seem to actually do some flying (not just a few trios a year) and their commentary is accurate and plausible.
But the egos are a laugh. I'm platinum! I'm platinum! Oh gee! To get platinum these days you can get there by spending as little as $16.000 in the first year and then around $12000 to maintain! Platinum......not so elite!
And, I pay for my tickets, not my employer!
20 Jul 2019
Total posts 5
Spot on, well said. The way some pigs shovel as much food and alcohol down their gobs for free as they can you would think it is their last meal!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Nov 2013
Total posts 27
I reuse my Qantas PJs on my various flights and I even use them during winter at home because they are so comfortable. I am platinum and I pay for my own tickets. LOL
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Mar 2013
Total posts 171
Jeez, didn't this set the cats going in the alley?
I'm for PJ's and, as others have commented, would say that the majority, when offered, where them. I'm into mine within minutes of the night time take off.
I think SQ's Campbell Wilson is not being genuine in his comments. Yes, of course, people expect PJ's in premium long-haul. Arriving for business dishevelled is not SQ's interpretation of a premium offering. Cheers.
23 Jul 2018
Total posts 9
Hmmm now I'm thinking I should book Cathy to Haneda from Melb... what do you all think ? They don't have PJs either do they ? No soft bed, questional food and no PJ or amenity at SQ. Qatar yes, superb on every front. They are 100% the best in business without question.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Nov 2013
Total posts 27
I use my Qantas PJs on my Cathay flights. Their A350 business class is excellent. I pay for the very comfortable seat/bed and lounge access with the meals, etc, being an added bonus. I don't really need the amenity kits so I give them to my 10 year old daughter to use as pencil cases at school.
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
19 Mar 2016
Total posts 30
Hi..
This is SQ after all, if they start to offer PJ's then they will remove something... space is space and SQ is SQ.
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