No showers for Singapore Airlines' new A380 first class suites
By Chris C., October 13 2015
Singapore Airlines will launch its new Airbus A380 first class suites mid-2017, read our exclusive story for more details
Previous | Singapore Airlines is developing a luxurious new first class suite for its flagship Airbus A380s but has drawn the line at following Emirates and Etihad by adding an inflight shower.
"Definitely no showers!" affirms Mr Tan Pee Teck, the airline's Senior Vice President for Product & Services. "It’s a frill that we probably don’t need."
Speaking with Australian Business Traveller on the sidelines of a media briefing in Toulouse for Singapore Airlines' forthcoming Airbus A350, Tan admits that "a few customers say it’s nice to have."
"But it’s not a compelling proposition in terms of the decision to choose an airline – I don’t think many would choose based on a shower... it's more like something that just comes along with it."
"Service is still very important, and reliability, and I think how you build the affinity with your premium customers (is) what keeps them coming back" Tan adds.
Emirates has two showers in the nose of its Airbus A380s shared between 14 first class suites, while rival Etihad has one shower for its nine first class travellers and a second reserved for the occupants of its three-room The Residence supersuite.
Tan describes plans for Singapore Airlines' new A380 first class suites as "quite different to the product that we have."
"It's under development as we speak and we’re quite excited about it."
Singapore Airlines kicked off the modern wave of first class suites as the worldwide launch customer of the Airbus 380 in 2007, but faces increased competition from Gulf powerhouses Emirates and Etihad.
Read: Inside Etihad's new Airbus A380 first class suites
Emirates is also working on its own first class suite upgrade, which the airline says will be "more like a private railway cabin."
Read: Emirates first class private bedroom for Airbus A380, Boeing 777
SQ's new first class suite will be launched alongside an all-new business class seat in the airline's next raft of superjumbo deliveries, due in 2017.
Also read: The Airbus A380 first class concept cabins you never saw
Chris Chamberlin visited Toulouse as a guest of Singapore Airlines and Airbus
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
12 Feb 2015
Total posts 3
How about a nice bath instead? Jacuzzi class?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 357
I don't need shower. But if SQ can upgrade their 77W with suite like first class it would be nice. There are many airlines that could fit suite in 77W, there is no reason why SQ can't. It's very unfortunate that SQ's first class hard product on their 777 is a bit subpar compare to other airlines.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 276
I think what I'm more curious about, is whether SQ feels they need a bar/lounge area in their updated A380's. I would find that more compelling than the shower (although that doesn't hurt!).
Still Singapore Airlines will surely try to create an awesome product either way.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 388
SQ are still the airline other strive to become. I really wish QF had jumped into bed with them and NOT Emirates.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jul 2014
Total posts 115
I think VA & ANZ might have got a touch upset with that......
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1560
That would be just great! Though it will never happens. Firstly Singapore is Star Alliance while Qantas is Oneworld and secondly and this perhaps even more important Qantas can offer nothing to Singapore, just eat away some traffic from Singapore to Europe and from Australia to Singapore - why SQ would ever wish that if they more then capable by themselves? IMHO the best way for QF was to sell shared to BA when they was interested. Too late now and QF is doomed forever as greatest company that they use to be once upon time. Really pity.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
Don't worry. The QF and EK anomaly will not last beyond the tenure of the current Qantas CEO and EK's Chairman. This is a union of convenience like a medieval proxy marriage that will unravel in time. The cultural affinity underpinning the relationship of core members of the Oneworld alliance will prevail and result in sustained cooperation.
20 Apr 2015
Total posts 21
Kudos to SQ for drawing the line at showers. Reveals a different philosophy vis-a-vis Emirates and Etihad
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2013
Total posts 699
I hate to be a 'greens' supporter here but
Its also better for the enviroment carrying around 500 liters of water every flight at 30,000 feet is not cheap and it would over time burn a lot more fuel
Singapore (airlines) if they had oil coming from below then may consider putting in showers but otherwise its just not going to happen.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1560
This is it – no Singapore First class for me! How I can fly in such substandard suites without shower?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2015
Total posts 580
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 437
Of course they dont *need* to have a shower but its a good use of the otherwise dead space at the front of the A380 top deck where the nose curves in. Some airlines like EK and EY have put something in this space that people will actually use (like a shower), others like QF and TG have put something in that is a complete waste of space (an onboard lounge that no one uses)
08 Oct 2011
Total posts 49
If the seat in the suite is very good, i.e. seat, bed, movie, minibar all at arm's length, I would not want to go to the lounge except to stretch out. Snacks and drinks in first class can be ordered at the press of a button.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2015
Total posts 580
snacks and drinks in economy class can also be ordered at the press of a button when flying SQ...unlike EK who just ignore you.
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