Singapore Airlines brings fully-flat business class to Brisbane
By Chris C., October 9 2016
Singapore Airlines will debut fully-flat business class beds to Brisbane from later this month, replacing the current ‘sloping sleepers’ on selected flights.
From Sunday October 30, the overnight SQ246 service from Brisbane to Singapore swaps from an Airbus A330 to a Boeing 777-200ER which is fitted with the same business class seats as you’d find on SQ’s flagship Airbus A380 aircraft:
AusBT review: Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 business class, Singapore-London
Arranged in a 1-2-1 layout to provide direct aisle access to every traveller, the Boeing 777 will also appear on the return flight SQ245 from Singapore to Brisbane.
While that's a daytime service, the spacious 30-inch-wide seats will surely be appreciated as passengers lounge about or remain productive en route.
“Our Brisbane customers have been asking for the option of a full flat bed business class seat and I am pleased we are now in a position to operate an aircraft that provides that choice,” said Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President Tan Tiow Kor.
Tan also hints that further upgrades are on the cards, teasing that “as more new aircraft join our fleet there will be more options to provide greater choice to our customers in the South West Pacific.”
But for now, Singapore Airlines’ other flights between Brisbane and Singapore – including SQ235/236, SQ255/256 and SQ265/266 – will retain the Airbus A330 with angled-flat beds in business class in a 2-2-2 configuration.
AusBT review: Singapore Airlines Airbus A330 business class, Brisbane-Singapore
Singapore Airlines recently opened a brand new SilverKris business class lounge at Brisbane Airport with a ‘home away from home’ design that also brings about plenty of natural light and tarmac views…
… while the airline has also boosted its flights between Brisbane and Singapore with a fourth-daily flight on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays to provide even more seats and schedule choices for travellers to the Lion City and beyond.
Singapore Airlines will too launch new Sydney-Jakarta-Singapore flights by late November, also using a Boeing 777 with A380-like seating, and recently kicked off its new ‘Capital Express’ route from Singapore to Canberra and then onwards across the Tasman to Wellington.
Connect with other business travellers in our Singapore Airlines discussion group
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 357
Finally! This is probably the greatest news this year for me :)
05 Dec 2013
Total posts 36
Seems odd that they wouldn't change an evening or overnight service to fully flat seats, but instead change a daytime flight. Not following the logic there?
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 17
This is an overnight, from Brisbane to Singapore.
20 Apr 2015
Total posts 21
That's why Singapore Airlines is falling behind the competition.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Sep 2012
Total posts 231
Could you elaborate where exactly they are falling behind? I think this is a good move bringing in the 777 with the lie flat seats. They were only able to do this now as more A350s are coming in the fleet, replacing the B777s on routes and phasing out the leased A330s.
05 Oct 2016
Total posts 14
This is great news. I never really liked the A330 sloping 'regional business' class seats, and this major change means SQ once again becomes seriously good for an overnight flight.
23 Sep 2015
Total posts 49
Wonder if they'll change other BNE flights and configs too? We're currently going to SIN in April and going via SYD so we don't have to fly in economy...
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 580
They may as more A350's replace the long haul 777-200's off European flights.
18 Mar 2016
Total posts 3
HI guys, don't get too excited . I don't think this is a permeant change of aircraft. If you check their website for the same flight in Jan 2017 it is back to a 333 :(
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2431
The schedule we have states "daily" from October 30, with no exclusion periods. Schedules always subject to future change, of course. :)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2013
Total posts 699
Yep the 777 is only from 30 October 2016 to 18 November 2016 and then from 1 February to 30 April.
10 Aug 2015
Total posts 122
Just checked the singapore airlines website and checked the periods that aren't supposed to have it and it is displaying 777. Must have just updated the system but even in july next year it is the 777.
18 Mar 2016
Total posts 3
Thanks for the update guys. Those non flat chairs are not worth the money
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2013
Total posts 699
In economy this is kind of a downgrade in the IFE department and the layout, give me 2-4-2 anyday.
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
@henrus:
VA
25 Aug 2014
Total posts 42
Deadly. Deadly. Awesome news
23 Apr 2014
Total posts 5
Although switching the business class seems to be a good move at the pointy end, I do think this aircraft has a less appealing economy class combined with a very average IFE.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 4
They need to bring this to the SIN-ADL sector. J class in normally quite full and we pay the same ticket prices for an inclined flat as for a full flat to the east coast.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
24 Jan 2013
Total posts 16
At long last. However I will not be booking with them if I cannot use my Krisflyer points to book on the aircraft with real flat seats. Have you tried booking on an A380 out of Sydney? Impossible. Hopefully someone at Singapore Airlines is reading these comments so they will understand why they are losing out to Cathay.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
06 Apr 2012
Total posts 125
SQ265/SQ266 now upgraded to the 777 now as well.
12 Apr 2017
Total posts 12
Does anyone know if there are plans to upgrade the overnight flights from SIN-BNE, SQ235 and SQ255?
01 May 2017
Total posts 4
Hi we are on flight 246 (777-200) 4 May Brisbane -Singapore-------flight 318 (777-200) Singapore to heathrow. Returning on Flight 319 London-Singapore (777-300) 17 June and Singapore-Brisbane flight 235 18 June (A330-300)- We are booked in business class and can you tell me if these are flat beds.Thanks
01 May 2017
Total posts 4
Hope someone can help with previous ?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Mar 2016
Total posts 167
There are a myriad different 772 configurations for SQ but all the ER versions have flat bed seats. You should find these on your flights, unless they change to a standard 772 at the last minute - this would be very unlikely on the LHR - SIN legs. The A330 is angled-flat.
01 May 2017
Total posts 4
Thanks a lot for that ajstubbs
02 May 2017
Total posts 5
Unfortunately, SQ has downgraded their metal to BNE changing it from the 777-200ER 1-2-1 fully flat seats to the 777-200R (Retrofitted) 2-2-2 angle flat seats. I was booked on this flight (SQ246) in May and SQ called me to inform me that there has been a plane change for the service. A quick check on Seat guru confirmed the change and also throughout May. I am obviously quite disappointed as I was looking forward to flying this bird. C'mon Singapore, please reconsider your move. Surely BNE deserves at least one good business class service, especially for overnight services.
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