Singapore Airlines first class: everything you need to know
Luxurious and indulgent; Singapore Airlines first class is an experience you’ll discuss long after the flight ends.
Singapore Airlines has a sky-high reputation for excellent service and comfort regardless of your seat number, but its lavish first class and flagship suites – true next level seats – really are a cut above the rest.
Taking wing from Changi Airport to a roll call of destinations across Australia, Asia, Europe and North America, it’s an experience worth splurging on. The benefits begin before your feet even leave the ground too.
Here’s what you need to know about Singapore Airlines first class.
- What is Singapore Airlines’ first class and suites?
- Five reasons we love Singapore Airlines first class and suites
- Four tips for flying in first class and suites with Singapore Airlines
- Getting a first class upgrade on Singapore Airlines
- Best first class seats and suites on Singapore Airlines
- Singapore Airlines first class and suites FAQs
What is Singapore Airlines’ first class and suites?
First class and Suites Class are Singapore Airlines’ ultra-premium luxury cabins. You’ll generally find them on high-demand and high-profile routes to and from the Lion City.
However, while ‘First’ and ‘Suites’ tickets are virtually identical in service and price, they do represent two vastly different seats.
‘Suites Class’ is exclusively the domain of the double-decker Airbus A380s, featuring six enclosed private suites, as the name implies.
‘First Class’ on the other hand is found on Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 777-300 aircraft, offering four large and better-than-business-class berths.
Five reasons we love Singapore Airlines first class and suites
Space to stretch out, and more
If you thought business class was spacious (and it’s certainly no slouch), then first class and Suites will exceed your expectations.
Everything is upsized, from the lavatories to the fully-flat bed. Singapore Airlines’ newest Airbus A380 first class suites even have separate full-length beds from your seat.
In the Boeing 777s, the extra-wide seat converts into a bed. Even so, you’ll appreciate having plenty of space around your legs and not needing to tuck your feet into a cubby hole, which would hopefully lead to a better night’s sleep.
Fine dining and wines
The inflight dining service is undoubtedly the highlight of Singapore Airlines’ first class and Suites onboard experience.
Your multi-course feast might kick off with signature satay sticks accompanied by caviar. Moving into the main, you could be presented a succulent roast rack of lamb before finishing with a beautifully plated dessert, pralines, fruits and a digestif.
Australian restaurateur and chef Matt Moran is a member of the airline’s esteemed International Culinary Panel, having joined its ranks back in 2003. To celebrate his 20 years in the role, the airline debuted an exclusive first class menu on flights from Australia.
Flights of more than 1.5 hours unlock Singapore Airlines’ exceptional ‘Book the Cook’ fine dining service, which allows you to pre-order meals from a tantalising array of dishes. Lobster Thermidor is just one of its signature favourites. There are unique options for first class and Suite too.
The beverage list takes the form of top-shelf Champagnes such as Taittinger, Krug, and Gustave Lorentz Riesling, not to mention 20-year-aged tawny port. Complementing them are liqueurs, soft drinks and TWG teas, plus an excellent selection of wines chosen by some of the world’s leading wine experts.
The impeccable service
From the moment you check-in to when you step off the plane, it's a first-class experience every step of the way. Batik-adorned crew are trained to be attentive, yet not intrusive. Drinks are quickly topped up and all reasonable requests can be accommodated.
First class, Star Alliance lounges and The Private Room
Of course, holding a first class or Suites ticket also opens the doors to the best Star Alliance and Singapore Airlines lounges at your departure airport.
Sydney and Melbourne both have first class sections in the SilverKris lounges, while the home port of Singapore has the exclusive ‘The Private Room’ in Terminal 3, recently refined to a heightened level of elegance.
Quality onboard amenities
Though Singapore Airlines is more conservative in handing out goodies in business class (you often have to ask for them), it’s a totally different story further forward.
For longer-range or overnight flights, expect Lalique-branded pyjamas and a quality leather amenity kit – some complete with a take-home scented candle.
Four tips for flying in first class and suites with Singapore Airlines
Use The Private Room on arrival
An unpublished benefit of flying Singapore Airlines Suites and first class is access to The Private Room immediately on arrival, even if you don’t have an onward flight or are otherwise not eligible for first class lounge entry (such as if your next Singapore Airlines flight doesn’t feature first class).
Singapore is one of few airports where arriving and departing passengers are not separated in the terminals, which makes this possible. On-arrival access isn’t guaranteed of course, but if you’re in Terminal 3 and aren’t in a hurry, it doesn’t hurt to try. To ensure you dine on your favourite dishes onboard, it helps to browse and lock-in your choice online at least 48 hours before departure. Book the Cook offers dishes that you wouldn’t usually be able to get onboard, such as the classic lobster thermidor or the Angus beef burger. Alternatively, browse the inflight menu for your flight and pre-order your choice so you don’t miss out. If you’re travelling with that special someone on the Airbus A380 Suites, try to take advantage of the superjumbo’s unique ability to convert the two first class suites on each side of the plane into a ‘double suite’. The 1-1 layout of first class on the A380 can bring these window suites together to create a double bed. To do this, couples travelling together need to allocate 1A + 2A, or 1F + 2F. It isn't possible with the third row due to it having a slightly smaller footprint than the other two. Solo travellers can take advantage of this if the adjacent suite is empty for a supersized ‘king room’, but keep in mind you may be moved for an actual travelling couple. Departing from Terminal 3 at Changi? Asked to be dropped off at the first class check-in area where you’ll be greeted by a staff member, promptly processed, and have access to a private immigration lane which drops you just outside The Private Room and SilverKris first class lounges. Singapore Airlines is notoriously strict on upgrades to premium cabins, especially first class and Suites. The best way to secure that golden ticket is to pay for it, or use KrisFlyer Miles. However, if using miles, it is only possible to upgrade to first class from a paid business class ticket. Upgrades from business to first class and Suites start at 15,500 KrisFlyer miles for the shortest of flights, such as Asian routes. There are now two types of Singapore Airlines upgrade awards: Singapore Airlines’ full upgrade chart is available for download here. Sample routes are listed below, showing figures in KrisFlyer miles: Saver upgrade Advantage upgrade Australia to Singapore 53,500 miles 92,000 miles Singapore to Europe 74,500 miles 136,500 miles Singapore to USA West Coast 75,500 miles 137,500 miles Singapore Airlines also offers occasional reduced-price cash upgrades via MySQUpgrade, however this is only available for upgrades to premium economy or business class. The pride of Singapore Airlines’ fleet are its Airbus A380 suites. Just six of these spacious rooms line the upper deck of the superjumbo, with 1A and 1F being the prime pick due to being ever-so-slightly larger than the other four. The main seat is a large, swivelling armchair that can rotate to face the windows or sliding door. Each first class suite is fitted with a 32’ touch screen TV, plenty of storage spaces, a fully-flat bed that can be stowed into a dividing wall and futuristic touches such as electronically controlled windows. First class on the Boeing 777-300ERs comprises is no wallflower though, featuring a wide 35-inch seat that converts into a very comfortable 208cm fully-flat bed. With only four to eight seats available, your choices are limited. Couples might want to opt for C + D to lower the dividing privacy panel, although it’s not possible to combine these seats to form a double bed. Solo travellers will definitely feel most at home at the window seats, A or F. Yes, Suites and first class passengers on WiFi-equipped aircraft receive unlimited free internet on each flight. Yes, Singapore Airlines provides pyjamas on most first class routes, especially on long-range and overnight flights. Only shorter intra-Asia routes such as Singapore-Hong Kong might not offer pyjamas. Singapore Airlines’ first class and Suites can be booked with KrisFlyer miles, but currently cannot be booked using Virgin Australia Velocity Points unless they are first converted into KrisFlyer miles. Singapore Airlines usually doesn't make first class seats available for booking through Star Alliance partner programs such as United MileagePlus. Availability is extremely limited in any case, given the small number of seats in each cabin.Book the Cook or browse the inflight menu online
Be quick to snag a double suite with your partner
Speed through Changi Airport with a private check-in area
Getting a first class upgrade on Singapore Airlines
Use your KrisFlyer miles
Best first class seats and suites on Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 Suites
Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER first class
Singapore Airlines first class and suites FAQs
Does Singapore Airlines have free inflight internet?
Do Singapore Airlines first class passengers receive pyjamas?
Can Singapore Airlines first class be booked with points?
11 Oct 2023
Total posts 4
What a stunning product. Can't fault it. Qantas could learn a thing or 5 from SQ products!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer P1
23 Aug 2014
Total posts 147
There is an inherent (massive) difference in the product on the A380 vs the 777-300ER, not, unfortunately matched by a fare reduction.
These planes are now old and noisy and the" manual folding the bed thing" in F can be annoying. There is no comparison compared to having the "drop down" bed in the Suites and the freedom to whizz around in the armchair!
The bathrooms are vastly different too.
My view is that when airlines charge the same price for 2 disparate products (another example would be the token "new" F on the Emirates 777-300ER, flogged to death for PR but virtually inaccessible for most F flyers due to scarcity of numbers), they should own this and reflect their validation in a specific way.
Otherwise agree with the article, stellar service that has become more laid back and relaxed over the years.
Their expensive Burgundian wines do poorly inflight as they are usually too young but appeal to the label conscious flyer.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer P1
23 Aug 2014
Total posts 147
Addendum
It is also worth noting that as a P1 on Qantas I was unable to secure seats to London in J or F for August NEXT YEAR (for a one week period of departure dates), but that on SQ with PPS status (not Solitaire) I was easily able to obtain F seats with a choice of flights for 2 return trips to London from Australia for the same time period.
09 Mar 2016
Total posts 2
To be honest, anywhere in First with Sing is amazing. In suites you have a bit more space while in First the seats need a turn down. Otherwise the service is impeccable. And transiting through Changi....WOW! Having past experience of BA, AA, Cathay, Emirates, and Qantas all at the pointy end, Sing leaves them all for dead!
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