Singapore Airlines upgrades business class on Perth-Singapore flights
By Chris C., April 26 2019
EXCLUSIVE | Business class flyers jetting from Perth to Singapore are in for an upgrade with one of Singapore Airlines’ four daily return flights stepping up from an ageing Boeing 777-200 to a factory-fresh Airbus A350, fitted with the airline’s newest ‘regional’ business class seats.
Taking over the afternoon SQ226 flight from Perth and the morning SQ213 flight from Changi Airport as of June 3, the business class experience switches from this, as appears on the bulk of those Boeing 777 flights…
… to this, which not only swaps the outgoing angled-flat seat to a fully-flat bed, but also provides direct aisle access for every passenger, given the switch from the 2-2-2 seating layout to a passenger-pleasing 1-2-1 configuration.
That's something many business travellers are bound to appreciate more so than the bed on these flights, which predominantly run during daylight hours.
This is also the same business class seat as appears aboard Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 787-10 flights between Perth and Singapore, which, combined with this soon-to-be-updated Airbus A350 service, gives WA-based flyers flatbeds and direct aisle access on two of Singapore Airlines’ four daily return flights.
While the A350s flying to Perth won't offer premium economy, they do come with satellite-based inflight Internet access – a feature not available on the outgoing Boeing 777-200 – with business class guests offered 30MB of complimentary access on each flight.
A Singapore Airlines spokesperson confirmed the change with Australian Business Traveller, with the airline’s booking systems now updated to reflect the switcheroo.
The move represents Singapore Airlines’ continuing upgrades of its Australian routes with newer aircraft – a project that has so far seen Boeing 787-10s for Perth, Airbus A350s replacing A330s in Adelaide and Brisbane moving to an all-A350 destination as of May 2019, with more upgrades expected to follow as more modern jets join the airline’s fleet.
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 129
Just flew on this product (albeit 787). This gives the A380 product a run for it’s money!
18 Apr 2012
Total posts 2
The A350 leaves the 787 far far behind for comfort, luxury and some say safety.
27 May 2017
Total posts 21
But isn't one of Singapore's flights (from Perth) the 777 with the old 1-2-1 lie flat business class that is the old A380 style
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
Only sometimes: on the majority of those Boeing 777 flights, it’s a 2-2-2 configuration.
06 Dec 2018
Total posts 10
22 Jun 2017
Total posts 6
About damn time!! I do agree, we do get the 772ER sometimes which isn't as bad as the A330 2-2-2 configuration.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 780
Kudos for SQ in that they're working to give PER the latest hardware. It takes time, but they'll get there. And they all beat a 737.
15 Mar 2016
Total posts 18
That still leaves us with crappy 777-200 on SQ214 and 223. Nothing worse than getting on the latter after a long haul into Singapore - worn out hard product and usually a second tier cabin crew as well.
18 Apr 2012
Total posts 2
I guess the sooner SQ does away with all Boeing aircraft and replaces with Airbus taking into account the Boeing "Max" issues the better.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
06 Feb 2019
Total posts 1
Any idea when the A330 will be swapped out? That's probably the worst of the current aircraft serving that route...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Sep 2013
Total posts 188
If the pic at the top is what is coming, this seat looks better than it works. I flew on an SQ flight SIN-PER last year which had this seat. The Purser advised me that the aircraft was only a few weeks old, but can't recall what type. From the pic, you can see the seat is quite narrow, and the large curve around on the LHS continues right down and sits on the armrest, which was a constant irritant to me, having to push my arm forward more than I would have liked. The curve around also takes away any benefit you might get from a window seat, as it restricts your vision significantly. On the RHS, you can see the passenger's arm is quite close to the table with the indent for the glass. The table is quite high, and to pick up said glass you have to either lift your whole arm to do so, or raise your arm to a vertical position, and then twist it to the right rather like a periscope to grab the glass! The seat was reasonably comfortable, though I did not check out the recline position as it was a daylight flight. The service was as good as always, but these irritations with the seat was a distraction. Regards, Frank.
07 Jan 2017
Total posts 30
The A350 is the way to go. IMHO the A350 beats everything hands down.
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