The best seats in business class: Singapore Airlines Airbus A350

Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350s play host to the airline's latest business class seats, offering the 'business traveller basics' of direct aisle access for every passenger and a fully-flat bed when it's time to turn in.

They're even a step above what you'd find on SQ's larger Airbus A380s – but as always, some business class seats prove superior to others.

Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 business class: the basics

There's space for 42 business class passengers on SQ's A350s, with a cabin of seven rows at the front of the plane and a further four rows tucked behind:

In line with other SQ aircraft, the window seats here are labelled 'A' and 'K', while the centre pairs are 'D' and 'F'. Eagle-eyed readers will notice the absence of 'unlucky' row 13, too.

Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 business class: best seats

For sleeping – 11D, 11F, 19D or 19F: It's true that every business class seat here transforms into a fully-flat bed, but these seats prove particularly roomy in front with extra space for your legs and feet, either when sitting upright or when in bed mode:

If you can't nab one of these centre seats, aim instead for 11A, 11K, 19A (pictured below) or 19K, which too offer a little extra space – just not quite as much:

Don't think of the 'A' or 'K' seats as second-best, however. Compared to the 'regular' business class seats in the other rows (shown below), they're still pretty roomy.

Just know that all seats in row 19 double as baby bassinets when required, so if you're a light sleeper or don't fancy being moved, you might instead make anything in row 11 your first choice.

For solo travellers – any 'A' or 'K' seat: With the cabin arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, why plonk yourself in a centre pair when you sit by the window undisturbed and enjoy the view?

The seat's modest privacy shield also helps keep other passengers from eyesight across the aisles: noticeably more so when the seat is in bed mode, but still proving useful when sitting upright:

For couples or friends – a D+F duo: It should come as no surprise that the centre pair of seats in a 1-2-1 layout is ideal for couples or friends travelling together...

... and unlike some airlines which alternate between having seats closer together in one row and further apart in another – such as Emirates and Etihad – Singapore Airlines keeps things simple with the same seat positions used in every row.

Despite other options, solo travellers often sit here too: that's why these centre seats also offer a privacy screen between them, which can be pulled forward after take-off, remaining in place until it's time to land.

Avoid 18D, 18F: Sure, these seats are still better than anything back in premium economy, but given their location directly next to the lavatories, there's no reason to choose 18D or 18F if other seats are available.

During the flight there's normally a curtain pulled closed to separate the bathrooms from the cabin proper (pictured in the open position above), but even so, you'd still be close to extra noise and foot traffic here, so opt for something elsewhere if you can.

Also read:

• Review: Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350 business class seat
• On board the delivery flight of a Singapore Airlines Airbus A350
• Singapore Airlines plans year-round A350 flights to Australia

Connect with other business travellers in our Singapore Airlines discussion group

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.