SIA to upgrade business class across long-haul A350 fleet

Singapore Airlines has announced a major cabin retrofit programme for 41 Airbus A350-900s centred on a new business class seat.

The retrofit will apply to A350-900s used on long-haul routes, as well as -900ULRs (ultra long-range) aircraft used on long-haul services to key USA destinations, says SIA.

The long-haul A350-900s will get new business class seats, while the -900ULRs, now equipped with just business and premium economy, will gain four first-class seats.

The airline will invest S$1.1 billion ($835 million) in the programme and the work will be undertaken in Singapore by the carrier’s SIA Engineering unit. The first upgraded -900 will be ready in the second quarter of 2026, and the first upgraded -900ULR will arrive in the first quarter of 2027.

Premium economy and economy class cabins will also be “refreshed”, though SIA did not elaborate further. 

The 41-aircraft cabin upgrade programme is expected to be completed in 2030.

“The new first class and business class seat designs will incorporate thoughtful elements that push the boundaries of comfort, luxury, and modernity, allowing our customers to relax or work effortlessly on board,” says SIA chief executive Goh Choon Phong.

“Premium economy class and economy class customers can also look forward to refreshed cabin interiors that enhance their travel experience.”

After the retrofit, the 34 long-haul A350-900s will have 42 seats in business class, 24 in premium economy, and 192 in economy, for a total of 258 seats. The existing configuration has 42 seats in business class, 24 in premium economy, and 187 in economy, for a total of 253 seats.

The seven A350-900ULRs will have four seats in first class, 70 in business, and 58 in premium economy, for a total of 132 seats. The existing configuration has 67 seats in business and 94 in premium economy, for a total of 161 seats. This marks a 38% reduction in premium economy seats.

SIA’s announcement is likely to see the airline’s long-awaited cabin refresh appear on the A350, as opposed to original plans that called for new cabin products to be inroduced with the arrival of SIA’s first 777-9.

Challenges with the 777-9 programme as well as Boeing’s various challenges, including an ongoing strike, have seen the service entry of the newest 777 variant pushed back to 2026. SIA had previously indicated plans to take delivery of its first 777-9 in late 2025.