Singapore Airlines' new premium economy seat delayed to 2027
Singapore Airlines' new premium economy seat, featuring a 16-inch 4K screen, will not launch until 2027 due to Boeing 777-9 delays.
Singapore Airlines' new premium economy seat, featuring a 16-inch 4K screen and 40-inch pitch, will not be available until 2027 due to Boeing 777-9 certification delays. The airline announced on October 22 that the new seat is certified only for the Boeing 777-9 and not for its Airbus A350s, requiring separate regulatory approval.
The 777-9's first delivery is now targeted for 2027, seven years behind its original schedule. Singapore Airlines has 31 of the aircraft on order, with no deliveries expected before April 2027. The airline is investing S$1.1 billion to retrofit 41 Airbus A350-900s, but this program will not include the new premium economy seat. Instead, the carrier will introduce its new first and business class products on those A350s from the second half of 2027.
A350 retrofit retains old premium economy seat
The A350 fleet will keep its existing premium economy seats, which have been in service since August 2015. These seats are now over 11 years old. The retrofit will refresh these seats rather than replace them. On the ultra-long-range A350 variants, the refresh will add 36 extra Economy seats while reducing Premium Economy by three seats.
The new premium economy seat, reserved for the 777-9, offers significantly upgraded specifications. It will be manufactured by Collins Aerospace, with design by Factorydesign.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Screen | 16-inch (41 cm) 4K |
| Seat Pitch | 40 inches (102 cm) |
| Seat Width | 19 inches (48 cm) |
| Recline | 9 inches (23 cm) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth audio, USB-C |
The seat will be arranged in a two-four-two layout with 36 seats per aircraft. It includes a leg rest with adjustable footrest, a four-way adjustable headrest, and full-grain leather upholstery in a slate-and-orange color scheme. Singapore Airlines has not ruled out bringing these features to the A350 later, depending on Boeing's schedule and certification progress.
First class and business class move to A350s
Due to the 777-9 delays, Singapore Airlines is shifting its new first and business class products to the A350 fleet to use existing work. The retrofit will cover 34 long-haul A350-900s and seven ultra-long-range A350-900ULRs.
The new first class seat converts to an 80-inch long and 60-inch wide double bed when two center seats are combined, making it the largest double bed on any commercial airline. Individually, the seat is 30 inches wide. First class will be available on four seats on the 777-9 and four seats on the A350-900ULR.
The new business class, in a slate with yellow accents color scheme, will feature full-flat beds measuring 79 inches in length and 24 inches in width. A 22-inch bifold table is stored at an angle to create a footwell. It will be configured for 54 seats on the Boeing 777-9, 42 seats on the A350-900, and 70 seats on the A350-900ULR.
Economy class specifications on the 777-9
Economy class on the new 777-9 will be arranged in a 3-4-3 layout with 204 seats. It represents the largest single Economy section in the airline's widebody fleet.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Seat Width | 17.6 inches |
| Seat Pitch | 31-32 inches |
| Recline | Up to 6 inches |
| Connectivity | USB-C at every seat |
The seat is 1.4 inches narrower than the current 777-300ER seat. Universal AC power and USB-A ports will only be available on selected aircraft. The cabin will feature windows that are 16% larger than on the 777-300ER, placed 2.5 inches higher. CEO Goh Choon Phong said, "Singapore would have to extend the life of some aircraft, particularly the older Boeing 777-300ERs, because the 777-9 was late."
The new premium economy seat will be available on the first 12 Boeing 777-9 aircraft starting in 2027, with 19 more featuring OLED displays later.
