SIA delays rollout of new first, business class seats on Airbus A350 amid supply chain constraints
Singapore Airlines' next-generation first and business class seats on its Airbus A350-900 aircraft is now expected to enter service in the first quarter of 2027 instead of the second quarter of 2026.
Technicians check on a Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 plane at Changi International Airport in Singapore on Oct 24, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman)
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SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) next-generation first and business class seats on its Airbus A350-900 aircraft are expected to enter service in the first quarter of 2027 instead of the second quarter of 2026.
"The revised timeline reflects industry-wide supply chain constraints, as well as a delay in the certification of one of the new seats," SIA's spokesperson said on Wednesday (May 6) in response to CNA's queries.
The upgrade - announced in November 2024 - was part of SIA's programme to install all-new long-haul cabin products across 41 Airbus A350-900 long-haul and ultra-long-range (ULR) aircraft.
SIA had said in November 2024 that the products are designed from the ground up, with a spacious layout and ergonomic elements that "cater to every customer’s needs".
It said at the time it was investing S$1.1 billion (US$863 million) in the programme, with the retrofit to be done by SIA Engineering Company in Singapore.
Premium economy class and economy class cabins will also be refreshed, the airline had said.
Originally, the first retrofitted A350-900 long-haul aircraft was expected to enter service in the second quarter of 2026 while the first A350-900ULR variant would follow in the first quarter of 2027.
SIA's spokesperson on Wednesday said the retrofitted A350-900 is expected to enter service in the first quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.
"We will provide an update on the entry-into-service of SIA’s retrofitted A350-900 ultra-long-range aircraft at the appropriate time," said the airline.
The entire programme had targeted completion by the end of 2030.
SIA said on Wednesday it will unveil its enhanced travel experience later in 2026.
This would include all-new long-haul first class, business class, premium economy class, and economy class cabin products, an elevated dining experience, the next-generation KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system and new in-flight soft furnishings and amenities.
The airline had said that after the makeover, 34 A350-900 long-haul aircraft will have 42 business class seats, 24 premium economy class seats, and 192 economy class seats.
Meanwhile, the seven A350-900ULR variants will feature four first class seats, 70 business class seats, and 58 premium economy class seats.
