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FIRST LOOK: Singapore Airline New ‘Hotel Rooms’ in the Sky

FIRST LOOK: Singapore Airline New ‘Hotel Rooms’ in the Sky
Singapore Airlines | New Suites A380 Aircraft

The best seats aboard the world's biggest passenger jet just got better. Singapore Airlines revealed the update on Thursday (2/11), offering a first look at the new ‘Singapore Airlines suites’.

Think of it as a hotel at 35,000 feet. The room comes with a plush leather chair upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather, double bed, spacious storage (including a personal wardrobe!), and a 32-inch TV.

single suites feature a leather chair upholstered by poltrona frau. Image: Singapore Airlines
Single suites feature a leather chair upholstered by Poltrona Frau. Image: Singapore Airlines

 

Amenity kits, pyjamas, slippers, eyeshades and socks come from the French luxury house, while Lalique-designed crystal glassware will be used alongside Wedgwood crockery during meals service.

In a bid to create new levels of privacy, the number of suites has been reduced to six from twelve, allowing space to fit an actual bed, a full-sized wardrobe and two bathrooms, one of which has a sit-down vanity counter. 

Passengers traveling together will be able to combine two of the suites by simply lowering a divider. Image: Singapore Airlines
Passengers traveling together will be able to combine two of the suites by simply lowering a divider. Image: Singapore Airlines

 

Passengers traveling together will be able to combine two of the suites by simply lowering a divider – it is yet to be announced if it’s required that this be a predetermined arrangement.

The overhaul follows Singapore Airlines’ $850m investment and four years of development time. It has long had a reputation for its premium products and service, which rivals Middle Eastern carriers like Etihad Airways and Emirates in terms of luxury, and its new first class suites will be nearly 70 percent larger than the old ones. 

One of the bathrooms has a sit-down vanity counter. Image: Singapore Airlines
One of the bathrooms has a sit-down vanity counter. Image: Singapore Airlines

 

“We are very good at doing a lot of premium things for our customers in a cost-effective manner,” the CEO told Reuters on the sidelines of an event to unveil the seats.

Some carriers, including United Airlines and Qantas Airways (QAN.AX), have not installed first class on newer aircraft. But for other airlines, first class remains a showpiece for attracting elite passengers and for broader brand marketing.

suites have enough space to fit an actual bed, a full-sized wardrobe and two bathrooms. Image: Singapore Airlines
Suites have enough space to fit an actual bed, a full-sized wardrobe and two bathrooms. Image: Singapore Airlines

 

CAPA Centre for Aviation Chief Analyst Brendan Sobie said it made sense for Singapore Airlines to have fewer first class suites, given they were less full on average than other cabins. 

“The yield premium that it generates and marketing benefit makes it worthwhile to retain and improve,” he said to Reuters.

he overhaul prioritises space after receiving passenger feedback. Image: Singapore Airlines
The overhaul prioritises space after receiving passenger feedback. Image: Singapore Airlines

 

“Economy and premium economy revenues will increase due to the higher seating density. Overall the profitability of the A380 should improve, making the investment worthwhile.”

The Telegraph reported that Singapore Airlines return first-class Suite fares from London to Sydney, via Singapore, cost from £9,500.

The new suites will launch on the Singapore to London route in 2018. More information  on the new A380 cabin products can  be found at A380.singaporeair.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
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