Short-haul flights on narrow body jets rarely match the comfort provided by the large wide body aircraft used for long-haul flights. In an effort to narrow the gap, Singapore Airlines has now unveiled its new Business Class cabin for the Boeing 737 MAX.
Any product launch by the Singapore-based carrier always creates a stir, and the launch of its new Business Class offering is worth taking note of. With the introduction of the new flat-bed seat for the Boeing 737 MAX, passengers can soon expect a long-haul seat even on short flights.
For many years, Singapore Airlines exclusively operated wide-body aircraft, focusing on long-haul routes and a handful of shorter routes with significant demand. “Thinner” regional routes and most short flights were left to regional subsidiary SilkAir.
Following years of planning, SilkAir was however finally assimilated into Singapore Airlines in January 2021. This left Singapore Airlines with a fleet of Boeing 737-800 and 737-8 MAX that did not quite live up to the expectations passengers have when flying Singapore Airlines. The airline embarked on a project designed to improve the passenger experience on the narrow body jets, with the ultimate goal of bringing it as close to long-haul as possible.
Singapore Girls and Book the Cook
When the first repainted Boeing 737-800 took off from Changi Airport in January 2021, the first steps had already been taken to align the inflight experience. Former SilkAir cabin crew had been retrained to become Singapore Girls, dressed in the iconic Singapore Airlines sarong kabaya, and the food and beverage concept was brought in line with other Singapore Airlines flights. Expect signature dishes from the popular “Book the Cook” menu, fine Champagne and Singapore Slings.
Flat-bed seats for short-haul flights
While a handful of Boeing 737-800 aircraft that came from SilkAir have received a facelift with newly upholstered seats in early 2021, the gamechanger for short and medium haul flights comes with the introduction into service of the Boeing 737-8 MAX.
Singapore Airlines opted to install flat-bed seats from Thompson Aero Seating, featuring a total of 10 Business Class seats, including two of the prized “throne” seats. Seats alternate between two seats and one per row, giving added personal space and privacy for two lucky passengers on each flight. On all Singapore Airlines aircraft the Business Class cabin starts from row 11, and with just three rows of seats on the Boeing 737-8 MAX, the “throne” seats are found on row 12. Couples will enjoy rows 11 and 14, which feature pairs of seats. Like many other airlines, Singapore Airlines has opted to skip row 13 on its planes.
Designed to match
While the seats are an off-the-shelf model, Singapore Airlines brought London-based Factorydesign on board to customize the seat and cabin design. Passengers familiar with Singapore Airlines will feel at home in the cabins that are in line with the regional Business Class product offered on the larger Boeing 787-10 and Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Soft brown, light grey and warm orange hues meet premium materials with bespoke embroidery in custom patterns and textures. Seat cushions and covers also follow the same style as the larger aircraft.
The seats recline to a fully-flat bed of 1,94 m (76") and feature a 16" HD video screen to access KrisWorld inflight entertainment, AC and USB ports and a wide foldable table. Armrests retract to provide additional width and elbow room when the seat is in bed mode. The seat offers plenty of storage, a personal reading light and mood lighting around the seat. Inflight Wi-Fi is available, with Business Class passengers getting the first 100Mb for free.
Where will it fly?
With a total of 37 aircraft on order, the Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft is set to become the backbone of the Singapore Airlines short- and medium-haul fleet. While it has not yet been announced which routes will be the first to see the new aircraft, the airline has indicated services to points in Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, and Thailand, subject to regulatory approvals. We also expect to see the Boeing 737-8 MAX flying to selected destinations in Australia such as Darwin and Cairns, and possibly Japan.
With the introduction of the Boeing 737-8 MAX, Singapore Airlines also has the option to try out new routes with a cost effective and relatively small aircraft that still provides the full Singapore Airlines inflight experience.
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