Singapore Airlines has been voted best airline of the year multiple times.
It has won the title five times from Skytrax, in the years 2004, 2007, 2008, 2018, and 2023, solidifying its reputation as one of the world’s leading airlines.
Singapore Airlines is known for its world-class service and luxurious cabins especially in business and first class.
The airline operates a large fleet of modern aircraft, including the Airbus A350-900, which forms a significant part of its long-haul and ultra-long-haul operations.
Singapore Airlines currently has 61 A350-900s in service, which are divided into three configurations, catering to different types of flights.
Is there First Class on Singapore Airlines A350?
No, there is not.
In fact, none of the A350-900 configurations operated by Singapore Airlines feature Business Class Suites or a First-Class cabin, as seen on carriers like JAL’s A350.
Singapore Airlines A350-900 Configurations
The SQ Business Class A350 seat map comes in three distinct configurations: long-haul, ultra-long-haul, and medium-haul. Let’s check out the seating arrangements and features for each.
A350-900 Ultra Long Haul Configuration
The Singapore Airlines A350-900 ultra-long-haul (ULR) variant is configured with 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy seats. This configuration is used for marathon flights like Singapore Airlines SQ 31, which travels from New York to Singapore—one of the longest flights in the world, clocking in at around 19 hours.
In this layout, passengers enjoy a higher density of Business Class seats. There are no Economy Class seats on board, as the focus is on premium service for long-haul travellers.
SQ A350-900 Business Class seats in this configuration offer more privacy, ample legroom, and fully flat beds.
However, even though the flight is lengthy, Singapore Airlines does not provide pyjamas in Business Class, which is a notable omission considering the duration.
A350-900 Long Haul Configuration
In the Singapore Airlines A350-900 long-haul configuration, there are 42 Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy, and 187 Economy Class seats.
The business class cabin is laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring that every passenger has direct aisle access. This layout is designed for comfort on flights such as Melbourne to Singapore, where travellers experience luxury with fully flat beds and generous personal space. In fact i was on this flight recently. I managed to upgrade to business class using my velocity points.
The SQ A350-900 Business Class seats on both ultra long-haul and long haul flights feature adjustable dividers between middle seats like 11D and 11F, offering passengers more privacy or the option to lower the divider for couples or friends traveling together. This is a great option when travelling with kids.
Additionally, the Singapore Airlines A350-900 Long Haul has no overhead bins in the middle aisle. This gives the cabin a more spacious feel. However, these seats do not feature personal air nozzles, which can be a downside on warmer flights. You need to adjust to the cabin controlled temperature.
The Singapore Airlines seat layout stands out with its angled footwell and a reclining mechanism that pulls the back of the seat forward to create a flat bed. I find that neither of these two are passenger friendly. Sleeping on an angle is quite awkward. The seat not being able to lounge and then recline into a bed is not ideal. On a 10 hour flight from Istanbul to Singapore I found this to be quite uncomfortable. And on the topic of Istanbul, they have one of the best lounges I have even been to. Being part of the Star Alliance you get access to the Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge in Istanbul. An experience in itself.
A350-900 Medium Haul Configuration
The medium-haul Singapore Airlines A350 features 40 Business Class seats and 263 Economy seats. These flights typically serve shorter routes within Asia.
Notable flights are:
SQ 406 (Singapore to Delhi)
SQ 919 (Manila to Singapore)
SQ 945 (Denpasar to Singapore)
Although there are fewer Business Class seats in this configuration, passengers can still enjoy a lie-flat bed, perfect for a restful journey. In comparison to the long-haul and ULR variants, this configuration includes overhead bins in the middle aisle of Business Class.
The seat itself is also a reclining lie flat seat as opposed to the other two configurations which is the fold over mechanism as mentioned above.
Seat Features Across Configurations
Direct Aisle Access
In all configurations of the SQ Airbus A350, every Business Class seat offers direct aisle access thanks to the 1-2-1 layout. This makes the experience more private and ensures no passenger must step over another to move around the cabin.
Lie-Flat Beds and Reclining Mechanism
The SQ Business Class A350 seats on Long and Ultra Long Haul are famous for their unique recline function. Instead of the backrest reclining into a flat bed, passengers pull a latch to bring the backrest forward, creating a lie-flat surface. Only the A350-900 Medium haul is a forward reclining seat.
How Do I Know Which Configuration I Have?
To determine which configuration your flight has, consider the duration of the journey. Generally, Medium Haul flights cover destinations of approximately 5-6 hours. Examples include SQ 406 (Singapore to Delhi), SQ 919 (Manila to Singapore), and SQ 945 (Denpasar to Singapore).
Long Haul flights typically serve destinations that are over 7 hours, such as Melbourne to Singapore.
Ultra Long Haul flights cater to journeys such as Singapore to New York (just under 19 hours) or Singapore to Los Angeles (just over 15 hours).
To check your specific configuration, visit the Singapore Airlines website. After entering your flight details, you’ll reach the seat selection page, where a seat map will appear. You can easily identify your flight’s configuration by comparing the displayed seat map with the examples provided above.
Here’s an example of what that looks like: (when i compare it to the seat map above i can see I’m flying the A350 900 Long Haul Configured Aircraft.
*Be aware however that last-minute aircraft changes can occur, so it’s wise to keep this in mind as your travel date approaches.
Singapore Airlines Melbourne Lounge
Tip for a better experience
Flying Singapore Airlines Business Class from Melbourne can be underwhelming if you’re using the Singapore Airlines lounge. The lounge lacks natural light and windows, giving it a rather “dungeon-like” feel.
Thankfully Singapore Airlines is part of the star alliance and you have the option to use other lounges. In Melbourne the Air New Zealand Lounge, is far more inviting with its open spaces and bright design. In contrast to the SQ Lounge, there is a window overlooking the runway, though it is at ground level.
Don’t think twice about it. If you are travelling out of Melbourne head on over to the Air New Zealand lounge. It’s a reminder of the fabulous Koru Lounge at Auckland Airport.
Once you pass security and immigration, walk through the duty free area towards the escalators. It is located on the ground floor and offers the following:
Open from 05:40 AM
Showers (towels & hairdryers)
TV’s & Magazines
Wifi & Business Facilities
Power/Charging Facilities
Food Buffet
Barista Coffee – I love this. Not even the Emirates Lounge at Melbourne Airport has Barista Coffee.
Summing Up
While there are minor areas for improvement, such as the absence of onboard pyjamas for ultra-long-haul flights, the overall experience on the SQ A350-900 remains top-tier.
For travellers seeking comfort, luxury, and top-notch service, Singapore Airlines’ A350 Business Class continues to be a leading choice.
By mastering the points game, you can fly in business or first class for free using frequent flyer miles and credit card rewards.
When its time to redeem your points or miles for an airline ticket ensure you use a miles redemption calculator so you can ensure you are getting good redemption value.
Finally, if you need some packing tips, download this ultimate travel packing list for helpful suggestions you might not have thought of!
Happy travels!
