Singapore Airlines
- Singapore Airlines relaunched its Airbus A380 on flights between New York and Singapore in March.
- The mammoth plane features four fare classes, including the carrier’s upgraded business-class seat.
- Insider toured the lie-flat lounger, which can convert into a double bed.
Singapore Airlines is one of the largest operators of the Airbus A380 jumbo jet.
Mike Fuchslocher/Shutterstock
The carrier was forced to put the mammoth aircraft into storage during the pandemic but has started bringing them back into operation.
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380-800.
SOPA Images/Contributor/Getty Images
On March 28, the carrier relaunched its popular A380 route between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Singapore.
EQRoy/Shutterstock.com
The route stops in Frankfurt, Germany, which is a Fifth Freedom of the Air right. This allows airlines to carry revenue passengers from one foreign nation to another before continuing on to their home country.
Emirates operates a Fifth Freedom route from New York JFK to Milan.
Arnold Aaron/Shutterstock.com
Onboard the A380 is a huge cabin complete with economy…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…premium economy…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…business class…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…and First Class Suites. The suites come with a large leather lounger and a bed.
A first-class suite onboard a Singapore Airlines Airbus A380.
Singapore Airlines
See inside Singapore’s A380 first class suite that features a full bed, private bathroom, and large leather armchair
The company’s business-class suites take up a majority of the upper deck of the A380, while the first-class suites sit at the very front. There is a staircase that leads to both cabins.
Staircase leading to first class suites.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Insider took a tour of Singapore’s business-class cabin — take a look.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Singapore’s A380s have different configurations, but the cabin I toured had 86 seats configured in a 1x2x1 layout. The lie-flat loungers feature purple Poltrona Frau leather and touches of brown and orange.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: SeatGuru
Testing out the seat, I immediately noticed the amount of space available. I was easily able to stretch my legs fully out with plenty of room to spare.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The seats are able to turn into a lie-flat bed stretching over six and a half feet, meaning even tall passengers can sleep on the long-haul journey.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Reclining the seat all the way back, I thought the lounger was plush and comfortable.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Singapore provides pillows and linens to make sleeping even easier.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Travelers can manipulate the seat using buttons on the armrest, allowing them to recline, lay flat, and adjust the leg rest.
Taylor Rains/Insider
According to Singapore, the center seats can merge to create a double bed, which is perfect for couples or families traveling together.
Singapore Airlines
Source: Singapore Airlines
However, there is a privacy divider that can be fully raised…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…or only raised halfway. To create the bed, the divider can be fully lowered, according to Singapore.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The seats also come with several luxury amenities, like an 18-inch touchscreen TV that pairs with noise-canceling headphones…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…storage space…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…power outlets and USB ports…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…a swivel reading light that brightens and dims…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…a large tray table that deploys from the armrest…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…plenty of extra tabletop space…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…and a mirror.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Every seat is in a cocoon, meaning passengers can enjoy the extra privacy provided by the wings of the lounger.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Moreover, the inflight entertainment system offers over 1,000 movie and television-show options, and will even store loyalty passengers’ preferences for future flights, according to Singapore.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Travelers can use the touchscreen on the TV or a remote to control the system.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Singapore Airlines
Overall, I found the seat comfortable with plenty of amenities to keep passengers entertained on the multi-hour flights. I look forward to testing the seat in the future and hope it meets expectations.
Taylor Rains/Insider
