Singapore Airlines’ $1.3bn answer to new Qantas A350s due to arrive in 2026

The carrier has revealed plans for a major makeover of its A350 fleet to keep on the front foot in the fiercely competitive premium travel space.

Singapore Airlines will splash out more than $1bn on major cabin refits for its relatively young A350 fleet, to ensure the carrier can go head to head with Qantas when the flying kangaroo takes delivery of its own A350s from 2026.

Qantas has promised the interior of its Project Sunrise aircraft will be the “best in the sky”, prompting Singapore to add a “luxurious first class cabin” to its seven ultra-long range A350-900s.

Another 34 A350 long haul aircraft, which have an average age of 5.7 years, will get a new business class product and “refreshed” premium economy and economy cabins.

To top it off, the airline will roll out the next version of its in-flight entertainment system, promising “greater personalisation and an extensive range of lifestyle options across all cabin classes”.

The refurbishment of all 41 A350s should be completed by 2030, ensuring the airline maintains a competitive edge in the premium travel space.

Currently Singapore Airlines uses its long haul A350s on Melbourne and Sydney routes, as well as Christchurch and Auckland.

Ultra-long range A350s with an all premium seat configuration are used by Singapore on flights to JFK in New York, Newark and San Francisco.

Singapore Airlines’ chief executive officer Goh Choon Phong said the changes “anticipated the evolving preferences and expectations of customers down to the finest detail”.

“The new first class and business class seat designs will incorporate thoughtful elements that push the boundaries of comfort, luxury and modernity, allowing our customers to relax or work effortlessly on board,” said Mr Goh.

“The $1.26bn investment reaffirms Singapore Airlines’ unwavering commitment to delivering an exceptional travel experience.”

A hint of what’s to come in business class on Singapore Airline’s long range A350s.

Work will start on the cabin refit in 2026 — the same year Qantas will take delivery of its first A350-1000 to be used on non-stop services from Sydney to London or New York.

Qantas has a dozen custom built A350-1000s on order from Airbus, featuring six enclosed first class suites, 52 business class suites, 40 premium economy and 140 economy seats.

Another 12 A350s have been ordered by Qantas to replace ageing A330s and A380s later this decade or in the early 2030s.

As well as trying to hold its own against a rejuvenated Qantas, Singapore Airlines is facing changes to its longstanding partnership with Virgin Australia.

One of the conditions of Qatar Airways’ planned investment in Virgin is a shake-up of codeshare arrangements with existing airline partners including Singapore, Etihad and South Africa Airways.

Under the proposed deal, Qatar Airways would become Virgin’s exclusive partner on routes into the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

It suggests Virgin would have to cut ties completely with Etihad and South Africa Airways, and limit its Singapore codeshare to flights into Asia and India.

A Singapore Airlines spokeswoman said they were unable to comment on any confidential commercial discussions.

Etihad Airways was also reluctant to discuss its Virgin Australia partnership, but a spokeswoman said the airline remained steadfast in its commitment to the Australian market.

She pointed out from March 2025 Etihad would operate eight flights a week into Melbourne from Abu Dhabi, up from seven. From July, Etihad would also increase frequency into Sydney from seven services a week to 10.

Originally published as Singapore Airlines’ $1.3bn answer to new Qantas A350s due to arrive in 2026