After four years of development, Singapore Airlines (SIA) on December 14 last year received the first new Airbus A380 featuring its latest cabin product. The aircraft, 9V-SKU, is one of the five additional A380s SIA placed an order for in 2012. The new jetliner seats 471 in four classes—343 in economy and 44 in premium economy on the main deck; and 78 in business class and six in the SIA suites on the upper deck.

Older A380s have 245 to 333 seats in economy, 36 to 38 in premium, 60 to 86 in business class and 12 in suites. The new configuration aims to drive higher capacity and better efficiency of space, and to meet the rising demands for business class seats.

The six suites at the front of the upper deck have separate full-flat beds and an in-flight swivel seat, upholstered by Poltrona Frau. Beds in the first two suites can be combined to form a double bed for traveling couples and families. The suites are designed by Pierrejean Design Studio and manufactured by Zodiac Aerospace.

Other features include a full-size wardrobe and a 32-inch HD monitor for in-flight entertainment. Two large lavatories (one with a vanity table) situated at the front of the upper deck are also reserved for the suites.

The airline will expand its business class offerings to 78 across the fleet, taking the bulk of space on the upper deck. The new JPA Design business-class seats feature a cocoon back shell for privacy, and center-aisle seats can be combined into a double bed by lowering the center divider. The structure is made from carbon fiber instead of metal, thus allowing ample space under seats for full-size cabin luggage.

9V-SKU is also the world’s first GX-enabled A380, outfitted with the Inmarsat GX Aviation broadband connectivity system, giving passengers the new high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi service. This service is offered through SitaOnair.

SIA was the launch customer of the A380 a decade ago, and invested $850 million in the refreshed design as the A380 enters its second decade. The number of A380s in the SIA fleet will remain at 19 as it is also phasing out five of the older superjumbos.

Fleet Retrofit

The very first SIA A380aircraft, 9V-SKA, has already been withdrawn from service and returned to its lessor. Although not featuring the luxury in-flight products its Middle East competitors have incorporated, SIA’s new design suits its markets and maximizes the profitability on its A380 routes, believes the carrier.

The airline has appointed Airbus to retrofit the remaining 14 A380s to the new configuration, in close cooperation with SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC), although SIA is still considering how SIAEC will be involved. All SIA’s A380 will be retrofitted by 2020.

At the time of writing, the second new A380 is due to arrive in “early 2018.” SIA has revealed that it will deploy the new A380 to London starting from February 16 three times weekly, and from February 18 to Hong Kong with the same frequency.

“The A380 still has a role in our network, especially to slot- constrained destinations,” SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong said.

Former Airbus chief operating officer Fabrice Brégier said Airbus is also in talks with launch customers on retrofit programs similar to that developed by SIA. “The A380 was launched a decade ago, and if they wish to maintain the attractiveness of the aircraft, retrofit is a must.” Although he did not mention names of potential clients, Emirates, Qantas, Air France, and Lufthansa also operate the aircraft.

Singapore currently has the largest Airbus training facility outside France, and is the region’s supply chain hub between Airbus and its Satair subsidary. “Perhaps we can cover more on digital services, in big data as well as innovation. Currently we have some R&D with local research firm A*Star. We believe in Singapore and the region,” Brégier told AIN.

SIA will continue to set milestones in 2018, as it will be the launch customer for the Boeing 787-10 and Airbus A350-900 Ultra Long Range (ULR), which will join the fleet in the first and second half of 2018, respectively. In all, SIA is looking to receive 21 new airframes in the next fiscal year, including seven examples of the A350-900 ULR.