Singapore Airlines unveils an unprecedented double bed on its aircraft

From luxurious lobster meals to “smart” seats capable of remembering passengers’ preferred seating position, Singapore Airlines is working on redesigning the cabins of its aircraft designated for long-haul flights, as part of a huge development plan worth $1.6 billion. The company offers first class passengers an exceptional feature, which is the largest double bed ever installed on a commercial aircraft.

Although Singapore Airlines succeeded in snatching the title of “Best Airline in the World” from Qatar Airways during this year’s Skytrax Awards, it still faces intense competition in the luxury travel market. Last September, Emirates Airlines announced an unprecedented plan to modernize its aircraft cabins with investments amounting to $5 billion, while Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, and Air France, in recent years, have launched similar ambitious programs at a total cost of billions of dollars.

Center Suites Ideal for Couples In the most advanced class of cabins, the company describes the new First Class Suites as a “private haven,” as they include spacious spaces, privacy screens, luxurious cotton pajamas, as well as padded seats that recline and convert into beds, 80 inches long and 30 inches wide. As for the central suites designated for couples, two beds, originally designed in the form of a double sofa, can be combined to form what the company describes as “the largest double bed in the sky,” with a total width of 60 inches.

Although some airlines offer longer beds, up to 82 inches, they are not as wide. During a launch event held on Friday, at the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore, we had the opportunity to try out the bed, or exactly half its size, inside a model that mimics the new cabin.

On display, the seat recline positions vary, with the ability to adjust the side wings, lumbar support, armrests and legs via a dedicated control panel. Although the experience did not include actual sleeping, which will require the addition of a mattress, sheets, and pillows when the suites enter service, the space appeared spacious enough to accommodate passengers up to 6 feet, 8 inches tall, as well as a 32-inch screen and a footrest that can be used as an additional seat.

The company's Vice President of Product Experience, Ong Wah Lee, did not clarify whether providing more bed space came at the expense of some other equipment, noting that the curved design of the wings helps make greater use of cabin space. She told the Ufoq News network: “It is not about making concessions, but rather about how to design the cabin and exploit it optimally.”

The curved doors and walls contribute to providing a more spacious space, so that the traveler does not feel cramped while sleeping.” As for the business class, the company adds sliding doors to enhance the privacy of passengers, a feature that has already been adopted by several competing airlines.

The new equipment also includes wireless charging for phones, and “smart” control systems that memorize the traveler’s preferred seat position and lighting level from previous trips. Unlike the first-class suites, which were designed by the London consultancy Priestman Goode, the business class cabins were designed by the German company BMW's design agency, known as Designworks.

This cooperation was reflected in the form of the new leather seats, which are characterized by a streamlined design and embroideries inspired by beehives, giving them an appearance closer to sports car seats. The seats provide high levels of comfort and ample legroom, in addition to flexible control systems.

But metallic colors and yellow accents give the cabins a different feel from first-class suites, with a greater focus on meeting business needs during the flight, rather than warmth and privacy. Singapore Airlines intends to deploy the new cabins on about 100 long-haul aircraft, starting next year, to include the new Boeing 777-9 aircraft scheduled for delivery, in addition to the current Airbus A350-900 aircraft after their modernization.

On long-haul aircraft, economy class cabins will receive a new entertainment system, equipped with ultra-high-definition 4K touch screens. Although the new dishes revealed at the launch event, including Maine lobster with champagne sauce, will be served exclusively in premium cabins, the company also intends to develop the menu in economy class, adding more than 100 new dishes.

“It is natural that we do not expect the economy class meal to match the first class meal in terms of quality and cost, but that does not mean that we are not investing in developing the economy class,” Lee Leek Hsien, Singapore Airlines chief commercial officer, told reporters during a conference held last Wednesday. At the same time, the latest models of economy class seats will provide more room for movement of the knees and legs, according to the press release issued by the company.

This year, Singapore Airlines also won the “Best Economy Class” award from Skytrax for its current cabins. The new Premium Economy Class seats offer more personal space and a more comfortable seating design.

But the company's investment, amounting to 2 billion Singapore dollars, or about 1.56 billion US dollars, is mainly focused on business and first classes. It is still unclear whether these investments will bear fruit, in light of the rise in fuel prices and the accompanying increases in ticket prices at airlines globally.

This step comes in line with market trends, as the number of passengers traveling in business and first class globally reached 109.7 million in 2025, an increase of 4.5% over the previous year, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In parallel, Singapore Airlines is investing in developing its services for wealthy travelers and renovating and expanding its lounges at Changi Airport.

Although the company has won the title of “Best Airline in the World” 6 times, Changi Airport remains one of Singapore’s most prominent landmarks, having won the title of “Best Airport in the World” 14 times since 2000, thanks to its distinguished facilities, including the longest indoor waterfall in the world and the “Sky Train” that crosses its tropical gardens.