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Singapore Airlines A350 refurbishment announced

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Singapore Airlines has announced a comprehensive refurbishment program for its A350 fleet.

The £852 million scheme will see all 41 of its A350-900 and A350-900ULR (Ultra Long Range) aircraft refurbished from head to toe.

This includes with a brand new business class cabin. Originally due to launch on the airline’s incoming Boeing 777X planes, it now looks like it will be unveiled on the A350s thanks to delays at Boeing.

Singapore Airlines A350 refurbishment announced

Details of the new business class cabin are scant, although the teaser video suggests it will have relatively high privacy walls and doors, a first for the cabin on Singapore Airlines – see the screenshot above.

Crucially, the suite height appears closer to Qatar’s Qsuites than it does BA’s Club Suite, suggesting a greater sense of privacy.

Singapore Airlines also announced it would install First Class on its seven A350-900ULRs. From a UK perspective this is less relevant as they do not fly to London and are reserved for the airline’s longest flights, including New York.

The first refurbished aircraft won’t re-enter service until mid 2026. In total, the entire fleet refurbishment is due to complete by the end of 2030.

Whilst we wait for the new seats to arrive you can find out what to expect on board Singapore Airlines with my review series from earlier this year:


How to earn American Airlines miles from UK credit cards

How to earn Star Alliance miles from UK credit cards (December 2024)

None of the Star Alliance airlines currently have a UK credit card.

There is, however, still a way to earn Star Alliance miles from a UK credit card

The route is via Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty points convert to over 40 airlines at the rate of 3:1.

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is via the official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card. It comes with 20,000 points for signing up and 2 points for every £1 you spend. At 2 Bonvoy points per £1, you are earning (at 3:1) 0.66 airline miles per £1 spent on the card.

There is a preferential conversion rate to United Airlines – which is a Star Alliance member – of 2 : 1 if you convert 60,000 Bonvoy points at once.

The Star Alliance members which are Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners are: Aegean, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review

Comments (12)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • FLYGVA says:

    The IHG buy offer seems to be targetted in the way, that not everybody gets 100%. I only geet 60%, which is a new low.

    • BlairWaldorfSalad says:

      I was offered nothing. IHG even had the cheek to email me twice suggesting I treat myself to a points purchase (with no bonus)

  • Rich says:

    I was targeted for a different IHG deal….just a 60% bonus and so they can whistle!

  • Scott says:

    Even with a 100% bonus, I’ve never found anything really good value wise like others have.
    Maybe it is area of the world specific to get the best bang for your buck? I.e. Asia

    • The real Swiss Tony says:

      60% for me, too. I’ve struggled to find any outsized value in IHG for a while now. Got a bit of a deal at an IC in Singapore in 2023, but again it feels like a fundamentally different game to 10+ yrs back.

      • Matt says:

        If you find yourself in Vietnam and want a beach stay, then Regent Phu Quoc is an exceptional redemption. Especially as point bookings include breakfast (and a wonderful one at that). Circa 55k points a night for a circa $500 a night base room. Even more exceptional value when I got an upgraded to a Terrace Pool villa for a 7 night stay. Even if you buying a stack of points to build your pot, I think there’s still value there.

      • Gerry says:

        That’s why I cleared out my stash of over half a million points and am slowly drifting away from this program…

  • RussellH says:

    I am offered the 100% deal: maybe it is because I have not had a cash booking for well over a year now.

  • ADS says:

    “seven A350-900ULRs … are reserved for the airline’s longest flights, including New York”

    in the last week they’ve flown

    SGA – JFK & LAX
    SGB – JFK & LAX
    SGC – JFK & EWR
    SGD – JFK & EWR & LAX
    SGE – not flown
    SGF – JFK & EWR
    SGG – JFK & EWR & LAX

  • BBbetter says:

    Do the regular long haul A350s not have first class? Are they not being refurbished? Not sure Rob’s comment is correct that the new first class doesnt matter to those in UK.

    • BBbetter says:

      Ignore that as the long haul A350s dont have first class!

    • The real Swiss Tony says:

      It’s the fact that someone in the UK is highly unlikely to be on SQ between Singapore and New York. Yes, someone will do it, but it’ll be a rounding error in comparison to those with an IHG account or impacted by the VS redemption changes.

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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