Singapore Airlines has unveiled the next generation of regional cabin products for its new Boeing 787-10 fleet, which it says will “redefine travel on flights up to eight hours”.
They were unveiled at a launch event in Singapore following the arrival of the first 787-10 from Boeing’s production facility in North Charleston, South Carolina. SIA’s new 787-10s are configured with 337 seats in two classes: 36 Business Class seats and 301 Economy Class seats.
The Business Class seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 staggered configuration, which means every passenger has direct aisle access.
Manufactured by Stelia Aerospace, the new Business Class seats on the 787-10s are arranged in a forward-facing 1-2-1 staggered configuration, providing every passenger with direct aisle access.
Each seat reclines into a 76-inch fully-flat bed and passengers can enjoy inflight entertainment (IFE) content on 18-inch high-definition touchscreen monitors, powered by Panasonic’s latest eX3 system. The Business Class seats measure up to 26 inches in width. Adjustable dividers at the centre seats allow for a customised level of privacy to suit individual preferences.
Passengers can also look forward to other features to enhance their travelling experience, such as ample stowage space for personal items, a business panel with in-seat power supply and USB ports, and integrated reading light unit with adjustable lighting intensity.
Singapore Airlines has worked closely with Panasonic Avionics to create a personalised IFE experience for Business Class and Economy Class passengers.
Designed and built by RECARO, the new Economy Class seats are arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration. Each of the 301 Economy Class seats has an ergonomically-designed contour backrest, with a six-way adjustable headrest with foldable wings to provide more neck support. Economy Class passengers also have personal 11.6-inch high-definition touchscreen monitors.
Other features include personal storage space for small personal items, a coat hook, USB port and in-seat power supply.
New inflight entertainment experience
All passengers on Singapore Airlines’ 787-10s will also have greater control over their IFE experience through myKrisWorld. Standout features include content recommendations based on customer preferences and viewing history, and KrisFlyer members being able to bookmark and resume content, as well as customise and save preferences for subsequent flights.
SIA is also the first airline in the world to offer a series of games from Toca Boca and Sago Mini on KrisWorld. Initially available on the 787-10s, this entertainment option will progressively be made available on other aircraft types in the airline’s fleet.
The new 787-10s will also be equipped with inflight WiFi supported by Panasonic’s Global Communication Services and GSM phone services provided by Panasonic’s wholly owned subsidiary Aeromobile.
Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong commented: “The introduction of the new cabin products on our Boeing 787-10 fleet reinforces our unwavering commitment to product leadership, one of the key pillars of our brand promise. The new products were the result of a series of consultations with customers, and from working closely with our seat designers and manufacturers. We are confident that the new regional cabin products, with full-flat beds in Business Class and the many new features in Economy Class, will offer our customers a more comfortable in-flight experience even on the shortest flights.”
The carrier is investing US$350 million in the introduction of the new regional cabin products on an initial 20 787-10s. SIA is the first and largest customer for the 787-10, with firm orders for 49 of the aircraft type. The airline also has a firm order with Boeing for 20 777-9s, which are due for delivery from the 2021/22 financial year.
Osaka and Perth will be the first scheduled destinations to be served by the new 787-10s, from May 2018. Prior to the launch of these regular services, the aircraft will be operated on selected flights to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur for crew training purposes.
