Singapore Airlines has just revealed its new Boeing 737 MAX interiors, and the business class cabin looks gorgeous.
In this post:
The story of Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737s
For some background, up until recently Singapore Airlines exclusively flew wide body aircraft. The carrier’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SilkAir, operated narrow body aircraft on regional routes in cooperation with Singapore Airlines.
In mid-2018 it was revealed that Singapore Airlines and SilkAir would merge. As part of this, it was also decided that SilkAir’s planes would get upgraded inflight products, to better match the quality of what’s offered by Singapore Airlines.
That merger was officially completed in early 2021, at which point Singapore Airlines began directly flying 737s. Service initially began with former SilkAir 737-800s, given that the 737 MAX 8s were still grounded. Now that 737 MAXs can fly once again, Singapore Airlines has revealed the brand new cabins that are being installed on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft (these won’t be installed on 737-800s). The airline has 37 of these on order, six of which have already joined the fleet.
Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737 cabins
Singapore Airlines has now revealed the business class and economy class cabins we can expect on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft going forward. It’s stated that the airline has spent 230 million SGD on the development of this new product, so that’s quite an investment.
The planes will feature a total of 154 seats, including 10 business class seats and 144 economy class seats. We can expect these planes to enter service in the coming weeks, with flights initially scheduled to Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, and Thailand.
Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737 business class
Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737s will feature an intimate business class cabin with just 10 seats, in a staggered configuration. The first and third row will be in a 2-2 configuration, while the second row will be in a 1-1 configuration.
The airline has selected the Thompson Aero staggered configuration for the plane, with plenty of customization. Seats will have up to 22″ of width, and will turn into a 76″ flat bed. Each seat will feature AC charging plus two USB outlets, a 16″ personal television with a touchscreen monitor, a reading light with adjustable brightness, and ample storage.
Most customers will be seated in the comfortable 2-2 configuration, which is a pretty standard flat bed business class product for a narrow body.
Meanwhile two lucky passengers will get “throne” seats, featuring direct aisle access, and lots of extra storage space.
The general layout here is very similar to what you’ll find on most narrow body planes offering fully flat beds, including airlines like Aer Lingus, JetBlue, and TAP Air Portugal. Up until now we’ve mostly seen these products on Airbus A320 family aircraft, so it’s cool to see this concept on a Boeing 737 family aircraft (FlyDubai was the first airline to install these kinds of seats on 737s).
Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737 economy class
Economy class seats are designed by Collins Aerospace, and are in a 3-3 configuration. Seats will feature 30″ of pitch, 18″ of width, and 5″ of recline. Seats will feature a 10″ personal television, plus a USB outlet (though no AC power). The slimline seats will also come with a contoured backrest for better support, and a four-way adjustable headrest with foldable wings.
Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737 inflight entertainment & connectivity
Singapore Airlines will be installing Panasonic’s X-series inflight entertainment system on Boeing 737 aircraft. This will offer the same KrisWorld entertainment content you’ll find on other Singapore Airlines aircraft. There will even be an improved 3D flight map with over 20 distinct views, which avgeeks will no doubt appreciate.
Customers will also be able to browse the selection and create a personalized playlist of movies, TV shows, and music, via the Singapore Airlines mobile app. It will also be possible to control the media playback directly from one’s personal device.
Singapore Airlines’ 737s will also feature Panasonic’s inflight Wi-Fi service. Pricing for this service hasn’t yet been revealed.
Bottom line
Singapore Airlines has unveiled its gorgeous new regional cabins, which will be available on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft going forward. This update comes as SilkAir has been integrated into Singapore Airlines, and in the process the airline is also improving the inflight experience on these planes.
Singapore Airlines’ 737 business class looks awesome, and I can’t wait to fly it. In economy it’s nice that there will be personal televisions, Wi-Fi, and the legendary service that Singapore Airlines is known for, but then again, slimline seats with 30″ of pitch are hard to get too excited about.
What do you make of Singapore Airlines’ new 737 cabins?
I usually fly premium economy from
London to Australia via Singapore , unfortunately as the price has gone up so much we have to go economy, and its 3 3 3. As my husband has complex needs I'm quite anxious if this will work but have no other choice , I just hope it's not too. Stressful.
I plan on flying SQ Airlines again as the last time I Flew on Business Class frm KHI - SIN & Then On Economy 2 MEL In 1988. They R Just Fantastic Really.
Luvz Frm Holly
Personally I'd avoid the throne seats - when I had one of those with Swiss previously I found the foot cubby pretty claustrophobic, you couldn't turn on your side when stretched out!
@Reuben I somewhat agree. I don't like First or Economy in the A321 or the 737M, very uncomfortable seats. I'm flying MIA-LAS in January, and although there are non-stops, I booked MIA-LAX-LAS since the LAX flights are 777 with lie-flat seats. I was talking to a CK friend, & he actually did the same thing last month.
My critique of this post is that it's typical of someone who looks at the product from only one perspective: that of the lucky few who would end up in the front of this configuration. For them, this is a fantastic product. However, as the 90% will end up in the back, it's fair to point out that there's no AC power back there and you're stuck with a tight 30" pitch. Now, that may...
My critique of this post is that it's typical of someone who looks at the product from only one perspective: that of the lucky few who would end up in the front of this configuration. For them, this is a fantastic product. However, as the 90% will end up in the back, it's fair to point out that there's no AC power back there and you're stuck with a tight 30" pitch. Now, that may be tolerable on an ORD-CLE or EWR-BOS flight but it would suck on a SIN-MLE run. Especially if you're tall. So, this is definitely a tale of two cabins, one that's fantastic; another that's a gussied up version of AA Oasis.
I completely agree. Nobody seems to be paying attention that new long range narrow body planes suck for passengers. 1 aisle to share with everybody to stretch your legs, no galley, 1 aisle clogged with cart, and 3x3 seating is by far the worst configuration for anybody. I already avoid 737s when flying to Hawaii, looks like I will have to do the same for overseas flights now too.
Vote with your money and avoid these max sardine cans!
I fly economy on most flights less than 6 hours. The cart clogging the aisle is a problem with the 737 and A320. However, I try and time my bathroom runs to avoid having to avoid the cart (which is nigh impossible on a full flight). I'm always perplexed by the idiots who get out their seats go to the bathroom, and expect the flight attendants to move the carts so they can get back to their seats.
@Biz Traveler very true. Commenting on SQs new business class, it's mostly what we expected but there are some unique finishes on the thompson seat that we haven't seen on other airlines (the sculpted shell around the head area) which are pretty. I still don't understand why anyone would need a flat bed on flights that will almost certainly be less than 6 hours, but it doesn't matter much as long as it doesn't take...
@Biz Traveler very true. Commenting on SQs new business class, it's mostly what we expected but there are some unique finishes on the thompson seat that we haven't seen on other airlines (the sculpted shell around the head area) which are pretty. I still don't understand why anyone would need a flat bed on flights that will almost certainly be less than 6 hours, but it doesn't matter much as long as it doesn't take away too much from the comfort of economy passengers (seat pitch/width, etc.).
I’m good friends with a retired WN pilot and a current WN flight attendant. She loves the Max and they both staunchly maintain that it is safe aircraft.
It would be a very intimate business cabin for sure, with only 10 people at full capacity.
Is the 737MAX "safe" to fly now? Last I remember it was taking Boeing forever to get it re-certified...
The FAA is like the FDA, as long as you have enough lawyers, lobbyists and cash to throw around you can get anything approved.
And if another 737Max goes down Boeing will be quick to let us know it was the fault of an inexperienced pilot. We know the drill.