Singapore Airlines will convert its five Airbus A340-500 ultra-long-range aircraft into an all-Business Class configuration, for daily flights between Singapore and New York, and Singapore and Los Angeles as the carrier stated. The current 2-class, 181 seat, arrangement will be replaced with 100 of the Airline’s new award-winning Business Class seats, in a 4-abreast, 1-2-1, layout.  Each seat is upholstered in leather, and is 30 inches (76 cm) wide.

This new configuration will position Singapore Airlines as the first to operate an all-Business Class service on the Transpacific route.

Every seat will have direct access to the aisle, and will convert to a fully-flat bed.  The new Business Class seats are the same design as those fitted on the Airline’s A380 and B777-300ER fleet.

Singapore Airlines Executive Vice President Marketing and Regions, Mr Huang Cheng Eng, said the change recognises the popularity from business travellers for the award-winning Business Class products introduced on other aircraft type.

“The new Business Class is being very well-received by our customers on long-range flights.  The new product is the perfect fit for the ultra-long-haul services between Singapore and the USA.

“The peak demand for the non-stop flights is from our Business Class customers, and this change will expand Business Class capacity from 64 to 100 seats on each flight,” Mr Huang said.

The implementation will be phased in gradually from mid May, 2008, on the Singapore-New York route, with daily services in the new all-Business Class arrangement to New York by end June, and Los Angeles by late September, 2008. The program will require each of the five A340-500 aircraft to be retrofitted in turn.