Singapore’s first class was again named the world’s best for 2024.
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Singapore Airlines won the 2024 Skytrax award for the world’s best first-class service. The airline’s Airbus A380 planes sport a hotel-like suites that can convert into double rooms.The suite-equipped superjumbos only fly to a select number of cities, but not the US.
Singapore Airlines is heralded as one of the most luxurious carriers in the world, earning loyalty for its nice cabins, attentive flight attendants, and reliable operation.
It fought Doha-based competitor Qatar Airways for Skytrax’s 2024 title of world’s best airline, winning in 2023 but losing to Qatar this year.
However, one Skytrax awards category Singapore has consistently won since 2018 is Best First Class for the hotel-like suites on its Airbus A380s.
Although some travelers savvy enough with points may snag a seat, the exclusive cabin is widely booked by deep-pocket business and leisure passengers, as roundtrip tickets can cost up to $30,000.
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The old first class featured 12 seats on the A380’s upper deck, but the retrofit halved that.
Six next-generation suites, providing up to 100 square feet of living space, are now available on each of its in-service superjumbos.
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The staircase clearly demonstrates the exclusivity of the fancy suites, and passengers will be welcomed by dedicated crew members specially trained to work first class.
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Privacy is among the most requested amenities from customers for premium cabins. Carriers like Air India and British Airways have recently added doors to their business class. American Airlines hopes to launch its new door-equipped Flagship cabin later this year.
Meanwhile, Emirates announced first-class suites with sliding doors in 2017, shortly after Singapore’s own launch.
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The bed folds out of the partition between cabins and can be set up by the crew members.
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It can swivel to a desk facing out the window or at the television, and the tables are huge, with more than enough space for a laptop.
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UAE-based Etihad Airways’ private first-class rooms are similarly luxurious, with a separate chair and couch to create that “apartment”-like feel.
The couch flips into a bed, and the top half can open to an adjoining pod.
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Singapore designed the six suites to convert some into double rooms with space for two people by dropping the partition.
This means customers will get two recliners, two televisions, double the storage, and a full-sized bed.
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Qatar revolutionized business class with sliding doors and its convertable lie-flat beds that combine two into one.
The QSuite cabin also offers quad seating, so four people can dine or meet.
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A remote is available to control the television, and customers can select from almost any genre of movie or show.
There are also games and music to enjoy.
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Customers will get the expected amenity kit with things like lotion and dental items.
By the mirror is a tablet that controls things like lighting and adjustable window shades.
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Customers shouldn’t have any issue finding a place for their stuff — and the closet is likely especially helpful to business passengers flying with a suit.
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The two lavatories sit at the front of the cabin on either side of the staircase, though one is larger than the other.
Six people will be sharing two bathrooms, which is a much better ratio than in economy.
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The vanity in the smaller lavatory is connected to the sink, though the one in the larger bathroom is separate with its own chair and mirror.
It sits between the toilet and the sink as a divider, which makes the space feel even bigger.
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Unlike Emirates and Etihad’s first-class showers, Singapore does not include one because carrying the water would be a costly added weight.
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Cirium data shows Singapore flies its A380s on select routes between Changi and Asia, Europe, and Australia.
These include flying to Mumbai, Delhi, Frankfurt, London, Shanghai, and Sydney. The US fell off the list last year.
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The plane change cut capacity in half as Singapore found more revenue opportunity flying the mammoth plane to Australia instead.
However, the jet still has first-class — albeit not as bougie. Nor does it meet the luxury of rival top-notch first-class A380 cabins that fly to the US, such as Etihad and Emirates.