SIA’s first A350-900 medium haul aircraft arrives in Adelaide

• Aircraft feature new regional Business Class and Economy Class cabin products
• First SIA aircraft with Thales AVANT in-flight entertainment system

Singapore Airlines (SIA) welcomed the entry into service of its new Airbus A350-900 medium haul aircraft as it made its inaugural flight from Singapore to Adelaide on Monday. 

The aircraft entered into service as SQ279. It departed Singapore at 2334hrs local time on 17 December and arrived in Adelaide at 0815hrs on Tuesday. The return flight, SQ278, departed from Adelaide at 1045hrs local time and arrived in Singapore at 1530hrs local time.

Featuring new regional Business Class and Economy Class cabin products that were recently launched on SIA’s Boeing 787-10 fleet, the A350-900 medium haul Business Class cabin has 40 seats in a 1-2-1 arrangement that ensures direct aisle access for every customer, while the Economy Class cabin has 263 seats arranged in a comfortable 3-3-3 configuration.

The new medium-haul Business Class seats have been manufactured by Stelia Aerospace. With each seat able to recline directly into a 76” fully-flat bed, customers can rest in more comfort, even on the shortest flights. Each seat measures up to 26” in width with retractable armrests that can be raised and lowered. Other features include ample stowage space for personal items, a business panel with in-seat power supply and USB ports, an integrated reading light unit with adjustable lighting intensity and a personal 17” full high-definition touch screen monitor.

The new Economy Class seats have been designed and manufactured by RECARO and also offer customers an enhanced in-flight experience.

Each seat has an ergonomically-designed contour backrest that provides greater relaxation, and a six-way adjustable headrest with foldable wings to provide more neck support. Economy Class customers can also enjoy an enhanced entertainment experience on their personal 11.6” full high-definition touch screen monitor. Other features that have been introduced for Economy Class customers include storage space for small personal items, a coat hook, USB port and in-seat power supply.

In-flight entertainment

The A350-900 medium haul aircraft are also fitted with the latest Thales AVANT in-flight entertainment system – a first in SIA’s fleet. This has been designed with a new user interface that offers a more intuitive experience and navigation options, leaving customers with the pleasure of enjoying Singapore Airlines’ myKrisWorld and its selection of more than 1,800 movies, TV shows, audio programs and games with even greater flexibility. 

Customers can receive personalised content recommendations based on their preferences and viewing history, while KrisFlyer members can bookmark and resume content, as well as customise and save preferences and playlists for subsequent flights. KrisFlyer members and Business Class customers will also have access to additional in-flight entertainment content choices. In addition, customers will have access to high-speed in-flight WiFi service on the new A350-900s, equipped with Inmarsat GX Aviation’s broadband connectivity system offered through SITAONAIR.

Following Adelaide, the A350-900 medium haul aircraft will be deployed to Brisbane from 7 January 2019, subject to regulatory approval. 

The A350-900 features higher ceilings, larger windows, an extra wide body delivering more space and comfort as well as lighting designed to reduce jetlag. SIA placed orders for a total of 67 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, 30of which are already in the fleet including seven ultra-long-range variants, 21 long-haul variants, and two medium-haul variants.