Singapore Airlines’ new cabins compared with Qantas Project Sunrise and Qatar Qsuite

Singapore Airlines has revealed its next long-haul cabins, with doors in business class and a first-class center pair that can become a double bed. The November 6 announcement puts the airline into a new round of competition with Qantas’ Project Sunrise suites and Qatar Airways’ Qsuite Next Gen.

The investment exceeds S$2 billion, and introduction is planned from the second half of 2027. But the aircraft matters as much as the announcement: the Airbus A350 retrofit and new Boeing 777-9 will not receive the same upgrades. Singapore Airlines outlines the program in its official cabin announcement and new travel experience website.

What changes on each Singapore Airlines aircraft#

The program covers 41 existing long-haul and ultra-long-range A350-900s, plus the incoming 777-9 fleet. The ULR gains first class for the first time. The all-new premium economy and economy seats are reserved for the 777-9.

Source: Singapore Airlines’ November 6 announcement. The rollout is phased; the start date does not mean every aircraft will have the new cabins.

This distinction is easy to miss in launch coverage. An A350 booking will not, by itself, secure the new business seat. And a retrofitted A350 will not give premium economy passengers the new 777-9 chair. Travelers should look for a confirmed cabin version on their specific departure.

First class: Singapore’s shared bed versus Qantas’ separate bed#

Singapore Airlines’ new first class has curved sliding doors and companion dining. The center seats can form a shared sofa or double bed. For couples, that makes the center pair the most distinctive part of the design.

Qantas takes a different approach with Project Sunrise. Its first suite has a separate reclining chair and fixed bed, so the passenger does not have to turn the main seat into a bed. The airline’s Project Sunrise fact sheet describes a full-length wardrobe, dining space for two and an enclosed suite.

Singapore specifications are detailed in launch coverage by The MileLion; Qantas details come from its official aircraft overview.

The practical choice depends on how someone travels. Singapore’s adjoining setup is especially relevant for two people who want to relax and sleep together. Qantas’ separate bed is appealing for someone who wants a seat and sleeping surface available at the same time. Neither feature alone establishes which suite will feel more comfortable through an entire flight.

Business class: privacy is becoming the starting point#

Singapore’s new business cabin adds doors, an adaptable personal space and companion beds. These features move the comparison beyond the width of a chair toward how passengers use their space across a long journey.

Qantas has also announced sliding doors for its Project Sunrise business suites, along with adjustable dividers between alternating center seats. Its June 2026 cabin update places privacy within a broader effort to support rest on ultra-long flights.

Qatar’s Qsuite Next Gen is another useful benchmark. Its movable 4K OLED screens help create shared spaces for up to four people in the Quad Suite and two in the Companion Suite. Qatar describes those features in its 2026 product showcase.

These are comparisons of announced designs, not flight reviews. A door can reduce exposure to the aisle, but it does not tell us how much room a side sleeper has for their knees. Bed shape, footwell clearance, cushion support and noise will matter once the products can be assessed in service.

Premium economy and economy need a separate comparison#

Singapore’s 777-9 premium economy seat offers 40 inches of pitch, a 19-inch width and up to nine inches of recline. Economy uses a 3-4-3 layout, with 31–32 inches of pitch and a 17.6-inch seat width. The published specifications are summarized in The Points Guy’s launch report.

Those figures should be read alongside the aircraft type. Ten seats across a 777-9 and nine across an A350 do not, on their own, establish the difference in usable shoulder room: the aircraft cabins differ in width.

Qantas’ Project Sunrise A350 is planned with 238 seats across four classes, including 140 economy seats in a 3-3-3 layout. Its official aircraft page also describes a Wellbeing Zone between premium economy and economy, with stretch handles, a guided movement program and refreshments.

That shared area is a meaningful difference in the design brief. Passengers on an exceptionally long flight may value somewhere to stand and move as well as the seat itself. It cannot substitute for comfortable seating, but it gives the Qantas comparison a dimension that a list of screen sizes would miss.

What the announcement means for your next booking#

Singapore’s strongest new features are the shared first-class space and the move to enclosed business seating. Qantas makes a different case through separate first-class beds and a dedicated movement area. Qatar continues to emphasize flexible social space in business class.

The better choice will depend on the route, fare, cabin and whether someone travels alone or with a companion. It is too early to rank these products by sleep quality or service based on launch images and specifications.

Before paying extra, confirm the aircraft version, seat map and flight assignment. Couples should also check which specific seats support the advertised shared setup. A product announcement is a reason to follow an airline; a confirmed assignment is what turns that interest into a booking.

For the wider onboard refresh, read our coverage of Singapore Airlines’ new KrisWorld entertainment and connectivity.

Explore the cabins and wider changes on Singapore Airlines’ new travel experience website.

Images: Singapore Airlines promotional photography and cabin renderings, supplied through the linked press media folder. Renderings illustrate announced designs; final in-service details may change.

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