The $850 million aircraft bed transformation | Dinogo

Almost 38 years ago, Philippine Airlines introduced the first fully flat bed on a commercial aircraft with its slim, bunk-style 'Skybeds' aboard the first-class upper deck of a Boeing 747.

That luxury was short-lived, as airlines soon focused on cramming more passengers into planes, regardless of class.

Fortunately, trends evolve, and in recent years, airlines have returned their attention to offering more personal space, privacy, and – of course – a better quality of sleep.

Premium suites

If this sounds familiar, it’s because the airline has been offering double beds in its top-tier service for over a decade, starting in 2007 with the debut of its first Airbus A380 in commercial service.

‘Our original Suites were the first to feature double beds in the sky, and they continue to be seen as the pinnacle of luxury air travel,’ said Goh Choon Phong, CEO of the airline, during the unveiling of the newest designs in Singapore. ‘We’ve kept that signature feature, and the new beds are even more luxurious and comfortable than ever before.’

There are six Suites located at the front of the A380’s upper deck, each of which can be individually enclosed from the aisle with sliding half-height doors.

Inside, passengers enjoy a 76-inch bed distinct from the seat, which itself features a 270-degree swivel and a 45-degree recline for dining (with Wedgwood china), working (via high-speed Inmarsat Global Xpress satellite Wi-Fi), or simply gazing out of the windows before sleep.

The experience is completed with a 32-inch high-definition TV, a Lalique amenity kit, leather-lined storage compartments, and a touchscreen tablet to control entertainment and lighting.

Focus on quality

Despite all the luxurious features, the primary focus of the new Suites is on offering guests quality time, which is why privacy is such a key aspect.

This is something that frequent business travelers, like Gary DeGregorio, an executive at global technology consultancy ThoughtWorks, can truly appreciate.

‘Business travelers in C-level roles or those in sales or consulting need to be constantly influencing both external and internal stakeholders, so maintaining a focused and positive mindset is essential,’ says DeGregorio to Dinogo Travel.

‘Rest and privacy are crucial during long flights, especially since business travelers often lack the luxury of time. Privacy provides greater control over the environment, allows for more freedom in preparing work, and reduces the psychological pressure of interactions.’

The Singapore Airlines unveiling also introduced entirely new business class seats made from carbon fiber composite, ‘similar to the material used in Formula One race cars,’ according to Goh.

Couples traveling together now have the option to combine their spaces into a 78-inch double bed, thanks to retractable partitions and seats that fully recline.

Long-haul expertise

Given Singapore's small size – just 276 square miles, half the size of Los Angeles – and its single major international airport, it's clear why Singapore Airlines does not operate domestic flights.

The shortest route on the airline’s map is a 185-mile flight from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, typically packed with passengers connecting to Malaysia's capital from more distant locations.

The airline once held the world record for the longest commercial flight until 2011, when it discontinued a 19-hour nonstop route from Singapore to Newark, which it plans to revive later in 2018.

In other words, catering to travelers on grueling, long-haul journeys is one of Singapore Airlines' specialties.

The same can be said for the two other airlines offering double beds onboard: Etihad Airways, which debuted its First Class 'Apartment' and the three-room 'The Residence' accommodations on their A380 aircraft in 2014, and Qatar Airways, whose ‘Qsuite’ business class launched this year on select Boeing 777-300ER routes from Doha to London, Paris, and New York.

Tickets now available

Kinny Cheng, a frequent flyer who has experienced both the Etihad First Class 'Apartment' and Singapore’s previous Suites Class, tells Dinogo Travel that he had high expectations for the latest reveal, and it didn’t disappoint.

‘To be fair, Singapore Airlines has had ample time to think about how to surpass the competition,’ he says. ‘The new Suites appear to be an upgraded, more refined, and ergonomically enhanced version of the already spacious, top-tier premium cabins available.’