Singapore Airlines unveiled a swanky new lie-flat business class seat on its Boeing 737 MAX plane

Taylor RainsNov 20, 2021, 19:23 IST

Singapore Airlines 737 MAX business class seatSingapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines unveiled its new lie-flat business class seat for its Boeing 737 MAX at the Dubai Air Show.
The MAX is still grounded in countries the airline operates, but Singapore expects to fly the jet again this year.

Two years after its grounding in March 2019, the Boeing 737 MAX is slowly being recertified to fly again. The Federal Aviation Administration gave the MAX the green light in the US in November 2020, while the European Union Aviation Safety Agency declared the plane was safe to return in January 2021.

Boeing 737 MAXBlueBarronPhoto/Shutterstock

Two years after its grounding in March 2019, the Boeing 737 MAX is slowly being recertified to fly again. The Federal Aviation Administration gave the MAX the green light in the US in November 2020, while the European Union Aviation Safety Agency declared the plane was safe to return in January 2021.

However, there are a few holdouts, like China and Indonesia, which have still banned the jet. Nevertheless, Asian carrier Singapore Airlines has hopes that it will soon be able to fly its MAX aircraft as countries recertify the plane to fly and land in their territory.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 737-8 aircraftSingapore Airlines

However, there are a few holdouts, like China and Indonesia, which have still banned the jet. Nevertheless, Asian carrier Singapore Airlines has hopes that it will soon be able to fly its MAX aircraft as countries recertify the plane to fly and land in their territory.

"We definitely expect that it will be before this year is out," Singapore Airlines' executive vice president commercial, Lee Lik Hsin, told reporters, according to Reuters.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 737-8 aircraftSingapore Airlines

"We definitely expect that it will be before this year is out," Singapore Airlines' executive vice president commercial, Lee Lik Hsin, told reporters, according to Reuters.

Part of Singapore's preparations is an all-new lie-flat business class on its 737 MAX plane. A lie-flat seat on narrowbody jets is rare, but the airline has made it clear it wants to distinguish itself from competitors, having invested S$230 million ($169.94 million) in "industry-leading" cabin products.

Lie-flat business class seatSingapore Airlines

Part of Singapore's preparations is an all-new lie-flat business class on its 737 MAX plane. A lie-flat seat on narrowbody jets is rare, but the airline has made it clear it wants to distinguish itself from competitors, having invested S$230 million ($169.94 million) in "industry-leading" cabin products.

Singapore's product is similar to JetBlue Airways' original Mint cabin, which launched on its Airbus A321 fleet in 2013.

JetBlue Airways' original Mint productJetBlue Airways

Styled by London-based Factorydesign and manufactured by Northern Ireland-based Thompson Aero Seating, the 10-seat cabin is configured in a 2-2, 1-1, 2-2 pattern, meaning the middle row will only have one seat per side, commonly known as "throne" seats.

Singapore Airlines 737 MAX business class cabinSingapore Airlines

Styled by London-based Factorydesign and manufactured by Northern Ireland-based Thompson Aero Seating, the 10-seat cabin is configured in a 2-2, 1-1, 2-2 pattern, meaning the middle row will only have one seat per side, commonly known as "throne" seats.

Unlike the 2-2 rows, the throne seats offer extra table space, direct aisle access, three-inch wider seats, an added cubby with a mirror and LED light, and more privacy.

Singapore Airlines throne seatSingapore Airlines

Unlike the 2-2 rows, the throne seats offer extra table space, direct aisle access, three-inch wider seats, an added cubby with a mirror and LED light, and more privacy.

The 2-2 seats in front and behind the throne seats will have a shared arm table in between. According to Singapore, there are no plans to charge extra for the throne seats compared to the double seats.

Singapore Airlines double seatsSingapore Airlines

The 2-2 seats in front and behind the throne seats will have a shared arm table in between. According to Singapore, there are no plans to charge extra for the throne seats compared to the double seats.

Overall, every lie-flat seat is made with premium materials that provide extra cushioning and softness, bringing the standard of medium-haul comfort to shorter flights.

Business class with mealSingapore Airlines

The new seats also have a handful of other nice features, like a 16" inflight entertainment screen with storage space underneath…

Inflight entertainment screen and storageSingapore Airlines

A reading light…

Singapore Airlines 737 MAX business class seatSingapore Airlines

USB and power ports...

Passenger in business class on Singapore’s 737 MAXSingapore Airlines

A wide tray table for eating and working…

Business class tray table with mealSingapore Airlines

And the first 100 megabytes of WiFi for free.

Passenger playing games on tv screenSingapore Airlines

"We can now offer customers a premium travel experience across our entire full-service network, no matter how long or short their journey," Hsin said in a press release.

Lie-flat business class seatSingapore Airlines

"We can now offer customers a premium travel experience across our entire full-service network, no matter how long or short their journey," Hsin said in a press release.

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Singapore Airlines unveiled a swanky new lie-flat business class seat on its Boeing 737 MAX plane

However, there are a few holdouts, like China and Indonesia, which have still banned the jet. Nevertheless, Asian carrier Singapore Airlines has hopes that it will soon be able to fly its MAX aircraft as countries recertify the plane to fly and land in their territory.

"We definitely expect that it will be before this year is out," Singapore Airlines' executive vice president commercial, Lee Lik Hsin, told reporters, according to Reuters.

Singapore's product is similar to JetBlue Airways' original Mint cabin, which launched on its Airbus A321 fleet in 2013.

Styled by London-based Factorydesign and manufactured by Northern Ireland-based Thompson Aero Seating, the 10-seat cabin is configured in a 2-2, 1-1, 2-2 pattern, meaning the middle row will only have one seat per side, commonly known as "throne" seats.

Unlike the 2-2 rows, the throne seats offer extra table space, direct aisle access, three-inch wider seats, an added cubby with a mirror and LED light, and more privacy.

The 2-2 seats in front and behind the throne seats will have a shared arm table in between. According to Singapore, there are no plans to charge extra for the throne seats compared to the double seats.

Overall, every lie-flat seat is made with premium materials that provide extra cushioning and softness, bringing the standard of medium-haul comfort to shorter flights.

The new seats also have a handful of other nice features, like a 16" inflight entertainment screen with storage space underneath…

A reading light…

USB and power ports...

A wide tray table for eating and working…

And the first 100 megabytes of WiFi for free.

"We can now offer customers a premium travel experience across our entire full-service network, no matter how long or short their journey," Hsin said in a press release.