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Singapore Airlines is known for its luxurious approach to passengers, some would call it over the top (OTT). A similar approach seems to be applied to the airline’s new Premium Economy (PEY) class which is being retrofitted on to the airline’s existing Airbus A380 fleet of 19 aircraft, and another 19 Boeing 777-300ERs (airline internal designation 77WN). The first 20 Airbus A350s that will commence delivery soon will also feature the new PEY or S class.
David Lau, the India head of the airline unveiled the actual seat at an exclusive event in Mumbai, last Saturday. Bangalore Aviation specially flew to Mumbai to review the seat in person. Lau took great pains to explain Singapore Airlines positioned its premium economy class as an “economy plus” product rather than a “business minus”. Unlike fellow Star Alliance member Lufthansa which allows PEY passengers lounge access for an additional fee, Singapore Airlines will not allow PEY passengers entry in to its much vaunted Silver Kris lounge.
The meal service will also be an upgraded economy class service. Champagne and wine will be served. The airline has posted the entrées you can pre-order under the ‘Book the cook’ service. This is apart from the wide variety of special meals you can order.
We have already covered most of the information in earlier posts, including the routes. You can read that article here, along with comparisons to the economy class of other airlines. There is a change in the launch dates of the PEY service to India. New Delhi will now commence on October 25, 2015 and Mumbai on January 02, 2016.
This article focusses on the actual measurements of the seat we did with a measuring tape.
Wide seats
The new seat is a sombre grey with bright accents of orange. The sockets are intelligently placed and easily accessible. The airline has chosen a standard 2-4-2 eight abreast configuration.
The premium economy seats in Singapore Airlines’ A380s are 19.5 inches, cushion width, since two seats are removed from the 10 abreast 3-4-3 economy class for the 8 abreast PEY. The Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 which have a 3-3-3 nine abreast economy class, lose only one seat for PEY and are 18.5 inches wide in the cushion.
Including the arm-rests the seats are a whopping 24 and 23 inches wide in the A380 and B777/A350. This makes them wider than the business class seats of many other airlines. I am a large person and I sat in the seat very comfortably.
New Delhi road show special offer
The seats will be on display at DLF Promenade, New Delhi this coming weekend on October 10 and 11. The airline is offering a special guaranteed fare for passengers willing to make a booking at the road show. Singapore return for Rs 45,000, Hong Kong for Rs 50,000, Sydney for Rs 88,000, Auckland for Rs 1,10,000 and Los Angeles for Rs 1,35,000. Along with the discount, passengers will also get a free one-way domestic ticket in premium economy class of Vistara, Singapore Airline’s joint venture airline with the Tatas.
Dedicated PEY microsite
For more information you can visit the airline’s dedicated PEY microsite.
Conclusion and opinion
Singapore Airlines definitely has a good hard product in its premium economy class. The soft product of the airline is already renowned as one of the best in the world. The pricing midway between economy and business class is competitive, and is good value for money especially for the long haul flight. Frequent fliers will appreciate the full mileage accumulation. Krisflyer FFPs will get 110% mileage.
Keep in mind though, this is still an economy class product. You are not going to get the recline of the old business class, let alone the flat beds of the new. Think of the new SQ PEY as similar to the domestic business class or the “first class” of domestic North America.
Now should I take my much better half, Anjali, on this special offer, for our silver anniversary?
Looks good and luxurious! , I hope SQ retains the original cattle class – as it is. I had very miserable experience last week, on KLM long haul economy, which is cramped for leg space. I asked the crew ( an average size Indian could not fit into this seat for a 7 hour flight. Could see the well built ones squirming, tossing !! ). The crew said that this is not a success, as they clamped down economy space to make way for the “economy comfort” . I wrote to KLM- about this – Got a reply that they are seriously thinking to “respace” , as they lost a lot of KLM pax in this game. Some times I tend to think- Economy should be economy and Business should be business, The in between- often hits the cattle class . Hope EK does not do this!
Agree but PE is actually good for tall people who can’t sit in economy properly & don’t find business class worth the price, especially on domestic front or short haul flight.
Even a bespoke vintage wine can’t match the beautiful texture and sweet flavor of your twenty five year long marriage. Congratulations for your 25th wedding anniversary. And yes you have to take the special offer in trying the new SQ PEY with your wife, after all the seats are grey…. 🙂
Thank you Rohan.
Singapore Airlines is just being greedy on the PEY. British Airways or Lufthansa are providing way better overall PEY product. Extra baggage allowance and Lounges access with additional fee as mentioned in this article. They should at least provide two 23 KG in piece concept and 10 kg more in weight concept. BA last minute economy fares are actually higher than Premium economy as many online travel agents do not show them which is a good thing for the customers interested in this product but not for the airline.
The economy plus or premium economy is good option for tall & well built persons on shorter route of less than 3.5-4 hours. Anything above this, it has to be business class.
PEY is good for only tall people, for rest, it doesn’t make huge difference between PEY & standard economy. Many times it’s cheaper to pay more & get emergency exit door seat rather than go for PE but these are non-reclining so one needs to take a call – more legroom or better backrest.