SIA premium economy seat installation on board A380 fleet delayed

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is delaying the rollout of its new premium economy cabin on its Airbus A380 fleet, including services to Sydney on board the double decker superjumbo between October and January.

The Star Alliance member said in a statement affected customers booked on A380 services in premium economy would be contacted and offered alternative travel arrangements.

“Due to delays in the seat installation programme for premium economy class on our Airbus A380 fleet, premium economy will not be available for some confirmed bookings,” SIA said on Thursday.

“Singapore Airlines is working to complete the installation programme as quickly as possible. Singapore Airlines wishes to apologise to affected customers for the inconvenience caused.”

The airline’s new premium economy seats made their debut on August 9 on board an Airbus A380, 9V-SKJ, with Sydney the first destination to receive the cabin between business and economy.

It was meant to be the start of a 19-city rollout of premium economy over the following six months, with SIA planning to refit 19 777-300ER and 19 A380 aircraft with premium economy by the end of 2016.

The airline is also adding the cabin between economy and business on the first 20 A350s the airline has on order. The first A350 is due to be delivered in early 2016. The total cost of the fit out was US$80 million, SIA said in May.