As many aviation enthusiast may know, the production of Airbus A380-800 has already come to a close in 2021, this means that there is one lesser A380 flight after each that is taken. The double-decker giants are slowly disappearing from our skies.
The unsustainable high operating costs of the A380—burning 17% more fuel per seat than modern twin-jets like the A350—have kept airlines rushing to retire the superjumbo despite its technical lifespan of 25–30 years.
Most frames are being scrapped after just 10–15 years of service, with Singapore Airlines even retiring its first A380 at a decade old, while pandemic-induced travel shifts accelerated the demise of this hub-reliant giant. Today, only a handful of carriers like Emirates and Etihad still operate them on select routes, marking the A380 as a magnificent but ill-feted bet on an aviation future that prioritised scale over flexibility
TLDR
| Category | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Seat Comfort | ✅ Spacious 78″ lie-flat bed ✅ Couple-friendly Seats (center seats) | ❌ Surprisingly firm cushioning |
| Privacy | ✅ Shell design blocks neighbors ✅ Rear cabin (Rows 96-97) is ultra-quiet | ❌ High density of Business Class Passengers which means less personalized service |
| Entertainment | ✅ Large 18″ HD screen ✅ Noise-canceling headphones ✅ Plenty of shows to keep you occupied | ❌ Occasional lagging, but generally acceptable |
| Amenities | ✅ Penhaligon’s toiletries in lavatories ✅ Le Labo kits (long-haul) | ❌ Amenity Kits not guaranteed on short flights |
| Overall Value | ✅ Top-tier service & space ✅ Unique upper deck ambiance | ❌ Very Limited deployment as of 2025 |
Booking
With Singapore Airlines progressively shrinking its A380 operations due to scheduled maintenance, a large number of A380 routes were effectively axed and this includes Hong Kong, which was axed in October 2024. There was however a temporary reappearance in Northern Winter 24/25 period over the Chinese New Year 2025.
I pounced on its brief Chinese New Year 2025 reappearance to experience the double-decker on this route and secured a Spontaneous Escape award rate at just 34,000 KrisFlyer miles for this nostalgic hop which represents a 3.67 cent per mile value against the $1248 cash fare.
As a person that values privacy highly, I have opted for the seat in the rear of the cabin, being 97D & 97F.
Flight Details
| Carrier | Singapore Airlines |
| Aircraft | Airbus A380-800 |
| Travel Period | Jan 2025 |
| Air Miles Utilised | 34,000 + SGD 65.20 |
| Flight Number / Registration Number | SQ892 (9V-SKS) |
| Product | 2017J (Airbus A380-800 V2) |
| Seats | 97D & 97F |
Check-In
Priority Check-In & Immigration
One of the perks of flying Business Class is the dedicated check-in counters at Changi Airport’s Terminal 3. Even during peak hours, the process is smooth and almost queue-free, setting the tone for a premium travel experience.
Unlike some airports, Singapore doesn’t offer dedicated fast-track immigration for premium passengers—but it hardly matters. Thanks to Changi’s automated gates and efficient staffed counters, clearing immigration is effortless and queue-free year-round.
SilverKris Lounge
From there, it’s just a short escalator ride up to the SilverKris Lounge, where you can relax before your flight. Read more on review here.
As you may have observed, this flight was taken during the festive period, which explains why the SilverKris Lounge is transformed (partially) into a subtle celebration of Lunar New Year.
One of the most distinctive experiences of flying Singapore Airlines’ A380 is the dedicated upper-deck jetways—a small but meaningful luxury that sets the superjumbo apart from conventional jets.
However, when boarding through the upper deck, you are essentially missing out on the staircase as you will be deposited directly onto the upper deck.
For those fortunate enough to board Singapore Airlines’ A380 through the lower deck, you will catch a glimpse of the holy staircase (not the iconic spiral ones, those are located at the rear of the plane nearer to Seat 97), where this will leads you to the Suites cabin
Seats
Overview
The superjumbo’s upper deck is cleverly divided into three “compartments”, each offering different experience depending on your travel style. Whether you’re flying solo, with a partner, or hoping for the elusive double-bed seats, here’s everything you need to know.
There are six seats (11D/F, 91D/F, 96D/F) or “bulkhead seats” can be turned into a double bed. However, it is good to note that the double-bed Business Seats are exclusively for PPS Club members during advance seat selection.
Non-PPS travellers will only see these premium seats when such seats remains unoccupied 96 hours (4 days) before the departure for regional flights and 48 hours (2 days) before long-haul flights, thus, making this redemption almost impossible at Spontaneous Escape rates for Non-PPS travellers.
The table below summarises the different zones, pros & cons of each zones as well as the location of double-bed seats.
| Section | Rows | Seats | Best For | Pros | Cons | Double-Bed Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Zone | 11-24 | 50 | Priority deboarding | Close to Suites & exits | Busy foot traffic & Shared lavatories (4 for 70 pax) | 11D/F |
| Middle Zone | 91-95 | 20 | Quieter experience | Less crowded | Far from front exits | 91D/F |
| Rear Zone | 96-97 | 8 | Privacy & sleep | Privacy | Farthest from boarding | 96D/F |
Seat Selection Summary
In summary, if you are would probably prefer:
| Traveler Type | Recommended Seating | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Travelers | Window seats (A/K) | Maximum privacy, personal space |
| Couples | Center seats (D/F) | Adjustable divider for shared experience |
| Privacy Seekers | Rear zone (Rows 96-97) | Quietest area, dedicated lavatories |
Singapore Airlines 2017J Seat Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Seat Type | 180-degree fully lie-flat |
| Configuration | 1-2-1 (All direct aisle access) |
| Bed Length | 78 inches (198 cm) |
| Width | 25 inches (63.5 cm) |
| Storage | Side storage cabinet, under ottoman |
| Privacy | Shell-design seat walls with center divider for center seats (D/F) |
| Bed Mode | Converts to flat bed with turndown service (upon request) |
| Double Bed Option | Available in 6 center seats (Rows 11/91/96 D/F) |
| IFE | 18 Inch Panasonic HD Display |
The below table also summarizes the specification across different Singapore Airlines Business-Class products.
| Aircraft Type | Seat Generation | Seat Width |
|---|---|---|
| A350-900ULR/LH Boeing 777-300ER | 2013J | 28″ |
| A380-800 | 2017J | 25″ |
| Boeing 787-10 Airbus A350-900MH | 2018RJ | 20″ |
| Boeing 737-8 | 2021RJ | 19″ |
IFE System
The A380’s 18-inch Panasonic HD touchscreen delivers crisp visuals and responsive controls, though it shows its age compared to newer systems. While the resolution (1080p) remains sharp, the interface feels dated—lacking the snappy responsiveness of SQ’s latest 787/A350 displays. The IFE Remote is located on the side of the seat.
Full information and details of IFE programs that Singapore Airlines runs on KrisWorld can be found here.
Seats
For solo travelers who value privacy in Singapore Airlines’ A380 Business Class, and was unfortunately placed in the center seats (D/F), raising the divider offer a surprisingly secluded experience—despite being in the middle of the cabin.
One unexpected note about Singapore Airlines’ A380 Business Class: the seat itself is firmer than anticipated. While the 78-inch lie-flat bed offers ample length, the cushioning lacks the plush softness and I find it surprisingly uncomfortable in comparison to other Business Class seats.
Flight Amenities
SQ A380 offers universal sockets + USB ports near the IFE screen. There is also another USB port located at the side console, right on top of the Seat Control.
The meal tray table in Singapore Airlines’ A380 Business Class folds out smoothly from the armrest, offering a sturdy surface for dining or work. While sufficiently spacious for a multi-course meal, its fixed position can feel slightly restrictive compared to newer sliding tray tables found on the airline’s 787-10 fleet.
Storage
The storage area on Singapore Airlines A380-800 are very sufficient with several different storage locations for your belongings.
| Storage Areas | Description |
| Side Stowage Cubby (Beside IFE) | For small personal items |
| Ottoman Storage (Underseat) | For bags & shoes |
| Overhead Storage (Overhead) | Bulkier hand-carry items |
Amenity Kit
For flights exceeding 6 hours, passengers can request the coveted Le Labo amenity kit, which features three products: hand pomade, face mist, and lip balm. While these kits are officially reserved for flight exceeding 6 hours, you may also be lucky on shorter flights. Do check out with the crew if there is any of these on board.
Lavatories
Singapore Airlines equips its Business Class lavatories with a standard set of Penhaligon’s Quercus amenities, including facial mist, hand lotion, and cologne, alongside practical items like shaver kits and toothbrushes.
Food
Singapore Airlines’ Lobster Thermidor has achieved near-mythical status as one of the most talked-about dishes in premium cabin dining. Served exclusively in Business Class and above on selected flights. This is also a Book-the-cook exclusive dish, which means that you will have to get this dish “booked” through your managing your booking on Singapore Airlines website or Mobile App at least 24 hours prior to your flight (or 48 hours prior if you depart from Auckland)
While this is a largely controversial dish with many expressing their disinterest, I find that my serving is surprisingly decent (Though I’ve never been a lobster enthusiast—and avoided it on all prior SQ Business Class flights—I finally caved to curiosity.)
Summary
Flying Singapore Airlines’ A380 in Business Class remains one of aviation’s most consistent premium experiences, blending refined service with thoughtful comforts. The A380’s Business Class is like a luxury hotel from 2017: still excellent.
Some will take this as an overrated elephant in the sky, but the premium you pay per square foot in the air is going to extinct soon when airlines move onto flexibility.
“The A380 is aviation’s grand piano: impressive to look at, expensive to maintain, and outplayed by digital synthesizers.”
What do you think?
Heretic Nomad 
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