Singapore Airlines (SIA) has begun to retrofit the cabins in seven older Boeing 777-300 aircraft to bring them up to date with its most recent offerings.

The programme includes the installation of new wider seats in first and business class, and improvements in economy class such as new seat covers, says the Star Alliance carrier.

The changes also include updated in-flight entertainment systems, it says. These will bring the cabins in these aircraft closer to what SIA offers on its Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, it adds.

"The programme will provide customers additional comfort and more space, while there will also be greater product consistency across the fleet," says the airline.

The first aircraft to be retrofitted will operate on the Singapore-Sydney route from 22 July, it adds.

As more B777-300s are fitted with the new interior over the rest of the year, selected services to Shanghai and Dubai as well as flights to Riyadh and Istanbul from Dubai will also be operated with these aircraft.

It adds that it will extend the programme to its other 777 aircraft in the future. According to ACAS, SIA operates 12 -300s and 43 -200ERs. It also has 10 747-400s but these are due to be retired in the next year.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news