Singapore Airlines, contrary to what is commonplace with most airlines, owns and operates more long range and wide body planes than single aisle ones. So, with such an interesting fleet to analyze, let’s get going.
In this post:
- Singapore Airlines Fleet in 2026
- The Even Boeing-Airbus Split
- Silk Air Inherited 737 and The Issue They Created
- The 777X Delay and Its Impact
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Singapore Airlines Fleet in 2026
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus | A350-900 | 58 |
| Airbus | A350-900ULR | 7 |
| Airbus | A380-800 | 12 |
| Boeing | 777-300ER | 22 |
| Boeing | 787-10 | 28 |
| Boeing | 737 MAX 8 | 23 |
There are few interesting facts about the Singapore Airlines fleet, which I’ll be covering in this post in more detail further down.
Before 2021, Singapore Airlines main line operated only and exclusively wide-body aircraft. That changed with the incorporation of Silk Air.
Singapore Airlines possesses seven very unique Airbus A350s. They are the A350-900ULR, which features a specific configuration allowing the aircraft to fly non-stop between Singapore and the US East Coast.
The last interesting fact is that Singapore Airlines is one of the carriers awaiting the 777X delivery. The delayed 777X deliveries also brought along a series of problems of its own.
Singapore Airlines aircraft configuration
| Aircraft | First Class | Business Class | Premium Economy | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A350-900 | – | 40 | – | 263 |
| A350-900 | – | 42 | 24 | 187 |
| A350-900ULR | – | 67 | 94 | – |
| A380 | 6 | 78 | 44 | 343 |
| 777-300ER | 4 | 48 | 28 | 184 |
| 787-10 | – | 36 | – | 301 |
The Even Boeing-Airbus Split
| Manufacturer | Total Aircraft | Percentage |
| Airbus | 77 | 51.33% |
| Boeing | 73 | 48.67% |
| Total | 150 | 100% |
Singapore Airlines operates a two-manufacturer fleet. All aircraft are based and operate out of Singapore Changi Airport. A personal note: this is, by far, my favourite airport in the world. I recently transited, also staying at the Yotel Air in the airport’s Jewel.
Personal notes aside, Singapore Airlines maintains an almost perfect split between Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
Operating a super-connector hub in Singapore Changi means that the airline relies heavily on wide-body aircraft to deliver the capacity it needs to fuel its operation.
The only narrow-body aircraft in its fleet are Boeing aircraft, and they are the 737 MAX 8, which were inherited and originally ordered for SilkAir.
The airline used to operate even the 737-800, which belonged to the NG generation. However, those have been phased out.
The Silk Air Inherited Boeing 737 and The Issue They Created
As I’ve mentioned above, Singapore Airlines inherited a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft from its subsidiary Silk Air in 2021.
Before that point, Singapore Airlines operated exclusively wide-body aircraft.
Incorporation of Silk Air was a cost reduction action, which however came with the creation of some problems in image and passenger experience.
The airline sought to reduce redundancies between mainline and subsidiary operations by integrating Silk Air into the mainline.
The issue these aircraft created is an image and passenger experience one.
Prior to 2021, Singapore Airlines boasted and prided itself on operating only wide-body aircraft single route it operated.
The 737-800 has been retired, and those with the bigger issue where lie-flat beds were not available in business class.
On the 737 MAX 8, live flight beds are available, however, the configuration is not as good as you would have on a wide-body aircraft.
While on any wide-body aircraft operated by Singapore Airlines you would have direct aisle access, that is not the case on all rows of business class on the 737 MAX 8.
As for economy class passengers, we all know that a single aircraft is way more uncomfortable than a wide-body aircraft on any route. Service becomes slower, boarding becomes more of a nuisance, and the passenger-to-toilet ratio worsens.
The 777X Delay and Its Impact on Singapore Airlines First Class
Singapore Airlines is also one of the few remaining carriers to have a first-class product. However, you’ll only find it when flying on either its Boeing 777-300ERs or on its Airbus A380s.
And this is where the delays on the 777X program are having an impact on Singapore Airlines’ plans for its fleet renovation and first class product renovation.
By now in June 2026, Singapore Airlines was already supposed to have in its fleet the Boeing 777-9. That aircraft would be the replacement for the aging fleet of 777-300ER.
With the new generation of 777 still under the certification process and with an uncertain timeline of deliveries, Singapore Airlines finds itself in a difficult position.
It has to maintain aging aircraft and cabin products on its A380 and 777-300ER online, bleeding cash, to continue offering first class cabins to travelers.
The arrival of the 777-9 would give significant breathing space to Singapore Airlines and its most premium product. However, when the aircraft will arrive is still uncertain.
Singapore Airlines Cargo Fleet – In Dire Need Of New Generation Planes
West, Singapore Airlines seems to be most on the back foot, however, in its cargo division. Here, the airline is still operating fuel-guzzling planes and a lot of them.
- 7 Boeing 747-400F
Despite Singapore being a crossroads for much of global cargo, its hometown carrier is not in the best position at the moment.
The Boeing 747-400F is a fantastic aircraft by capacity, but nowhere near in terms of efficiency to new generation planes.
The airline is in fact awaiting the arrival of the A350F, which will modernize and eventually replace all of the Boeing 747-400F. Singapore Airlines has seven Airbus A350Fs on order and five more purchase options available.
Those will become the future backbone to the entire cargo operation. And will also make the cargo operation once again competitive against fierce opponents such as Korean Air, which is in the final phases of merging with Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Air China.
Finally, there used to be a fleet of five Boeing 777F, which have been now operated on behalf DHL and therefore no are no longer included in Singapore Airlines’ fleet.