Screens up to 32 inches, 2,500-plus titles, Bluetooth connectivity

Free Starlink service to roll out from first quarter of next year

Singapore Airlines announced it will overhaul its in-flight entertainment system, KrisWorld, and introduce SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service on a rolling basis. [Singapore Airlines]
Singapore Airlines announced it will overhaul its in-flight entertainment system, KrisWorld, and introduce SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service on a rolling basis. [Singapore Airlines]

Singapore Airlines will introduce 4K high-definition screens and high-speed satellite internet on its long-haul aircraft starting next year, upgrading its in-flight digital services so passengers can watch films and live sports at their seats or stream video and work on their own phones and laptops.

The airline announced Monday it will overhaul KrisWorld, its in-flight entertainment system, and roll out SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service in phases.

The next-generation KrisWorld will be fitted to 41 Airbus A350-900 long-haul and ultra-long-haul aircraft as they complete refurbishment starting next year. The same system will also be installed on Boeing 777-9 aircraft the airline takes delivery of in the future.

The most significant change is to the seat screens. The upgrade brings 4K high-resolution touchscreens with improved picture quality and contrast ratios, and OLED displays will be fitted on select aircraft types and cabin classes.

Screen sizes vary by cabin class. First class seats on the refurbished ultra-long-haul A350-900 will get 32-inch screens, while business class seats on both the ultra-long-haul and standard long-haul variants of the A350-900 will receive 22-inch screens.

On the Boeing 777-9, first class will have 32-inch screens and business class 20-inch screens. Premium economy will offer screens of up to 16 inches and economy up to 13 inches, with 4K touchscreens fitted across all cabin classes.

Audio has also been upgraded. The new system introduces spatial audio technology that creates a multidirectional sound experience, and passengers will be able to pair their personal Bluetooth headphones with the seat screen.

Bluetooth connectivity will be available across all cabin classes on the Boeing 777-9. On the refurbished A350-900, it will be offered primarily in business class, with first class also supported on the ultra-long-haul variant.

Complimentary headphones will differ by cabin class. First class passengers will receive Bang & Olufsen noise-canceling wireless headphones, while business and premium economy passengers will be provided noise-reduction headphones. Economy passengers will receive wired earphones.

The entertainment library will offer more than 2,500 titles, including films, drama series, music and podcasts from Apple TV, BBC, CNA, HBO Max, iQIYI and Paramount+. Live news and sports will be available through BBC News and Sports 24 channels.

The content lineup will be refreshed monthly to reflect passenger preferences and viewing trends. The on-screen menu has also been redesigned with improved search and filter functions, along with a dedicated children's mode and a real-time flight information display.

A personalized viewing history feature will also be available. Passengers who log in with their KrisFlyer frequent-flyer account can resume content they were watching on a previous flight or save titles for later. Those transiting through Singapore will also be able to check their connecting gate and terminal information.

Passengers in select premium cabins will be able to save their preferred seat position and lighting settings. First and business class travelers can store configurations set for dining or sleeping and have them automatically recalled on future flights.

New wellness features will also be introduced to help passengers rest on long flights. A "Wellness Planner" will offer sleep and meditation music, breathing exercises and in-seat stretching videos. The system will suggest appropriate seat and lighting settings by cabin class and include a drink recommendation function.

In-flight internet will be upgraded with Starlink. Singapore Airlines plans to begin rolling out the low-earth-orbit satellite internet service on its A380 and A350-900 long-haul and ultra-long-haul aircraft from the first quarter of next year.

On Starlink-equipped aircraft, passengers will be able to use their smartphones, tablets and laptops for video streaming, social media, online gaming and work.

The airline's free Wi-Fi policy will remain in place. Suite, first and business class passengers, as well as PPS Club and KrisFlyer members in premium economy and economy, will continue to receive unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi.

Charging facilities for personal devices will also be expanded. USB-C charging ports will be installed on the refurbished A350-900 and Boeing 777-9, and wireless charging pads will be provided in first and business class.

Yeoh Phee Teik, Singapore Airlines' senior vice president of customer experience, said the airline developed the next-generation KrisWorld and connectivity upgrades by listening to customer feedback, with the goal of giving passengers more freedom on board and easier access to a wider range of entertainment and connectivity options. "Customers will be able to find and enjoy the content they want more easily, and freely continue a variety of activities while in the air," he said.

Singapore Airlines recently revamped its in-flight meals and cabin amenities as well. Further details on new travel services — including cabin interiors for new long-haul routes and ground services — will be unveiled in Singapore in November.

Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines is also expanding its European network. The airline will launch five weekly flights to Madrid, Spain, via Barcelona, with the inaugural departure from Singapore on Monday night. It will also add three weekly flights to Munich, Germany, on the same day, broadening its connectivity across Europe.


kwater@heraldcorp.com