Singapore Airlines holds off launch of new First and Business Class seats

Analysts expect carrier to carry out further cost-cutting, including layoffs

Nisha Ramchandani

Published Tue, Aug 4, 2020 · 09:50 PM

Singapore

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) will likely see a delay in the launch of its new First and Business Class seats, which were poised to debut on the Boeing 777-9 in 2022, as the American plane-maker pushes back the entry into service of the 777X jets by a year.

With the travel industry in the doldrums, Singapore's flagship carrier is also in talks with the world's biggest planemakers Airbus and Boeing to postpone taking delivery of new aircraft as it seeks to defer capital expenditure.

A recent report by Australia's Executive Traveller highlighted that SIA will no longer be able to introduce its latest premium cabin products by 2022 as initially expected since the launch customers for the 777-9 model, Emirates and Lufthansa, will be among the first to take delivery of the j…