Is this the WORLD’S BEST First Class? Singapore Airlines CRAZY A380 Suites

I’m Kym Illman, and in this article I’ll take you inside Singapore Airlines’ legendary A380 Suites — the cabin that redefines what first class can be. After flying this suite for the first time on a long-haul route, I wanted to explain exactly what makes it stand out, how it compares to other top-tier first class products, and offer practical notes on booking, service, dining, and sleeping. If you’re the kind of traveller who cares about space, privacy and genuine luxury in the sky, this is one of those rare products that makes you rethink everything.

What makes the A380 Suites so special?

The first impression is space. Traditional first class suites usually give you a bed zone and maybe a little seat area. The A380 Suites feel like a tiny private apartment up front: you can sit, stand and move around inside the suite without feeling cramped.

“This is the biggest space I’ve ever had on an aircraft.”

There are only six Suites on the forward part of the aircraft, introduced in 2008, and they’re fully enclosed with a five-foot door — a privacy level that immediately separates them from many competitors. The top deck of the A380 is entirely dedicated to premium: first and business occupy that entire upper deck, which contributes to a peaceful, exclusive atmosphere.

Layout, privacy and crew ratios

Unlike products with 10–14 suites crammed across a cabin, Singapore’s choice to limit the Suites to six creates a genuinely uncrowded environment. Crew ratios reflect that: there are three crew members assigned to the six Suites while business class (78 passengers) has 11 staff. That small, focused crew for Suites means prompt attention and a feeling of personalised service throughout the flight.

The seat and entertainment features

The suite’s seat is deceptively flexible. In the normal orientation you have a modest screen in front of you, but a push of a button physically rotates the chair so you can face the giant OLED or LCD screen mounted behind. The main television is around 32 inches — larger than any airline screen I’ve encountered — and it swivels so you can watch from either the seat or the bed.

Controls are intuitive: a graphic appears in the armrest when you can operate the recline, and rotating the chair helps you find the perfect lounging or sleeping position. If you prefer, ask for a footstool and cabin crew will deliver one.

What’s in the suite: power, storage and small luxuries

Storage is clever and clean. There are no overhead lockers directly above the Suites, which enhances the open feeling. Luggage typically stows beside or in front of you. For power, there are two outlets and USB points, two headphone sockets (one near the seat and one at the head of the bed) and high-quality noise-cancelling headphones are provided in-flight.

Two dedicated amenities kits are offered for men and women (plus a generic option), all featuring Lalique products. The men’s kit includes a 30 ml fragrance and other high-end toiletries; the women’s includes a 50 ml eau de parfum. These kits stand up against the best in the industry, comparable to Emirates and Qatar’s offerings.

Dining: service, caviar and main courses

One of the highlights onboard is the dining experience. The meal service begins with appetisers like chicken satay and then moves through caviar served with a mandatory shot of vodka — a classic touch. Bread service is outstanding, served with Netherland Farm butter and quality oils and vinegars.

For mains, some dishes lift the experience to match the cabin, but I found the braised beef cheek a little disappointing — warm rather than hot — which dragged my score for that particular dish down. Dessert, however, was a showpiece: a rich malted chocolate cylinder, followed by an excellent cheese course. Overall the dining is premium and very well presented, even if every plate doesn’t land perfectly.

Beverage selection and champagne

Champagne on board includes high-end labels and there’s an emphasis on quality across the wine list. Two whites and three reds are offered in the cabin, alongside a rotating roster of premium champagnes. If you enjoy exploring wine lists at altitude, this suite delivers several notable bottles — but the real headline is the pairing and presentation more than the sheer number of options.

Lounge access and pre-flight ground experience

Heading to the Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge in Terminal 2 (the Queens Terminal) is part of the Suites experience. The lounge offers a comfortable place to relax, with cooked meals, showers, and quieter zones away from the busier business lounge. Staff here tend to anticipate needs — an example being the team noticing and correcting my baggage tags without my asking — which sets a calm, confident tone for the journey.

Sleeptime: bed, mattress and overnight comfort

Arguably the most crucial part of any long-haul first class flight is how well you sleep. The Suites offer a true lie-flat bed that measures about 2 meters in length. It’s not merely a reclining seat with bend points — it’s a flat surface with a mattress topper, two pillows and a duvet, creating one of the most comfortable in-flight beds I’ve experienced.

I managed around six hours of solid sleep on a 13-hour flight, which is exceptional given how disrupted sleeping can be in the air. If sleep quality is a priority for you, the Suites should be near the top of your list.

Wi-Fi, connectivity and small frustrations

Wi‑Fi is free and easy to connect to (simply enter your surname and seat number). One small oddity I encountered was that items you might expect within arm’s reach sometimes require getting out of the leather armchair to access — a minor ergonomic quirk compared to other first class setups where everything is immediately reachable. Still, the overall technology and connectivity are modern and reliable.

Pricing, award bookings and practical tips

Price comparison for long-haul flights is interesting. On the London–Singapore one-way route, only three carriers typically offer direct service: Qantas, British Airways and Singapore Airlines. The cheapest one-way first class fare I observed was Qantas at about $9,400 USD. Singapore Suites tends to be at the upper end but, in many cases, only about $700 USD more than some alternatives if booked one-way.

However, return fares can change the math. On some routes, round-trip pricing for Suites can climb dramatically — I found a return fare on the Singapore site near $17,000 USD compared with about $10,300 USD one-way. A frequent trick some travellers use is booking the more affordable round-trip option and simply not using the second leg, though that can run into airline contract-of-carriage issues and risks with loyalty balances. If you’re using points, book early: I redeemed a large number of points and topped up roughly A$1,100 cash (about $700 USD) for this experience.

Bathrooms, makeup area and amenities

There are two first-class bathrooms at the front. The larger has a pleasant sit-down area and a full-length mirror, useful for prepping before arrival. While Singapore’s bathrooms don’t include a shower like Emirates A380 First, they offer a very comfortable and well-appointed environment that compares favorably to other premium carriers.

Verdict: is it the world’s best first class?

It’s easy to fall in love with the Suites because of the space, privacy, and genuinely memorable bed and dining service. For me, this was hands down the best flight I’ve ever taken; I fly more than 60 times a year, and the Suites still stood out. If you can afford it consistently, the experience removes the compromises present in most other commercial cabins: less noise, more privacy, hugely better sleeping arrangements and a sense of true exclusivity.

That said, there are small areas for improvement — a couple of dishes could arrive hotter, ergonomics could be tweaked so items are easier to reach, and the lack of a formal dining companion seat (as seen on some other carriers) is a drawback if you love shared in-flight dining. But those nitpicks are minor compared to the overall excellence of the product.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Suites are on the Singapore Airlines A380?

There are six Suites in the forward section of the A380 upper deck. This small number helps maintain privacy and exclusivity.

Is the bed in the Suites actually flat and long enough for tall travellers?

Yes. The bed is a genuine lie-flat surface about 2 meters long, complete with a mattress topper, two pillows and a doona (duvet). It’s one of the most comfortable in-flight beds available.

Does Singapore offer shower facilities in the Suites like Emirates?

No. Singapore’s Suites do not include a shower. Emirates A380 First class provides onboard showers; Singapore focuses on spacious bathrooms and a sit-down makeup area rather than an onboard shower.

How should I book this cabin to get the best value?

Points redemptions booked well in advance are often the best route. If paying cash, compare one-way and return fares across carriers — sometimes one-way Suites can be competitive compared to other first class offerings. Be cautious with tactics like booking round-trips and skipping legs; airlines don’t like that practice and it can carry consequences.

Is Wi‑Fi available and does it cost extra?

Wi‑Fi is available and free to connect onboard. Connection requires your surname and seat number.

Can two people share a double suite?

Yes. The Suite allows the divider between adjacent Suites to be lowered so the space becomes a double suite with a double bed — ideal for couples travelling together. Just be aware the table might not be perfectly centred for two dining companions in the way some other carriers design shared dining spaces.

Final thoughts

The Singapore Airlines A380 Suites are a rare and complete expression of onboard luxury that still feels relevant and special even though the product launched in 2008. Between the private, enclosed suites, thoughtful service, outstanding bed and overall quiet ambiance, this remains one of the most compelling first class experiences in the sky. If you get a chance to fly it, I’d jump at it — it’s the kind of flight that resets your expectations of what airline travel can be.