Sim Kok Chwee, Singapore (2011-01-24)

AGAINST a backdrop of a strong rebound in premium air travel, Singapore Airlines’ next Airbus A380 – its 12th out of an order for 19 – and subsequent deliveries will feature an all-Business Class upper deck, a credible industry source told TTG Asia e-Daily.

It is also understood that Tokyo (Narita) and Los Angeles will be among the first destinations to be served using these A380s.

The move will lower the seat density onboard the A380, which currently has 471 seats in total. At press time, no further information was available on the number of seats in this section or the number of seats in Suites, Business and Economy classes.

Only one other airline has opted for an all-Business Class upper deck. Korean Air's first A380, which will arrive in May, will have 94 Business Class seats on its upper deck out of a total of 407 seats. On the main deck, the First Class section will have 12 seats and the Economy Class section will have 301 seats.