Singapore Airlines has won more 'world's best airline' awards than any carrier in aviation history. This is either a sign of consistent excellence or sustained marketing genius, and after flying their Business Class on SQ317 from Heathrow to Singapore in June 2026, I can confirm: it is mostly the former.
The Aircraft: A380 Upper Deck
SQ317 operates on the Airbus A380, and Business Class passengers are seated on the upper deck — 60 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, direct aisle access from every seat, all seats converting to a fully flat 78-inch bed. The cabin is quiet (A380 noise levels are significantly lower than 777s on this route), the windows are larger than on narrow-body aircraft, and the overall environment feels premium in a way that's difficult to articulate but immediately apparent.
The seat itself — the 'SpaceBed' product — is wide (22 inches), has a built-in massage function, and comes with a memory foam mattress topper when made up as a bed. The bedding is Givenchy-designed and noticeably higher quality than most airlines' business class linens. The only criticism: the storage is somewhat limited. There are two small cubbies and a side pocket, but nowhere to put a laptop bag within easy reach.
The Service
Singapore Airlines service is the benchmark against which every other airline's business class is measured, and experiencing it afresh makes clear why. The crew are trained to a standard that is genuinely extraordinary — attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about the food and wine, and possessed of a warmth that doesn't feel manufactured. On a 13-hour flight, you notice the consistency.
The 'Book the Cook' service allows business class passengers to pre-order from a menu of speciality dishes 24 hours before departure. Options on my flight included chilli crab (Singapore's national dish), chicken satay, and a Peranakan beef rendang that was the best airline meal I have eaten in 2026. If you only take one piece of advice from this review: use Book the Cook and order the chilli crab.
The Entertainment System
KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines' entertainment system, is the best in business class aviation. A 18-inch touchscreen, over 1,800 movies and TV shows, noise-cancelling Bose headphones included, and a Bluetooth pairing option for your own headphones if preferred. The screen resolution is noticeably sharper than BA or Air France's equivalent systems, and the touch response is faster and more reliable.
The Lounge: Singapore Changi T3
For those connecting at Singapore, the SilverKris Business Class lounge in Terminal 3 is the finest airline lounge in the world. That is not hyperbole — it is consistently rated first by every independent survey, and having used it four times, I find it difficult to argue with. Pool, spa, noodle bar, cocktail bar, multiple dining rooms, private sleep cabanas. You won't want to board your onward flight.
Is It Still the Best?
Yes, with a caveat. Singapore Airlines Business Class is the most reliably excellent product in the sky — consistent service, superb food, a comfortable seat, and an exceptional stopover experience. However, the gap between SQ and the very best competitors (Qatar Qsuite, JAL Sky Suite, ANA The Room) has narrowed considerably. Qatar's Qsuite in particular offers superior privacy. Singapore remains the gold standard for the overall experience but is no longer uniquely dominant.
