Singapore Airlines to Roll Out New KrisWorld From 2027, With Upgrades Varying by Cabin

41 A350s will get new entertainment, but hardware varies

Singapore Airlines will introduce its next generation KrisWorld entertainment system on 41 refurbished Airbus A350 aircraft from 2027 and on its future Boeing 777-9 fleet, combining more than 2,500 entertainment options with new personalisation tools. Larger 4K screens and Bluetooth headphone connections are coming, although their availability will depend on the aircraft and cabin.

The programme covers 34 A350-900 aircraft used for long journeys and seven A350-900 ultra long range aircraft. The first refurbished aircraft from the group of 34 is expected to return to service in the first quarter of 2027. The work forms part of a S$1.1 billion cabin refurbishment programme.

Premium Economy and Economy passengers face an important difference between aircraft. The 777-9 will offer 4K touchscreens and Bluetooth pairing throughout its cabins. On the refurbished A350s, those hardware upgrades are specified for Business Class and, on the ultra long range version, its new First Class cabin. The existing Premium Economy and Economy seats will be refreshed rather than replaced.

Starlink internet will follow a different installation programme, covering 53 A380 and A350 aircraft from early 2027. An A380 could therefore have the new satellite connection while retaining its existing KrisWorld system.

What passengers asked Singapore Airlines to change

Yeoh Phee Teik, Singapore Airlines Senior Vice President Customer Experience, said passenger feedback guided the entertainment and connectivity changes. He described a demand for greater freedom over how people spend their time during a flight.

Our customers told us that they wanted more choice and flexibility in how they spend their time on board, as well as entertainment and connectivity that fit more naturally into their journey.

Singapore Airlines is responding through two routes: improving the entertainment built into the seat and providing faster internet for personal devices. Passengers will be able to watch KrisWorld while using a phone, tablet or laptop for other activities on aircraft equipped with Starlink.

The practical changes extend beyond picture quality. A smaller video window will keep a programme playing while a passenger browses other titles, saved preferences will carry between flights, and flight information will be available without stopping playback.

Which cabins get bigger screens?

Business Class on the refurbished A350-900 aircraft will receive 22 inches of screen space, compared with 18 inches in the existing seat. Measured diagonally, that is an increase of about 22 per cent. The new screens will use 4K OLED technology.

First Class on the A350-900 ultra long range aircraft will have screens measuring 32 inches, while Business Class will have screens measuring 22 inches. Both cabins will receive 4K OLED touchscreens. The standard A350 version included in the refurbishment programme has no First Class cabin.

The Boeing 777-9 will have a different arrangement:

• First Class: screens measuring 32 inches.
• Business Class: screens measuring 20 inches.
• Premium Economy: screens measuring up to 16 inches.
• Economy: screens measuring up to 13 inches.

Every 777-9 cabin will have 4K touchscreens. OLED displays are specified for Premium Economy and Economy on selected aircraft, so screen technology will vary even within the new fleet.

A 4K screen has roughly four times as many picture elements, or pixels, as a Full HD screen, allowing finer detail when the content supports it. OLED describes a different feature: each pixel produces its own light, helping the display show deeper blacks and stronger contrast.

Business Class passengers will have a larger screen on a refurbished A350 than on a new 777-9, at 22 inches against 20 inches. Singapore Airlines has not explained that difference.

What changes in Premium Economy and Economy?

Premium Economy and Economy passengers on the refurbished A350s will receive the redesigned KrisWorld interface, expanded entertainment selection and spatial audio. Their screen and connection specifications are more limited than those on the 777-9.

The A350 hardware plans retain the existing screens measuring 13.3 inches in Premium Economy and 11.1 inches in Economy. New 4K displays and personal Bluetooth headphone pairing are reserved for the front cabins. The ultra long range A350 has Premium Economy but no Economy cabin.

Passengers on the 777-9 will receive new seats across all four cabins. Compared with the existing A350 screens, its maximum Premium Economy screen size rises from 13.3 inches to 16 inches, while Economy increases from 11.1 inches to 13 inches. Those are increases of about 20 per cent and 17 per cent respectively in diagonal size.

Charging also needs to be considered by cabin. Broad descriptions of the programme say USB-C is coming to the refurbished A350s, while the detailed cabin specifications place it in First and Business Class and retain existing hardware in Premium Economy and Economy. The 777-9 is specified to have USB-C throughout. Wireless charging pads are planned for First and Business Class.

For passengers choosing a flight, the aircraft version and cabin will matter as much as the KrisWorld name. A refurbished A350 and a new 777-9 will share software features while offering different screens, headphone connections and charging options.

Bluetooth and spatial audio arrive together

Personal Bluetooth headphone pairing will work in every cabin on the 777-9. On the refurbished A350-900 aircraft, it will be available in Business Class; on the ultra long range version, it will be available in First and Business Class.

Compatible wireless headphones will connect directly to KrisWorld in those cabins. Passengers elsewhere will continue to depend on the audio connections available at their seats.

First Class passengers will receive Bang & Olufsen wireless headphones with active noise cancellation. Singapore Airlines describes active noise cancellation headphones for Business and Premium Economy and wired earphones for Economy, although the detailed A350 cabin listing specifies wired earphones in Premium Economy on the standard long journey version.

Spatial audio is planned across all cabins using the new system. It processes sound to create a sense of direction and space through headphones, so a soundtrack can seem to surround the listener rather than come only from the left and right. Active noise cancellation serves a separate purpose, reducing outside noise such as the steady sound of the aircraft cabin.

More programmes, with less interruption

KrisWorld will offer more than 2,500 entertainment options, compared with the current catalogue of more than 1,900. The selection will include Hollywood releases, international and regional films, television series, music and podcasts, with titles refreshed monthly.

Programming will come from Apple TV, BBC, CNA, HBO Max, iQIYI and Paramount+, among others. BBC News and Sport 24 will provide live news and sports coverage.

Larger icons, clearer menus and improved search and filtering are intended to make that catalogue easier to navigate. Passengers will be able to create shortcuts to favourite categories rather than repeatedly searching through the full library.

A mini-player will keep a video running in a smaller window while the passenger looks for another programme. A sidebar will display flight information, including time to destination and weather, without interrupting playback.

Kids' Mode will provide a simpler layout and content selected for younger passengers. Families will have a dedicated browsing area rather than needing to navigate the full entertainment catalogue.

KrisFlyer accounts will remember more than films

KrisFlyer members who sign in to KrisWorld will receive personalised recommendations, save favourite titles and resume programmes from the point reached on an earlier flight. Viewing progress will travel with the account instead of ending when a passenger leaves the aircraft.

Members will also be able to see terminal and gate information for onward Singapore Airlines flights departing from Singapore. For someone changing aircraft at Changi Airport, that puts connection details on the seat screen before arrival.

First and Business Class passengers on the refurbished A350s and the 777-9 will be able to save preferred seat positions for dining, relaxing and sleeping, then apply them on future flights. First Class passengers will also be able to save lighting preferences.

The wellness planner will bring together sleep and meditation audio, breathing exercises, light stretches that can be done while seated, and articles about healthy living. First and Business Class will receive suggestions for seat positions and lighting, while beverage suggestions will be available across all cabins.

Starlink covers a different group of aircraft

Singapore Airlines plans to begin installing Starlink on 53 A380, A350-900 aircraft used for long journeys and A350-900 ultra long range aircraft from early 2027, with completion targeted by the end of 2029. Regional A350 aircraft are outside the initial programme.

Starlink uses satellites in low Earth orbit, closer to the planet than traditional geostationary communications satellites. The shorter distance can reduce the delay between sending a request and receiving a response, which matters for activities such as online gaming and interactive work.

Singapore Airlines says the service will support video streaming, social media, gaming and work on personal devices. It describes the planned connection as faster and smoother from takeoff to landing.

Unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi will remain available to passengers in Suites, First Class and Business Class. PPS Club members and KrisFlyer members travelling in Premium Economy or Economy will also qualify. KrisFlyer membership is free.

The distinction between the two installation programmes is substantial. The 41 A350s will receive new KrisWorld software as part of their cabin work, while Starlink extends to the A380 as well. Other aircraft, including the Boeing 787-10, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 737-8 and regional A350s, remain outside the announced next generation KrisWorld programme.

Future Boeing 777X aircraft have also been mentioned in longer term Starlink plans, but a detailed installation timetable and the 777-9 connectivity arrangements remain unconfirmed. Singapore Airlines says plans for other fleets will be announced when confirmed.

The rollout will take several years

Singapore Airlines is combining the entertainment changes with new cabins, dining, amenities and ground services. The wider travel experience is scheduled to be unveiled in Singapore on November 7, 2026, ahead of the first refurbished A350 returning to service.

The related changes include the SIA Chefs' Selection dining programme, Christofle serviceware in premium cabins, new amenity kits and the introduction of sleeper suits for Business Class. Some dining and amenity updates are scheduled to arrive before the aircraft refurbishment programme begins.

The main milestones stretch beyond the initial launch:

• November 7, 2026: planned unveiling of the new long journey cabin experience in Singapore.
• First quarter of 2027: expected return to service of the first refurbished A350-900 from the group of 34.
• Early 2027: planned start of Starlink installations on the selected Airbus fleets.
• End of 2029: target completion of the initial Starlink programme.
• End of 2030: Singapore Airlines target for completing all 41 A350 refurbishments.

The start date for refurbishing the seven ultra long range aircraft has not been specified. The 777-9 will arrive with the new system installed, but its introduction depends on aircraft deliveries, whose timing remains uncertain.

Passengers will therefore encounter a mixture of old and new equipment for several years. The first refurbished A350 entering service in 2027 begins the transition; the planned completion dates show how gradually the changes will spread.

Key Points

• New KrisWorld will launch on 41 refurbished A350s from 2027 and on future Boeing 777-9 aircraft.
• The entertainment catalogue will exceed 2,500 options, with monthly updates and live news and sport.
• The 777-9 will offer 4K screens and Bluetooth pairing in every cabin.
• Refurbished A350s reserve the new screen and Bluetooth hardware for First and Business Class, where those cabins are fitted.
• Starlink is planned for 53 A380 and A350 aircraft, beginning in early 2027.
• Eligible premium cabin passengers and loyalty members will retain unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi.
• The A350 refurbishment programme is targeted for completion by the end of 2030.