Singapore Airlines retires final Boeing 737-800 as fleet modernization continues

Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines, commented at the time of the Boeing 737-800's introduction: "The 737-800 will bring about a more comfortable and seamless travel experience for customers on our regional routes. Integrating SilkAir with SIA also allows us to be nimble and flexible in aircraft deployment."

Singapore Airlines began operating the Boeing 737-800 in 2021 following the merger of its subsidiary SilkAir into its mainline operations. This integration brought nine 737-800s into the fleet. These aircraft retained their original cabins, which featured 12 recliner seats in business class arranged in a 2-2 configuration, similar to domestic first class on North American airlines. While these seats provided 49 inches of pitch, 22 inches of width, and 12 inches of recline, as well as a 16-inch HD screen, they did not offer the same premium experience as the rest of the fleet. Nevertheless, these jets enabled the resumption of flights to destinations such as Cairns and Darwin in Australia.

Going forward, Singapore Airlines will use its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft for narrowbody operations. The airline currently has 19 of these jets, with 18 active and one undergoing maintenance. The average age of this fleet is 5.4 years, compared to the overall fleet average of 8.6 years, and seven more are on order. The 737 MAX 8 features lie-flat business class seats, offering an upgraded experience for premium passengers.