When I first caught wind of the impending KrisFlyer award chart devaluation in 2025, I did what any sane points enthusiast would do: scrambled to lock in a redemption before the new rates kicked in. That decision set off a trip from Perth to Vietnam, with the second leg operated by Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737-8.
At first glance, it’s just a short regional hop. But look closer, and it’s one of the more intriguing ways to fly in the region. Why? Because this narrowbody aircraft (also known as the 737 MAX 8) features full lie-flat Business Class seats – something still disappointingly rare on other full-service airlines.
Check-in, lounge and boarding
After touching down in Singapore on SQ224 from Perth, we discover we’re already in Terminal 2, the departure location of our next flight to Da Nang.
Rather than schlepping over to Terminal 3 and back again just to use the newer SilverKris Lounge, I figure it’s time to give the older Terminal 2 lounge a try.
The SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 2 is on its last legs – Singapore Airlines is actively refurbishing it in stages. An all-new Business Class lounge is expected to open in early 2027, boasting 30% more space and upgraded facilities. In the meantime, the existing space gets the job done.
Inside the SilverKris Business Class Lounge, T2
A tray of sliced roast duck with rice immediately catches our eye, but it’s hard to stop there. On the way back, I can’t resist adding dumplings, SQ’s crowd-favourite nuggets and fries. Toward the rear of the lounge, a live station dishes up bowls of laksa to order, while during our CNY visit, smoked salmon Yu Sheng makes a festive appearance.
On the drinks front, Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Champagne is kept perfectly chilled on ice. Non-drinkers are equally well catered for, with options like chocolate oat milk and my personal favourite – the elegant TWG Tea selection.
While the lounge is relatively busy, there’s still plenty of seating available. The seats have been somewhat updated and feature plenty of universal charging outlets.
If you happen to be a Solitaire PPS Club member, or are travelling with one on the same flight, you might prefer to check out the new SilverKris First Class Lounge in Terminal 2.
This lounge does not form part of the review.
Boarding
We reach Gate D40 around 30 minutes before departure, where there isn’t too much of a line for security. Unfortunately, Singapore Airlines does not offer priority screening for any passengers – something that Qantas and many other airlines have been able to implement in Changi.
Boarding starts on time, with Business Class passengers invited to board first.
Singapore Airlines Boeing 737-8 Business Class seats and layout
On Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737-8, there are just 10 Business Class seats across three rows at the front, in an alternating 2-2 and 1-1 layout. This creates an interesting split scenario: there are two popular solo seats with more storage, and four pairs of seats better suited to people travelling together.
Singapore Airlines blocks the two solo seats (12B and 12J) for its elite PPS Club members in advance. 11C and 11H are also blocked for infant bookings. On our flight, 14C and 14H were already reserved by two people travelling together, but seated across the aisle.
This created a conundrum in which the only seats we could initially select were 14A and 14K, at opposite ends of the cabin. Luckily, I was able to start a live chat with Singapore Airlines at 96 hours before departure – when the seat blocks lift – and lock in the two solo seats.
One of the longest sectors that Singapore Airlines flies with the Boeing 737-8 is to Busan, a flight time of over six hours. That’s where lie-flat seating on narrow-body jets – a rarity – shines.
On a short two-hour hop to Da Nang, it’s admittedly overkill. But it also speaks volumes about the airline’s consistency – even shorter regional flights get the full lie-flat Business Class treatment.
My impressions of the seat
First impressions are strong. For a narrowbody, Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737-8 Business Class seats feel genuinely premium and inviting. The solo seats in particular offer excellent personal storage, with a deep cabinet on the aisle side and an additional nook beneath the window-side console.
The trade-off is a slightly narrower footwell, but I feel it’s a reasonable compromise for the added space up top. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the other seats, which lack those additional storage areas.
On paper, the specs are solid. Seats measure up to 22 inches (55.9 cm) wide with 44 inches of pitch. More importantly, each seat converts into a fully flat bed stretching 76 inches (193 cm). It’s not the most spacious bed in the sky, but more than sufficient for flights of this length.
Each seat comes equipped with a literature pocket beneath the screen, housing noise-cancelling headphones and a bottled water. Seat controls are intuitive, allowing you to recline into bed mode or fine-tune the legrest and ambient lighting with ease.
Power options include a universal AC outlet and two USB-A ports (though notably no USB-C). You’ll also find a reading light, coat hook and a cleverly designed slide-out tray table within easy reach.
Speaking of the tray table, it extends from the centre console on a long arm. Once deployed, it folds out into a generously sized surface that’s sturdy enough for dining or working. However, this design does mean there are no privacy dividers between the paired centre seats.
In bed mode, the seat is a tad squishy, but still spacious enough for me to enjoy a power nap after lunch. No complaints from me, especially considering the shorter flight times Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737-8s usually do.
Food and beverage
Asian comfort food is one of the highlights of flying Singapore Airlines, and this flight is no exception. The menu offers a choice between three onboard mains, alongside a smaller selection from the airline’s popular Book the Cook pre-order service.
Having already enjoyed a hearty seafood congee on my earlier flight from Perth, I opted for the pistachio-crusted lamb chops this time. My partner chose the seafood hor fun from the in-flight menu.
Before departure, the crew come around with a tray laden with Champagne (a 2018 Piper-Heidsieck vintage Brut), Bellinis, juices and water. They also reconfirm our orders on the ground. Once we’re in the air, lunch is served with frightening efficiency, landing in our laps around 20 minutes after the seatbelt sign is off.
The hor fun is a touch on the dry side with only a small dollop of sauce. Served with prawns, scallops and fish, it boasts a wonderfully charred, ‘wok hei’ flavour that makes it quite slurpable. My pistachio-crusted lamb chops are tasty but slightly overcooked, as is the mash. It’s still a decent lunch, though.
The crew come around with a basket laden with sliced bread, garlic bread, various rolls, lavosh and olive oil. Each tray also comes with a crab salad appetiser and a mango cream cake. Finally, a soothing cup of TWG Silver Moon tea is the perfect finish to the onboard light lunch.
Service and amenities
The Boeing 737-8 crew are warm, polished and attentive throughout the flight, delivering the kind of efficient service that Singapore Airlines is known for. The pre-departure service is a bit of a challenge for them because of the single aisle, but they still deliver a drink and a hot towel with a smile.
Once airborne, complimentary Wi-Fi is available to Business Class passengers and KrisFlyer members. It’s perfectly usable for messaging and light browsing, though speeds can feel a touch sluggish at times.
The KrisWorld system remains a standout, with a slick interface and a deep library of popular movies and TV shows. Even the moving map impresses, with a modern, interactive design that’s similar to the one onboard Finnair’s Airbus A350s.
Rounding off the tech side of things, there are ample charging outlets and a decent set of noise-cancellation headphones located in the under-screen pocket.
The sole Business Class lavatory at the front is relatively standard, except for the Payot amenities and cotton towels, which add a small touch of luxury. When I visited towards the end of the flight, it was still almost spotlessly clean.
How I booked this flight with points
The two most common ways to book Singapore Airlines flights from Australia are with Velocity Points and KrisFlyer miles. Another worthy contender is with Air Canada Aeroplan Points. You can also use the points and miles of many other airline partners, particularly in the Star Alliance.
American Express Velocity Platinum
- Sign-up Bonus:
- Up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points¹
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- 1.25 Velocity Points earned per $1 on all eligible spend except for government bodies⁵. 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on selected Virgin Australia purchases⁵. 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on Government spend⁵
- Annual Fee:
- $440 p.a.
- Offer expires
- 30 Apr 2026
- Earn up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points¹. That’s 70,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online by 30 April 2026, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Platinum Card within the first 3 months. Plus, an additional 30,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend a min of $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card fee.
We transferred Velocity Points over to KrisFlyer at a 1.55-to-1 rate to book from Perth to Da Nang in Business Class. The prices below are for both flights.
As we booked before the latest devaluation, the award cost only 40,500 miles (equivalent to 62,775 Velocity Points) + A$110 per person. Now, the same flight is 44,500 miles (equivalent to 68,975 Velocity Points), which still isn’t too bad.
- If you book through Velocity, the same itinerary costs: 74,000 pts + A$451 pp
- If you book through Aeroplan, the same itinerary costs: 45,000 pts + CA$147 pp
If you wanted to book only the Singapore-Da Nang leg in Boeing 737-8 Business, expect to pay:
- 25,000 KrisFlyer miles + S$66 pp
- 29,500 Velocity Points + A$243 pp
- 30,000 Aeroplan points + CA$101 pp
Overall, booking through KrisFlyer seems to be the best method if you have easy access to their miles. It’s also far better value to fly Perth to Da Nang rather than Singapore to Da Nang, when you take into account how long you’re in Business Class vs the award seat price.
Our verdict
Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737-8 Business Class is a compelling product. The headline feature – fully flat beds on a narrowbody – is a standout, even if it feels like overkill on flights like Singapore to Da Nang. But that only highlights the value of using points to fly with Singapore Airlines, even on shorter flights.
The hard product impresses overall, with only minor reservations about seat storage, particularly for the eight passengers in non-solo seats. The footwell is tight on the solo seats, and the lack of USB-C feels dated for a modern cabin.
Even so, it’s hard to fault the overall experience. Service is warm and efficient, as expected. For travellers using points, this is a strong regional Business Class option. You’ll enjoy a consistently good experience with your Velocity Points, KrisFlyer miles or Aeroplan Points.
Who paid for this flight?
Transparency is important to us. This flight was self-funded by the author. All photos are taken by the author unless otherwise stated.ut
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