I was on FlySafair plane just the other day, marvelling at how they had squished as many of us as possible into the cylindrical flying tin.

I mean, they even have a sign that says the plane does not have reclinable seats. Reading that made my two-hour journey from Durban to Cape Town considerably more uncomfortable.

But then you get Singapore Airlines who have just revealed their latest luxurious addition to their planes.

Thanks to an investment of $850 million (R12 billion) in its aircraft’s interiors, they have introduced “Suites” that, well, look more like hotel rooms as well as “business class seats that turn into double beds,” reports CNN.

No signs preventing reclining here:

But it’s not exactly new:

If this news triggers déjà vu, it’s because the airline has been offering double beds in its highest class of service for a decade, beginning in 2007 with the arrival of the first Airbus A380 to enter commercial service.

“Our original Suites were the first to offer double beds in the sky and they are still regarded as the ultimate in premium travel,” Goh Choon Phong, chief executive at the carrier, said during the unveiling in Singapore of the latest designs.

“Not only are we retaining that feature, but now the beds are even more plush and comfortable than before.”

Take a look:

Every A380 will include six Suites at the front upper deck and each can be “individually closed off from the aisle by sliding, half-height doors”:

Within, a passenger is equipped with a 76-inch-long bed separate from the seat, though the latter boasts a 270-degree swivel and 45-degree recline for dining (with Wedgwood china), getting work done (over high-speed, Inmarsat Global Xpress satellite Wi-Fi) and, or simply daydreaming out the windows before it’s time for rest.

A 32-inch high-definition TV, Lalique amenity kit, leather-lined storage nooks, and a touchscreen control tablet for entertainment and lighting complete the experience.

Damn, I could take a nap right now.

So, you want to know the price for one of these, don’t you?

They start at around $6 600 (R93 700), while the business class double beds go for $3 100 (R44 000).

And that’s just for a round-trip between Singapore and Sydney.

[source:cnn]