Singapore Airlines Restores Airbus A350 Long-Haul Business Class on Brisbane Route, Strengthening Travel Links Between Singapore and Australia

Published on December 22, 2025

A significant upgrade has been confirmed for premium air travel between Singapore Airlines, Singapore, and Australia, as long-haul cabin products are set to return to Brisbane after several years. From November 2026, one daily service on the Singapore–Brisbane route will once again feature the Airbus A350 Long Haul, bringing back wider Business Class seats and a dedicated Premium Economy cabin. This move represents a notable enhancement in comfort for long-distance travelers, particularly those undertaking multi-sector journeys linking Australia with Europe, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. Although overall seat numbers on the route will see a modest reduction, the increase in premium capacity underscores the airline’s focus on high-yield and long-haul connectivity. The restoration of these cabins is expected to improve consistency for passengers who previously experienced a downgrade when transferring from ultra-long-haul flights. With Brisbane, Singapore, and India playing growing roles in global tourism and transit flows, the change is positioned as a strategic step that aligns aviation comfort with evolving travel expectations, while reinforcing Brisbane’s importance within Singapore Airlines’ international network.

Return of Long-Haul Comfort to Brisbane

From 1 November 2026, Singapore Airlines will reintroduce its long-haul cabin configuration on the Singapore to Brisbane route. This upgrade will apply specifically to the SQ265 and SQ266 rotation, which will transition from the Airbus A350 Medium Haul to the Airbus A350 Long Haul aircraft. As a result, passengers on this service will once again have access to the airline’s 2013 long-haul Business Class seats, along with a dedicated Premium Economy cabin that has been absent on the route for several years.

This development marks the first return of long-haul seating to Brisbane since October 2022. Prior to the pandemic, at least one daily Brisbane service regularly featured these cabins, offering a higher level of comfort compared with the regional configuration currently in use.

Capacity Adjustments and Premium Focus

While the deployment of the A350 Long Haul will result in an approximate four percent reduction in total seat capacity on the Singapore–Brisbane route, the shift is designed to favor premium travelers. The premium-heavy layout of the aircraft will add 14 additional Business Class seats per week in each direction when compared with the Medium Haul configuration.

This adjustment reflects a deliberate strategy, emphasizing quality over quantity. For business travelers, long-haul tourists, and premium leisure passengers, the enhanced seating and onboard experience are expected to outweigh the marginal reduction in overall capacity.

Operational Changes and Aircraft Assignment

An important operational shift accompanies this upgrade. Historically, both before and shortly after the pandemic, the long-haul Airbus A350 was assigned to the SQ245 and SQ246 services. From November 2026, this designation will instead be transferred to SQ265 and SQ266.

The SQ265 and SQ266 rotation holds particular significance, as it was the final Brisbane frequency to be restored to daily operation following the pandemic. Initially reintroduced as a four-times-weekly service, it was upgraded to daily flights in mid-June 2025. The introduction of the long-haul aircraft on this rotation further elevates its role within the network.

Brisbane’s Long-Haul Cabin Evolution

In 2018, all four daily Singapore Airlines services between Singapore and Brisbane were operated with long-haul Business Class seating. Aircraft featured either the 2013 Business Class product or the older 2006 configuration, which has since been retired.

From 2018 onward, these cabins were gradually replaced with the Regional Business Class product. Although newer in design, the regional seat is narrower and has often been perceived by passengers as less comfortable than the long-haul alternative. The return of the Airbus A350 Long Haul is therefore widely viewed as a qualitative improvement rather than a simple fleet change, restoring a more spacious and relaxing experience on the eight-hour journey.

Daily Flight Schedule from November 2026

From November 2026, Singapore Airlines will operate four daily flights in each direction between Singapore and Brisbane, all scheduled to operate every day of the week.

Services from Singapore to Brisbane will include three Airbus A350 Medium Haul flights and one Airbus A350 Long Haul service, while the return flights from Brisbane to Singapore will follow a similar pattern. The long-haul configuration on SQ265 and SQ266 is scheduled to provide a daytime departure from Singapore with an evening return from Brisbane, offering practical options for both leisure and business travelers.

This structure also supports efficient onward connections through Singapore, a key global hub.

Enhanced Connectivity for Ultra-Long-Haul Journeys

The timing of SQ265 and SQ266 has been optimized to serve passengers traveling on ultra-long-haul itineraries. Inbound connections to SQ265 include flights arriving from major cities across Europe and Africa, such as London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich, Rome, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. Selected services from India and China are also aligned with this schedule.

Outbound connections from SQ266 provide seamless links to destinations including London Heathrow, Zurich, Rome, Manchester, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and numerous cities across India and North Asia. For travelers undertaking journeys exceeding 22 hours, the availability of consistent long-haul Business Class and Premium Economy seating on the Brisbane sector removes a previous gap in comfort.

Importance for Brisbane and Australian Tourism

Singapore is Brisbane Airport’s second-busiest international route after Auckland. In 2024, Brisbane Airport leadership highlighted that more than half of all visitors from India to Brisbane traveled via Singapore Airlines, underscoring the airline’s critical role in connecting Australia with South Asia.

Indian nationals represented the largest group of non-Australian passport holders arriving in Brisbane on Singapore Airlines flights in 2024, followed by travelers from Singapore and the United Kingdom. These figures emphasize the importance of premium connectivity in supporting inbound tourism to Queensland and strengthening Australia’s appeal as a long-haul destination.

KrisFlyer Award Redemptions and Costs

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer members are able to redeem miles for one-way flights between Singapore and Brisbane across Economy Class, Premium Economy, and Business Class. Redemption rates vary depending on availability and fare type, with Saver, Advantage, and Access levels offered.

Taxes and fees apply in addition to mileage and are typically higher on Australian routes due to international arrival and departure charges. For bookings made on or after 1 April 2026, for travel from 1 October 2026 onward, Singapore’s new Sustainable Aviation Fuel levy will also apply to this route.

Future Cabin Developments

Singapore Airlines has announced plans to introduce new closed-door Business Class suites on the Airbus A350 Long Haul from the second quarter of 2026. The full retrofit of the fleet is expected to be completed by late 2030, although similar programs have historically extended beyond initial timelines.

While Brisbane is not expected to be among the first destinations to receive the new suites, the continued deployment of the A350 Long Haul places the city alongside Sydney and Melbourne, both of which already see regular services operated by this aircraft type.

The restoration of long-haul cabin products on the Singapore–Brisbane route represents a meaningful enhancement for premium travel between Singapore and Australia. By upgrading SQ265 and SQ266 to the Airbus A350 Long Haul, Singapore Airlines is reintroducing Premium Economy seating and expanding Business Class capacity, while improving comfort for long-distance travelers.

For passengers connecting between Australia, Europe, Africa, and India, the change delivers a more consistent and comfortable journey. While not a full return to pre-2018 levels, the upgrade signals a renewed commitment to Brisbane as a key long-haul gateway and a vital link in global travel and tourism networks.