Flying economy (coach) or premium economy on Singapore Airlines (SQ) and want to get the best seat on board? Passengers on Singapore Airlines can purchase allocated seats in advance of their flight – these can be either Extra Legroom Seats, Forward Zone Seats or Economy Standard Seats.
Singapore Airlines Advance Seat Selection
Forward Zone Seats are economy class seat rows designated to be closer to the doors, meaning you get off the plane quicker.
Extra Legroom Seats are roomier seats located at the emergency exit rows or on the bulkhead rows in the economy and premium economy cabins.
Standard Seats are any other seats (excluding Extra Legroom and Forward Zone seats) which can be purchased by those travelling on Economy Lite fares (class K/V).
Those on Economy Value fares (class N/Q) get free Standard Seats for flights from April 2024 (but chargeable until then). Standard Seats are free for Economy Standard fares (class H/M/W). Economy Flexi fares (B/E/Y) get free Standard or Forward Zone Seats.
The seats can be purchased at anytime up to 48 hours before departure – either when booking the ticket or using the ‘Manage Booking’ facility on the Singapore Airlines website.
It is possible to check the availability of Extra Legroom Seats / Forward Zone Seats during the booking procedure before actually completing your purchase.
Note, passengers booking exit seats should be able to fulfill the standard eligibility requirements for flight safety reasons.
The cost of booking an advance seat selection depends on the flight route band:
| Economy Standard | Economy Forward Zone | Economy Extra Legroom | |
| Band 1 | $8 | $15 | $25 |
| Band 2 | $10 | $20 | $60 |
| Band 3 | $15 | $25 | $80 |
| Band 4 | $20 | $40 | $100 |
| Band 5 | $25 | $50 | $120 |
Band 1: Between Singapore and Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam; between Denmark and Italy, between Spain and Italy.
Band 2: Between Singapore, Bangladesh, Hong Kong SAR – China, China, India. Japan, Korea, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan – China and U.A.E.
Band 3: Between Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
Band 4: Between Singapore and Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom; between United States and Germany, Hong Kong SAR – China, Japan, United Kingdom and Taiwan – China.
Band 5: Between Singapore and United States
Although the fees are quoted in USD, the seats are normally charged in the local booking currency.
Extra Legroom Seats on Singapore Airlines Airbus A380
Singapore Airlines was the launch customer for the Airbus A380. Unfortunately it has reduced its A380 fleet and now operates just 12 of the aircraft with 2 different configurations. There are no longer any economy or premium economy seats on the upper decks.
Due to its size the A380 offers the most Extra Legroom seats of any aircraft in Singapore’s fleet.
1. Airbus A380-800 (new) – this has a total of 18 Extra Legroom Seats, 66 Forward Zone Seats and 259 Standard Seats.
2. Airbus A380-800 (retrofit) – this has a total of 19 Extra Legroom Seats, 74 Forward Zone Seats and 250 Standard Seats. The only difference to the Extra Legroom Seats compared to the above version is an extra seat is created at 63D (due to a missing 62D seat).
Extra Legroom Seats on Singapore Airlines Airbus A350
There are 3 versions for the Airbus A350:
1. Airbus A350-900 (Long-haul) – this has a total of 6 Extra Legroom Seats, 51 Forward Zone Seats and 130 Standard Seats.
2. Airbus A350-900 (Medium-haul) – this has a total of 6 Extra Legroom Seats, 63 Forward Zone Seats (rows 41-47) and 194 Standard Seats.
3. Airbus A350-900 (Ultra Long Range) – These special aircraft are deployed on SQ’s longest routes such as Singapore-New York JFK. There are only business class and premium economy seats on board.
In premium economy there are 4 seats designated Extra Legroom – 31 A/C and 31 H/K.
There are also 6 unique Solo Seats in rows 40-42.
The Solo Seats (Band 5 only) are available to book for $140.
Extra Legroom Seats for premium economy are charged as $60 (Band 2), $80 (Band 3), $100 (Band 4) and $120 (Band 5).
On some regional flights Premium Economy tickets are not sold. However it is possible for economy passengers on such routes to select a Premium Economy seat for a fee. Note, there is no service upgrade in this case, passengers will retain the original booking class and receive economy service.
| Band | Premium Economy Standard | Premium Economy Extra Legroom |
| Band 1 | $35 | $50 |
| Band 2 | $70 | $90 |
Band 1: Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Surabaya
Band 2: Colombo, Dhaka, Maldives and Guangzhou
Extra Legroom Seats on Singapore Airlines Boeing aircraft
Boeing 777-300ER – this 4-class config has 10 Extra Legroom Seats in economy class (rows 41 and 49) plus 4 premium economy seats (row 31). Note, rows 31 and 49 are windowless. The forward zone is designated rows 41-46.
Boeing 787-10 – this has 6 Extra Legroom Seats in economy class, all on exit row 58 A/B/C and H/J/K.
Boeing 737-8 – this has 6 Extra Legroom Seats in economy class in row 49. The forward zone seats are in rows 41-45.
Boeing 737-800NG – this has 6 Extra Legroom Seats in economy class in row 50. The forward zone seats are in rows 41-45.
Note Singapore Airlines has a strict no refunds policy for Extra Legroom Seats if a passenger cancels the flight. Also, Extra Legroom Seats are non-transferable – they cannot be given to someone else nor can one select another Extra Legroom Seat without re-paying the fee.
Which are the best Singapore Airlines Economy Seats?
Pretty much any Extra Legroom Seats on any of the aircraft though we would try to avoid the windowless seat rows on the Boeing 777.
To check out Singapore Airlines seating maps in more detail click here
Which are the best Singapore Airlines Premium Economy Seats?
Any Extra Legroom Seats on any of the aircraft though again we would try to avoid the windowless seat row 31 on the Boeing 777. The solo seats are also an excellent choice on the Airbus A350-900ULR although seat 42H is just in front of the bathroom.
Is it possible to get Extra Legroom Seats for free?
Yes, once online check-in opens 48 hours before departure any unassigned Extra Legroom Seats should be made available for free selection.
It’s always worthwhile checking the availability of Extra Legroom Seats a day or so before online check-in opens to get an idea of possible available seats. Do this via the ‘Manage Booking’ facility or perhaps use an online availability tool such as ExpertFlyer.
Due to their popularity, often there might not be any Extra Legroom Seats at online check-in – however you are likely to find free Forward Zone seats available.
Passengers with children and/or infants can get free Standard Seat selection in advance. Passengers with infants (under 2) can also choose Forward Zone seats for free in advance.
Do Singapore Airlines frequent flyers get free seat assignments?
Sollitaire PPS and PPS Club members can choose any seat for free subject to availability including Forward Zone, Extra Legroom Seats, Premium Economy Seats and Solo Seats. Any travelling companions would get free Standard or Forward Zone Seats and 15% discount off other seats.
KrisFlyer Elite Gold (Star Alliance Gold) only get complimentary Standard or Forward Zone seats. There is a 15% discount for Extra Legroom Seats, Premium Economy Seats and Solo Seats. Travelling companions get 10% discount of all seats.
KrisFlyer Elite Silver (Star Alliance Silver) only get complimentary Standard Seats. There is a 10% discount for Forward Zone, Extra Legroom Seats, Premium Economy Seats and Solo Seats.
Standard KrisFlyer (non-elite) members simply get a 5% discount off all seats – so it is worth joining to save a few dollars.
Flying economy and looking for lounge access at Singapore Changi airport? Book the Plaza Premium lounge Singapore here (for T1 or T4)
Summary – Singapore Airlines Seat Selection
Singapore Airlines first introduced advance seat selection (known then as ‘Preferred Seats’) back in 2008. These were re-branded in 2017 as Extra Legroom Seats/Forward Zone etc with price differences for different bands. The prices and bands were again adjusted in late 2021.
Singapore Airlines offers free seat assignment for Suites, First and Business Class passengers.
If flying long-haul in economy class on Singapore Airlines it may be worth spending a few extra dollars to guarantee some more legroom. On a 13 hour flight the comfort can certainly make all the difference.
If you don’t wish to pay you can always try your luck at online check-in, but you do need to do this as soon as it opens at T-48 hours.
- Last updated 4 December 2023.
- First published in 2011.
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