A traveller’s complaint about the state of Singapore Airlines’ Business Class has triggered heated discussion on Chinese social media.
The user, who goes by the name “一条在地球上游走的Mao Du” (roughly translated as “A Mao Du roaming the Earth”), posted on Xiaohongshu on 30 May about his flight from Singapore to Hong Kong.
He expressed disappointment that the “legendary Singapore Airlines” appeared to be offering facilities from “the last century”.
‘Facilities from the last century?’
In his original post, Mao Du wrote in Chinese: “Singapore to Hong Kong, this is the legendary Singapore Airlines? Is this Business Class from the last century? The facilities are old, the seat cannot lie flat, and the meal is like AirAsia’s. Singapore Airlines is really making a fortune.”
He complained that he had to curl up to sleep because the seat would not fully recline.
Netizens correct the traveller
Despite his frustration, many Xiaohongshu users quickly pointed out that Mao Du had simply not understood how the seat worked.
One user explained: “This type of Business Class needs to be reclined by pulling it down from behind the seatback. The facilities are indeed a bit old, but the space is still quite good.”
Others reminded him that he could have asked the cabin crew for help.
One wrote: “This seat can lie flat. I remember you have to pull it back from behind. It’s a bit troublesome, but next time just ask the crew to make the bed for you.”
In response, Mao Du admitted his oversight, replying: “So that’s how it works! Luckily I’m flexible, I slept in an S-shape to the ground.”
Some defend the older cabin
Several netizens even praised this version of SQ’s Business Class, claiming it offered more room than newer models.
One wrote: “This is my favourite type among all Singapore Airlines Business Class seats. It’s bigger than the new ones and doesn’t have that diagonal seatbelt that always chokes my neck. The seat and the bed are more comfortable than the new A380’s! That seat makes my backside hurt!”
Others highlighted that some Chinese airlines still use seats comparable to dentist chairs. “Some domestic airlines still use “dentist chairs”,” one remarked.
One user added: “I flew this ten years ago. The newest Business Class products are not on this route — you’ll find them on flights to London, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, Paris and so on, operated by the A350.”
Profits and rankings
Despite the online grumbles, Singapore Airlines continues to post strong financial results.
In May, it was reported that the airline achieved a record net profit of S$2.78 billion (US$2.14 billion) for the financial year ending 31 March 2025.
This marked a 3.9% increase from the previous year’s S$2.68 billion.
Much of the rise came from a one-off non-cash accounting gain of S$1.1 billion following the completion of the Air India-Vistara merger in November 2024.
To recognise staff contributions, Singapore Airlines announced a profit-sharing bonus equivalent to 7.45 months’ pay, slightly lower than the previous year’s record 7.94 months.
Meanwhile, at the 2025 World Airline Awards, Qatar Airways was named the World’s Best Airline, with Singapore Airlines ranked second and Cathay Pacific third.
The post Chinese traveller calls SQ Business Class ‘last century’ over seat issue, gets schooled on XHS appeared first on The Online Citizen.
