Inside SilkAir’s New Boeing 737 MAX 8 (9V-MBA)

SilkAir’s first Boeing 737 MAX 8 (Aircraft Registration 9V-MBA) landed at Changi Airport at around 2 pm on 1 October 2017, Sunday. The first of 37 MAX 8s ordered by the airline features 12 seats in Business Class and 144 seats in Economy Class. Today we had a preview of the aircraft that was parked at gate F20 in Changi Airport’s Terminal 2.

SilkAir Boeing 737 MAX 8 Business Class

In Business Class, there are 12 seats in a 2-2 configuration. The seats have an impressive pitch of 49″ a 25% increase from 39″.  The seat recline is also increased from 8″ to 12″ and there are a leg and footrest. That is pretty comfortable when you are reclining. The new seats will also feature a side pocket for personal storage. Freshly brewed illycaffè gourmet coffee is served on board. Go ahead, ask for a cuppa Cappucino or Latte the next time you are onboard.

The storage space below the armrest is where you’ll find a USB port as well as a power socket so you can charge your personal devices or smartphones and leave them in there without worrying about these devices getting caught when reclining the seat. All these within reach during your flight comes in really handy.

That’s one less row in Economy compared to the B737-800 aircraft to make up for more legroom in Business. The leather seats are much softer and more comfortable than its predecessors. And from the looks of the meal presentation, Business Class dining on board SilkAir looks pretty appetising. There was the Laksa; Chicken Masala served with Vegetables and spiced rice; Chicken Caesar Sandwich served with Caesar Salad and Mee Soto Ayam.

SilkAir Boeing 737 MAX 8 Economy Class

Economy Class seats are now aqua and light grey. They have been refined with a sleeker and more ergonomic design to increase comfort and convenience. These seats are also fitted with seat-back tablet and phone holders with in-seat USB charging ports.

SilkAir has downplayed its Economy class in its press release and during the onboard presentation by Singapore artistes Chua En Lai and Oon Shu An with more focus on its Business Class seats.

We have not flown on SilkAir for quite a while and cannot really remember the seat pitch on the airline’s other aircraft types. It feels a little tight. Hopefully, the person in front does not recline the seat.

9V-MBA will fly to Hiroshima, Japan, the airline’s new destination and its first city in Japan on 30 October 2017. This service will run thrice weekly, offering the only nonstop service between Singapore and Hiroshima. Japanese cuisine will be introduced onboard to include chicken curry don, mixed flavoured rice with Tuskune Chicken Balls and Omu rice.

In the meantime, the aircraft will be used to fly to other destinations prior to 30 October 2017.

SilkAir Studio, the airline’s in-flight entertainment on board the B737 Max 8 aircraft is similar to what is offered on its other aircraft types. It is streamed through wifi onto smartphones or tablets. SilkAir Studio was recently upgraded this year to offer over 100 international movies and 40 television shows. That is an increase from the previous offering of 30 movies and 20 television programmes. If you are an Apple user, remember to download the SilkAir Studio mobile application prior to boarding. Android users, on the other hand, can download the application onboard.

SilkAir has a finalised order of 54 Next-Generation 737s and 737 Max 8s as it makes its fleet transition to Boeing airplanes. The 737NG and 737 MAX feature Boeing Sky interior which highlights new modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

Two more MAX 8s are expected to be delivered by end of this year with another 34 on order. All MAX 8 aircraft will also be deployed to longer haul destinations in the network including Cairns, Darwin, Kathmandu, Hyderabad and Bangalore.