Business · Companies · 13 hrs ago
Singapore Airlines’ new business-class seat colours draw online backlash
Singapore Airlines’ redesigned business-class seats have drawn criticism online for their colour scheme.
The seats use mineral grey and bright yellow, instead of the airline’s traditional deep blues, golds and oranges.
The airline hired BMW Designworks to create the seats, and its CEO said the palette was chosen to give the cabin a modern, forward-looking feel.
Some critics say the look does not fit Singapore Airlines’ brand, while others link the reaction to the airline’s role as a symbol of Singapore.
The response has been mixed, according to an aviation consultant, who expects the design will not hurt the airline’s business.
Singapore Airlines says the new seat is intended to offer a fresh, contemporary take on premium travel, but no further steps or timeline are specified.
Singapore Airlines’ new business-class seat colours have drawn criticism from potential travellers on social media.
Critics say the mineral grey and bright yellow scheme departs from the airline’s traditional deep blues, golds and oranges.
BMW Designworks, which was hired to design the seat, said the palette was deliberate and intended to give the cabin a modern, progressive character.
Singapore Airlines said the seat was designed to offer a fresh, contemporary take on premium travel.
Some critics have linked the colour scheme to questions of national identity and the airline’s brand.
- Who
- Singapore Airlines and BMW Designworks, alongside critics of the new seat colours.
- What
- The airline’s new business-class seat colours have prompted online criticism.
- When
- The backlash was reported on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- The criticism appeared on social media; the airline is Singapore-based.
- Why
- Critics say the colours do not fit the airline’s established brand and identity. The designers said they wanted a modern, progressive look.
Critics of the new colours
Singapore Airlines and BMW Designworks
Brand identity
Critics of the new colours
The colours do not match Singapore Airlines’ established look and may create an identity crisis.
Singapore Airlines and BMW Designworks
The palette was deliberate and gives the business-class cabin its own modern, progressive character.
Design choice
Critics of the new colours
The mineral grey and bright yellow scheme is a downgrade and may look budget-oriented.
Singapore Airlines and BMW Designworks
The design aims to feel high-tech, luxurious and forward-looking.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Airline
- Singapore Airlines
- Seat class
- Business class
- Design company
- BMW Designworks
- New colour scheme
- Mineral grey and bright yellow
- Report date
- November 9, 2026
What people are saying
the palate was deliberate
We wanted this business class to stand on its own, with its own attitude modern, progressive, and refreshing.
The new design doesn’t elevate the brand look… it makes Singapore Airlines look like they are having an identity crisis
The seats may be rather bland to some but I suspect it won’t hurt the bottom line at all