Caviar has long been a hallmark of super-premium airline service, traditionally reserved for First Class. However, in recent months, that exclusivity has begun to erode. In mid-2024, Qatar Airways became the first carrier to offer caviar in Business Class, and more have followed: Thai Airways quietly began serving Siberian caviar in its Royal Silk (Business) cabins in early 2025. Meanwhile, even United Airlines is planning a caviar amuse-bouche in its new Polaris Studio (a mini-suite in business). These moves underscore a growing trend where luxury dining – represented by fine caviar and vintage champagne – is trickling down into the front cabins. (By contrast, carriers like Emirates, ANA, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific and Etihad still restrict caviar to First Class).
Qatar Airways serves Caviar in Business Class on select routes (Image Courtesy Qatar Airways)
Against this backdrop, Singapore Airlines’ loyal fans are asking: Will SIA join the caviar club? Singapore Airlines already enjoys a global reputation for top-notch catering. Its Business Class menu – featuring hallmark dishes like the famed Prawn & Chicken Laksa – is widely regarded as among the best in the sky. SIA’s Business Class “Book the Cook” system and meal offerings are excellent.
SIA often collaborates with celebrity chefs and those who work at Michelin-starred restaurants to craft multi-course menus. For example, in late 2024, SIA launched seasonal menus by Chef Monica Galetti, which include luxurious items ranging from lobster salad to fine caviar (in First Class). The airline also partners with Michelin-starred restaurants, such as Denmark’s AOC, for special menus. All this reflects SIA’s commitment to “world-class in-flight dining” across its premium cabins. In India, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor sits on the International Culinary Panel for Singapore Airlines.
Nevertheless, SIA’s current Business Class experience does not include a dedicated caviar service. Instead, Singapore Airlines continues to focus on a balance of Asian and Western dishes, extensive “Book the Cook” pre-order options, and a wide selection of fine wines and Champagne. Onboard, passengers can choose from multiple curated menus or pre-select gourmet options specifically designed for altitude. This aligns with Singapore’s reputation for serving premium global cuisine with a distinctly Singaporean flair. Even SIA’s First Class caviar – sourced from Kaluga Queen’s Russian sturgeon farms – emphasises ethical, high-quality ingredients. In fact, SIA’s First Class caviar is so esteemed that Kaluga Queen supplies 21 of Paris’s 26 three-Michelin-star restaurants. If caviar appears in Business Class, it would likely be a milder form of this Russian farmed sturgeon.
By comparison, how are SIA’s rivals doing? Qatar Airways has positioned its Qsuite Business Class as nearly a First-Class experience. Starting August 15, 2024, Qatar introduced an onboard caviar service on 13 long-haul routes (including Singapore–Doha). Passengers can request caviar either as a standalone item or as part of a meal, alongside Qatar’s on-demand dining and premium wine list. Thai Airways serves Siberian Classic caviar, paired with rotating Asian-inspired first courses, on flights from Bangkok to Europe. United Airlines will offer Ossetra caviar as an amuse-bouche in its Polaris Studio mini-suites, and Etihad and Emirates still offer lavish, unlimited caviar in First Class (though not in Business). By contrast, major Asian competitors like ANA and Cathay Pacific treat caviar as a luxury reserved for First Class (e.g., ANA’s Joël Robuchon menus feature caviar only in First Class). Thus, today only a handful of carriers – led by Qatar and Thai – actually serve caviar in Business Class.
Meanwhile, SIA has been busy upgrading its cabins and service. In late 2024, the airline announced an SGD 1.1 billion retrofit program for its Airbus A350 fleet. New First Class suites will debut on A350-900ULR (the U.S. routes) and later on the Boeing 777-9s, while all 41 long-haul A350s will receive a next-generation Business Class seat offering more privacy and comfort.
new Singapore Airlines First Class coming up on the A350 aircraft
The refreshed cabins will also feature a new KrisWorld entertainment system and larger 4K screens. In tandem, SIA continues to refresh its premium catering. Aside from Galetti’s menus, the airline recently announced a partnership with Denmark’s two-Michelin-starred Restaurant AOC to offer Nordic-inspired dishes (including trout roe garnishes) on its Copenhagen–Singapore route.
All of this suggests SIA remains acutely aware of the global “arms race” in luxury onboard dining. Introducing caviar to Business Class would be a signal that SIA is keeping pace with competitors. Caviar service in business class is undoubtedly a premium touch that’s recognisable to customers. For a brand that markets itself on world-class hospitality and high-end cuisine, adding caviar could reinforce its premium positioning. It might also fit with SIA’s culinary partnerships. For instance, if SIA were to partner with a caviar supplier or chef-curated menu, it would be extending a known strategy of limited-time gourmet collaborations.
Why might SIA still hesitate? Caviar isn’t cheap (though airlines often pay wholesale rates). Singapore Airlines may weigh the cost against the benefit, especially if its current Business Class already has a strong following. SIA might also consider which routes or seats warrant caviar. Perhaps it will mirror Qatar’s approach and offer it only on the longest, most premium routes, or as an on-demand option rather than a standard meal course. There is also the question of sustainability: some airlines have cut back on luxury items for “green” optics. However, SIA has so far emphasised cutting-edge comfort (new seats, Wi-Fi, etc.) over frugality.
The clearest sign that SIA is seriously considering caviar is the recent procurement tender. In August 2025, the airline posted a request for “Supply of Farmed Caviar for Business Class”. Such tenders rarely go out lightly. Singapore Airlines hasn’t confirmed details, but the timing is telling: a new business class seat is set to arrive in 2026, so SIA may roll out an upgraded menu in tandem with the new cabin.
Introducing caviar would align with SIA’s storied emphasis on luxurious dining and could bolster its image as the world’s leading airline. On the other hand, some frequent flyers may feel that SIA’s existing menus (with celebrated Asian dishes and star-chef creations) are already competitive, and they would prefer investments in cabin space or service instead of another gourmet upgrade.
Bottomline
With Qatar, Thai, and even United moving forward on caviar, the bar for “best business class dining” is rising. For Singapore Airlines, deciding whether to serve caviar will be a balance of brand, cost and customer expectation. Given the available evidence – from tenders to travel-industry chatter – it seems likely we’ll see SIA’s “Book the Cook” passengers offered caviar at 35,000 feet in the not-too-distant future.
What do you think of Singapore Airlines’ move to bring Caviar to Business Class?
(H/T: Milelion)
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