Singapore Airlines on Monday became the first carrier to unveil the interior of one of the big jets and made it clear that it was keen to recoup its investment in its new private cabin by charging 20 to 25 per cent more than its existing first class.

Business class passengers will also pay more to be among the first to fly the A-380, while economy passengers will probably get off with the lowest penalty.

The airline has already been able to boost prices close to 20 per cent on Boeing 777-300ERs configured with a similar business class to the A-380.

"At the end of day, to be very frank about it, we can only charge what the market can bear," said Singapore Airlines chief executive oficer Chew Choon Seng.

"Thus far, the new product has been able to command a premium of close to 20 per cent on business class.

"Economy will be as competitive as any other of our friends down there."

Singapore Airlines to get 9-month A380 monopoly

Singapore will have a monopoly on flying the A-380 until Qantas and Emirates start taking delivery of their aircraft around August next year. But even the introduction of competing products might not see Singapore cut its premium cabin prices.

Mr Chew said being first off the block had its advantages and disadvantages. He said the airline's competitors now knew what Singapore had been keeping under wraps but they would be able to match the carrier in the time available before they introduced their first planes.

"In terms of price competitiveness for the premium products on these aircraft, we are not overly concerned," he said.

"But for the main cabin it will be good old competition."

Taking your seat on the superjumbo

Those flying in the new aircraft when it makes its first commercial flight on October 25 will find more spacious cabins and stunning new first and business class sections. But the aircraft has an improved layout of what aircraft have always had: seats. There are no waterfalls, no shops, no bars and definitely no gymnasiums or bowling alleys.

The airline has used the 50 per cent extra space to give its premium customers - particularly those in business class - extra space in their seats.

At the pointy end of the plane, this means private "suites" with spacious leather armchairs and a separate, full-size bed that folds out from the walls.

Let them entertain you

Passengers will be watching, listening or playing more than 1000 on-demand options on the airline's new eX2 in-flight entertainment systems on a 23-inch high-definition widescreen LCD television, the biggest in the sky.

Couples travelling together can have the middle two suites converted into a double bed, although Singapore Airlines denies it is attempting to expand the mile-high club.

Business class customers get the world's widest business class seat – 34 inches (86.36cm) wide – in a four abreast, forward-facing configuration. The 1-2-1 configuration means everyone gets an aisle seat and there is an area where business class passengers can pick up snacks and socialise during the flight.

The new economy class seat does give extra space through an improved design that also ends the infamous knee crunch when the person in front reclines their seat. The extra leg and knee room is available in all seats and there seem to be more seats with even more space because they are next to exits or other free areas.

The economy sections span two levels and the top level has two seats next to the windows instead of three. Economy passengers get in-seat power and an in-seat reading light under the seatback screen.

All classes will be able to access office software on the plane and store their work by plugging in a USB thumb drive.