As part of the investment, the airline’s already impressive KrisWorld inflight entertainment is getting a significant upgrade. Sun Microsystems’ StarOffice Productivity Suite, which provides word processing, presentation and spreadsheet software and supports most file formats, will be provided at every seat throughout the plane, with access to the files via built-in USB ports.

The new KrisWorld, based on Panasonics’ eX2 system, will now offer more than 1000 on-demand options including movies, TV programmes, interactive games, audio CDs and applications for learning languages.

The huge investment, which was due to tie in with the arrival of the Airbus A380 before it was delayed, also sees new seats in all three classes. In business class, the airline is claiming the widest fully-flat seat in the world, at 30 inches across, arranged in a forward facing 1-2-1 configuration. The seat will also incorporate a 15.4-inch LCD monitor with USB ports and in-seat power and a large adjustable-height dining table.

In first class, the airline has unveiled new 35-inch wide leather fully flat seats with 23 inch LCD screens and in-seat power suppliers. Economy passengers also get a new seat, with power supplies in two out of every three seats.

Passengers between Singapore and Paris will be the first to experience the new cabin when the airline introduces new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the route this December. Singapore-Zurich passengers will see it shortly afterwards.