Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is Singapore’s flag carrier, a Star Alliance member since 2000, and one of the most decorated airlines in the world. Its entire network radiates from a single hub, Singapore Changi Airport, reaching more than 100 destinations across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Australia. This page covers cabin classes, baggage allowance, and where the route network actually reaches.

Who Should Fly Singapore Airlines

• Long-haul travelers wanting a single-connection hub. Star Alliance reciprocity across partner airlines (United, Lufthansa, ANA, Air Canada) makes status matching and lounge access straightforward on connecting itineraries through Changi.
• Travelers on ultra-long-haul US routes. SQ23/24 flies nonstop between New York (JFK) and Singapore, currently the longest scheduled passenger flight in the world, cutting out a connection entirely for East Coast travelers.
• Business travelers. Singapore Airlines is a repeat Skytrax “World’s Best Airline” winner, and Terminal 3’s lounge network at Changi is dense even by hub-airport standards.
• Travelers flying only within Southeast Asia on a budget. Scoot, Singapore Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary, usually beats mainline fares on regional routes, worth comparing before booking the full-service carrier for a short hop.

Routes and Hubs

Singapore Airlines operates a single hub, Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), rather than splitting operations across a primary and secondary base. Long-haul flights to Europe, the Americas, and the Southwest Pacific generally depart from Changi’s Terminal 3, while regional Southeast Asian routes generally use Terminal 2. From this one hub, the network reaches more than 100 destinations in upwards of 40 countries. Short-haul from Changi reaches Bali, Bangkok, and Tokyo among many others, all shown in the chart below.

The Fleet

Singapore Airlines’ fleet is almost entirely widebody, with one exception: the Boeing 737 MAX 8s absorbed from the 2021 SilkAir merger, which now cover the shorter regional routes under the mainline SQ brand rather than Scoot. Aircraft type is tied to route length and cabin configuration, with the two Airbus A350 variants doing very different jobs.

Cabin Classes

Singapore Airlines flies five cabins rather than the usual three or four. Suites sits above First, and neither is fleet-wide. Suites is unique to the Airbus A380, and the newest First Class product is still rolling out across the A350 fleet through 2026, so which premium cabins are actually available depends on the aircraft assigned to a route, not just the fare paid.

Fares and Flexibility

Within each cabin Singapore Airlines sells several fare levels, and the main thing that separates them is not the seat. It’s how freely you can change or refund the ticket. The cheapest promotional fares trade that flexibility for the lower price.

Baggage Allowance

Singapore Airlines runs two different baggage systems depending on where you’re flying: most routes use a weight allowance that scales with cabin, while flights to and from the US and Canada use a piece allowance instead. Here’s the shape of both:

Need more than the free allowance? Additional baggage can be pre-purchased online up to 6 hours before departure at a discount versus paying at the airport. Per-kilogram rates are set by destination zone and vary widely, so the only number worth trusting is the rate for your specific route. Ask Singapore Airlines’ online chat assistant, Kris, or check the official additional baggage page.

Sports and oversized items (surfboards, golf clubs, diving gear) are accepted but must be arranged with Singapore Airlines in advance rather than sorted out at the airport; the fee varies by item and route, but the pre-booking requirement doesn’t.

Baggage figures verified July 2026

Check-in and at the Airport

Singapore Airlines opens online check-in 48 hours before departure and keeps it open until 90 minutes before the flight; airport counters open 3 hours out and close 40 minutes before departure at Changi. Here’s how the countdown to departure runs at the airport:

In-Flight Experience

Singapore Airlines lets Business, First, and Suites passengers pre-order their main meal weeks in advance through Book the Cook, rather than choosing on the day. The KrisWorld entertainment system carries more than 1,000 movies, shows, and music titles across the fleet, plus a 3D moving map. Wifi is available fleet-wide, with a free data voucher for KrisFlyer and PPS Club members who log in through the onboard portal, though coverage thins over parts of the Middle East and Central Asia on the longest routes.

Traveling with Children, Pets, and Special Needs

The policies that catch travelers out are the ones specific to who, or what, is flying with you. Here’s how Singapore Airlines handles the common cases; arrange any of them when you book rather than at the airport.

• Infants. Bassinet bulkhead seats are assigned automatically for lap-infant bookings; Singapore Airlines’ bassinets hold up to 14kg, among the highest capacity of any airline, and strollers can be gate-checked up to 15kg. The Junior Jet Club includes an activity pack and baby meals for infants traveling with the family.
• Unaccompanied minors. Children aged 5–11 flying alone must use Singapore Airlines’ paid unaccompanied-minor service; those 12 and over can travel as a standard passenger or opt into the service.
• Special meals. Halal, vegetarian, dietary, medical, and baby meals can all be pre-ordered through Book the Cook or a standard special-meal request, ideally at least 24 hours before departure. Halal is available on request, not an automatic default the way it is on some carriers.
• Pets. Singapore Airlines does not carry pets in the cabin or as checked baggage; the only exception is a trained service dog traveling with a passenger with a disability. Other pets must travel via a separate cargo booking.
• Reduced mobility. Wheelchair and special-assistance requests can be arranged in advance through Singapore Airlines or your booking channel.

Loyalty Program

KrisFlyer is Singapore Airlines’ frequent flyer program, and it runs on two separate currencies rather than one ladder. KrisFlyer Elite status (Silver and Gold) is earned on Elite miles from ordinary flying and carries Star Alliance status. PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club sit on a different track entirely: PPS Value, which is earned only by flying in Suites, First, or Business, and unlocks priority services across the network regardless of Elite tier.

Singapore Airlines also offers co-branded KrisFlyer credit cards through partners including American Express, Citibank, DBS, and OCBC, which earn miles directly on everyday spending.