Find cheap Singapore Airlines flights

Singapore Airlines has a sterling reputation in the airline world. It makes sense considering what you’ll find onboard: top-notch service, comfortable seats, and high-quality food and drinks (especially in first or business class). If you have an upcoming flight with Singapore Airlines, or are considering booking with the airline in the future, here’s what you can expect from this world-class carrier.

Routes

The Southeast Asian-based carrier offers an extensive route network, primarily from its Singapore hub. There are over 70 destinations in 32 countries on five continents. While almost all flights start or end in Singapore, the airline also offers a few unique routes, called “fifth freedom” flights. I’ve flown on one of these services, a flight that went between New York and Frankfurt, Germany.

Cabin classes, seats & legroom

Singapore sells seats across four cabins: first, business, premium economy, and economy. However, not all flights will have every cabin. For instance, the world’s longest nonstop flight, from New York to Singapore, is flown on the carrier’s Airbus A350 in an “ultra-long haul configuration.” In short, that means onboard, you’ll only find a business class and premium economy cabin. Here’s a brief rundown of each class.

First class

Considered one of the best first-class products in the sky, Singapore’s flagship experience is called “Suites.” These are only found on the carrier’s Airbus A380 aircraft so if you have the choice between plane types, definitely go for the double-decker. What makes Suites special is how much space there is. Not only is there a separate seat and bed, but if you’re traveling as a couple, the divider between Row 1 and 2 can be lowered to create a full double bed. Talk about luxury in the skies.

On the Boeing 777, Singapore offers first class but in a less impressive setup compared to the “Suites” experience. These seats are still incredibly luxurious, and the onboard service, amenities, food, and drink will be similar no matter which plane type you fly. I’m particularly a big fan of “Book the Cook,” a feature that allows travelers to pre-order gourmet meals before traveling.

Business class

The business class experience on Singapore varies, depending on the type of plane and length of flight. Longer flights, like those between the U.S. and Singapore, offer more comfortable seating with additional storage space and room to stretch out. Unless you’re flying regionally within Southeast Asia on a Boeing 737, all business class seats offer lie-flat capabilities and direct aisle access. That means there’s no need to crawl over a neighbor to stretch your legs or use the bathroom.

I’ve flown Singapore business class many times, including on flights that are 18 hours nonstop, and each experience has ranged either pretty good to exceptional. All U.S. flights offer wide, fully flat leather seats with direct aisle access and have access to the “Book the Cook” feature like first-class passengers.

One minor quirk of Singapore’s business class seats: Passengers may have to lie flat at an angle thanks to the cut-out for your legs and feet. To avoid sleeping at an angle, consider booking a seat in the first row of the cabin, also known as the bulkhead seats. Even with this slight quirk, it’s still a comfortable seat overall; it may just take some getting used to when you first sit down.

Premium economy

The premium economy cabin on Singapore includes roomier seats than economy with a calf rest, footrest, and personal reading lamp. This class is only on select aircraft, usually on flights with longer distances. Seats don’t lie flat but have generous recline and a wide 19.5” berth. Finally, although the options are not as extensive (or high-end) as those in business or first class, premium economy passengers on select routes can also “Book the Cook” to preorder chef-curated meals.

Economy

Regardless of the type of plane you fly, economy doesn’t get much better than this when compared to the competition. Not only is there decent legroom and seat width, but there are amenities like hot towel service and a mini kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, eye shades, and socks. Finally, a four-way adjustable, cushioned headrest and a footrest are at every seat. Singapore serves full, multicourse meals on real dinnerware, using metal cutlery and glassware.

Pre-flight experience

Here’s what you should know about the Singapore Airlines ground and pre-flight experience.

Baggage policy and fees

Singapore has a generous baggage policy regardless of which cabin you’re flying in. For all flights that touch the U.S., economy up through first class are allowed two checked bags complimentary, while elite members are allowed even more. Those in economy and premium economy can bring up to 50 pounds (23 kg) per bag while business and first-class passengers can bring up to 70 pounds (32 kg) per bag.

Check-in

Singapore generally offers four check-in areas, although some airports may consolidate this. At the airline’s Changi hub, there are separate check-in areas for first class, business class, premium economy, and economy (along with the associated elite status levels). Self-service kiosks are also available and passengers can check in at Changi up to 24 hours in advance.

Lounges

There are three levels of lounge access for Singapore passengers at Changi, while airports elsewhere typically have a single lounge option. At the highest level is Singapore’s first-class lounge and “The Private Room” which offers the finest champagne, sit-down dining, and individual bedrooms. The SilverKris Lounge is reserved for business class passengers while the Krisflyer Gold Lounge is for select elite passengers.

At airports without a SilverKris lounge, passengers may be directed to airline partner lounges. In Los Angeles, business class passengers use the Star Alliance Lounge, in New York (JFK), passengers use the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, and at San Francisco and Houston, passengers use the United Polaris Lounge.

Onboard experience

Here's more of what you can expect when onboard a Singapore Airlines flight.

Wi-Fi & entertainment

This is one area where Singapore excels as the airline offers free Wi-Fi for every passenger onboard (you’ll need to sign up for a frequent flyer account, though). In addition, the airline’s entertainment system, called KrisWorld, is one of the industry’s most vast with hundreds of movies, TV shows, and other programs at each seat to keep travelers entertained. (Of course, it’s especially important on ultra-long-haul flights up to 19 hours long.)

Amenities

First-class passengers receive a well-stocked Lalique amenity kit along with pajamas and slippers. Unlike other carriers, Singapore doesn’t automatically give passengers in business class an amenity kit. Many items are already stocked in the lavatories and the cabin crew will provide a full kit on request. Even premium economy passengers get a kit with slippers and eye shades on flights seven hours or longer.

Food and drink

As mentioned, Singapore has an impressive catering program churning out high-quality meals, all of which have made Singapore a leader in the food and beverage world. Few other carriers offer the level of dining options and dishes that the airline does. Expect dishes like stir-fried Singaporean hor fun noodles and other regional specialties.

“Book the Cook” allows premium cabin passengers (premium economy, business, and first class) on select routes to pre-order meals, with a massive selection of dishes that wouldn’t otherwise be available onboard. The airline even has an air sommelier program, a highly selective initiative in which cabin crew can apply to become wine experts. The airline has around 100 air sommeliers, offering guidance on wine pairings.

Onboard service experience

One other area also needs to be mentioned: Singapore’s iconic onboard service, which has helped make it such a standout carrier. I have been extremely impressed with the crew on my flights, trained to serve all passengers with elegance, grace, and of course, safety, in mind. In fact, all crew undergo a four-month-long program that includes weeks of service training, including etiquette, grooming, meal preparation, and more.

Loyalty program

Singapore’s loyalty program, called KrisFlyer, lets frequent fliers earn and redeem miles on Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance carriers (such as United Airlines and Air Canada), and other partner airlines. One unique element of KrisFlyer? It partners with all of the major U.S. credit card rewards programs. That means if you need extra KrisFlyer miles, perhaps to book an award seat, you can transfer points from the likes of American Express, Chase, Citi, and Capital One.

Booking using miles

If you’ve accumulated Singapore miles, you’ll get the most value by redeeming for flights on Singapore Airlines and its partners. For instance, one of the best ways to redeem Singapore miles is on the carrier's “fifth-freedom” flights from the U.S. from New York to Frankfurt or from Houston to Manchester. If you find Saver award space, these can be booked for 81,000 miles each way in business class.