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Recognized for its luxurious cabin offerings and exceptional service, Singapore Airlines is consistently listed as a top global airline. The airline has garnered such favoritism among passengers that finding award availability can be challenging.

This guide will outline strategies for using Miles & Points to secure a business class seat to any of the airline’s more than 130 destinations globally. Additionally, we will explore what passengers can expect both on the ground and during flight, including the routes where this premium service is available.

Luxury of Singapore Airlines Business Class

Singapore Airlines stands out with its premier business class offerings, showcasing state-of-the-art amenities and unparalleled service standards.

Check-In and Lounge Facilities

Singapore Airlines ensures a smooth start to your journey with dedicated priority check-in lanes for business class travelers at Changi Airport’s Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Terminal 2 caters to flights bound for Southeast Asia, while Terminal 3 is designated for other international destinations. Similar priority services are available at international airports outside Singapore.

Following a swift security clearance, business class guests are welcomed into the recently renovated SilverKris Lounge located in Terminal 3. The lounge, which has seen a significant $50 million (SGD) renovation, now offers 20% more space, divided into four distinct seating areas to accommodate guests comfortably.

The lounge features a primary dining area with an elaborate buffet selection, and a newly introduced full-service bar. Morning visitors can enjoy barista-prepared coffee, while evening guests can savor cocktails mixed by a skilled bartender. For those who prefer Champagne, a self-serve Tattinger option is also available.

Seating Arrangements

Singapore Airlines has a systematic boarding process. After families with young children, passengers flying First Class or in Suites are invited to board, followed by business class passengers. Given that First Class and Suites are limited to select routes, business class passengers often find themselves among the first to board, though they can board at their convenience.

The airline offers a range of business class seats, varying by aircraft. The type of seat you experience may differ whether you’re on a regional flight or a long-haul journey. Except for the recliner seats on the older B737-800NG aircraft, used primarily for very short flights, all business class seats convert into lie-flat beds and offer generous storage space.

Dining Excellence

 

A highlight of flying with Singapore Airlines is its onboard dining experience. The airline collaborates with an “International Culinary Panel” and wine experts to craft its menu.

Long-haul flights feature the exclusive “Book the Cook” service, allowing passengers to pre-select their meals. While not available on every route, the dining options across all Singapore Airlines flights are designed to tantalize your taste buds. For instance, the menu for the Vancouver to Singapore flight includes exquisite dishes such as braised lamb in roasted garlic thyme sauce and chicken cacciatore.

The beverage selection in business class is equally impressive, featuring an extensive wine list with choices like the 2012/14 Piper-Heidsieck Brut Vintage Champagne, alongside Illy espresso drinks.

Singapore Airlines’ Premier Business Class Fleet

Singapore Airlines boasts a diverse fleet, featuring widebody aircraft such as the Airbus A350-900, Airbus A380-800, Boeing 777-300ER, and Boeing 787-10. Following the merger with its former subsidiary SilkAir, the airline expanded its fleet to include narrowbody Boeing 737-8 and Boeing 737-800NG aircraft, specifically tailored for regional business class service.

Airbus A380 Fleet Highlights

The Airbus A380, often referred to as the “superjumbo,” remains a key player in Singapore Airlines’ lineup for servicing high-demand routes to cities like London, Sydney, and Frankfurt, with a total of 10 aircraft in service.

• In the business class cabin, passengers are treated to seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration across 13 rows, offering direct aisle access for every seat. These seats are notable for their enhanced width and ample storage space, setting a new standard for comfort on board;
• Solo travelers might prefer the A and K row seats, which offer maximum privacy. Couples, on the other hand, might find the middle bulkhead seats (11D/11F, and 91D/91F or 96D/96F in certain configurations) most appealing, as they uniquely combine into a complete double bed;
• The non-bulkhead middle seats also cater well to couples, featuring an adjustable center partition that can be set to various levels of privacy.

Regional Business Class on Airbus A350 and Boeing 787

The Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft are equipped with a regional business class configuration, servicing key gateway cities such as Tokyo, Manila, and Ho Chi Minh City. These aircraft feature lie-flat business class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 layout across nine or ten rows, ensuring direct aisle access for all.

• The seats are staggered, with the seat console positioned alternately closer to or further from the aisle, enhancing privacy;
• Solo passengers might prefer the A and K window seats on even-numbered rows for optimal seclusion;
• Notably, on the A350, seats 20A and 20K are situated in a smaller, more secluded mini-cabin at the rear, comprising just three rows. However, travelers should be aware that row 19, located immediately in front, is equipped with bassinets for passengers flying with infants;
• For couples, the middle seats in odd-numbered rows are designed with consoles positioned towards the aisle, creating an intimate “honeymoon” seating arrangement closer to one another.

Long-Haul Luxury with Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 on Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines deploys the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 for its extended-distance journeys, highlighting the A350’s versatility with its long-haul and ultra-long-range variants. The Boeing 777, equipped with 67 business class seats and 94 premium economy spaces, is specifically utilized for the airline’s most premium-focused routes, including the lengthy flights from Singapore to New York (Newark) and San Francisco.

• The business class cabins on these long-haul aircraft are thoughtfully designed in a 1-2-1 layout, ensuring that every passenger enjoys direct aisle access. Notably, the absence of a console across all seats standardizes privacy levels, making each seat equally desirable;
• Solo travelers often favor the aisle and window seats located in rows A and K for their solitude, whereas couples might opt for the middle seats, equipped with a retractable partition for added intimacy;
• The seating is ingeniously designed with dual positions: the “Lazy Z” for a relaxed, cradled posture, and the “Sundeck” for an extended lounging angle. Moreover, these seats can be converted into fully flat beds, complete with high-quality linens, a plush duvet, and pillows for a restful sleep.

Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737 Fleet

The Boeing 737 lineup within Singapore Airlines’ fleet includes the 737-8 and 737-800NG models. The 737-8, intended for slightly longer short-haul flights to destinations like Davao and Hanoi, boasts a newly revamped cabin introduced in 2021. Conversely, the 737-800NG serves shorter regional routes, such as Penang and Medan, inheriting its configuration from the defunct SilkAir.

• The 737-8 shines with its modern business class, featuring the spacious Thompson Vantage seats found in the fleets of airlines such as TAP Portugal and Aer Lingus. This staggered seating arrangement places the first and third rows in a 2-2 layout, perfect for traveling pairs, while the second row offers exclusive “throne” seats in a 1-1 setup, catering specifically to solo passengers;
• On the other hand, the 737-800NG presents an older business class design, reminiscent of domestic first-class seating in the United States, with 12 seats spread across three rows in a 2-2 pattern. This setup lacks privacy partitions and built-in inflight entertainment screens, with tablets provided as an alternative for onboard entertainment.

Singapore Airlines Business Class Routes and Fleet Allocation

Singapore Airlines, renowned for its five-star service, offers business class accommodations across its entire route network. However, it’s essential to note that certain codeshare and interline flights are operated by its subsidiary, Scoot, which offers a different business class experience known as “ScootPlus.”

• Singapore Airlines strategically assigns different aircraft depending on the route’s distance. For regional flights, passengers can anticipate the spacious A350 and Boeing 787 on popular routes like Tokyo and Manila, while smaller cities like Phuket may see the narrow-body Boeing 737 in service;
• Occasionally, Singapore Airlines may utilize its long-haul aircraft on high-demand regional routes. For instance, the Boeing 777 might operate flights to Jakarta, while the iconic A380 may service routes to Hong Kong and Mumbai;
• On long-haul journeys, Singapore Airlines exclusively deploys the A350, B777, and A380. The A380 is typically reserved for major destinations like London, Frankfurt, and Sydney. Meanwhile, the A350, featuring business and premium economy cabins, operates the world’s longest commercial flight between Singapore and New York (Newark);
• Passengers can view the scheduled aircraft type during booking, although unforeseen equipment changes are always a possibility.

Points Redemption: Singapore Biz Class

Singapore Airlines, like many carriers, primarily offers its award seats through its proprietary loyalty program, KrisFlyer. This program not only covers Singapore Airlines flights but also extends to include flights operated by Star Alliance members and several non-alliance partners such as Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, and Virgin Atlantic. Additionally, miles can be accrued by flying with the budget carrier Scoot, albeit in smaller quantities.

For residents of Canada seeking to transfer points into KrisFlyer miles, the options are limited to HSBC Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy. When transferring from HSBC Rewards, the conversion rate stands at 25,000 points to 9,000 KrisFlyer miles, equivalent to a 1:0.36 ratio. With HSBC Rewards points and KrisFlyer miles valued at 0.8 and 1.8 Canadian cents each, this exchange rate might not appear advantageous unless the miles are used for booking long-distance flights which are expensive if paid for in cash. Marriott Bonvoy points can also be transferred to KrisFlyer miles at a conversion rate of 3,000 to 1,000, plus a bonus of 5,000 miles for every 60,000 points transferred. Despite Bonvoy points being valued slightly higher at 0.9 cents each, this conversion is generally considered less favorable unless it’s used as a supplementary method for achieving a specific redemption goal.

Moreover, Singapore Airlines award seats have become accessible through Air Canada’s Aeroplan, including the much-desired long-haul awards, either for direct flights or as part of a more elaborate travel plan. It’s important to note, however, that Singapore Airlines tends to allocate fewer award seats to Aeroplan compared to what’s available through KrisFlyer directly.

Securing Singapore Airlines Business Class Award Seats

Booking Singapore Airlines Business Class award seats through KrisFlyer follows a structured pricing model based on zones that encompass comparable distances. For instance, Zone 11 covers the US West Coast and Canada, while Zone 12 encompasses the US East Coast and Houston. Notably, flights from Zone 1 (Singapore) to Zone 12 require more miles due to increased distance. These award seats are categorized into three fare types, mirroring a dynamic pricing system.

Saver and Advantage awards are typically the two visible options for award bookings, with significant differences between them. For instance, for a Singapore to Vancouver business class seat, a Saver award requires 107,000 miles, while an Advantage award demands 128,500 miles.

Notably, certain seats, particularly those on flights departing soon or in high-demand routes, may be subject to a waitlist. This waitlist even applies to Advantage awards. Unfortunately, these waitlists only begin clearing two weeks prior to the departure date.

However, with Aeroplan and other airline redemption partners, seats may still be accessible, albeit in limited quantities. For example, long-haul flights to destinations like Christchurch or Johannesburg might display only one available business class award seat at a time (though up to four economy seats may be visible). Additionally, it’s important to note that seats may not be available on all dates.

Strategies for Singapore Airlines Business Class

Securing a spot in Singapore Airlines business class, renowned for its luxury and comfort, is a sought-after achievement in the world of airline rewards. However, with strategic planning, it’s entirely feasible to make this dream a reality.

• Booking in Advance: The key to securing Singapore Airlines business class seats lies in booking early. With programs like KrisFlyer and Aeroplan, reservations can be made up to 355 days in advance. Since availability can be limited, especially for business class awards, it’s advisable to seize these opportunities as soon as they become available. Additionally, prioritizing KrisFlyer Saver awards over Advantage awards is wise due to the significant point difference. By planning ahead, travelers can optimize their chances of redeeming lower-priced rewards;
• Flexibility is Key: When faced with limited award seat availability, flexibility is invaluable. Singapore Airlines’ extensive global network and partnerships with Star Alliance carriers open up various routing options. Exploring alternative routes and leveraging partner airlines can increase the likelihood of securing business class awards, even during peak travel periods;
• KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes: Take advantage of KrisFlyer’s monthly Spontaneous Escapes promotion, which offers last-minute Saver awards at a 30% mileage discount. This instant confirmation program allows travelers to enjoy significant mileage savings on select routes for the upcoming month.

Examples of business class redemptions include:

• New York to Frankfurt for 56,700 miles;
• Melbourne or Brisbane to Singapore for 47,950 miles;
• Singapore to Hong Kong for 23,800 miles.

Exploring Fifth Freedom Routes: Fifth Freedom routes, which operate between countries not affiliated with the airline’s home base, present additional opportunities for securing business class seats. Singapore Airlines offers routes such as Frankfurt to New York (JFK), Tokyo-Narita to Los Angeles, and Milan-Malpensa to Barcelona. These routes often have more accessible availability and can complement multi-airline award itineraries effectively. By leveraging these strategies, travelers can maximize their chances of enjoying the unparalleled luxury of Singapore Airlines business class.

Conclusion

Singapore Airlines stands as a pinnacle of aspiration in the realm of award redemptions, attributed to its exceptional business class offerings and top-notch service. Though avenues for earning and transferring KrisFlyer miles directly may be limited, the partnership between Singapore Airlines and Air Canada’s Aeroplan program opens up new avenues for accessing long-haul awards. With a well-crafted Miles & Points strategy, the opportunity to experience the excellence of one of the world’s premier airlines becomes increasingly attainable.