Summary

  • Singapore Airlines’ history dates back to 1947, evolving through different names before becoming a global powerhouse.
  • The airline achieved significant milestones, such as introducing the iconic Singapore Girl, and expanding its fleet with innovative widebody aircraft.
  • Despite facing challenges like the recent pandemic, Singapore Airlines remains resilient, adapting to shifts and leading the industry with new routes and fleet expansions.

Singapore Airlines prides itself on representing Southeast Asian hospitality across the skies. The flag carrier of Singapore plays a crucial role in connecting the continents via its hub at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). The airline uses its fleet of Airbus A350, Airbus A380, Boeing 737, Boeing 747F, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 aircraft on more than 100 routes worldwide.

Singapore 777-300ER

Photo: Fasttailwind | Shutterstock

A Star Alliance member since 2000, the carrier also uses its robust portfolio of partnerships to ensure its passengers remain well-connected around the world. While the name of Singapore Airlines debuted in the 1970s, the carrier’s history traces back to the creation of Malayan Airways Limited in 1947.

This airline became Malaysian Airways Limited in 1963 before taking on the name of Malaysia-Singapore Airlines Limited in 1966. Singapore Airlines began operations under its current moniker in 1972. Thanks to its welcoming service, Singapore Airlines has become a global powerhouse and has achieved numerous awards.

Quality from the start

The Ocean Steamship Company of Liverpool, the Straits Steamship Company of Singapore, and Imperial Airways came together in May 1947 to incorporate Malayan Airways Limited (MAL). The region where this outfit started flying was the recently-formed Malayan Union, a combination of the Malay states and the Straits Settlements of Penang and Malacca.

Malayan Airways Airspeed Consul

The Federation of Malaya was formed in 1948, undergoing several transitions in the following years. Meanwhile, the airline’s emphasis on hospitality has been evident from the beginning. This could be seen as early as the 1950s when the airline said:

“Four new DC-3s are added to the fleet. Iced water isn’t the only item on the inflight menu anymore. We serve a choice of hot, cold and alcoholic beverages, as well as sandwiches, biscuits and cold cuts. We introduce the original “female pursers”, who pave the way for the Singapore Girl some twenty years later.”

The Federation of Malaysia was formed on September 16th, 1963, and as a result, Malayan Airways changed its name to Malaysian Airways. This outfit also took over Borneo Airways, which was founded in the mid-1950s.

Malaysia Singapore Airlines Boeing 737

There was another political shift in the 1960s when Singapore separated from the federation. As a result, due to operating across both regions, Malaysia Airways changed its name to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA). Flying as the flag carrier of both Malaysia and Singapore, the airline expanded well throughout the remainder of the decade, taking on its first Boeing aircraft in the form of the 707 and 737.

Forming its own path

After launching flights to the United States a few years beforehand, 1972 saw the launch of two names that are still influential forces today. Malaysia-Singapore Airlines split to form both Singapore Airlines and the Malaysia Airlines System, with operations of both commencing on October 1st. Notably, the Malaysia Airlines System still flies today under the Malaysia Airlines brand.

With this new beginning, the operator marked the year of the rebranding with the arrival of the Boeing 747. This aircraft would become synonymous with Singapore Airlines’ operations in subsequent decades. The company even built a special hangar for the type in 1977. It wasn’t only the Queen of the Skies that joined the airline’s fleet during this period, as it saw the 727 and DC-10 become part of the family.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-200

The widebody adventures continued into the 1980s. The airline’s first Airbus A300 took to the skies for the first time in 1981. The European twinjet flew to Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur on its initial routes. Two years later, Singapore Airlines’ 747-300 crossed the Pacific to Los Angeles via Tokyo for the first time. This was the same year the carrier opened its official corporate headquarters in Changi.

Closing out the millennium

After the arrival of the Airbus A310 and Boeing 757, Singapore Airlines continued making significant steps to transition with the industry heading toward the end of the 20th century. Regarding its activity in 1989, the carrier stated:

“Tradewinds, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, is announced in February as Singapore’s second airline. It has since become SilkAir, and grown its flight network to more than 30 destinations across Asia and in Australia. We’re the first airline to send a Boeing 747-400 commercial flight from Singapore across the Pacific.”

Singapore got the 1990s going with the opening of Changi Airport’s Terminal 2. There was also a series of fleet renewals as the airline expanded, such as the $10.3 billion order for 22 747-400 and 30 A340-300 jets in 1994. This was followed by the order for 77 Boeing 777s in 1995, which was worth even more at $12.7 billion.

The carrier also finished the century with a $2.2 billion order for 10 A340-500 aircraft. This model would allow Singapore Airlines to inaugurate the first nonstop commercial route between its home country and the US in 2004.

Singapore Airlines Airbus A380-841 9V-SKR

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Continuing its trend of experimenting with widebody aircraft, Singapore Airlines made history when it introduced the Airbus A380 to passengers on October 25th, 2007. This behemoth flew commercially for the first time between Singapore and Sydney. This inaugural flight had 455 passengers and 30 crew members onboard.

Adapting over the decades

In addition to Airbus A330s in 2009, the fleet additions kept coming in the 2010s. Singapore Airlines flew its A350-900s for the first time in 2016. Initially, flights were to regional destinations such as Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta, but the twinjet began long-haul operations to the likes of Amsterdam from May that year. Other arrivals included the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which first arrived in May 2018.

Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

The pandemic wasn’t kind to most carriers, including Singapore Airlines, and it reported a $3.2 billion loss for the 2020/21 financial year. Nonetheless, the operator has adapted to numerous shifts during its extensive operational history, and it will continue to use its expertise to overcome the challenges in this next chapter and continue to grow.

Following the pandemic, Singapore Airlines resumed direct flights between Singapore and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The route, at a staggering 8,287 miles long, is the longest non-stop commercial flight in the world today.

Read more:

Revealed: The USA’s 10 Longest Non-Stop Flights This Year

They have a block time of up to 19h 10m!

Singapore Airlines’ current fleet

According to data from ch-aviation, Singapore Airlines currently operates a total of 160 passenger aircraft, made up of the following:

  • 57 x Airbus A350-900
  • 7 x Airbus A350-900(ULR)
  • 13 x Airbus A380
  • 16 x Boeing 737 MAX 8
  • 7 x Boeing 737-800
  • 26 x Boeing 777-300ER
  • 22 Boeing 787-10.

The carrier is set to expand its narrowbody fleet with an outstanding order for a further 13 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, and will become one of the largest operators of the 777-9, with 31 on order.

What do you think of Singapore Airlines’ varied history? What are your memories of the carrier over the years? Let us know by commenting below.

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