As the majority of its fleet comprises widebody aircraft, many believe that Singapore Airlines may only operate long-haul flights. The airline, which has notably been one of the leading competitors in the international and long-haul market, has more than 100 Boeing and Airbus widebody aircraft.
Singapore Airlines was the launch customer of the A380 and is currently the largest operator of the A350-900. It is also the only carrier in the world to operate the A350-900 ULR (ultra-long-range), which is deployed between Singapore and New York – a flight that takes nearly 18 hours.
Although Singapore Airlines’ network is focused on long-haul journeys and its fleet is appropriately suited for the operation, the carrier does fly short and medium-haul routes. Additionally, it operates narrowbodies that handle some of the routes. The carrier welcomed the 737 to its fleet for the second time in 2021 after the consolidation of SilkAir. It introduced the 737 MAX 8 to the airline’s fleet as well as the 737-800.
According to aviation data and analytics provider Cirium, Singapore Airlines will operate five routes that are under 550 miles next month. Not all routes are operated by the 737 as the carrier’s fleet is predominantly widebody aircraft. However, this also helps address demand more efficiently as the larger aircraft have more seats. Most of the routes are popular as they have daily frequencies, but one, in particular, is a fifth-freedom route.
5
Singapore – Jakarta, Indonesia
546 miles
The journey between Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK), which serves Jakarta, Indonesia, is just under 550 miles in each direction. The airline will operate a total of 360 frequencies on the route – or 180 in each way – showing the route has significant demand. This route is particularly popular as it will see a total of 1,559 flights next month when combining the frequencies of Singapore Airlines’ competitors. The carrier will operate the A350-900, which will handle 240 flights, and the 777-300ER, which will handle 120 flights between SIN and CGK. In total, Singapore Airlines will offer 46,200 seats in each direction.
Photo: jremes84 | Shutterstock
Seven other airlines operate the route, demonstrating robust competition.
- AirAsia Indonesia
- Jetstar Asia
- TransNusa
- Garuda Indonesia
- Batik Air
- Citilink
- Scoot
4
Milan, Italy – Barcelona, Spain
449 miles
The fourth-shortest route within Singapore Airlines’ network is a fifth-freedom operation between Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN). According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the fifth freedom of the air is the right or privilege to operate flights within the territory of a country or countries that are not the home state of an airline. At just under 450 miles, this route is also popular, with four airlines operating it. Singapore Airlines has just 26 frequencies scheduled in September – the least amount of flights among all five of its shortest routes.
The carrier will use the A350-900 on the route, offering 3,289 seats in each direction. This particular aircraft configuration accommodates 253 passengers. Singapore Airlines classifies the layout as its long-haul configuration, while the ULR model has 161 seats onboard. The medium-haul A350-800 configuration accommodates 303 passengers.
Singapore Airlines’ competitors between MXP and BCN next month include:
- Ryanair
- EasyJet
- Vueling
- Wizz Air Malta
3
Singapore – Medan, Indonesia
386 miles
Flights between SIN and Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) near Medan, Indonesia, cover just under 390 miles. Singapore Airlines will offer twice-daily flights between the two destinations, totaling 120 frequencies in September. The airline is the dominant carrier on the route as it only competes with Batik Air, which will operate half the number of frequencies. Singapore Airlines will deploy the 737 MAX 8 on the route next month. The aircraft accommodates 154 passengers in a two-class configuration.
Photo: KITTIKUN YOKSAP | Shutterstock
Business class has 10 luxurious seats with either a side or shared console. Economy comprises the remaining 144 seats in a 3-3 layout. Select seats have extra legroom. According to ch-aviation, the airline has a total of 16 MAX 8s with 13 on order. Its 737-800 fleet is slightly smaller, with only seven examples in operation.
Between SIN and KNO, Singapore Airlines will offer nearly 18,500 seats next month:
- Total seats: 18,480 (9,240 in each direction)
- Total Available Seat Miles (ASMs): 7,133,280 (3,556,640 in each direction)
2
Singapore – George Town, Malaysia
373 miles
The journey between SIN and Penang International Airport (PEN) is Singapore Airlines’ second-most shortest route. The flights are just about 375 miles in each direction, and the carrier has the 737-800 scheduled to operate the route. Interestingly, its capacity is more than the MAX 8 as it accommodates 162 passengers. Business class has 12 seats, while economy has the remaining 150 seats. The carrier will offer 124 frequencies in each direction, totaling 248 flights next month. A whopping 40,176 seats are scheduled on the route, or 20,088 each way.
Photo: KITTIKUN YOKSAP | Shutterstock
Demand between SIN and PEN is evident as four other airlines offer flights on the route:
- Jetstar Asia
- AirAsia
- Firefly
- Scoot
1
Singapore – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
184 miles
Singapore Airlines’ service between SIN and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is its shortest route next month. The flights cover just under 185 miles and will be operated by multiple aircraft types: The A350-900, 737-800, and 737 MAX 8. The route also has the most frequencies as the carrier has an incredible 462 flights scheduled – 231 each way. As such, Singapore Airlines will offer 45,371 seats in each direction or 90,742 seats in total, undoubtedly making the city pair one of the airline’s most popular routes.
Photo: Bradley Caslin | Shutterstock
The other carriers operating between SIN and KUL include:
- Jetstar Asia
- AirAsia
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Batik Air
- Scoot