Singapore Airlines announced it would resume two fifth-freedom flights to the United States after the United States lifted restrictions on travelers who have been vaccinated as of November 20, 2021.
Singapore Airlines New York to Frankfurt Flight Returns
Singapore Airlines will resume the Singapore to Frankfurt route from New York on November 1, 2021. This flight will be operated daily according to the following schedule:
SQ26 Singapore to Frankfurt departure at 11:55PM, arrival at 6:20AM (+1 Day)
SQ26 Frankfurt to New York departure at 8:20AM, arrival at 12:15PM
SQ25 New York to Frankfurt departure at 9:15PM, arrival at 9:50AM (+1 Day)
SQ25 Frankfurt to Singapore, departing at 11:40AM and arriving at 6:50AM (+1 Day)
Singapore Airlines will use a Boeing 777 300ER to fly the route. It has 264 seats including four first-class seats, 48 business seats and 28 premium economy seats. There are also 184 economy seats.
Singapore Airlines 777 First Class
This was a route Singapore Airlines used for many years before the pandemic. Although the airline used to fly an Airbus A380, I doubt that an A380 will be operating on this route in the near future. Singapore Airlines will be retiring seven of its 19 Airbus A380s. I don't see this route as being on the top of the list for routes to get A380s.
This is a great option to have once more when crossing the Atlantic. The fifth transatlantic route between Singapore Airlines and Manchester (between Houston and Manchester) has not been resumed.
Singapore Airlines San Francisco to Hong Kong Returns
Singapore Airlines will resume the Singapore to Hong Kong to San Francisco route on November 2, 2021. This flight will be operated 3x per week according to the following schedule:
SQ8 Singapore to Hong Kong departure 8:25AM, arrival 12:25PM
SQ8 Hong Kong to San Francisco departures at 1:40PM, arriving at 10:40AM
SQ7 San Francisco to Hong Kong departures at 1:00 PM, arrival at 7:00 PM (+1 day).
SQ7 Hong Kong to Singapore departure at 8:40PM, arrival at 12:40AM (+1 Day)
Singapore Airlines will use a Boeing 777 300ER to fly the route. It has 264 seats including four first-class seats, 48 business seats and 28 premium economy seats. There are also 184 economy seats.
Singapore Airlines 777 Business Class
This was also the route Singapore Airlines used before the pandemic. I find it surprising that this route is being reopened so quickly. Asia remains closed to Americans who have been vaccinated, and, other than China, there are no other countries affected by the United States travel ban.
This is the third transpacific fifth-freedom flight Singapore Airlines has launched in recent weeks. The airline has resumed its Tokyo-Los Angeles flight as of June 2021 and added a Taipei-Los Angeles flight as well as a Taipei-to Los Angeles flight as August 2021. That route was not operated by the airline for many years.
Because of this, I think these transpacific fifth-freedom flights would be reliant on cargo.
These flights can be redeemed for miles
You can redeem Singapore Airlines miles for premium cabins on long-haul flights by booking directly through KrisFlyer. The airline does not make these seats available to other partner programs. KrisFlyer has all the major currencies that can be transferred to points currencies and is therefore a transfer partner.
You can redeem your miles for these flights by paying the following one-way price between New York City and Frankfurt at the lowest award levels.
Economy cost 22,500 KrisFlyer Miles
Premium economy is 47,000 KrisFlyer points
Business class is 72,000 KrisFlyer points
First class is 86,000 KrisFlyer points
You can expect to pay these miles one-way between San Francisco and Hong Kong at the lowest award levels.
Economy cost 33,000 KrisFlyer Miles
Premium economy is 63,000 KrisFlyer points
Business class is 89,000 KrisFlyer points
First class is 104,000 KrisFlyer points
These flights are not yet available for booking, so we don't know what the award availability might be. Based on past experience, I would expect first class award availability to be excellent, but not as great as business class (since there are only 4 seats).
These routes are available for KrisFlyer miles redemption
Bottom line
Singapore Airlines will resume two of its fifth-freedom flights to the United States. These include the New York to Frankfurt and San Francisco To Hong Kong flights. Due to the continued travel restrictions, the former will prove especially valuable for many. The latter, however, will likely be of limited value.
Singapore Airlines is an excellent option to cross the Atlantic between Germany and the United States. It's a shame that an A380 will not be operating the route, and I would be surprised to see A380 service on this route.
What do you think of Singapore Airlines's fifth-freedom flights being resumed?
