Manchester Airport’s Longest-Serving Long-Haul Carrier

  Singapore Airlines is celebrating 40 years of operations from Manchester Airport today. On 31 March 1986, the inaugural flight from Singapore to Manchester took flight, operating a Boeing 747-300 Combi aircraft. Singapore Airlines made history as the first Asian carrier to operate from Manchester Airport and remains its longest-serving long-haul carrier.   To celebrate the milestone, customers flying from Manchester Airport today were treated to cupcakes and limited-edition anniversary chocolate bars, with balloons and decorations at check-in and at the boarding gate.   Since launching the Manchester service in 1986, Singapore Airlines has more than doubled its frequency, going from two flights a week to a five-times weekly service. Serving both the local business community as well as leisure travel, Singapore Airlines, together with its low-cost carrier, Scoot, transports customers to over 130 destinations worldwide via Singapore, including Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Thailand, and Vietnam.   Mohamed Rafi Mar, General Manager UK & Ireland, Singapore Airlines, said: “We are thrilled to mark our 40^th anniversary at Manchester Airport. As the gateway to the North, Manchester continues to be an important route for the Airline, and the only hub outside London that we operate from the UK. We look forward to many more years of serving the local community, including customers in Scotland with our airline partner Loganair.”   Stephen Turner, Commercial Director at Manchester Airport, said: “Here at Manchester Airport we are proud to connect the North to the world with an unrivalled route network that helps people visit their dream destinations - and Singapore is very much a dream destination.   "It's hard to believe that it's 40 years since the first Singapore Airlines flights from Manchester Airport. We have both gone from strength to strength in that time. We now offer five direct flights between Manchester and Singapore each week meaning the people of the North have choice and flexibility over when they travel but always with the reassurance that they will be travelling between two of the world's best airports with one of the world's best airlines."   When flying with Singapore Airlines, customers can sit back and enjoy world-class service, an award-winning wine collection, gourmet in-flight cuisine, and complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi as a KrisFlyer member. Customers flying in Business Class will also be treated to a menu from Guest Chef Monica Galetti, while customers in Premium Economy Class and Economy Class can enjoy an exclusive dessert created by Chef Monica.   Then and Now   In 1986, Singapore Airlines operated a twice-weekly service from Manchester using a Boeing 747‑300 Combi. Cliff Richard and the Young Ones topped the UK charts, and Sir Alex Ferguson had just taken charge of Manchester United for the first time. Since then, six different Singapore Airlines aircraft types have served the route, transporting customers to their chosen destinations. Today, the route is operated by an Airbus A350-900, a modern and fuel-efficient aircraft.   Over the past forty years, Manchester Airport has grown significantly, from one runway and one terminal, to two runways and three terminals.   Schedule   Manchester to Singapore   Singapore Airlines flight SQ301 operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, between Manchester and Singapore. The A350-900 aircraft departs at 10:05 and arrives at 7:15 the next day.   Singapore to Manchester   Singapore Airlines flight SQ302 operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Singapore and Manchester. The A350-900 aircraft departs at 02:10 and arrives at 08:35 on the same day.   For more details and to book flight tickets, visit singaporeair.com.

Trip.com has launched a limited-time Singapore Airlines x Mastercard campaign for Australian travellers. It offers a range of flight, hotel and travel service deals through 15 February 2026. Eligible customers can apply a $100 off flight promo code at checkout when booking Singapore Airlines flights on Trip.com using a Mastercard credit card, with a minimum spend of $300. The promo code has limited availability on a first-booked, first-served basis. The campaign also features Singapore Airlines special fares across a range of international routes. Travellers can save on flights departing from major Australian cities to Singapore and other Southeast Asia destinations, North Asia and Europe. The $100 off Singapore Airlines flight promo code remains available throughout the campaign period, subject to availability. Meanwhile, Trip.com is running a social media giveaway, offering the chance to receive a $500 off Singapore Airlines flight promo code. In addition to flight savings, there are global hotel deals of up to 74% off throughout the campaign period. Trip.com is also running a free hotel stay giveaway at Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong by IHG. Travellers who book Singapore Airlines flights from Australia to Singapore on Trip.com from now until 28 February have the chance to win the giveaway. In addition, the campaign extends to deals on other travel products, including up to 30% off car hire, 10% off airport transfers, and up to 7% off select attractions and tours. All offers are available exclusively via Trip.com during the promotional period.

  Singapore Airlines is offering direct flights from Manchester to Singapore’s award-winning Changi Airport on state of the art A350-900 aircraft five times a week for increased access to Asia, Australia and New Zealand.   Manchester Airport is the UK’s largest airport outside of London and the third largest in the country, serving as a hub for the north of England to destinations all over the world. Whether travellers are planning to get there by car, bus, coach, bike, taxi, tram or train, it has many options to help them travel to and from the airport stress-free, covering all different traveller segments (business, luxury travellers, solo travellers, couples, families, etc.).   The airport’s £1.3bn transformation project will also soon be complete. It has seen major transformation and expansion, including the redevelopment of Terminal 2 which has now served more than 30m passengers and won the prestigious UNESCO-backed Prix Versailles award for architecture and design.   Award-winning service for everyone   Singapore Airlines is known for its award-winning service and hospitality with premium cabin experience and world-class comfort. Onboard, passengers have a choice of three cabin classes including Economy Class, Premium Economy and Business Class. Guests can enjoy gourmet dining with the “Book the Cook” service, available in all premium cabins, and choose from a wide selection of dishes inspired by the International Culinary Panel. Passengers benefit from complimentary WiFi in all three cabin classes, all they have to do is become a KrisFlyer member to receive WiFi in Economy Class and Premium Economy. All classes guarantee a comfortable experience with various entertainment options and above all, the famous service of Singapore Airlines’ cabin crew, awarded World’s Best Airline Cabin Staff by Skytrax 2025.   Changi Airport provides a wide range of facilities while Singapore Airlines offers travellers lounges, assistance and services as well as an extensive flight network across South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Travellers flying through Changi with Singapore Airlines are also entitled if they wish to a free stopover in the city for layovers at least 5.5 hours long and under 24 hours before travelling onward—where they can join one of four complimentary tours exploring the city.   Manchester for the win   To help promote its Manchester gateway across the industry, Singapore Airlines is holding an exclusive competition for travel agents. The airline is offering travel agents making bookings with them out of Manchester the opportunity to win two return flights with Singapore Airlines from Manchester via Singapore to a choice of any destination on their network across South East Asia and Australia. To enter the competition and for a chance to be drawn the winner, agents will need to enter a valid PNR for bookings from Manchester.   For more information about entering the competition and Singapore Airlines products, click here.

Jazzmin Shapcott (30 years old), an Asia Specialist at Freedom Destinations in Hertford, has been named the winner of the recent booking incentive competition by Singapore Airlines, organized in partnership with London Gatwick. Each booking made with Singapore Airlines from London Gatwick was eligible to enter the competition. The draw offered a pair of flights to any destination of the agent's choice in Southeast Asia, or to one of seven destinations in Australia, with the airline. Jazzmin, who has worked for Freedom Destinations for four years, said: " I’m absolutely thrilled to have won this prize. Australia has always been on my bucket list, and it couldn’t have come at a better time as I’m getting married next year. For our honeymoon, we plan to fly to Sydney before hiring a motor-home for a scenic journey along the coast, finishing in Cairns. It will be a trip of a lifetime, and it will also give me invaluable firsthand experience of the destination and airline that I can share with my clients.” Singapore Airlines operates a daily service from London Gatwick to Singapore and beyond. Look out for the next booking incentive competition, which goes live during January 2026.

  Singapore Airlines, already a major player in London, has taken things to the next level with the addition of a daily direct flight from London Gatwick to Singapore Changi Airport. First introduced on 22nd June 2024 at five times a week, Singapore Airlines has increased the frequency of this flight to daily just 10 months after introducing the service. UK & Ireland General Manager Mohamed Rafi Mar said: “There’s no greater testament to the success of our London Gatwick service than the expansion of our schedule within its first year.”   Singapore Airlines is to date the only airline out of London Gatwick to offer a non-stop daily flight to Singapore, providing enhanced connectivity across Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The London Gatwick departures enable connections via Singapore to Sydney in 21 hours and 30 minutes, one of the fastest current air links to Australia from the UK.   Flying out of London Gatwick with Singapore Airlines represents a new convenient opportunity for travelling to Singapore and beyond. London Gatwick can be reached by an extensive public transport system with the largest rail catchment of any UK airport, with direct connections to over 120 train stations including London in under 30 minutes. The airport offers less crowded facilities than many other international airports in the UK and is a great alternative for premium passengers including business travellers and luxury travellers, as well as solo travellers, couples and families.  

London Gatwick served with brand-new Airbus A350-900

    For the airline’s new route, the 13-hour flight to Singapore is using one of the most recent aircraft, the Airbus A350-900. This quiet plane offers elevated service with its award-winning cabins and guarantees relaxed seamless onward connectivity through Singapore Changi Airport with an extensive network throughout Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The flight also includes a free stopover in Singapore for layovers at least 5.5 hours long and under 24 hours if travellers wish before travelling onward.   Onboard, passengers have a choice of three cabin classes including Economy Class, Premium Economy and Business Class. They all guarantee a comfortable experience with world-class entertainment programmes, superior cuisine and above all, the award-winning service of Singapore Airlines’ cabin crew.   On the ground, Changi Airport offers a wide range of facilities while Singapore Airlines provides lounges, assistance and services.   Rewarding travel agents: Win two return flights with Singapore Airlines via London Gatwick   To boost awareness about the new flight out of Gatwick, Singapore Airlines is promoting an exclusive competition for travel agents. The airline is offering travel agents making bookings with them out of London Gatwick the opportunity to win two return flights with Singapore Airlines via London Gatwick to a choice of any destination across South East Asia and Australia. To enter the competition and get a chance to be drawn the winner, agents will need to enter a valid PNR for bookings via London Gatwick.   For more information about entering the competition and Singapore Airlines products, click here.

  In a candid conversation with Graham McKenzie, Mohamed Rafi Mar, the General Manager UK and Ireland for Singapore Airlines, provided a glimpse into the airline's dynamic landscape. Highlighting strategic alliances, Singapore Airlines has forged partnerships with global carriers such as Lufthansa and Air New Zealand, expanding its reach across Southeast Asia and Australia. Amidst the evolving travel landscape, Mar shared the airline's commitment to sustainability, emphasizing a focus on a young fleet and sustainable aviation fuel. With a resilient response to the pandemic, Singapore Airlines reported robust load factors, and Mar discussed plans for future network expansion and service enhancements, showcasing the airline's dedication to excellence in the skies.  

  Singapore Airlines (SIA) has been named World’s Best Airline in the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards, the fifth time it has won this prestigious accolade.   SIA took the top spot in four categories at this year’s Skytrax awards, including Best First Class Airline, Best First Class Comfort Amenities, and Best Airline in Asia. SIA’s low-cost subsidiary Scoot was named Best Long Haul Low-cost Airline, and ranked second in the World’s Best Low-cost Airlines category.   The Skytrax awards are based on surveys of more than 20 million travellers across over 100 nationalities, who rated more than 325 airlines between September 2022 and May 2023.   Mr Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, received the World’s Best Airline award on behalf of the Airline in Paris on 20 June 2023.   “This award is a testament to the indomitable spirit of our people, who worked tirelessly and made many sacrifices to ensure that SIA was ready for the recovery in air travel. That has allowed us to emerge stronger and fitter from the pandemic as a leading international airline,” said Mr Goh.   “We are very grateful to our customers for their enduring loyalty to and affection for Singapore Airlines. During the pandemic, their support and encouragement gave us the strength and determination to overcome the unprecedented challenges. Today, as we recover from the pandemic, we are firmly committed to innovating and investing in industry-leading products and services, and ensuring that SIA continues to offer our customers a world-class travel experience.”   Mr Edward Plaisted, Chief Executive Officer, Skytrax, said: “It is a fabulous achievement for Singapore Airlines to achieve this World's Best Airline title for 2023. Singapore Airlines achieved excellent results in many of the award categories, with the highlight being recognition of their First Class cabin as the World’s Best First Class. We congratulate Singapore Airlines on this success which should be a source of great pride and satisfaction for the airline management and staff.”

  Singapore Airlines (SIA) customers will enjoy the most comprehensive free unlimited Wi-Fi access in the airline industry from 1 July 2023, when the service is extended to all travellers in all cabin classes, including Premium Economy Class and Economy Class.   This enhanced Wi-Fi offering will be available virtually across the entire aircraft fleet¹  and almost the entire global SIA route network.   As a result, customers across all cabin classes will be able to stay connected with loved ones, work online, or keep up to date with the latest news or their social media feeds, even from 36,000 feet in the sky.   To enjoy this service, customers must enter their KrisFlyer membership details at the point of booking through the Manage Booking online option, or at check-in. Non-KrisFlyer members may also sign up for their free membership online or on board their flight via the SIA digital content portal on their personal mobile devices to enjoy the complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi.   Suites, First Class, and Business Class customers, as well as PPS Club members²  will continue to enjoy access to free unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi. Since February 2023, KrisFlyer members travelling in Premium Economy Class and Economy Class have enjoyed complimentary three- and two-hour Wi-Fi surf plans respectively.   Mr Yeoh Phee Teik, Senior Vice President Customer Experience, Singapore Airlines, said: “In today’s increasingly hyper-connected world, high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity is one of the most important requirements for our customers. Giving them access to free unlimited Wi-Fi is yet another milestone in SIA’s continuous effort to offer an exceptional end-to-end travel experience. With this enhanced offering, our customers will be empowered to stay connected, entertained, and productive, even at 36,000 feet in the sky.”   SIA operates 136 passenger aircraft as of 1 May 2023.   ¹ Free unlimited Wi-Fi services are available on all aircraft except for the seven Boeing 737-800 NGs that are not Wi-Fi enabled.   ² This includes PPS Club supplementary card holders.