Singapore Airlines Celebrates 40 Years of Flying from Manchester Airport

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026 0

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.