Singapore Airlines has announced its intention to cut its sole Canadian route later on this year. As of October 2023, the five-star airline will no longer operate a direct flight between Singapore and Vancouver.
This is disappointing news for Canadians looking to fly directly to Singapore or to continue onwards to South East Asia or Oceania with the renowned carrier.
Singapore Airlines to Cease Service to Vancouver
In 2021, Singapore Airlines began a seasonal service to Vancouver as part of a route that eventually landed in Seattle. This marked the first time the airline flew to Canada in over a decade.
Prior to this, Singapore Airlines had flights to Canada via other world hubs. There was a long-standing route from Singapore–Seoul–Vancouver, which ceased in 2009, and also a route that terminated in Toronto after stops in Europe, which ceased in 2004.
In June 2022, the airline launched a direct thrice-weekly service between Singapore and Vancouver, which is operated by the Airbus A350-900 aircraft. This afforded Vancouverites and Canadians an excellent option for flying directly to Singapore, and onward to other popular destinations in South East Asia or further abroad.
Unfortunately, the route is set to be cut as of October 2023, and we’ll have to look to connecting through a US hub to fly with Singapore Airlines to Asia. In a financial update, the airline reports that it’s adjusting its capacity in response to demand.
This news comes on the heels of much fervour about Singapore Airlines, ever since long-haul business class flights became available with Aeroplan in late 2022.
Other Options to Fly with Singapore Airlines
Between now and October 2023, Singapore Airlines has flights between Singapore and Vancouver on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. If you’re looking to try out one of the world’s best airlines on a direct flight from Vancouver, the clock is ticking on the ability to do so.
Unfortunately, the award availability with Aeroplan on this route is virtually non-existent at this time, so you’ll have to look to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer to book it. Expect to pay 107,000 KrisFlyer miles for a Saver award, or 128,500 miles for an Advantage award.
In Canada, HSBC Rewards is the only transferrable points currency for KrisFlyer, at a ratio of 25:9. As always, you can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to KrisFlyer miles at the optimal ratio of 60,000 points = 25,000 miles.
Otherwise, look to US-issued credit card programs, such as American Express US Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Capital One to access the program with a 1:1 ratio.
Luckily, Singapore Airlines also flies to a number of US hubs, including Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York (JFK), and Newark. Any of these cities should be relatively easily accessible with a positioning flight from Eastern or Western Canada, and the award availability is much better on these routes.
From Eastern Canada, connecting through Newark to Singapore prices out at 87,500 Aeroplan points.
From Western Canada, connecting via Los Angeles also prices out at 87,500 Aeroplan points.
Furthermore, you don’t even have to go to Singapore to experience Singapore Airlines’s top-notch product. This is because there are a number of fifth freedom routes available, including to destinations in Europe and Asia.
For example, you can fly from New York (JFK) to Frankfurt for just 60,000 Aeroplan points in business class.
There’s also a flight from Houston to Manchester available for 70,000 Aeroplan points.
If Singapore isn’t a destination to which you’d like to fly, you can consider flying from Los Angeles to Tokyo Narita with Singapore Airlines, for just 75,000 points in business class.
While the loss of a direct flight to Vancouver is certainly unfortunate, there are many other options available for booking Singapore Airlines through Aeroplan and KrisFlyer.
Conclusion
In October 2023, Singapore Airlines will axe its direct flight to Vancouver. At this point, there will no longer be any direct flights from Singapore to destinations in Canada.
Canadian travellers looking to fly to Singapore will then have to route via the United States with Singapore Airlines, or via Asia, the Middle East, or Europe with other carriers.
It’s unclear if Singapore Airlines will resume service to Canada in the future, either as part of a fifth freedom route or with direct flights.
