Singapore Airlines (SIA) has reacted to fierce price competition on its core routes out of the UK by cutting premium class fares by up to 50 per cent.
The biggest savings are for business class on flights out of London Heathrow and Manchester to Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
It means that a return business class ticket between London and Singapore can be booked through online agency Netflights for as little as £1,600 while tickets to SIA destinations in Australia are offered for £1,986 return. Business class returns to New Zealand start at £2,200.
These rates are valid on A380 super jumbo, B777 and B747 flights. They include those flights which feature SIA’s new and spacious four across (1-2-1) fully lie-flat seating.
First class offers are not as attractive. On SIA’s website singaporeair.com there is a seat sale rate of £5,753 between London and Singapore or £6,615 between London and Sydney. And if you request an A380 flight with “Suite” accommodation then the price will be slightly higher because the airline says this product is “something special.”
These seat sale offers are valid for travel between April 4 and June 30 but note that availability is limited over the peak Easter travel period. Advance booking is required and there are penalties should you wish to change or cancel your ticket.
SIA has been forced to make these reductions because it is facing an unprecedented level of service and price competition both to its home base and beyond.
Between the UK, Singapore and Australasia the carrier is up against carriers like Qantas and Emirates who also fly A380s, offer frequent non-stop flights, provide very good premium products and yet, until now, have undercut SIA on price.
But that’s not all. Singapore, and the key markets served from the City State, are either in or close to recession. This has impacted on SIA’s passenger carryings. Last month (February) SIA carried 20 per cent fewer passengers than in the same month last year.
These seat sale offers can be booked through singaporeair.com and selected travel agents such as Trailfinders and Netflights.com Prices vary slightly depending on the agent’s mark-up.
Note that this seat sale offer expires at close of business today (April 1).
Report by Alex McWhirter
