The Singapore Airlines Fleet In 2021

Singapore Airlines has long been known as the world’s best airline, having bagged the title for several years running. A lot of its success has to do with Singapore Airlines’ diverse fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, which includes all modern widebodies. As the airline sets out on a new course, here’s a look at Singapore Airlines’ fleet in 2021.

Singapore uses its almost exclusively widebody fleet on flights of varying length and demand, ranging from New York to Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Data in this article is courtesy of Planespotters.net.

Go big or go home

Singapore Airlines has not been an airline to shy away from new innovation. Since its founding in the 1940s, it has taken on the latest aircraft of the time, such as the co-branded Concorde (owned by British Airways) and the 747. This trend has continued into the 21st century, with SIA being a loyal customer to Boeing and Airbus.

Today, Singapore Airlines operates a fleet of 143 aircraft, all but one type of which are widebodies. The most popular aircraft in Singapore’s fleet is the A350, of which it is the largest operator with 56 examples. Here’s a quick look at the rest of the fleet:

• 56 Airbus A350s
• 32 Boeing 777s
• 16 737s
• 15 787s
• 12 A380s
• Seven 747Fs

The 777 was long the flagship of Singapore’s fleet and holds the title of being the most popular passenger widebody in the fleet. Photo: Singapore Airlines

The fleet is almost evenly split between the American and European manufacturers, with the latter pulling slightly ahead (only when including freighters). Over the years, SIA has been a crucial customer for Boeing and Airbus, with the two even engaging in some surprising (or outrageous) decisions to win the airline’s business.

The switch

Singapore Airlines had been an all-widebody operator until this April, leaving the narrowbodies to its subsidiaries (SilkAir and Scoot). However, with the merger of SilkAir complete in 2021, Singapore decided to add several 737NGs and maintain its order for the 737 MAX.

This was the first time in decades that SIA had flown a narrowbody aircraft and is part of a trend that other are hub airlines are following. The 737s are here to stay and will only increase over the coming years, giving the airline flexibility to fly to low-demand destinations and deal with bumps on the road to recovery.

The 737s are being deployed to nearby destinations in South and East Asia, such as Phuket, Colombo, and Malè. Photo: Singapore Airlines

However, just because the small is making a comeback doesn’t mean the big is out. Singapore Airlines has begun flying back its A380s to Changi in preparation for an eventual return. While the fleet has been slashed down to 12, those planes have been refurbished and are here to stay for a while.

Future

Singapore Airlines has well-laid plans for the future of its fleet. The biggest newcomer will be the 777X, of which SIA has ordered 31 jets (including an increase from a few months ago) and another 28 787s. The carrier will also take on 35 A320 family jets, further cementing its narrowbody presence, along with 31 MAX 8s.

Overall, Singapore Airlines’ fleet remains young and agile at 7.1 years of average age. With dozens of new planes set for delivery, don’t expect the carrier to miss any big changes in the next decade.

What do you think about Singapore Airlines’ fleet in 2021? Which aircraft have you flown? Let us know in the comments!

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