Picture this: You’re on the lookout for your next holiday, and there’s nothing more that you want than to fly with a carrier that excels in comfort and safety. Well then, welcome on board Singapore Airlines, the award-winning national carrier of Singapore since 1972. While known for its age-old heritage, Singapore Airlines continues to shine and evolve with the times, even snagging the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards as the Best Airline in the World by Condé Nast Traveller.
Operating in over 120 destinations around the world, Singapore Airlines is a global leader in creating a standard for air travel, and it’s no wonder they’ve won numerous prestigious accolades, including World’s Best Airline, World’s Best Cabin Crew, and World’s Best First Class by Skytrax World Airlines Awards in 2024. But have you ever wondered what truly sets them apart in the travel industry?
Join us as we explore 9 unexpected surprises that you need to know, and you may just see why Singapore Airlines is still the top choice for many holidaymakers worldwide.
Singapore Airlines’ iconic Singapore Girl image is more than just a uniform
If you’ve ever admired the look of the iconic Singapore Airlines cabin crew strolling down the airport, then you should know that you’re not the only ones.
Fondly known as the Singapore Girl, the crew’s signature sarong kebaya uniform in Asian batik prints was adapted in 1974 by Parisian haute couturier Pierre Balmain. Blending the heritage of Singapore, this recognisable uniform is a hallmark of Singapore Airlines’ world-class service wherever your journey takes you.
However, what many travellers may not know is that the Singapore Girl branding isn’t just a uniform. In fact, you can easily make out the 4 different ranks of the crew based on the colour of the sarong kebaya they’re wearing. For instance, flight stewardesses are typically clad in a blue batik print, while leading stewardesses are dressed in green. This is followed by chief stewardesses who are dressed in red and finally by in-flight managers in purple. The same colour schemes will also apply to stewards through the colours of their ties.
So, the next time you’re flying with Singapore Airlines, maybe this fun fact would be an interesting surprise to look out for!
Flying with a baby? Check in all that you need with luggage allowance for infants
Photo by Octav Cado on Unsplash
New parents, we get you. Travelling with babies can be really stressful, as you’ll need to bring along so many more things for your travels. From extra changes of clothes for accidents to milk bottles, formula, and more, you’ll often have to sacrifice space in your check-in bag to accommodate your baby’s items. While most carriers allow strollers and an extra carry-on, Singapore Airlines understands the plight of parents who need to pack along what feels like their entire home.
This is why they offer a generous 10kg check-in allowance for infant bookings, allowing you to bring all your baby’s necessities without compromising the baggage space of your own. Passengers flying with babies in Economy and Premium Economy cabins to the USA will also receive 23kg of complimentary baggage check-in, while Business and First-Class guests with infants will have 32kg of check-in allowance.
For Singapore Airlines, this is just another way to make infant travel even more comfortable for parents. And if you’re flying with your baby, don’t forget to pre-book your bassinets to make your flight an even more comfortable experience.
Singapore Airlines extends a warm welcome to all passengers, literally
As frequent travellers ourselves, we know that sweaty feeling when you’re starting off a flight after battling the stress of airport travel. From the chaos of getting through security checks to the long walk from the immigration counter to the gates, there’s nothing more uncomfortable than travelling sticky.
Thankfully, you can always count on Singapore Airlines to extend you a warm welcome –quite literally. This is because all passengers are offered a warm towel to freshen up before take-off. For nervous flyers, this signature service is one that truly helps calm their nerves before flying, creating a comfortable environment for a smooth flight ahead. While the service was temporarily halted during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore Airlines has proudly brought this warm gesture back to all flights, and it is a move that many passengers have missed.
What’s more, all towels are infused with a gentle batik flora scent that’s developed with a local Singaporean perfumery. This distinctive floral fragrance is one that many frequent flyers already recognise, and the service is seen as another way that Singapore Airlines excels in the hospitality front.
Your gourmet in-flight meals at Singapore Airlines are tested in pressurised cabins.
Did you know that flying in high altitudes can change your taste buds? This is why many passengers have the misconception that food from the aircraft often tastes bland and unlike anything they’ve tasted on the ground. As a world-leading carrier, Singapore Airlines recognises the importance of having its guests experience not just the best in service, but also in comfort and flavours while travelling.
As such, the chefs at Singapore Airlines’ kitchen often test and adapt their dishes in pressurised cabins to simulate the flight experience. This ensures that the meals that leave the kitchen will taste just as great when on board a flight, satisfying the palates of thousands of passengers who travel with Singapore Airlines daily. Additionally, the kitchen adopts a “Farm to Kitchen” approach when sourcing high-quality ingredients to prepare for a flight, ensuring every meal is created with the freshest produce and plenty of care.
From local flavours to international feasts, Singapore Airlines offers a variety of in-flight choices to passengers of all classes. To catch a glimpse of what you’ll be having during your flight, you can always preview the in-flight menu online or via the complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Special meals are also available to guests of all ages who have specific dietary concerns, whether for religious or medical reasons. Just be sure to pre-select your special meals at least 24 hours before your flight, giving ample time for the on-ground staff and in-flight crew to serve you best.
Stay connected to what matters most, even when you’re in the skies
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Passengers who have travelled long-haul will definitely recognise the experience of being disconnected while flying. But gone are the days when you lose touch with your family and friends just because you’re 30,000 feet in the air, as Singapore Airlines proudly provides free in-flight Wi-Fi on selected aircraft.
This complimentary service is offered to all KrisFlyer members – a frequent flyer programme by Singapore Airlines. Signing up is free and grants you access to a variety of perks, including seat upgrades with accumulated miles and, of course, internet connectivity when you want it. The in-flight Wi-Fi service is also available to passengers in Suites, First-class, Business-class, and PPS Club members at no extra cost.
To ensure you get access to the in-flight Wi-Fi, be sure to fill in your KrisFlyer or PPS Club information before you fly. This can be done via the Singapore Airlines website or at the check-in counter. Of course, if you’re flying with your trusted travel agency, it’s always best to provide your KrisFlyer or PPS Club information, and you’ll be set for a hassle-free trip ahead.
Let the good times fly with Singapore Airlines’ in-flight entertainment system
Worried about what you’re going to do for the long flight ahead? Singapore Airlines has the cure for your in-flight boredom with their world-class entertainment system known as KrisWorld. Offering over 1,900 on-demand movies, TV shows, music, and games, you may just find your flight time too short to enjoy them all.
So, whether you’re looking to catch up with some of the hottest movie releases or want to rewatch your favourite episode from your comfort shows for the tenth time in a row, the choice is always right at your fingertips.
In fact, passengers can even create a playlist before flying, giving them even more control over their in-flight entertainment. This can be done via the SingaporeAir app, which shows you the full selection of movies and more for your flight. You can then pair your playlist to the KrisWorld system while on board for a personalised cinematic experience as you fly.
Upgrade your journey for an elevated in-flight experience like never before
Beyond Singapore Airlines’ award-winning service and mouthwatering cuisine, what many passengers also look forward to is the comfort that accompanies their travels. Whether you’re travelling for fun or business, Singapore Airlines takes meticulous steps to ensure that every cabin feels crafted with care.
With spacious, ergonomic seating and top-tier entertainment via the personal screen system, Singapore Airlines’ Economy and Premium Economy classes offer passengers a flight with outstanding value and zero compromise. Travellers can choose between Standard and Forward seating zones, with the latter offering easier disembarking upon arrival. Want more legroom for long flights? The Extra Legroom seats are always a welcome option to travellers who prefer a little more space.
For those seeking the ultimate luxury, why not pamper yourself to a whole new flying experience with the Business class seats or First-class suites? With lounge access before flying and priority boarding, passengers travelling in these sections are brought to new heights when it comes to flying in style, and it’s easy to see why these cabins are a favourite for passengers who are travelling long distances.
Upon take-off, you can lie back and relax on the seats that recline into a fully flat bed or tuck into the gourmet meals from the extensive in-flight menu. An extra “Book the Cook” service is also available if you’ve pre-ordered your meal ahead of time. Additionally, First-class suites on selected aircraft also come with sliding doors for extra privacy, allowing you to truly enjoy your flight without disruptions or work without worries.
Stop and see Singapore with Singapore Airlines
Photo by While many of us see stopovers as an opportunity to stretch our legs between long flights, Singapore Airlines has a different idea in mind. Fondly known as the Singapore Stopover, passengers can now choose to stay a little longer and explore Singapore during a longer layover. After all, why only explore the airport when there’s plenty more to see outside?
And it doesn’t matter if you choose to start your journey with a trip to Singapore or opt to stop by during your return, the service is always available to all passengers travelling via multi-city trips with Singapore Airlines.
With different packages to choose from, you can now combine your vacation with an extra holiday, complete with complimentary hotel stays or upgrade to enjoy a premium experience at discounted prices. Free admissions to iconic destinations in Singapore may also be available when you choose to travel via the SIA Hop-on Bus that takes you from the airport to your favourite holiday spot.
Singapore Airlines has the longest flights in the world
Photo by Troy Mortier on Unsplash
Finally, a surprise that puts Singapore Airlines in a class of its own is that they are the only operator in the world to fly with the Airbus A350-900 Ultra Long-Range aircraft. Used for the world’s longest flight route that operates between the award-winning Singapore Changi Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, it’s a feat that makes travel easy for passengers who want convenience above all.
Covering a distance of approximately 15,349 kilometres since its inaugural flight on the 9th of November 2020, passengers of this flight have often praised the unbeatable comfort of this aircraft and route. This is because the Airbus A350-900 Ultra Long-Range aircraft is only fitted with premium economy and Business-class seating, allowing guests to fly comfortably during the flight time that can take between 18 and 19 hours.
Unsurprisingly, Singapore Airlines also holds the spot for the 2nd longest flight in the world, flying passengers to and from the Singapore Changi Airport to the Newark Liberty International Airport.