Singapore Airlines slashes 96% of capacity, including world's longest flight
Singapore Airlines flights will grind to a virtual halt by the end of the month, making it the latest global carrier to suspend most of its operation amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The carrier announced on Monday, March 23, that it would cut 96% of its capacity, temporarily grounding 138 of its 147 aircraft. Similarly, Singapore said its low-cost affiliate Scoot would also suspend most of its network, taking 47 of the unit’s 49 planes out of service indefinitely.
Among the reductions that appear to be included in the temporary cuts is the airline's nonstop service between Newark and Singapore that had been the world’s longest regularly scheduled commercial flight since it resumed in October 2018.
The capacity reduction at Singapore Airlines comes after the city-state it calls home moved on Sunday to bar most foreign visitors from entering or transiting through Changi Airport, the nation’s airport and home to Singapore Airlines’ hub.
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Singapore Airlines noted that with no domestic services in the small country, it and Scoot are “more vulnerable when international markets increasingly restrict the free movement of people or ban air travel altogether.”
The carrier joins a growing list of large airlines that have been forced to halt most of their operations during the pandemic. Among those is Emirates – the world’s largest carrier of international passengers – which is suspending all flights for two weeks after its home country of the United Arab Emirates enacted a two-week flight ban that takes effect on Wednesday, March 25.
Singapore said it was “unclear” when it would be able to resume normal services, citing “uncertainty as to when the stringent border controls will be lifted," though a list of flight cuts posted to its website showed some cancellations on some routes extending into summer.
“Even during this crisis, our customers and staff remain our top priority. We continue to focus on getting as many of our passengers as possible back home safely and protecting the jobs of our people,” Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said in a statement. “I would like to thank SIA Group staff for their commitment and sacrifices during this extremely challenging time.
More: Some airlines have completely suspended service during coronavirus pandemic
“I would also like to apologize to our customers, and thank them for their patience and understanding, as we grapple with this unprecedented situation,” he added. “We have more than doubled the handling capacity at our service centers and sales offices to help as many people as possible, as soon as possible.”
A check of Singapore Airlines' website showed no U.S. flights on sale beyond March 30.
In normal times, Singapore’s schedule includes service from six U.S. airports: Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), New York-JFK, Newark Liberty (EWR), San Francisco (SFO) and Seattle (SEA).
From the U.S., the carrier operates a few “fifth freedom” routes – such as New York JFK-Frankfurt and San Francisco-Hong Kong – as well a few nonstops to Singapore. Among those are the Newark-Singapore nonstop and new service from Seattle that launched in September, 2019.
More: These are the only long-haul routes American, Delta, Hawaiian and United plan to fly in April
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.