SilkAir is a full-service regional Singaporean airline, headquartered at Singapore Changi Airport. The airline is a premium short to medium haul airline, providing flights to destinations across East Asia and Oceania. In total, the airline flies to more than 35 destinations.
The airline offers two classes of cabin: Economy and Business. As a full-service carrier, a number of services and facilities are included in the price of both the ticket, for both Economy and Business passengers, including meals, an entertainment app and more.
The airline is the regional wing of Singapore Airlines and serves the short-haul destinations in the Singapore Airlines Group network. All SilkAir bookings and online check-ins are managed by Singapore Airlines. The airline launched as a charter airline in 1975, under the name Tradewinds Charters. In 1989, the airline rebranded as Tradewind Airlines before launching its first scheduled flights flying from Singapore to destinations in Thailand and Malaysia. In 1992, the airline rebranded once more as SilkAir which it has continued to fly as up until today.
SilkAir is currently undergoing a merger with Singapore Airlines, which will be ongoing through 2020.
SilkAir remains operational. Some of its routes are being transferred to Singapore Airlines's other low-cost subsidiary, Scoot Air. Ahead of this eventual merger, the airline is also to undergo a significant investment programme to upgrade its cabin products. This will see the cabins fitted with new lie-flat seats in Business Class, as well as seat-back in-flight entertainment systems which are to fitted in both Business Class and Economy Class.
Information on this page is correct as of October 2019, but is subject to change as the merger continues.
SilkAir flies to many destinations including across East Asia and Oceania, including Cairns, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Lombok, Bandung, Hiroshima, Kuala Lumpur, Male, Kathmandu, Cebu, Colombo, Phuket, Hanoi and more.
COUNTRY | CITY | AIRPORT | NOTE |
---|---|---|---|
Australia | Cairns | Cairns Airport | / |
Australia | Darwin | Darwin International Airport | / |
China | Chengdu | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport | / |
China | Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport | / |
China | Shenzhen | Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport | / |
China | Xiamen | Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport | / |
India | Bangalore | Kempegowda International Airport | / |
India | Chennai | Chennai International Airport | / |
India | Kochi | Cochin International Airport | / |
India | Kolkata | Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport | / |
Indonesia | Balikpapan | Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport | Ends 29 June 2020 |
Indonesia | Bandung | Husein Sastranegara International Airport | / |
Indonesia | Denpasar | Ngurah Rai International Airport | / |
Indonesia | Lombok | Lombok International Airport | Ends 13 July 2020 |
Indonesia | Makassar | Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport | Ends 15 June 2020 |
Indonesia | Medan | Kualanamu International Airport | / |
Indonesia | Semarang | Achmad Yani International Airport | Ends 1 June 2020 |
Indonesia | Surabaya | Juanda International Airport | / |
Japan | Hiroshima | Hiroshima Airport | / |
Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur | Kuala Lumpur International Airport | / |
Malaysia | Penang | Penang International Airport | / |
Maldives | Male | Velana International Airport | / |
Myanmar | Mandalay | Mandalay International Airport | / |
Myanmar | Yangon | Yangon International Airport | / |
Nepal | Kathmandu | Tribhuvan International Airport | / |
Philippines | Cebu | Mactan–Cebu International Airport | / |
Philippines | Davao | Francisco Bangoy International Airport | / |
Singapore | Singapore | Singapore Changi Airport | / |
Sri Lanka | Colombo | Bandaranaike International Airport | / |
Thailand | Koh Samuii | Samui Airport | / |
Thailand | Phuket | Phuket International Airport (HKT) | / |
Vietnam | Da Nang | Da Nang International Airport | / |
Vietnam | Hanoi | Noi Bai International Airport | / |
Passengers flying in Business Class may bring one item of carry-on baggage with a maximum weight of 7kg per bag and the maximum overall dimensions of 115cm. Passengers flying in Economy are entitled to one item of baggage with the same weight and size allowance.
Passengers flying that are flying to and from any destination except for the USA are entitled to 30kg of checked baggage and 40kg in Business Class.
For flights to the USA, passengers flying in Economy Class and Premium Economy are allowed up to two pieces of checked baggage weighing 23kg each. Passengers flying in Business Class, First Class and Suites Class are allowed two pieces of checked baggage that can't weigh more than 32kg each.
For all fares, classes and routes, no single piece of baggage can weigh more than 32kg.
SilkAir has a cosy cabin ambience, warm tones and clean/bright cabin interior.
The airline’s cabin crew will welcome passengers with a refreshing drink and reading material once boarded. Depending on the time of day, snacks or light meals are served, along with beverages (cold and hot).
Enjoy spacious, ergonomically designed seats with adjustable headrest and plenty of legroom.
These seats provide more room to stretch out your legs, as well as a wider seat pitch.
Before flying, relax in one of SilkAir’s lounges/partner lounges.
Onboard, enjoy a personalised service dedicated to taking care of all your needs. Complimentary hot or cold snacks, meals, and refreshments are served.
Business Class Seats
The Business Class cabin is focused on enhanced personal space and comfort.
Enjoy ergonomically designed leather-upholstered seats, with 39 to 40 inches of seat pitch. The seat has been specially designed to optimise legroom, allowing you to stretch out and get comfortable.
The airline does not currently provide a personal in-flight entertainment system.
Passengers are able to download the SilkAir Studio entertainment app to watch a variety of movies for free.
On some aircraft there is an overhead TV screen showing popular Korean TV shows (Subtitles, no sound).
WiFi can be used for free-of-charge for passengers streaming through SilkAir Studio, the airline's entertainment app.
Meals are included in the price of the ticket and are served at main meal times, although this will depend on your flight time and route.
Passengers can order from a wide range of special meal options. Special meal requests must be made at least 24 hours before flight departure. Kosher Meal and Non-strict Nut Free Meal requests must be made at least 48 hours before flight departure.
Special meal options include:
MEAL CATEGORY | MEAL TYPE |
---|---|
Child Meal | Baby Meal |
Children’s Meal | |
Dietary Meal | Low salt Meal |
Gluten Intolerant Meal | |
Low lactose Meal | |
Low Fat Meal | |
Low Calorie Meal | |
Diabetic Meal | |
Bland Meal | |
Fruit Platter Meal | |
Vegetarian Meal | Vegetarian Asian (Hindu) Meal |
Vegetarian vegan Meal | |
Vegetarian lacto-ovo Meal | |
Vegetarian oriental Meal | |
Religious Meal | Hindu Meal |
Kosher Meal | |
Muslim Meal | |
Vegetarian Jain Meal |
The airline has codeshare agreements with a number of airlines. Under its codeshare agreements, some flights will be ticketed by SilkAir, but the ticket might be issued with a flight number for a flight with a different airline, an airline which will actually operate the flight. Through its codeshare partners, the airline can offer greater choice to customers by providing more routes.
Note: Short to medium range and regional flights booked through Singapore Airlines are likely to be operated by SilkAir.
Other codeshare partners include:
Online check-in opens 48 hours before your flight and closes 1.5 hours before. You can choose to either print off your boarding pass or download it to your mobile. You can check-in online by entering your flight details on the SilkAir online check-in page.
At Changi Airport, you're able to check-in at the airport check-in desks from 48 hours before your flight to 40 minutes before. You can also use the self-serve check-in kiosks to check-in to your flight.
Unlike Singapore Airlines, which is a member of Star Alliance, SilkAir is not a member of an airline alliance. However, passengers can benefit for the airline's extensive partner network (see Codeshare Agreements above) and still collect/redeem KrisFlyer Miles (see below).
Earn KrisFlyer miles every time you fly with SilkAir or Singapore Airlines. You can easily sign-up online through Singapore Airline's website, then receive your digital card via the the KrisFlyer App. Passengers can also earn and redeem KrisFlyer miles on partner airlines.
You can collect your KrisFlyer miles when you make a booking through Alternative Airlines; simply select 'SilkAir - KrisFlyer' as the frequent flyer program and add your membership number when you make your online booking. More information on collecting frequent flyer points through Alternative Airlines can be found here.
Accurate as of October 2019
AIRCRAFT TYPE | NUMBER IN SERVICE | NUMBER ORDERED | NUMBER OF PASSENGERS | NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
Airbus A319-100 | 2 | / | Economy Class: 120 Business Class: 8 |
To be replaced by 737 MAX 8 |
Airbus A320-200 | 8 | / | Economy Class: 138 Business Class: 12 |
To be replaced by 737 MAX 8 |
Boeing 737-800 | 17 | / | Economy Class: 150 Business Class: 12 |
/ |
Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 6 | 31 | Economy Class: 144 Business Class: 12 |
Deliveries until 2022 |
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) is a major airport serving Singapore and is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia. Other airlines to use the hub include Jetstar Asia Airways, AirAsia, Scoot, XiamenAir, Qantas, Malaysia Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and ANA, among many other airlines.
For more information, check out our Singapore Changi Airport Guide.
15th February 2020
Silk Air has announced further revised plans regarding its service to Mainland China, from mid-Feb 2020 through to late-Mar 2020. This latest update will see the airline serving Chongqing once a week, while also cancelling its service to Chengdu, Shenzhen and Xiamen.