Singapore Airlines Expands Seattle Flights, Fulfilling Pre-Pandemic Plans

SINGAPORE — Singapore Airlines is set to increase its non-stop flights between Singapore and Seattle to five times weekly starting May 30, 2025, fulfilling a pre-pandemic plan delayed by COVID-19. The move comes as the airline continues to recover from the pandemic, with strong demand on the Seattle route driving the expansion.

The route, which debuted in September 2019, initially operated three times weekly before increasing to five weekly flights in March 2020. However, the pandemic forced its suspension just six months later. The service resumed in December 2021 as part of a Singapore-Vancouver-Seattle route before transitioning to a non-stop Singapore-Seattle flight in June 2022.

“The demand for travel between Singapore and Seattle has been consistently strong, with load factors often exceeding 95%,” a Singapore Airlines spokesperson said. “This expansion reflects our confidence in the route’s potential and our commitment to meeting passenger demand.”

From May 2025, flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, increasing seat capacity by 25%. The route will continue to use the airline’s Airbus A350-900 aircraft, configured with 253 seats across three classes.

Singapore Airlines’ recovery has been a standout in the Asia-Pacific region, with the airline maintaining a disciplined approach to capacity management. The carrier currently operates 57 weekly flights to the U.S., including services to Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Newark. However, the airline will reduce its Houston service in March 2025, resulting in a slight decrease in overall U.S. flights.

Seattle, known as a hub for the tech industry, has seen significant international flight expansion in recent years. Singapore Airlines’ decision to increase capacity comes as competitors like Cathay Pacific have yet to resume their pre-pandemic Seattle routes, potentially giving the airline a competitive edge.

Passenger load factors on the Singapore-Seattle route have remained high, with data showing consistent demand. For example, in June 2024, the route recorded a 99.5% load factor on flights from Seattle to Singapore. The airline’s codeshare partnership with Alaska Airlines also enhances connectivity across the U.S. and Mexico.

Singapore Airlines’ fleet expansion plans include the delivery of 56 new aircraft, such as Airbus A350Fs and Boeing 777-9s, which could support further growth on high-demand routes like Seattle.