Customers will have to pay for advanced seat selection for selected Economy Class flights on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir as they switch to a revised airfare pricing structure next month, said both airlines in a joint release on Friday (15 December).

Previously available at no charge for all Economy Class flights, passengers will now be charged US$5 (S$6.70) per flight segment for advance seat selection on the lowest Economy Class “Lite” flights across both airlines – one of three new fare types introduced, including “Standard” and “Flexi”.

Similarly, two fare types will be available for Premium Economy Class flights on Singapore Airlines flights, named “Standard” and “Flexi”. Three fare types will be available for Business Class flights across both airlines, likewise named “Lite”, “Standard” and “Flexi”.

“The revision of the fare types is to offer clearer choices to different customers to suit their travel needs,” said a Singapore Airline spokesperson.

Advanced seat selection across all classes will remain free for families with children – 12 years old and under – in the same booking. Customers will still be charged for extra legroom seats, previously known as preferred seats, from US$25 per flight segment across both Economy Class and Premium Class flights.

A new category of forward zone seats – those located closer to the doors to allow for faster disembarkation – will be chargeable at US$8 per flight segment for “Lite” or “Standard” fares across Economy Class flights.



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While customers only need to pay a single fee for selecting extra legroom or forward zone seats in advance, extra charges will be incurred if they decide to upgrade from an advance selection for a standard seat.

All customers – regardless of fare types – will be able to make seat selection at no charge during the Internet check-in window up to forty-eight hours in advance of travel, subject to availability.

Mileage rates, member privileges

Other changes affected include frequent flyer programme mileage accrual rates, baggage allowance, and change and refund flexibility. For instance, baggage allowance will increase to 35kg for Economy Class “Flexi” fares but will remain at 30kg for “Lite” and “Standard” flights.

Mileage accrual rates will be set at 50 per cent for Economy Class “Lite”, 75 per cent for “Standard” and 100 per cent for “Flexi” fares. Currently set at 110 per cent for all Premium Economy fares, the rates will increase to 125 per cent for “Flexi” fare and reduced to 100 per cent for the “Standard” fare.

For Business Class fares, rates will increase to 150 per cent for “Flexi” fare while these will be set at 125 per cent for both “Standard” and “Lite” fares. For Suites and First Class fares on Singapore Airline flights, mileage accrual rates will increase to 200 per cent from 150 per cent.

Complimentary advance seat selection will be available, regardless of fare type, for PPS Club members (standard, forward zone and extra legroom seats), as well as for KrisFlyer Elite Gold members (standard and forward zone seats) and Elite Silver members (standard seats).

In addition, KrisFlyer Elite and PPS Club members will enjoy baggage allowance privileges across the new fare types in Premium Economy Class and Economy Class. These changes, applicable to all tickets sold worldwide, will kick in on 20 January.

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