Singapore Airlines and SilkAir will introduce new fare types affecting seat selection, frequent flyer miles and baggage allowance effective from January 20, 2018, stated the airlines in a joint press release issued today.
Customers will have upto three types of airfare – Lite, Standard and Flexi – depending on the class of travel to choose from when booking.
Under the new fare system, those travelling Economy will now have to pay to choose their seats in advance (an option currently available for free for all Economy bookings) if they choose the lowest category – Lite fare type.
These travellers will have to pay a minimum of USD5 (SGD6.70) per flight segment. However, seat selection will still be available in advance at no charge for families with children 12 years old and under in the same booking.
Those choosing Standard and Flexi fares will not need to pay for advance seat selection, however a new category of "forward zone" seats – which the airlines say are in higher demand – will be chargeable for Standard fares.
Charges will also apply for extra legroom seats (previously known as preferred seats) for Economy and Premium Economy fares, apart from for PPS Club members.
All customers – regardless of fare type – will be able to choose their seats for free during Internet check-in up to 48 hours before they travel, the airlines added.
PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite members will also enjoy privileges under the new fare types including additional baggage allowances for all classes.
In addition, mileage accrual will change for some fare types across Premium Economy, Business Class and Suites and First Class.
For Premium Economy, mileage accrual will increase to 125 per cent – from the current 110 per cent for all Premium Economy fares – for the new Flexi fare type, while it will be reduced to 100 per cent for the new Standard fare type.
Mileage accrual will increase to 150 per cent for Business Class travellers on the Flexi fare type while it will be set at 125 per cent for Standard and Lite fares.
For Suites and First Class, mileage accrual will increase to 200 per cent.
A table highlighting the key differences for each fare type in Singapore Airlines and SilkAir can be found at the following links: singaporeair.com/faretypes or silkair.com/faretypes