• Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-941 (2)
    Singapore Airlines
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    SQ/SIA
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Singapore Changi Airport
    Year Founded:
    1972
    Alliance:
    Star Alliance
    CEO:
    Goh Choon Phong
    Country:
    Singapore

Singapore Airlines was the launch customer of the B787-10, and its first example arrived four and a half years ago. Far less popular among airlines than the B787-8 and B787-9, the B787-10 has the highest passenger and freight capacity and maximum payload but, to enable that, the shortest range.

A higher gross weight version is being developed, increasing payload and range and enabling more effective replacement of other types – such as B777-200ER and B777-300ER – for carriers globally.

Singapore Airlines has 15 B787-10s

Registered 9V-SCA, Singapore Airlines' first B787-10 arrived in May 2018 and entered commercial service the following month from Singapore to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Its last B787-10 arrived in November 2019. Singapore Airlines currently has more B787-10s than any of the other nine airlines using it.

All of Singapore Airlines' B787s have 337 seats. Each has the same configuration: 36 fully flat business beds and 301 seats in economy. Of all the carrier's widebodies, its B787-10s have the fewest business seats and, except for the A380, the most in economy. Its market position – high density, less premium, relatively short routes – is clear to see.

Singapore Airlines B787-10 take off
The airline was the launch customer of the B787-10 and this was the first aircraft delivered. Photo: S. J. Byles via Flickr.

Stay aware: Sign up for my weekly new routes newsletter.

How many B787-10s are active?

Of its 15-strong subfleet, ch-aviation.com shows that all but two aircraft are active. The sole exceptions are 9V-SCI and 9V-SCN. Delivered in March 2019, Flightradar24 indicates that -SCI left for Victorville in August 2022 and presently remains there. It's unclear when it'll return to Asia. Meanwhile, -SCN last flew on September 22nd and is in Singapore.

Singapore Airlines' B787-10s in the air
When writing, it's 15:30 in Singapore and these B787-10s are airborne. Highlighted is SQ440 to Kathmandu, descending to the Nepal capital. Operated today by 3.5-year-old 9V-SCJ, it'll return to Changi at 06:30 tomorrow. Image: Flightradar24.

Discover more aviation news.

Where are its B787-10s flying?

Between October 4th and 29th, Cirium shows that the B787-10's average length of haul is just 1,879 miles (3,024km). That's significantly shorter than Singapore Airlines' A380s (4,369 miles, 7,031km), B777-300ERs (3,992 miles, 6,425km), and A350-900s (3,870 miles, 6,228km).

Indeed, all of its B787-10 flying is within Asia and, to a far smaller extent, Australia (Perth). Examining Cirium schedules information reveals 15 routes involving 11 countries, led by India, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam; high density, less premium, and generally fairly short routes indeed.

Tokyo Narita is its longest B787-10 route by distance and time (up to 7h 10m), and Ho Chi Minh City is its shortest (as little as 2h).

Singapore Airlines' B787-10 network October 2022
Singapore Airlines' B787-10 network between October 4th and 29th 2022. Image: GCMap.

What else is happening?

In the Northern Hemisphere winter season (October 30th-March 25th), Singapore Airlines will continue to deploy its B787s on those routes, although Bangkok won't be served.

Looking ahead to summer 2023 (beginning March 26th), there's quite a lot of change – and, as it's so far away, more may happen. There's no Chongqing (CKG), Kathmandu (KTM), or Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), but there is Colombo and Dhaka; it'll be the first time they've seen the B787-10. And significantly, Perth will welcome the B787 3x daily – the highest number yet.

Have you flown the airline's B787s? If so, share your experiences in the comments.