Air India & Singapore Airlines expand partnership with more India-Singapore flights

NEW DELHI: Two airlines, one wider travel net. Air India and Singapore Airlines are expanding their strategic partnership to give travellers more booking choices, flight options and frequent-flyer benefits between India and Singapore.

The first phase of initiatives under their Commercial Cooperation Framework Agreement, signed in January 2026, will take effect from 15 October.

The expanded cooperation will cover 126 weekly flights between Singapore and eight Indian cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata and Mumbai.

A key change will be greater flexibility when booking flights. Currently, eligible Air India-operated codeshare flights booked through Singapore Airlines must be combined with a Singapore Airlines-operated flight, and vice versa. From 15 October, that requirement will be removed.

This means eligible flights operated by either airline can be booked on a standalone basis through the other carrier’s website, mobile app and appointed travel agencies.

For passengers, the change should translate into more combinations of flights and greater flexibility when planning trips between the two countries.

The airlines had already strengthened their frequent-flyer cooperation in April 2026 by expanding eligible booking classes and revising mileage earn rates across cabin classes. Members of Air India’s Maharaja Club and Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer can now earn miles on a wider range of eligible flights operated by either carrier.

The next phase is set to arrive in the second quarter of 2027, when members of both programmes will receive enhanced reciprocal benefits on eligible routes, in addition to their existing Star Alliance privileges.

Maharaja Club Platinum and KrisFlyer PPS Club members will receive priority check-in and boarding privileges, alongside the equivalent top-tier members of the partner airline. Maharaja Club Silver and KrisFlyer Elite Silver members will also receive additional baggage allowances and priority boarding on eligible routes.

The airlines are also working on further measures aimed at making travel between India and Singapore smoother. These include improved schedule connectivity to reduce layovers and waiting times, enhanced solutions for corporate travellers and additional initiatives to streamline the overall journey.

“Strategic partnerships will play a key role in Air India’s evolution into a leading, world-class global airline. The next phase of our cooperation with Singapore Airlines reflects a shared commitment to putting customers at the centre of everything we do,” said Air India chief commercial officer Nipun Agarwal.

“By building on the strengths of our two airlines, we aim to bring greater consistency to the travel experience of our common customers between India and Singapore, while delivering greater choice, convenience and value,” he added.

Singapore Airlines chief commercial officer Lee Lik Hsin said the first phase would help create a more seamless experience for customers as demand between the two markets continues to grow.

The two airlines currently have a codeshare agreement covering 77 destinations across 27 countries and territories. Through their hubs in Delhi, Mumbai and Singapore, the partnership connects travellers to destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, Australia and other international markets.

With broader standalone booking options arriving first, followed by enhanced loyalty benefits in 2027, the partnership is moving beyond a traditional codeshare arrangement towards a more integrated travel proposition between India and Singapore.