Back in December, Singapore Airlines and SilkAir announced a range of new fare categories, harmonising their economy and business class airfare pricing structures, and introducing new booking classes, each with different perks attached.
Those changes came into effect yesterday, so if you were looking to enjoy the perks of the previous ticket types, sorry to say but it’s too late to book now.
One of the major, and more controversial changes announced was that many passengers, mostly those booking the cheapest ‘Economy Lite’ fares, would now have to pay a fee to select their seat in advance on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir flights.
Depending on the ticket type purchased, and your KrisFlyer status, fees could apply for ‘Standard’ seats, ‘Forward Zone’ seats or ‘Extra Legroom’ seats.
Although extra legroom seats in economy class were already chargeable to most, and therefore well defined, neither airline revealed exactly which seats would be classified as ‘Forward Zone’ and ‘Standard’, nor what the exact seat selection costs would be by route, until today.
Paid Seat Assignment
Who will pay?
Advance seat selection fees will predominantly affect those booking the cheapest economy class fares (‘Economy Lite’), though Forward Zone seats will still be charged for ‘Economy Standard’ fares, and the charge to sit in an ‘Extra Legroom’ seat applies to all economy fares.
In premium economy, all passengers will have to pay for an ‘Extra Legroom’ seat. KrisFlyer and PPS Club members will have some of the fees waived based on their status level. Remember, at 48 hours prior to departure, seat selection becomes complimentary for all passengers.
