Earlier this month the governments of Hong Kong SAR and Singapore announced the region’s first leisure ‘travel bubble’ since border closures due to COVID-19, with quarantine-free trips between the two cities for any purpose set to be approved in late 2020.
Those travelling between the two cities will have to be negative for COVID-19, with a mutually recognised PCR test conducted pre-departure. Unlike the reciprocal ‘green lane’ or ‘fast lane’ arrangements already in place between Singapore and other countries, trips on the Air Travel Bubble (ATB) can be for any purpose, including leisure, and a controlled itinerary is not necessary.
Yesterday we summarised what we knew so far about the arrangements, but now we now have some additional details of the process involved, but crucially the all-important flight schedule for those making quarantine-free trips to and from Hong Kong under this new arrangement.
Air Travel Bubble (ATB) flights
The following services have been confirmed as designated ATB flights for those travelling between Singapore and Hong Kong, effective from 22nd November 2020 to 31st December 2020.
The inaugural flight will by SQ890 from Singapore to Hong Kong on Sunday 22nd November 2020, with the first Hong Kong – Singapore ATB flight departing the following day on Monday 23rd November 2020 as SQ891.
Cathay Pacific services on the ATB from Hong Kong to Singapore will also commence on Sunday 22nd November 2020, with the carrier operating its first Singapore – Hong Kong travel bubble flights from Tuesday 24th November 2020.
Initially one flight per day in each direction will be operated, increasing to two flights per day from 7th December 2020.
You can book a return flight with the same airline in both directions (e.g. Singapore Airlines both ways) or you can mix between carriers in each direction (e.g. Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong then SIA back to Singapore).
Provided both flights you are booked on are designated ATB flights, you will be able to follow the ‘travel bubble’ procedures and avoid any quarantine period at either end of your journey.
Singapore Hong Kong
22nd November 2020 – 23rd November 2020
(inaugural services)
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
 |
SQ890 A359 |
||||||||
| SIN 10:00 |
HKG 14:00 |
||||||||
|
SQ890 A359 |
||||||||
| SIN 08:00 |
HKG 11:45 |
||||||||
24th November 2020 – 4th December 2020
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
SQ890 A359 |
||||||||
| SIN 07:35 |
HKG 11:20 |
||||||||
 |
CX734 A359 |
||||||||
| SIN 15:00 |
HKG 19:00 |
||||||||
7th – 31st December 2020
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
SQ890 A359 |
||||||||
| SIN 07:35 |
HKG 11:20 |
||||||||
|
CX734 A359 |
||||||||
| SIN 15:00 |
HKG 19:00 |
||||||||
1st – 31st January 2021
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
SQ860 A359 |
||||||||
| SIN 08:25 |
HKG 12:25 |
||||||||
Hong Kong Singapore
22nd November 2020 – 23rd November 2020
(inaugural services)
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
CX759 A359 |
||||||||
| HKG 09:10 |
SIN 13:00 |
||||||||
|
SQ891 A359 |
||||||||
| HKG 12:55 |
SIN 16:55 |
||||||||
24th November 2020 – 4th December 2020
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
CX759 A359 |
||||||||
| HKG 09:10 |
SIN 13:00 |
||||||||
|
SQ891 A359 |
||||||||
| HKG 12:30 |
SIN 16:30 |
||||||||
7th – 31st December 2020
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
CX759 A359 |
||||||||
| HKG 09:10 |
SIN 13:00 |
||||||||
|
SQ891 A359 |
||||||||
| HKG 12:30 |
SIN 16:30 |
||||||||
1st – 31st January 2021
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
SQ860 A359 |
||||||||
| HKG 14:10 |
SIN 18:10 |
||||||||
Note that Cathay Pacific has yet to confirm its ATB flights beyond 31st December 2020.
Cathay Pacific is operating the 3-class Airbus A350-900 on Hong Kong services, while Singapore Airlines is deploying its 3-class Airbus A350 long-haul aircraft according to the airline’s press release and Facebook update, though flights remain loaded as Boeing 787-10s in the schedule at this stage.
That makes Cathay Pacific the only airline currently offering a Premium Economy option on the route, even though the cabin exists on the aircraft SIA will be deploying.
Cathay Pacific ATB flights have a special ‘Travel Bubble’ indicator when you book.
If you are booked on one of the Singapore Airlines ATB flights but do not meet the requirements of the programme, you will have the option to be reaccommodated on Scoot services. In this case you must meet the entry requirements of either Singapore or Hong Kong, depending on your direction of travel, and will have to serve a quarantine / Stay Home Notice period.
Special in-flight menu
As part of the marketing for these new ATB flights, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific will work together to provide a special in-flight menu featuring popular local dishes from both cities.
Passengers may look forward to local fare from Hong Kong such as a selection of Dim Sum, Soya Sauce Chicken Noodle, and Lotus Leaf Rice with Chicken, while popular Singapore dishes include Carrot Cake and Nasi Lemak.
Singapore Airlines
Flight prices
With awards looking an unlikely prospect during the initial stages of the ATB, here’s how current cash fares look on the route between now and the end of December, based on a round-trip SIN-HKG-SIN booking, at the time of writing.
| Economy | Premium | Business | |
SIA |
S$572 – S$697 |
n/a | S$2,019 – S$3,944 |
| CX |
S$487 – S$682 |
S$787 – S$1,282 |
S$1,399 – S$2,312 |
Some big jumps from what we reported only yesterday, with Cathay Pacific remaining cheaper on most days, especially in Business Class.
Once Singapore Airlines updates the operating aircraft in its schedules to reflect the 3-class Airbus A350, we expect Premium Economy fares to become available, and will update the table accordingly.
Award rates
As we mentioned yesterday, there are almost no award seats on offer during the first two months of the ATB, with the exception of some Cathay Pacific Economy Class seats available at ‘Standard’ (rather than more expensive ‘Choice’ or ‘Tailored’) levels through Asia Miles.
For now, the travel bubble flights run officially until 31st December 2020, however the arrangement will hopefully be extended and from January 2021 onwards, you may wish to lock in some available redemptions at the following rates.
Singapore Airlines
| Class / Route |  |
|
 Economy |
SIN > HKG | 15,000 (+S$41.50) |
| HKG > SIN | 15,000 (+S$45.70)* |
|
 Premium Economy |
SIN > HKG | 24,500 (+S$41.50) |
| HKG > SIN | 24,500 (+S$45.70)* |
|
 Business |
SIN > HKG | 30,500 (+S$41.50) |
| HKG > SIN | 30,500 (+S$58.00)* |
|
* Taxes from Hong Kong are charged in HKD and will fluctuate slightly due to exchange rates. Business Class taxes from HKG are slightly higher than Economy due to the increased Hong Kong Airport Construction Fee charged when flying in premium cabins.
Cathay Pacific
| Class / Route |  |
 |
|
 Economy |
SIN > HKG | 10,000 (+S$41.50) |
11,000 (+S$41.50) |
| HKG > SIN | 10,000 (+S$45.70)* |
11,000 (+S$45.70)* |
|
 Premium Economy |
SIN > HKG | 18,000 (+S$41.50) |
16,500 (+S$41.50) |
| HKG > SIN | 18,000 (+S$45.70)* |
16,500 (+S$45.70)* |
|
 Business |
SIN > HKG | 25,000 (+S$41.50) |
22,000 (+S$41.50) |
| HKG > SIN | 25,000 (+S$58.00)* |
22,000 (+S$58.00)* |
|
* Taxes from Hong Kong are charged in HKD and will fluctuate slightly due to exchange rates. Business Class taxes from HKG are slightly higher than Economy due to the increased Hong Kong Airport Construction Fee when flying in premium cabins.
Passenger cap
Each designated flight on the ATB is limited to 200 passengers, around two-thirds of usual capacity for the aircraft being used.
Travel eligibility
To be eligible to travel on the ATB, you must fulfil the following criteria:
- Any person currently in Hong Kong and Singapore, irrespective of his/her nationality*
- Any person with no travel history to any place other than Singapore or Hong Kong in the last 14 days prior to departure
- Negative result of COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nucleic acid test by recognised testing institutions with specimen collected within 72 hours prior to departure
- Travelling on designated flights as listed above
* Exception: Holders of Work Permits or S Passes issued by the Singapore Ministry of Manpower working in the construction, marine shipyard, or process sectors are not eligible to travel to Hong Kong under the Air Travel Bubble arrangement.
Testing and costs
For Singapore residents, three COVID-19 PCR tests will be required, one prior to departure, one on arrival and a third before leaving Hong Kong. The approximate costs are:
- Singapore pre-departure: ~S$200
- Hong Kong arrival: S$87
- Hong Kong pre-departure: S$122-325 (depending on clinic)
That’s a minimum of S$409 in testing costs per person, less than some had feared but still a significant outlay especially for a family.
Who needs to be tested?
All travellers entering Hong Kong, including children, are required to take both the pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test in Singapore, as well as the post-arrival COVID-19 PCR test at Hong Kong International Airport. Children aged 12 and below are not required to take the pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test in Hong Kong prior to returning to Singapore.
Children aged 12 years or younger departing Hong Kong and entering Singapore, will not required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test, however all travellers including infants and children will be required to take the post-arrival COVID-19 PCR test before clearing immigration at Hong Kong International Airport upon their return.
The process (Singapore to Hong Kong)
Travellers wishing to use the ATB to visit Hong Kong will need to take a PCR test within 72 hours before their flight departure time. They must apply for approval to take this test at least seven days before departure, and will need a confirmed flight ticket to Hong Kong. Cost: ~S$200.
For pre-departure testing providers in Singapore, please refer here.
From 1st December 2020, travellers do not need to apply for approval to take the test.
This is the full process:
- Apply for Visa (if needed)
- Purchase ticket for a designated flight (see above)
- Take a pre-departure COVID-19 test (see above)
- Submit your Health Declaration
- Book your post-arrival COVID-19 test via this website
On arrival in Hong Kong, visitors will have to undergo temperature screening and present a QR code of their Health Declaration.
A post-arrival COVID-19 test (PCR nucleic acid test) is then administered, following which immigration clearance and baggage collection is completed as normal. Cost: HKD499 (S$87).
You will then have to wait for your PCR test result, which you’ll receive by SMS and email, and present the negative result to complete the customs process and enter Hong Kong for your quarantine-free stay.
The entire process may take four hours, so if you arrive on the Cathay Pacific flight at 7pm, don’t bank on reaching your hotel before midnight!
Your stay in Hong Kong can be for any duration, in accordance with your Visa.
The process (returning to Singapore)
If you wish to be exempted from the Stay Home Notice upon return to Singapore, for Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, or Long-Term Pass Holders, you must fulfil the following:
- No travel history to any country or region other than Hong Kong and Singapore in the last 14 days prior to the day of departure.
- Take a pre-departure PCR nucleic acid test for COVID-19 at one of the recognised testing institutions in Hong Kong with specimen collected within 72 hours of the scheduled time of departure of your designated flight. Cost: TBC.
- Apply for entry approval from the relevant Singapore Government agencies (For Long-Term Pass holders only).
Medical treatment
If travellers who are non-Hong Kong residents become COVID-19 positive during their stay in Hong Kong, they will be accorded the necessary medical treatment by the Hong Kong Government.
Such travellers will need to bear the full cost of any medical treatment provided to them.
Hong Kong residents
Residents of Hong Kong wishing to travel to Singapore on the ATB must apply for an Air Travel Pass after booking their flights.
The full procedure for these travellers is outlined here.
One important difference is that Hong Kong residents do not need to take a pre-departure test in Singapore before returning home if it has been less than 72 hours since their previous test, so it’s possible for them to take shorter trips with only two tests instead of three.
Singapore residents must arrange a pre-departure test in Hong Kong regardless of their length of stay.
Suspension of the ATB
We knew when the ATB was first announced that it could be adjusted or suspended in the event of a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in either country.
This has now been quantified, with confirmation that the ATB will be suspended for two weeks if the seven-day moving average of the daily number of unlinked COVID-19 cases is more than five in either Singapore or Hong Kong.
The arrangement will then resume if the seven-day moving average on the last day of the suspension period is five or fewer.
Lounges
For those flying in Business Class or holding sufficient frequent flyer status with Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific, an important consideration will be pre-flight lounge access when flying to or from Hong Kong.
Cathay Pacific confirmed to Mainly Miles is currently has no lounge arrangement for its Business Class passengers or eligible status holders at Singapore Changi Airport.
Singapore Airlines on the other hand, while not currently operating its own SilverKris lounge in Hong Kong, told Mainly Miles it is inviting its Business Class passengers to use the Plaza Premium Lounge near Gate 1.
| Singapore | Hong Kong | |
 |
SKL Business | Plaza Premium (near Gate 1) |
 |
None | The Wing First |
That means you’ll get to use the SilverKris Business Class lounge at Terminal 3 when flying on Singapore Airlines from Changi, but no lounge at all flying Cathay Pacific. In the other direction you’ll get access to The Wing First Class lounge in Hong Kong flying Cathay Pacific, and the Plaza Premium Lounge flying Singapore Airlines.
Currently The Wing First Class is the only Cathay Pacific lounge open in Hong Kong. It is available to those who would normally have lounge access when flying with Cathay Pacific or oneworld carriers.
Mainly Miles confirmed with Cathay Pacific that no voucher alternative is currently provided to Business Class passengers departing Changi, even though a lounge option is not available.
The optimal booking on this city pair for those prioritising the best lounge access as part of their experience may therefore be to fly Singapore Airlines to Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific back to Singapore, given that the SKL in Singapore and The Wing in Hong Kong can probably be regarded as the ‘best pair’.
Logically if the ATB is successful and passenger volumes are sufficient, SIA’s SilverKris Lounge in Hong Kong might be reopened. We’ll be sure to update you if that happens, since it could then make Singapore Airlines the most logical carrier to choose for return routings when flying Business Class on the ATB.
If you’re a Priority Pass holder, a member of a similar lounge access programme, or are willing to pay for lounge access when flying on the ATB regardless of your travel class, here’s a summary of what’s currently available at either end of the journey.
In Singapore the Plaza Premium Lounge in T1 (read our review) is operating between 12pm and 6am daily, making it an ideal Priority Pass or paid access option for those flying on Cathay Pacific.
The SATS Premier Lounge in T1 is currently closed, while the DNATA lounge is only opening for its partner airline departure bank between 4pm and 11pm each day, making it unsuitable for those flying Cathay Pacific.
For those flying with Singapore Airlines who don’t have SilverKris lounge access, the SATS Premier Lounge in T3 is operating 24 hours per day.
In Hong Kong the Plaza Premium lounge near Gate 1 is currently open from 8am to 00.30am, and is currently being used as SIA’s third-party lounge with complimentary access for KrisFlyer Gold / PPS Club and Star Alliance Gold travellers alongside Business Class passengers.
An additional Plaza Premium lounge near gate 35 is open in the mornings from midnight to 10am, which may suit those on Cathay Pacific’s morning departure who don’t qualify for access to ‘The Wing’.
The Plaza Premium lounge near Gate 60 and the Plaza Premium First Class lounge near Gate 1 remain closed, as does the Amex Centurion lounge.
Summary
While it starts small with only one daily flight in each direction, capped at 200 passengers, by early December the new Singapore – Hong Kong ATB soon doubles to two flights.
Both full service carriers on the route will be offering flights, with morning and afternoon departure timings available once twice daily operation kicks in.
Fares are starting to increase already even compared to those we reported yesterday, and with award space unlikely to materialise given the limited capacity and strong demand for overseas travel, it’s time to lock in your plans by booking a cash ticket in our opinion.
Finally, if the ATB is successful, Singapore’s Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung hopes to “trilateralise” and “quadlateralise” the arrangement to include other countries in due course.
For further information, see the dedicated Air Travel Bubble website:
(Cover Photo: MainlyMiles)