Singapore Airlines had a bumper end to 2021 with an expansion of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) programme to a total of 24 countries, 21 of which the carrier is now serving with regular passenger flights, allowing an expansion of the operating passenger fleet to over 100 aircraft for the first time since the pandemic hit.
36 aircraft are still in storage, either at Changi or in Alice Springs, though only 15 of these are due to return to service, with the others for sale or disposal.
Highlights for the end of the year were undoubtedly the re-entry into service for the new and refitted Airbus A380s, plus the debut of the Boeing 737-8 MAX with new cabin products.
To round off the year, the airline will take delivery of its 57th Airbus A350 on 29th December 2021.
Fleet totals
Here are the Singapore Airlines passenger fleet totals at 29th December 2021.
CAAS Database: | 144 | ||
Recently delivered: For disposal: |
+2 -21 |
||
In Service: | 125 | ||
In maintenance / stored: |
-15 |
||
Active: | 110 |
The official registered aircraft data in combination with recent retirement announcements and analysis of actual flight movements over the last few weeks allows us to determine the actual ‘in service’ fleet (available to the airline) of 125 planes at 29th December 2021, 110 of which were recently active.
Click here to see the official CAAS list of registered aircraft in Singapore at 2nd December 2021.
SIA Passenger Fleet at 29th December 2021
This table shows the Singapore Airlines fleet including how many of each aircraft type are legally registered (‘Registered’), available to the airline (‘In Service’) and currently operating revenue passenger or cargo flights (‘Active’).
Type |
Registered | In Service | Active |
A350-900![]() |
27 | 27 | 27 |
A350-900 Regional![]() |
22 |
22 | 22 |
A350-900 ULR![]() |
7 | 7 | 7 |
A380-800 v1![]() |
4 | 0 | 0 |
A380-800 v2![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 |
A380-800 v3![]() |
10 | 10 | 7 |
737-800![]() |
13 |
9 | 8 |
737-8 MAX![]() |
10 | 10 | 6 |
777-200![]() |
6 | 0 | 0 |
777-200ER![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 |
777-300![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 |
777-300ER![]() |
26 | 23 | 18 |
787-10![]() |
15 | 15 | 15 |
Total | 146 | 125 | 110 |
All the airline’s remaining registered Boeing 777-200s, Boeing 777-200ERs and Boeing 777-300s will not be returning to the fleet, in addition to five older Airbus A380s, three Boeing 777-300ERs and four Boeing 737-800s.
These are therefore excluded from the ‘In Service’ column.
This reflects a future fleet of 125 aircraft, plus future near-term deliveries of Airbus A350s, Boeing 737-8 MAXs and Boeing 787-10s.
Here’s a graphical look at the active vs. stored fleet.
Type | ■ Active / □ Inactive | |
A350 | ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ | 100% |
A350 R | ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ | 100% |
A350 ULR | ■■■■■■■ | 100% |
A380 | ■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□ | 41% |
737-800 | ■■■■■■■■□□□□□ | 62% |
777-200 | □□□□□□ | 0% |
777-200ER | □ | 0% |
777-300 | □□ | 0% |
777-300ER | ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□ | 69% |
787-10 | ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ | 100% |

Farewell Airbus A330s
The final Airbus A330 to leave the Singapore Airlines fleet and return to its lessor was 9V-SSI, which was flown to storage in Spain on 16th October 2021.
Singapore Airlines flew a total of 34 Airbus A330s between February 2009 and April 2020, with a peak fleet of 29 of the aircraft active during 2015.
These aircraft were only leased on five-year terms, initially as a stop-gap due to production delays for SIA’s Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s, though additional leases were later signed for the A330s, while some lease terms were extended.

Those still in service around the world after being returned by SIA include aircraft now flown by Brussels Airlines, Air Canada, Oman Air and TAP Air Portugal.
You can see a full list of ex-SIA Airbus A330s now with new operators here, and a list of those in storage here.
Welcome back A380s
The introduction of more VTLs has given Singapore Airlines the confidence to start reintroducing some of its Airbus A380s to passenger service, for the first time since March 2020.
A series of round-trips to and from Kuala Lumpur came first in early November, followed by regular daily service to London, then Sydney.

Further expansion for the A380s in 2022 includes:
- Mumbai from 10th January 2022
- Delhi from 14th February 2022
- Frankfurt from 27th March 2022
- New York from 27th March 2022
Meanwhile two older A380s, 9V-SKG and 9V-SKH, have been scrapped at Changi for spare parts.
That leaves 17 Airbus A380s in the registered SIA fleet, five of which have been retired and will not re-enter service, as shown in the following table.
Singapore Airlines A380 Fleet
(27th December 2021)
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Aircraft | Current Location |
Version | Fate / Status |
9V-SKF | SIN | V1 | Retired |
9V-SKI | SIN | V1 | Retired |
9V-SKJ | SIN | V1 | Retired |
9V-SKK | ASP | V1 | Retired |
9V-SKL | ASP | V2 | Future Refit & Re-entry |
9V-SKM | SIN | V3 | In Service |
9V-SKN | SIN | V3 | In Service |
9V-SKP | ASP | V2 | Retired |
9V-SKQ | SIN | V2 (V3 pending) |
Refit & Re-entry |
9V-SKR | SIN | V3 | Stored |
9V-SKS | SIN | V3 | Stored |
9V-SKT | SIN | V3 | In Service |
9V-SKU | SIN | V3 | In Service |
9V-SKV | SIN | V3 | In Service |
9V-SKW | SIN | V3 | Stored |
9V-SKY | SIN | V3 | In Service |
9V-SKZ | ASP | V3 | Stored |
We understand all six Version 1 aircraft (9V-SKF to -SKK) and one Version 2 aircraft (9V-SKP) will be leaving the fleet (-SKG and -SKH having already being dismantled).
Ten A380s now have the new 2017 cabin products installed, five from new and another five completed refits.
9V-SKQ’s refit should be finished next, leaving only 9V-SKL to be done. 9V-SKZ also needs to be flown back from Alice Springs, but does not require any cabin modifications.
The first Boeing 777-300ER is retired
Back in May 2021 Singapore Airlines confirmed that four of its Boeing 777-300ERs would be retired from the fleet following a write-down process, with the carrier confirming to Mainly Miles that 9V-SWA, 9V-SWD, 9V-SWE and 9V-SWF are the affected aircraft.
The first of those, and oldest in the fleet, has now departed for its new life in the USA.
Here’s 9V-SWA on a test flight in late September 2021, devoid of its Singapore Airlines titles.
The aircraft was flown to Victorville in the USA on late October 2021, and is destined to join Spanish charter and corporate operator Privilege Style in the coming months.
Boeing 737 MAXs enter service
November saw the reveal of Singapore Airlines’ latest narrow-body Regional Business Class and Economy Class products on the Boeing 737-8 MAX, following their refit from SilkAir configuration and the lifting of restrictions on the aircraft type by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.
Here are our dedicated articles covering the new cabins, to help you know what to expect on board.
The first MAX entered revenue service on 23rd November 2021 between Singapore and Phuket, and all six ex-SilkAir aircraft have now joined the active fleet.
Singapore Airlines Boeing 737 MAX Fleet
Active MAX Fleet | ||||
Reg. | Age | SIA First Service | Livery | Location |
9V-MBA | 4.2 yrs | 28 Nov 2021 (SIN-HKT) |
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SIN |
9V-MBB | 4.1 yrs |
6 Dec 2021 (SIN-PNH) |
![]() |
SIN |
9V-MBC | 4.0 yrs |
23 Nov 2021 (SIN-HKT) |
![]() |
SIN |
9V-MBD | 3.7 yrs |
17 Dec 2021 (SIN-KUL) |
![]() |
SIN |
9V-MBE | 3.6 yrs |
4 Dec 2021 (SIN-HKT) |
![]() |
SIN |
9V-MBF | 2.8 yrs |
24 Nov 2021 (SIN-HKT) |
![]() |
SIN |
Since late November Singapore Airlines has been taking delivery of brand new MAX aircraft from Boeing every 10 days or so, with four additional aircraft arriving over the last month as shown below.
Singapore Airlines Boeing 737 MAX Recent Deliveries
MAXs Under Refit | ||||
Reg. | Age | Delivered | Livery | Location |
9V-MBG | 2.7 yrs |
25 Nov 2021 |
![]() |
SIN |
9V-MBH | 2.6 yrs |
4 Dec 2021 |
![]() |
SIN |
9V-MBI | 2.4 yrs |
14 Dec 2021 |
![]() |
SIN |
9V-MBJ | 2.4 yrs |
25 Dec 2021 |
![]() |
SIN |
These retain their SilkAir livery and cabin configuration, since that was the original intention for the aircraft, and so they will now be progressively refitted to the new SIA standard before entering service.
One of the aircraft will join the active fleet by 31st March 2022, with the other three listed above plus four upcoming deliveries entering service post-refit in the 2022 / 23 financial year.
Last Boeing 737-800 sold
Back in August we reported how Singapore Airlines had sold seven of its eight owned former SilkAir Boeing 737-800s to Virgin Australia, as follows:
- 9V-MGF (age 7.3 years)
- 9V-MGG (age 7.2 years)
- 9V-MGH (age 7.2 years)
- 9V-MGI (age 6.9 years)
- 9V-MGJ (age 6.7 years)
- 9V-MGP (age 5.6 years)
- 9V-MGQ (age 5.2 years)
Only 9V-MGJ and -MGQ are still in Singapore, with the others already delivered to Brisbane for refit to the Virgin Australia configuration.
The airline has now secured the sale of its final owned Boeing 737-800, 9V-MGO, which departed on 30th November 2021 for a slightly more glamorous life as a private jet with the Dubai Royal Flight.

The remaining nine Boeing 737-800s in the SIA fleet are on operating leases, which expire in 2024 (five aircraft) and 2025 (four aircraft). They will be replaced by future Boeing 737-8 MAX deliveries.
A350 Freighters
One side of the fleet we don’t normally pay much attention to is Singapore Airlines’ seven dedicated Boeing 747-400F cargo aircraft.
These range from 16 to 21 years old, and so the airline has been identifying replacement options over the last few years.

On 15th December 2021 Singapore Airlines announced that it had selected the new Airbus A350F freighter aircraft to replace its Boeing 747-400Fs, signing a letter of intent with Airbus for the purchase of seven aircraft, which will start to arrive in late 2025.
The agreement includes purchase options on a further five A350Fs, which SIA says will provide “the ability to adapt our requirements to future demand in the cargo market”.
The A350F offers 40% better fuel efficiency than the Boeing 747-400F, but can carry an almost identical cargo payload over a slightly longer range, according to the following data released by Singapore Airlines.
Airbus A350F | Boeing 747-400F | |
Length | 70.61m | 70.7m |
Max Take Off Weight | 319 tonnes | 395 tonnes |
Max Payload | 109 tonnes | 116 tonnes |
Volume | 728 m3 | 738 m3 |
Range | 4,700 nm | 4,500 nm |
Engine | Rolls-Royce TXWB-97 | Pratt & Whitney PW4056 |
As part of the deal, Singapore Airlines will reduce its order for passenger Airbus A350 aircraft by two (from 67 to 65) and also reduce its Airbus A320neo commitment (for Scoot) by 15, from 33 to 18.
Fleet activity by registration
Here’s a breakdown of the SIA fleet of passenger aircraft based on recent revenue passenger or cargo-only flight activity, based on an analysis conducted on 27th December 2021.
Airbus A350s
The Airbus A350-900 long-haul fleet was fully active in July 2021, with all 27 aircraft flying revenue services over the last two weeks.
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Aircraft | Location | Last flew | Days ago |
9V-SMA | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SMB | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SMC | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SMD | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SME | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SMF | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SMG | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SMH | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SMI | SIN | 25 Dec 21 | 2 |
9V-SMJ | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SMK | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SML | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SMM | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SMN | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SMO | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SMP | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SMQ | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SMR | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SMS | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SMT | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SMU | SIN | 19 Dec 21 | 8 |
9V-SMV | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SMW | SIN | 24 Dec 21 | 3 |
9V-SMY | SIN | 25 Dec 21 | 2 |
9V-SMZ | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SJA | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SJB | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.
A brand new Airbus A350 long-haul variant, 9V-SJE, is due for delivery on 29th December 2021.
Update: 9V-SJE’s delivery now appears to be have been postponed twice.
All Airbus A350-900 Regional aircraft were flying recently.
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Aircraft | Location | Last flew | Days ago |
9V-SHA | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SHB | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SHC | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SHD | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SHE | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SHF | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SHG | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SHH | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SHI | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SHJ | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SHK | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SHL | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SHM | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SHN | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SHO | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SHP | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SHQ | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SHR | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SHS | SIN | 25 Dec 21 | 2 |
9V-SHT | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SHU | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SHV | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.
All of the airline’s Airbus A350-900 ULR aircraft are in service, covering daily San Francisco and New York JFK services.
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Aircraft | Location | Last flew | Days ago |
9V-SGA | SIN | 25 Dec 21 | 2 |
9V-SGB | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SGC | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SGD | SIN | 22 Dec 21 | 5 |
9V-SGE | SIN | 24 Dec 21 | 3 |
9V-SGF | SIN | 23 Dec 21 | 4 |
9V-SGG | SIN | 25 Dec 21 | 2 |
‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.
Airbus A380s
With the Airbus A380 fleet back in action in November and December 2021, 7 aircraft are being regularly used on daily London and Sydney links.
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Aircraft | Location | Last flew | Days ago |
9V-SKF | SIN | 24 Mar 20 | 643 |
9V-SKI | SIN | 20 Mar 20 | 647 |
9V-SKJ | SIN | 20 Mar 20 | 647 |
9V-SKK | ASP | 21 Mar 20 | 646 |
9V-SKL | ASP | 27 Mar 20 | 640 |
9V-SKM | SIN | 22 Dec 21 | 5 |
9V-SKN | SIN | 24 Dec 21 | 3 |
9V-SKP | ASP | 24 Mar 20 | 643 |
9V-SKQ | SIN | 26 Mar 20 | 641 |
9V-SKR | SIN | 19 Mar 20 | 648 |
9V-SKS | SIN | 25 Dec 21 | 2 |
9V-SKT | SIN | 21 Dec 21 | 6 |
9V-SKU | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SKV | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-SKW | SIN | 26 Mar 20 | 641 |
9V-SKY | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-SKZ | ASP | 30 Mar 20 | 637 |
‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.
SIA has confirmed 12 of its A380 aircraft will be remaining under current plans for the post-COVID recovery, all to be fitted with new cabin products before returning to service.
Boeing 737-800s
8 our of the 9 Boeing 737-800s that moved across from SilkAir to Singapore Airlines remain in regular service with the mainline carrier, with only 9V-MGM taking a break this month.
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Aircraft | Location | Last flew | Days ago |
9V-MGA | SIN | 19 Dec 21 | 8 |
9V-MGB | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-MGC | SIN | 15 Dec 21 | 12 |
9V-MGD | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-MGE | SIN | 25 Dec 21 | 2 |
9V-MGH | SIN | 11 Apr 21 | 260 |
9V-MGJ | SIN | 25 Apr 21 | 246 |
9V-MGK | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-MGL | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-MGM | SIN | 1 Dec 21 | 26 |
9V-MGN | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-MGP | SIN | 20 Apr 21 | 251 |
9V-MGQ | SIN | 27 Mar 20 | 640 |
‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.
SilkAir’s last passenger flight was on 6th May 2021, from Kathmandu to Singapore. Don’t miss our tribute to the regional subsidiary’s rich 29-year history.
Boeing 737-8 MAX
All six of the SIA’s Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft transferred from SilkAir are now in regular service, with four recently delivered aircraft still to undergo their cabin refits.
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Aircraft | Location | Last flew | Days ago |
9V-MBA | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-MBB | SIN | 26 Dec 21 | 1 |
9V-MBC | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-MBD | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-MBE | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-MBF | SIN | 27 Dec 21 | 0 |
9V-MBG | SIN | To enter service | |
9V-MBH | SIN | To enter service | |
9V-MBI | SIN | To enter service | |
9V-MBJ |