European airlines boost VTL flights to Singapore from April

If you’re looking to make a quarantine-free trip to Europe this summer, a range of additional Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flights back to Singapore at the end of your vacation have now been added to the list of designated services, offering the widest range of options to date.

These include extended schedules through to the end of October 2022 from KLM and Turkish Airlines, and frequency increases from Air France, Finnair, Lufthansa and Swiss.

Lufthansa is even adding daily Munich – Singapore flights, for the first time since the pandemic.

Here’s the latest rundown of VTL flights running in addition to Singapore Airlines services from Europe this summer, allowing you to travel smarter with alternative routes, cabin products, fares, timings and redemption options.

Key

Flights from Singapore to Europe do not require VTL status for quarantine-free travel. You can travel on any non-stop flight without quarantine on your way to Europe (e.g. Singapore – Paris).

It’s only on the way to Singapore your flight must have VTL status for you to use the scheme. Be aware, however, that some flights in this direction are non-VTL services .

We have used the following key in the schedule tables to help you differentiate between these:

= Flights without special status
= Non-VTL flights (to SIN)
= VTL flights (to SIN)

Air France (Paris)

Air France is currently operating three weekly flights between Singapore and Paris, all of which are designated VTL services on the way to Changi (AF256).

Now – 26th March 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	AF257 787-9
SIN 23:05		CDG 06:05*
	AF256 787-9
CDG 21:00		SIN 16:35*

* Next day
= VTL

Once the summer season kicks off, the three times weekly schedule continues until 29th May, but operates on different days.

27th March – 29th May 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	AF257 787-9
SIN 22:35		CDG 06:05*
	AF256 787-9
CDG 20:50		SIN 15:45*

* Next day
= VTL

Until 29th May 2022, all flights are operated by Air France’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

These are fitted with the popular Zodiac Cirrus seats in Business Class, also used by Cathay Pacific and offering direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 configuration.

The route upgrades to daily VTL operation from 30th May 2022.

30th May – 29th October 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	AF257 A350-900
SIN 22:35		CDG 06:05*
	AF256 A350-900
CDG 20:50		SIN 15:45*

* Next day
= VTL

This includes a switch to the airline’s Airbus A350-900 aircraft with Safran Optima seats in Business Class, the same seat type used in United’s new Polaris Business Class.

These feature more sociable options for couples at the middle seat pairs in alternate rows.

You can find the latest official Air France VTL flight schedule page here.

Here’s a summary of all VTL flights from Paris to Singapore, including those operated by Singapore Airlines (click to expand):

Finnair (Helsinki)

Finnair is increasing its four times weekly flights from Helsinki to Singapore to daily operation this summer, effective from 1st April 2022, with all flights to Changi operating under the VTL programme.

Now – 31st March 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	AY132 A350-900
SIN 23:45		HEL 06:00*
	AY131 A350-900
HEL 23:55		SIN 17:15*

* Next day
= VTL

1st April – 29th October 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	AY132 A350-900
SIN 23:25		HEL 06:15*
	AY131 A350-900
HEL 23:55		SIN 16:50*

* Next day
= VTL

There’s even better news, with the carrier also deploying its refitted Airbus A350s with the latest AirLounge Business Class product, an innovative new design many of our readers are keen to try.

AY131 has the new AirLounge cabins from 1st April 2022 to 1st July 2022; AY132 gets the same treatment one day later (2nd April 2022 to 2nd July 2022).

Here’s our recent summary of the new product.

Finnair is also loading award seats in this new cabin on VTL flights to Singapore, a great redemption at 70,000 Asia Miles plus minimal taxes and fees of around S$25.

KLM (Amsterdam)

KLM will extend its Amsterdam – Singapore VTL flights during the upcoming summer season, but the airline will stick to only two quarantine-free services per week on Mondays and Saturdays.

Now – 26th March 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	KL836 777-300ER
SIN 01:15		AMS 08:15
	KL838 KL840 777-300ER
SIN 23:55		AMS 06:55*
	KL813 KL835 KL837 KL839 777-300ER
AMS 20:25		SIN 15:50*
	KL833 777-300ER
AMS 20:55		SIN 16:20*

* Next day
= Non-VTL
= VTL

27th March – 29th October 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	KL836 KL840 777-300ER
SIN 00:40		AMS 07:50
	KL838 777-300ER
SIN 23:35		AMS 06:58*
	KL835 KL837 KL839 777-300ER
AMS 21:55		SIN 16:15*
	KL813^ 777-300ER
AMS 21:55		SIN 16:30*

* Next day
^ KL833 until 22nd May 2022, then KL813
= Non-VTL
= VTL

Though this isn’t very flexible for most travellers compared to SIA’s daily VTL operation on the route, it does offer a night departure for easier same-day connections from other VTL countries, or for a full last day in the city.

You can find the latest official KLM VTL flight schedule page here.

Here’s a summary of all VTL flights from Amsterdam to Singapore, including those operated by Singapore Airlines (click to expand):

Lufthansa (Frankfurt)

Lufthansa is currently flying five times a week between Frankfurt and Singapore, with four of those flights operating under the VTL (Tuesday FRA-SIN is non-VTL ).

Now – 26th March 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	LH779 A340-300
SIN 23:55		FRA 06:45*
	LH778 A340-300
FRA 21:55		SIN 17:00*

* Next day
= Non-VTL
= VTL

27th March – 31st May 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	LH779 A340-300
SIN 23:40		FRA 07:05*
	LH778 A340-300
FRA 21:55		SIN 16:45*

* Next day
= Non-VTL
= VTL

This schedule is maintained through to the end of May 2022, but after that the airline goes daily on the route, though do be aware the Tuesday service back to Changi continues to be non-VTL .

1st June – 29th October 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	LH779 A340-300
SIN 23:40		FRA 07:05*
	LH778 A340-300
FRA 21:55		SIN 16:45*

* Next day
= Non-VTL
= VTL

Airbus A340-300s are used throughout the published schedule.

You can find the latest official Lufthansa VTL flight schedule page here.

Here’s a summary of all VTL flights from Frankfurt to Singapore, including the twice daily departures operated by Singapore Airlines (click to expand):

Lufthansa (Munich)

Lufthansa is also restoring its Munich – Singapore route for the first time since the pandemic forced its suspension in March 2020, with three times weekly flights during the month of May 2022, increasing to daily from June to October 2022.

Unlike Frankfurt – Singapore, which will retain one weekly non-VTL flight, all Munich – Singapore services are quarantine-free .

1st May – 31st May 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	LH791 A350-900
SIN 23:25		MUC 05:50*
	LH790 A350-900
MUC 22:15		SIN 16:25*

* Next day
= VTL

1st June – 29th October 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	LH791 A350-900
SIN 23:25		MUC 05:50*
	LH790 A350-900
MUC 22:15		SIN 16:25*

* Next day
= VTL

Three-class Airbus A350s will be used, with this service providing a late-night departure alternative to SIA’s lunchtime flight, allowing you to maximise your last day in the city or position yourself there more easily from other European cities for a same-day connection.

You can find the latest official Lufthansa VTL flight schedule page here.

Here’s a summary of all VTL flights from Munich to Singapore, including the earlier daily departure operated by Singapore Airlines (click to expand):

Swiss (Zurich)

Swiss International Air Lines is currently flying three times per week to and from Singapore, with two of the Zurich – Changi flights operating under the designated VTL scheme (Tuesday flights from Zurich are non-VTL ).

Now – 26th March 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	LX177 A340-300
SIN 01:55		ZRH 08:30
	LX176 A340-300
ZRH 14:00		SIN 09:30*

* Next day
= Non-VTL
= VTL

From 27th March through to the end of April 2022, all three Zurich – Singapore flights will be part of the VTL.

27th March – 30th April 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	LX177 A340-300
SIN 23:20		ZRH 06:15*
	LX176 A340-300
ZRH 12:00		SIN 06:45*

* Next day
= VTL

From the start of May 2022, Swiss shifts back to its pre-COVID overnight timing on Zurich – Singapore flights, providing a late night alternative to SIA’s 11.45am departure, which may help you maximise your trip or connect more easily on the day of departure from other European cities.

1st May – 30th June 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	LX177 A340-300^ 777-300ER^^
SIN 23:30		ZRH 06:10*
	LX176 A340-300^ 777-300ER^^
ZRH 22:40		SIN 17:25*

^ Until 31st May
^^ From 1st June
* Next day
= VTL

Flights also upgrade in June to the newer Boeing 777-300ER.

From 1st July 2022 Swiss will increase frequencies to five times weekly on the route, all of which return to Singapore as VTL flights .

1st July – 29th October 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	LX177 777-300ER
SIN 23:30		ZRH 06:10*
	LX176 777-300ER
ZRH 22:40		SIN 16:55*

* Next day
= VTL

This will add 24 Swiss First Class seats per week to VTL flights on the route, compared to the current March 2022 schedule.

You can find the latest official Swiss VTL flight schedule page here.

Here’s a summary of all VTL flights from Zurich to Singapore, including those operated by Singapore Airlines (click to expand):

Turkish (Istanbul)

Turkish Airlines is operating six flights per week between Istanbul and Singapore, but only one of those is a designated VTL flight , departing Turkey in the early hours each Sunday (remember, if you’re connecting to the VTL flight from Europe that’ll be a Saturday departure at the first origin point!).

Now – 26th March 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	TK55 787-9
SIN 23:35		IST 06:10*
	TK54 787-9
IST 01:45		SIN 17:10

* Next day
= Non-VTL
= VTL

Boeing 787-9s are currently used on the VTL services, featuring the latest Turkish Business Class product, also used by Singapore Airlines as its Regional Business Class on wide-body aircraft.

From 27th March 2022 the carrier will operate daily flights to and from Singapore, but will extend only its single weekly (Sunday) designated VTL flight to Changi, through to the end of October 2022.

27th March – 29th October 2022

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	TK55 777-300ER
SIN 23:30		IST 05:25*
	TK54 777-300ER
IST 01:45		SIN 17:30

* Next day
= Non-VTL
= VTL

Unfortunately this also coincides with an aircraft shift to the Boeing 777-300ER, meaning an older Business Class product in a 2-3-2 configuration.

It’s actually arguably better for couples and is more spacious, provided you can snag one of the window pairs, but for solo travellers it definitely lacks privacy.

Here’s a summary of all VTL flights from Istanbul to Singapore, including those operated by Singapore Airlines (click to expand):

What about British Airways?

British Airways is currently operating four times weekly flights between London and Singapore, all of which operate as VTL services.

The airline will be ramping up to daily flights in the northern summer season (BA15/16) from 27th March 2022, all of which continue to Sydney, Australia.

Unfortunately the VTL status of these flights remains pending at the time of writing. We expect BA will have VTL approval on the London – Singapore flights, but won’t necessarily secure these on the Sydney – Singapore leg, which it operates under “fifth freedom” rights.

Once we have an update we will be sure to post about this.

Other Europe VTL options

Singapore Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary Scoot are also operating designated VTL flights from the following European cities, with schedules confirmed through to 29th October 2022 (click to enlarge):

For a full list of all VTL flights to Singapore by route, see our dedicated and updated reference page.

  Full list of all VTL Flights

SIA remains the dominant carrier on Europe – Singapore VTL flights, currently operating 75% of quarantine-free services (pre-COVID the airline was operating 61% of Europe – Singapore flights).

Europe’s airlines are progressively increasing their presence on VTL flights to Singapore, however, eroding SIA’s dominance to 68% by June 2022 and offering 35 weekly options, before British Airways has revealed its VTL operation, which is likely to represent an additional daily VTL service from London.

There’s a variety of airlines, cabin products and redemption options available, including the new Finnair AirLounge product from 70,000 Asia Miles + S$25.

Air France is even offering a ‘Polaris-like’ experience with Safran Optima seats on daily Paris flights from late May, so make sure you’re travelling smarter on your next Europe VTL trip by considering all these alternatives alongside SIA flights, before you commit.

(Cover Photo: Lukas von Daeniken)