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European airlines boost VTL flights to Singapore from April

Europe's airlines are ramping up their VTL flight schedules to Singapore this summer, including more Swiss First Class, Lufthansa services from Munich, and an innovative new Finnair Business seat.

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.

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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.

Lufthansa is hiking frequencies from Frankfurt to Singapore and introducing new VTL flights from Munich with A350s this summer. (Photo: Lufthansa Group)

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.

Air France Boeing 787-9 Business Class. (Photo: Air France)

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.

Air France Airbus A350-900 Business Class. (Photo: Air France)

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

Air France Airbus A350-900 Business Class. (Photo: Air France)

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

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

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
 bgcolor= SQ335
777-300ER
CDG
12:00
SIN

06:50*
AF256
787-9
       
CDG
20:50
SIN

15:45*

* Next day

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

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.

(Photo: Finnair)

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.

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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):

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
 bgcolor= SQ323
A350 Long Haul
AMS
11:15
SIN

05:55*
KL813
777-300ER
         
AMS
21:55
SIN

16:30*

* Next day

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

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.

Lufthansa long-haul Business Class. (Photo: Lufthansa Group)

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):

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
 bgcolor= SQ25
A380^
FRA
12:30
SIN

06:50*
LH778
A340-300
     
FRA
21:55
SIN

16:45*
 bgcolor= SQ325
A350-900
FRA
22:00
SIN

16:25*

^777-300ER on 27th March and 28th March
* Next day

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

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.

Munich was only the second city to receive designated VTL flights to Singapore. From May 2022, it will receive a second VTL airline option too. (Photo: Ian Kelsall)

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.

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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):

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
 bgcolor= SQ327
A350-900
MUC
13:10
SIN

07:00*

* Next day

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

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.

Swiss Boeing 777-300ER First Class. (Photo: Swiss)

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.

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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):

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
 bgcolor= SQ345
777-300ER
ZRH
11:45
SIN

05:55*
LX176
A340-300
       
ZRH
12:00
SIN

06:45*

* Next day

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

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.

Turkish Airlines Boeing 787 Business Class. (Photo: Turkish Airlines)

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.

Turkish Airlines Boeing 777-300ER Business Class. (Photo: Live and Let’s Fly)

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.

Copious legroom and storage for couples at the window seats, but not much privacy for solo travellers. (Photo: Live and Let’s Fly)

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

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
 bgcolor= TK54
777-300ER
IST
01:45
SIN

17:30
 bgcolor= SQ391
A350 Long Haul
IST
13:25
SIN

05:00*

* Next day

1st May 2022 - 29th October 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
 bgcolor= TK54
777-300ER
IST
01:45
SIN

17:30
 bgcolor= SQ391
A350 Long Haul
IST
13:25
SIN

05:00*

* Next day

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

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.

British Airways is deploying its four-class Boeing 787-9s on Singapore flights between now and the end of October 2022. (Photo: Sundry Photography / SS)

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):

Note that this service operates via Milan, with a 1 hour 10 minute transit stop en-route to Singapore.

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
 bgcolor= SQ377
A350 Long Haul
BCN
10:10
SIN

07:00*

* Next day

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
TR735
787-8
BER
09:30
SIN

04:00*
TR723^
787-8
BER
11:50
SIN

09:15*

^ Transit stop in Athens en-route to Singapore
* Next day

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
 bgcolor= SQ351
A350-900
CPH
12:20
SIN

06:20*

* Next day

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

Note that this service operates via Bangkok (BKK), with a 1 hour transit stop en-route to Singapore.

22nd March 2022 - 31st March 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
 bgcolor= TR753
787-8
LGW
19:30
SIN

17:50*

* Next day

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
 bgcolor= SQ317
A380
LHR
11:25
SIN

07:30*
 bgcolor= SQ319
777-300ER
LHR
20:50
SIN

16:55*
BA15
787-9
LHR
21:25
SIN

17:45*

* Next day

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
 bgcolor= SQ51
A350 Long Haul
MAN
11:40
SIN

07:40*

* Next day

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
 bgcolor= SQ355
A350-900
MXP
13:00
SIN

07:00*
 bgcolor= SQ377
A350-900
MXP
13:00
SIN

07:00*

* Next day

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

Note that this service operates via Copenhagen until the end of May 2022, with a 1 hour 20 minute transit stop en-route to Singapore.

27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022

  Days
M T W T F S S
 bgcolor= SQ351
A350-900
FCO
08:10
SIN

06:20*

* Next day

Important

From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.
All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.

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

Summary

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)

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2 comments

  1. Worth noting that for those looking to redeem flights, LH, LX, AF, TK and BA all have high fuel surcharge. Only AY (and SQ) do not.

  2. Why did you say that British Airways is still unsure whether LHR-SIN and SYD-SIN are designated VTL flights post 27 March? Its SG website already says (without stipulating dates):

    Singapore entry requirements
    All travellers flying with us into Singapore must participate in the Singapore Government’s Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme. Please ensure you are eligible to fly before purchasing a ticket.

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