Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a popular “fifth freedom” flight for many of our readers was Cathay Pacific’s daily service between Singapore and Bangkok, offering a Oneworld option on this busy route, including the ability to redeem Asia Miles or Avios at competitive rates.

Well the good news is that this flight, which continues to and from Hong Kong but also allows passengers to travel solely between Singapore and Bangkok if they wish, is making a comeback after a four-year hiatus.

Cathay Pacific Singapore – Bangkok flights

Cathay Pacific is now loading its Singapore – Bangkok – Hong Kong flights once again from the start of the northern summer season on 31st March 2024.

This daily service retains its pre-pandemic flight numbers (CX712/717), and also retains its original timings.

Here’s how the schedule looks during the northern summer season.

Cathay Pacific
Singapore – Bangkok – Hong Kong
31st March 2024 – 26th October 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	CX712 A330-300
SIN 13:25		BKK 15:15
	CX712 A330-300
BKK 16:25		HKG 20:15

From Singapore this 2-hour 50-minute “fifth freedom” service departs Changi just before 1.30pm, for arrival in Bangkok shortly after 3pm, thanks to the one-hour time gain.

It potentially allows you to take only a half day off work and still arrive in Bangkok in time to check in to your hotel and then go out for dinner.

Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong – Bangkok – Singapore
31st March 2024 – 26th October 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	CX717 A330-300
HKG 09:00		BKK 10:55
	CX717 A330-300
BKK 11:55		SIN 15:25

In the Bangkok – Singapore direction this service departs at 11.55am, for a mid-afternoon arrival into Changi at 3.25pm after a 2-hour 30-minute flight, which is perhaps a little early for many of our readers looking to maximise their Bangkok trip, but does get you back to the Lion City in ample time, if you have dinner plans for example.

Lunch is served in both directions on these services.

Flights will operate on Airbus A330-300 aircraft, offering 39 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration and 223 Economy Class seats in a 2-4-2 configuration, shifting to 2-3-2 in the rearmost rows.

That means the Safran Cirrus II seats in Business Class, with direct aisle access, ample storage for personal items, and good privacy levels.

The newly reinstated Singapore – Bangkok service is also loaded for operation in the northern winter season, with slight timing adjustment and new flight numbers used (CX630/619).

Award pricing

Cathay Pacific is loading generous award space on Singapore – Bangkok flights based on our searches, with two immediately confirmable seats in Business Class and four in Economy Class on practically every flight using Asia Miles or Avios points (but not other Oneworld FFPs at this stage for some reason).

Here’s how the redemption rates look.

Cathay Pacific
Singapore – Bangkok award rates

FFP	Travel Class
	Economy	Business
	9,000 + S$104	16,500 + S$104
	10,000 + S$104	28,000 + S$104
	12,000 + S$104	30,000 + S$104
	12,500 + S$84	22,500 + S$84
	14,000 + S$104	30,000 + S$104
	26,000 + S$104	55,000 + S$104

As you can see, it’s Avios points where you’ll get the best value when redeeming Cathay Pacific flights on this short hop to and from Bangkok, starting at 9,000 points in Economy Class and only setting you back 16,500 points in Business Class.

Unfortunately, British Airways has devalued its own Avios awards on Cathay Pacific since this route last operated, not once… but twice!

That’s why, as you can see from the table above, it’s Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios you need to be redeeming on this route, with the programme retaining those competitive original rates.

You can transfer your BA Avios to and from Qatar Avios at a 1:1 ratio whenever you like for free, and as we recently noted, the lower award rates for Cathay redemptions using Qatar Avios works a treat.

With Qatar Avios, you’re getting a significant saving on the 13,500 KrisFlyer miles Singapore Airlines is charging in Economy and 24,000 miles in Business for a Saver redemption on its own flights between Singapore and Bangkok.

Cathay Pacific lounges in Singapore and Bangkok

One great thing about flying with Cathay Pacific in Business Class, or with lounge-worthy status in the Oneworld programme in lower cabin classes, is the airline’s excellent lounges.

At Singapore Changi Airport, Cathay has a great lounge in Terminal 4, which we comprehensively reviewed back in late 2017, shortly after it opened.

Over in Bangkok, Cathay Pacific reopened its own dedicated lounge in March 2023, with a light ‘refresh’ of the furniture and fittings.

This lounge not only has a tended bar, but also a noodle bar (just like the Singapore one), and during our visits over the years certainly provides a great serene experience away from the hustle and bustle of Suvarnabhumi’s main concourse.

Cathay Pacific is reintroducing its popular “fifth freedom” flights between Singapore and Bangkok from late March 2024, after a long four-year gap in service due to the pandemic.

This was our go-to redemption for Bangkok trips before COVID-19 using Avios points, and it’s really great to see it back, with good award space loaded up too.

Unfortunately the easiest redemption via British Airways Executive Club, is now uncompetitive, but you can lock in a great value award with Qatar Airways Avios via a slightly convoluted online form, having checked availability using the BA site in the first instance.

Will you be using Cathay’s Singapore – Bangkok flights once they restart? Let us know in the comments section below.

(Cover Photo: Vismay Bhadra)