Back in March 2021, Singapore Airlines began adding nine ex-SilkAir Boeing 737-800s to its passenger fleet, following a merger of the two carriers, but while the introduction of a new type for the national carrier was usually a cause for celebration and vaunting of new cabin products – this one was a more subdued affair.

That’s because these aircraft had received little more than a reskinned version of their former cabin products, which sadly didn’t hide their seemingly primitive origins when compared to the rest of the SIA fleet.

It’s especially true in Business Class, where three rows of recliner seats in a 2-2 configuration still adorn the forward cabin section – a far cry from the flat beds promised to be fleet-wide by 2020 – four years ago.

This wasn’t ‘Plan A’ for Singapore Airlines

In its defence, Singapore Airlines never intended to operate these planes.

SilkAir’s 737-800s were originally destined for low-cost subsidiary Scoot, while SIA would only take the regional subsidiary’s Boeing 737-8 MAX jets, and refit them with brand new flat-bed Business Class seats along with tip-to-tail in-flight entertainment systems and Wi-Fi connectivity.

That proposal would ensure a more seamless cabin standard across the board, and indeed the carrier promised fleet-wide flat-beds in Business Class, whichever type you stepped on board, from early 2020.

The plan was sadly derailed, when two fatal crashes of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in late 2018 and early 2019 caused a global grounding of the aircraft type SIA had pinned its hopes to, as the carrier’s future full-service narrow-body model.

The result? SIA was forced to keep these older Boeing 737-800s flying in its full-service division for a lot longer than anticipated.

The good news

In May 2022, Singapore Airlines whittled down its Boeing 737-800 fleet from nine to seven aircraft, deeming two of the jets “surplus to requirements”, which of course was good news for those actively avoiding the type’s older cabin products.

There’s more good news too – these aircraft aren’t owned by Singapore Airlines, but instead are on operating leases, which come to an end between September 2024 and January 2026.

That means less than a year from now we’ll be saying farewell to the first of the seven remaining Boeing 737-800s, and by the end of 2025 the final one should bow out of the operating fleet, in preparation for return to its lessor.

Until then though, these older jets with their sub-standard cabin products will continue to make an unwelcome appearance on the short-haul network, which brings us on to the main point of this article.

Where is the SIA 737-800 flying?

For the rest of this winter schedule and for the upcoming IATA northern summer 2024 season (NS24), which runs from 31st March 2024 to 26th October 2024, Singapore Airlines is deploying its Boeing 737-800s on up to five routes:

• Kathmandu
• Kuala Lumpur
• Penang
• Phnom Penh
• Phuket

Kathmandu is obviously the standout here – clocking in at up to 5 hours 30 minutes, it is by far the longest stretch for this aircraft type.

The good news is, there’s often a non-737-800 alternative on these routes, which is another reason we’re writing this article – choose wisely and you can sometimes avoid the type quite easily.

Schedules

Here’s how the schedules on these routes look for the remainder of the current winter season, and for the upcoming NS24 season, with the Boeing 737-800 services highlighted.

Now – 26th October 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ442 737-800
SIN 18:55		KTM 22:10
	SQ441 737-800
KTM 23:10		SIN 06:30*

* Next day

Kathmandu
737-800 alternatives

Singapore Airlines is provisionally planning to operate its Boeing 737-8 MAX on these daily Kathmandu flights from 27th October 2024 onwards, but until then there is no avoiding the Boeing 737-800.

Singapore Airlines is currently operating 47 flights each week to and from Kuala Lumpur, and 28 of those (60%) are operated by the Boeing 737-800, as shown below.

Now – 30th March 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ104 737-800
SIN 07:10		KUL 08:10
	SQ106 737-800
SIN 08:30		KUL 09:30
	SQ108 737-800
SIN 09:20		KUL 10:20
	SQ114 737-800
SIN 12:45		KUL 13:45
	SQ116 737-800
SIN 15:05		KUL 16:10
	SQ118 737-800
SIN 16:05		KUL 17:10
	SQ103 737-800
KUL 08:55		SIN 10:05
	SQ105 737-800
KUL 10:25		SIN 11:35
	SQ107 737-800
KUL 11:05		SIN 12:15
	SQ113 737-800
KUL 14:30		SIN 15:35
	SQ115 737-800
KUL 16:55		SIN 18:15
	SQ117 737-800
KUL 17:55		SIN 19:10

During the summer 2024 season from 31st March 2024, Boeing 737-800 operation on the KL route remains at 28 per week, but that represents a smaller proportion (52%) of overall 54 times weekly operation, as shown below.

31st March 2024 – 26th October 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ108 737-800
SIN 09:10		KUL 10:10
	SQ114* 737-800
SIN 12:45		KUL 13:45
	SQ116 737-800
SIN 15:00		KUL 16:10
	SQ128 737-800
SIN 20:00		KUL 20:55
	SQ107 737-800
KUL 11:00		SIN 12:15
	SQ113* 737-800
KUL 14:30		SIN 15:50
	SQ115 737-800
KUL 16:55		SIN 18:10
	SQ127 737-800
KUL 21:45		SIN 22:55

* SQ114/113 changes to Boeing 737-8 MAX operation from 1st September 2024

Kuala Lumpur
737-800 alternatives

Singapore Airlines is operating its Airbus A350 MH, Airbus A350 LH and Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft on selected Kuala Lumpur flights between now and 26th October 2024, and these are the ones to pick on this route if you want to avoid the Boeing 737-800.

Here’s how the schedule for those flights looks between now and 30th March 2024.

Now – 30th March 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ106 A350 Long Haul
SIN 08:30		KUL 09:30
	SQ108 A350 Long Haul
SIN 09:20		KUL 10:20
	SQ114 737-8 MAX
SIN 12:45		KUL 13:45
	SQ126 A350 Long Haul
SIN 18:35		KUL 19:40
	SQ105 A350 Long Haul
KUL 10:25		SIN 11:35
	SQ107 A350 Long Haul
KUL 11:05		SIN 12:15
	SQ113 737-8 MAX
KUL 14:30		SIN 15:35
	SQ125 A350 Long Haul
KUL 20:30		SIN 21:30

Finally here’s how the non-737-800 schedule on Kuala Lumpur flights looks for the upcoming summer season.

31st March 2024 – 26th October 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ106 A350 Long Haul
SIN 08:30		KUL 09:30
	SQ114* 737-8 MAX
SIN 12:45		KUL 13:45
	SQ122 A350 Medium Haul
SIN 16:40		KUL 17:40
	SQ126 A350 Long Haul
SIN 18:30		KUL 19:45
	SQ105 A350 Long Haul
KUL 10:25		SIN 11:35
	SQ113* 737-8 MAX
KUL 14:30		SIN 15:50
	SQ121 A350 Medium Haul
KUL 18:40		SIN 19:50
	SQ125 A350 Long Haul
KUL 20:40		SIN 21:50

* SQ114/113 operated by the Boeing 737-800 until 31st August 2024

All five daily Singapore Airlines flights between Changi and Penang between now and late October 2024 are operated by the Boeing 737-800, as shown below.

Now – 30th March 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ132 737-800
SIN 07:50		PEN 09:20
	SQ134 737-800
SIN 10:00		PEN 11:25
	SQ136 737-800
SIN 13:15		PEN 14:40
	SQ138 737-800
SIN 15:40		PEN 17:10
	SQ142 737-800
SIN 19:00		PEN 20:25
	SQ131 737-800
PEN 10:10		SIN 11:35
	SQ133 737-800
PEN 12:15		SIN 13:40
	SQ135 737-800
PEN 15:30		SIN 16:55
	SQ137 737-800
PEN 18:05		SIN 19:40
	SQ141 737-800
PEN 21:15		SIN 22:40

31st March 2024 – 26th October 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ132 737-800
SIN 08:00		PEN 09:25
	SQ134 737-800
SIN 09:45		PEN 11:10
	SQ136* 737-800
SIN 13:00		PEN 14:35
	SQ138** 737-800
SIN 15:40		PEN 17:05
	SQ142 737-800
SIN 19:00		PEN 20:25
	SQ131 737-800
PEN 10:15		SIN 11:40
	SQ133 737-800
PEN 12:00		SIN 13:40
	SQ135* 737-800
PEN 15:25		SIN 16:55
	SQ137** 737-800
PEN 18:00		SIN 19:25
	SQ141 737-800
PEN 21:15		SIN 22:40

* SQ136/135 does not operate in August 2024
** SQ138/137 does not operate in September 2024

Penang
737-800 alternatives

Singapore Airlines is provisionally planning to operate one of its five daily Penang flights (SQ142/141) using the Boeing 737-8 MAX from 27th October 2024 onwards, with further similar replacements on other flights later in the NW24/25 season.

Until then though, there is no avoiding the Boeing 737-800 on this route.

All three daily Singapore Airlines flights to and from Phnom Penh use the Boeing 737-8 MAX, not the older 737-800, between now and the end of October 2024, with the exception of a single daily flight pairing for two months during August and September 2024, as shown below.

1st August 2024 – 30th September 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ156 737-800
SIN 12:00		PNH 13:05
	SQ155 737-800
PNH 14:05		SIN 17:10

Pnom Penh
737-800 alternatives

Since all other flights on this route apart from those highlighted above during August and September 2024 use the Boeing 737-8 MAX, the older 737-800 is easy to avoid on this route.

Singapore Airlines is currently operating six daily flights to and from Phuket, and two of those (33%) are operated by the Boeing 737-800.

Now – 30th March 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ724 737-800
SIN 06:55		HKT 07:50
	SQ732 737-800
SIN 13:10		HKT 14:15
	SQ723 737-800
HKT 08:40		SIN 11:35
	SQ731 737-800
HKT 15:05		SIN 18:10

Phuket services then drop to five times daily, but with 100% Boeing 737-800 operation between 31st March 2024 and 31st August 2024, as shown below.

31st March 2024 – 31st August 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ726 737-800
SIN 08:10		HKT 09:10
	SQ728 737-800
SIN 10:00		HKT 10:50
	SQ732 737-800
SIN 13:15		HKT 14:10
	SQ736 737-800
SIN 16:20		HKT 17:10
	SQ740 737-800
SIN 18:30		HKT 19:20
	SQ725 737-800
HKT 10:00		SIN 13:05
	SQ727 737-800
HKT 11:40		SIN 14:55
	SQ731 737-800
HKT 15:05		SIN 18:10
	SQ735 737-800
HKT 18:15		SIN 21:05
	SQ739 737-800
HKT 20:10		SIN 23:15

During September 2024, Boeing 737-800 service on the Phuket route drops to four times daily.

1st September 2024 – 30th September 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ728 737-800
SIN 10:00		HKT 10:50
	SQ732 737-800
SIN 13:15		HKT 14:10
	SQ736 737-800
SIN 16:20		HKT 17:10
	SQ740 737-800
SIN 18:30		HKT 19:20
	SQ727 737-800
HKT 11:40		SIN 14:55
	SQ731 737-800
HKT 15:05		SIN 18:10
	SQ735 737-800
HKT 18:15		SIN 21:05
	SQ739 737-800
HKT 20:10		SIN 23:15

During October 2024, Boeing 737-800 service on the Phuket route drops to three times daily.

1st October 2024 – 26th October 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ728 737-800
SIN 10:00		HKT 10:50
	SQ732 737-800
SIN 13:15		HKT 14:10
	SQ736 737-800
SIN 16:20		HKT 17:10
	SQ727 737-800
HKT 11:40		SIN 14:55
	SQ731 737-800
HKT 15:05		SIN 18:10
	SQ735 737-800
HKT 18:15		SIN 21:05

Phuket
737-800 alternatives

SIA’s Boeing 737-8 MAX operates on most Phuket flights during current winter season, with four daily services as outlined below, which are the ones to choose if you’re avoiding the Boeing 737-800 on this route.

Now – 30th March 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ726 737-8 MAX
SIN 08:25		HKT 09:15
	SQ728 737-8 MAX
SIN 09:50		HKT 10:45
	SQ736 737-8 MAX
SIN 16:15		HKT 17:10
	SQ740 737-8 MAX
SIN 18:30		HKT 19:20
	SQ725 737-8 MAX
HKT 10:05		SIN 13:05
	SQ727 737-8 MAX
HKT 11:35		SIN 14:40
	SQ735 737-8 MAX
HKT 18:00		SIN 21:00
	SQ739 737-8 MAX
HKT 20:10		SIN 23:10

While there are no Boeing 737-800 alternatives on this route for five months between 31st March 2024 and 31st August 2024, the Boeing 737-8 MAX starts to reappear in September and October 2024, as shown below.

1st September 2024 – 26th October 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	SQ726 737-8 MAX
SIN 08:10		HKT 09:10
	SQ740* 737-8 MAX
SIN 18:30		HKT 19:20
	SQ725 737-8 MAX
HKT 10:00		SIN 13:05
	SQ739* 737-8 MAX
HKT 20:10		SIN 23:15

* SQ740/739 operated by the 737-8 MAX only from 1st October 2024

Don’t forget we have a continually updated guide to Singapore Airlines Business Class seats by route and individual flight number for the entire passenger network, so do bookmark that one for future reference.

737-800 Business Class review

We jumped on board one of the ex-SilkAir Boeing 737-800s in late 2022, to try out the recliner Business Class seats, which provide a pretty mediocre hard product experience, as highlighted by our full review.

Although service was good and we were well fed and watered, it’s safe to say this is a waste of miles with clunky manual seat controls, no privacy, no Wi-Fi connectivity and in-flight entertainment via an iPad that didn’t work on either sector of our journey!

The very minor refresh Singapore Airlines made to this cabin on the 737-800s is apparent in the ‘before and after’ shot below – we actually prefer the warmer tones used in the SilkAir fit, compared to the ‘Premium Economy grey’ SIA has opted for.

As you can see, apart from new upholstery and cushions there’s no major change to the hard product, with little privacy and no flat-bed function, both features of the airline’s other Business Class products including those fitted to the newer Boeing 737-8 MAX.

How to tell if your flight is on the 737-800

Aside from the schedule tables above, Singapore Airlines identifies the Boeing 737-800 in its booking engine when you search for a flight or award redemption, either through the website or mobile app, labelling them the “Boeing 737-800 NG”.

Simply click ‘More details’ for the flight(s) displayed in the search results to reveal the aircraft type.

Note that a different identification is given for the newer Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, which are labelled “Boeing 737-8 MAX” by SIA.

If you’re using a search tool like ExpertFlyer, you can identify the Boeing 737-800 in the search results by its IATA aircraft type designator “738”. Note how the Boeing 737-8 MAX uses “7M8”.

If you’re checking for the Boeing 737-800 on a flight tracking site like FlightRadar24, you may see it referred to by its ICAO aircraft type designator “B738”.

Most third-party booking sites like Kayak will also clearly show if your flight is operated by the 737-800.

The current SIA 737-800 fleet

The current Singapore Airlines fleet of seven Boeing 737-800 aircraft is as shown in the table below.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 737-800 Fleet
Registration	Age (Feb 2024)	Owner	Lease Expiry
9V-MGC	9.8 yrs	Standard Chartered	2024
9V-MGD	9.7 yrs	Standard Chartered	2024
9V-MGE	9.5 yrs	SDH Wings	2024
9V-MGK	8.7 yrs	Merced Capital	2025
9V-MGL	8.5 yrs	Merced Capital	2025
9V-MGM	8.4 yrs	Merced Capital	2025
9V-MGN	8.4 yrs	Merced Capital	2026

The oldest three of these aircraft are approaching 10 years of age, and will be returned to their lessors between September and December 2024, shrinking the carrier’s fleet to only four 737-800 aircraft by the end of this year.

Eventually the last Boeing 737-800 is due to leave the operating fleet in late 2025, for return to lessor in January 2026.

Don’t confuse the 737-800 with the 737 MAX

While Singapore Airlines decided against any further cabin upgrades on its fleet of Boeing 737-800s inherited from SilkAir, it’s a different story for the carrier’s Boeing 737-8 MAX fleet.

Last year, SIA trimmed its total order for the type by 20%, but it will still operate a large fleet of 29 MAXs once all of its aircraft have been delivered.

All of the MAXs have new narrow-body cabin products, including flat-bed seats in Business Class and seat-back in-flight entertainment screens in Economy Class. Here are our dedicated articles covering the new cabins, to help you know what to expect on board.

Targeting or avoiding the 737 MAX instead?

Don’t forget we have a separate guide to SIA’s Boeing 737-8 MAX routes between now and late October 2024, which you can access here.

That’s particularly useful if you’re still trying to experience the MAX’s new cabin products, or if you’re avoiding that type altogether!

Singapore Airlines is flying its seven-strong fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft on up to five routes this upcoming summer season, with the jets continuing to stretch their legs as far as five-hour Kathmandu flights.

That’s bad news for the passenger experience, with older cabin products including recliner seats in Business Class and a lack of in-built IFE systems and Wi-Fi connectivity.

The good news is that on some of these routes, SIA offers alternative non-737-800 flights for you to choose from.

Thankfully by the end of 2025, we won’t even need to worry about these planes at all, with full flat-bed Business Class seats on all SIA jets finally a reality, no matter how short your flight, as the final 737-800 is due to bow out from the fleet.

(Cover Photo: Dillon Chong)