SEATTLE — Flying between Seattle and Singapore just became easier, thanks to a fifth weekly nonstop flight that restores Singapore Airlines’ SEA–SIN service to its pre-pandemic cadence. The Emerald City now hosts the longest nonstop route out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, giving Pacific Northwest travelers a direct way to reach the Lion City without plane changes or mid-journey layovers.
Seattle to Singapore nonstop flight: the new weekly pattern
The carrier quietly added Friday departures to its well-known SQ27 rotation, rounding out a schedule that already covered Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. SQ27 pushes back from Seattle-Tacoma at 10:15 a.m. Pacific time and touches down at Singapore Changi Airport at 5:35 p.m. the following day, logging 16 hours, 20 minutes in the air. The eastbound SQ28 return leaves Changi in the evening and reaches Seattle the same morning, thanks to the time-zone hop across the International Date Line. Service initially began in September 2019 with three weekly legs, climbed to five flights later that year, but paused when global travel collapsed in 2020. The latest expansion, which took effect in May 2024, brings frequencies back to that late-2019 level, signaling renewed demand between the tech-heavy Pacific Northwest and Southeast Asia’s financial hub.
Aircraft choice: why the A350 matters on ultra-long routes
Singapore Airlines assigns an Airbus A350 to SQ27/28, a twin-aisle jet built from lightweight composite materials that help reduce cabin altitude and boost humidity—two subtle perks on flights that stretch past 16 hours. The configuration offered out of Seattle features three cabins:
- Business class: forward-facing, 18-inch HD touchscreens, side storage pockets, HDMI and USB ports, and leather seats that flip into fully flat beds complete with pillows, linens, and a duvet.
- Premium economy: 38-inch pitch seats with footrests, noise-canceling headphones, two USB ports, and a 13-inch personal monitor operated via a touchscreen handset.
- Economy: six-way adjustable headrests, universal power outlets, a single USB socket, and an HD KrisWorld screen loaded with more than 1,800 movies, shows, and audio titles.
Food that travels well: ‘Book the Cook’ and wellness plates
Well ahead of departure—up to six weeks, according to the airline—premium economy and business-class guests can pre-order entrées through “Book the Cook.” Recent menus have featured poached lobster with Meyer lemon aioli, smoked trout topped with caviar, and a Madeline cake layered with marinated berries. Many ingredients trace back to the Pacific Northwest, including handmade cheeses from Oregon’s Rogue Creamery and steelhead trout raised by Hudson Valley Fisheries. Singapore Airlines also collaborates with Golden Door spa on lighter, wellness-oriented dishes. Think miso-glazed sablefish paired with nutrient-dense grains or herb-forward salads designed to offset in-flight dehydration.
Jewel Changi Airport: a destination in its own right
Landing at Changi brings passengers face-to-face with Jewel, the US$1.7 billion lifestyle wing that opened in 2019 under architect Moshe Safdie. The centerpiece is the seven-story Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, surrounded by a Forest Valley containing more than 120 plant species—including 2,000 olive, palm, and banyan trees plus 10,000 flowering plants. Suspended net walks, a canopy bridge, and a high-tech mirror maze layer on extra diversions before passengers even reach immigration. Retail therapy is another draw: more than 250 stores fill the complex, while an IMAX theater, butterfly garden, and pay-per-use nap lounges encourage lengthy layovers. The design has not gone unnoticed—Forbes Travel Guide’s 2024 Verified Air Travel Awards crowned Changi best international airport, best airport design, and best airport wellness experience.
Why the additional frequency matters for West Coast flyers
Until recently, the SEA–SIN market trailed larger gateways such as Los Angeles and San Francisco in nonstop options. A fifth frequency means:
- Greater flexibility when coordinating tight business schedules across the 15-hour time difference.
- A weekend-friendly Friday departure that lands in Singapore Saturday evening—ideal for travelers planning Monday meetings.
- Additional award-seat inventory for KrisFlyer members and Star Alliance partners like Alaska Airlines and United Airlines.
Tips for travelers eyeing the Seattle to Singapore nonstop flight
- Time your rest – Departing mid-morning allows for an early lunch service, after which the cabin lights dim. If you sleep halfway through the flight, you’ll wake up just in time for an early-evening arrival in Singapore.
- Pack layers – Cabin temperatures vary; a light hoodie or scarf complements the provided blanket, especially in economy.
- Stretch mid-cabin – The A350 galley between premium economy and economy offers space for light exercises and quick calf raises.
- Pre-book a Jewel attraction – If your onward connection is long, reserving the canopy park or Changi’s pay-per-use lounges in advance can save a wait on busy weekends.
- Mind onward timings – Singapore’s MRT closes around midnight; late-night arrivals may prefer a taxi or rideshare into the city.
The return of a fifth weekly nonstop flight between Seattle and Singapore restores the convenience Pacific Northwest travelers enjoyed just before the pandemic upended aviation. With the Airbus A350’s passenger-friendly design, expanded meal-preorder choices, and the award-winning playground that is Jewel Changi Airport waiting at the other end, the route offers not only efficiency but also a dash of luxury for anyone chasing Southeast Asian sunshine or onward connections across the region. — as the airline detailed in recent service updates.
