Singapore Airlines Operates One of 4 Flights Using This Aircraft in 2025

SINGAPORE- One of the world’s best airlines, Singapore Airlines (SQ), introduces its Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet to regional routes from Changi Airport (SIN), marking a shift from its traditional wide-body focus.

The aircraft debuts advanced flat-bed Business Class seats and upgraded Economy amenities on short-haul flights.

By northern winter 2025/26, the fleet serves 26 destinations, operating 24% of Singapore Airlines’ departures. This expansion replaces older Boeing 737-800s, enhancing passenger experience with Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment.

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Boeing 737 MAX Route Expansion

Singapore Airlines retired its Boeing 757 fleet in 1990 and has avoided narrow-body operations for over 30 years. The airline introduced the Boeing 737-800 in March 2021 as a temporary measure. This changes permanently with the Boeing 737-8 MAX arrival in November 2021.

The Boeing 737-8 MAX debuts flat-bed Regional Business Class seats and upgraded Economy Class on initial flights to Phuket (HKT). Fleet growth reaches 19 aircraft by September 2025. Singapore Airlines rolls out these cabin products across a broader regional network.

Singapore Airlines orders 37 Boeing 737-8 MAX initially. In May 2023, the airline cut this by 20%, confirming 29 deliveries total. Deliveries resume in 2025 after Boeing delays, with three new aircraft joining since June.

The network expands from five inaugural routes in late 2021: Phuket (HKT), Phnom Penh (PNH), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Siem Reap (REP), and Brunei (BWN). It now covers 26 destinations, including Busan (PUS) with flights up to 6 hours 50 minutes.

Kathmandu (KTM) returns to the Boeing 737-8 MAX schedule in late October 2025, coinciding with Boeing 737-800 retirements. According to Mainly Miles, the fleet replaces older models on most routes, phasing out Boeing 737-800s by late October 2025.

By March 2026, weekly Boeing 737-8 MAX departures from Changi (SIN) reach 289, a 30% increase from October 2025.

This accounts for 24% of total 1,180 weekly flights. Ten routes operate exclusively on the MAX now, rising to 16 by year-end.

Photo: Singapore Airlines

Fleet Composition and Deliveries

Singapore Airlines operates 19 Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, with 18 in service as of September 2025. The fleet table details registrations, ages, and entry dates:

Recent deliveries include 9V-MBQ in June 2025, 9V-MBR in August 2025, and 9V-MBS in September 2025. These align with Boeing 737-800 returns to lessors by year-end.

Photo: Live and Let’s Fly

Identifying Boeing 737-8 MAX Flights

Singapore Airlines displays aircraft type in its booking engine. Users click “More details” in search results to view it. The Boeing 737-8 MAX appears as such, while Boeing 737-800 shows as “Boeing 737-800 NG”.

ExpertFlyer uses the IATA designator “7M8” for the MAX. FlightRadar24 employs the ICAO designator “B38M”. Third-party sites like Kayak list the type clearly.

Schedules confirm Boeing 737-8 MAX operations, including timings and days through March 28, 2026.

Non-MAX options exist on some routes, but exclusive MAX paths include Da Nang (DAD), Darwin (DRW), Medan (KNO), Penang (PEN), Phuket (HKT), and Xiamen (XMN).

Photo: Mark Gower, Managing Director at Gatwick Ground Services (GGS)

Advanced Cabin Features

The Boeing 737-8 MAX offers flat-bed Business Class seats, two “throne” options with extended consoles, and upgraded Economy with seat-back entertainment.

Wi-Fi connects both cabins, with unlimited access in Business and for KrisFlyer members in Economy.

On routes with wide-body alternatives like Bali (DPS) or Chennai (MAA), Boeing 787-10 provides direct aisle access in Business, wider seats, more Economy legroom, recline, and AC sockets. These upgrades matter more on longer flights.

Boeing 737-800 retains SilkAir recliner Business seats with low privacy and basic Economy without built-in entertainment or Wi-Fi. Passengers stream content to devices, but it lacks the full KrisWorld system on the MAX.

Photo: Live and Let’s Fly

Future Network Growth

The Boeing 737-8 MAX fleet expands 50% to 29 aircraft over the coming years. It may operate one-third of Singapore Airlines’ flights, focusing on short-haul and regional routes up to 7 hours.

The aircraft’s 6,500km range suits thinner markets or seasonal deployments. Examples include potential services to Adelaide or Fukuoka, replacing wide bodies on less busy pairs. Virgin Australia’s Cairns-Tokyo route demonstrates this capability at 5,800km.

By full delivery, the MAX supports longer stretches like former wide-body paths to Mauritius or Muscat.

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