The Singapore-Colombo launch is also postponed until 26 Oct
Jetstar Asia announced yesterday (18 Jun) that it will be cancelling all flights up to 31 Jul, except for the five weekly services that it has been operating in the past weeks.
In addition, the Singapore-Colombo service which was to be launched on 1 Jul will also be pushed back to commence from 26 Oct 2020.
As again, all impacted Jetstar Asia passengers will be offered a refund to the full value of their untraveled booking in the form of a travel credit voucher. Jetstar Asia has already announced an enhancement to its credit vouchers, extending the validity from the original six months to a year. The credit voucher can also be used in multiple bookings.
Note that passengers with a booking to/from the Philippines, Australia, Sri Lanka or Japan are requested to wait to receive a letter from Jetstar regarding available options, which will likely include a cash refunds as protected until local consumer laws.
Jetstar Asia services still operating
Since late April, Jetstar has been operating five weekly flights to three Southeast Asian cities: Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia. Owing to Thailand’s ban on international passenger flight arrivals, the Singapore-Bangkok service is a freight-only service until further notice.
Sector
Flight no.
Days of ops
Dep
Arr
Flight time
Aircraft
Singapore – Manila
3K761
Tue
0615
0955
3h 40m
A320
Manila – Singapore
3K762
Tue
1030
1415
3h 45m
A320
Singapore – Bangkok*
3K515
Wed, Sat
1045
1210
2h 25m
A320
Bangkok – Singapore
3K516
Wed, Sat
1250
1615
2h 25m
A320
Singapore – Kuala Lumpur
3K685
Thu
1250
1355
1h 5m
A320
3K663
Sun
0935
1040
1h 5m
A320
Kuala Lumpur – Singapore
3K686
Thu
1440
1545
1h 5m
A320
3K664
Sun
1120
1230
1h 10m
A320
Final thoughts
In the time where airlines are starting to ramp up services again, it’s rather intriguing as to why Jetstar Asia remains slow to resume service.
While loads will understandably be much lower as compared to pre-Covid-19 days, the airlines will need to take the first initiative to commence service, as a signal of recovery before consumers start booking flights.
If Jetstar continues to take such a conservative stance in resuming flight, I won’t be surprised if they pick up less than ideal loads and yields down the road, given that demand will probably not meet capacity in the foreseeable future.
The vouchers were previously only valid for six months from date of issue.
Many people are probably be holding on to a handful of travel credit vouchers from airlines, given the spate of cancellations that happened since Covid-19 hit the world in a big way.
As the pandemic stretches out and continue to batter the aviation industry, Jetstar has updated its policy around the credit vouchers that it has earlier issued for cancellations.
Jetstar Asia extends the validity of vouchers to 12 months
Good news to those who are holding Jetstar Asia credit vouchers: the validity of the vouchers have been extended from six to 12 months, from the date of voucher issue.
In addition, the credit voucher can now be used over several transactions, instead of a single one under its usual terms and conditions.
This news was made known in an email to customers today:
We wanted to let you know that we’ve made the Jetstar credit voucher you received for booking [redacted] even more flexible.
From today, all new and existing unused vouchers issued by Jetstar Asia in relation to COVID-19 will be valid for 12 months from the date of issue and can be used across multiple bookings.
We usually make flights available 12 months in advance, so you’ll now have about 2 years to take your next trip with us and if you have enough credit, you’ll be able to book more than one trip and head off on more than one adventure.
We’ve updated the rules on our end so if you’ve already received your voucher – you don’t need to wait for a new one, it’s been updated in our system & it will work for 12 months and on multiple bookings as long as you have credit remaining.
The other terms and conditions and the way you redeem your voucher on Jetstar bookings won’t change. And, you’ll be able to check how much credit you have left at any time by going to the voucher balance portal and entering your First Name, Surname and Voucher number. You can find more details on our terms and conditions here
We hope this change means that you get the best possible value from your voucher and we’re looking forward to welcoming you onboard soon.
Yours sincerely,
Jennifer Armor
This enhancement is in line with what its parent company Qantas has implemented for its customers, where customers holding travel credit can utilise their credit value in parts, rather than having to use it in a single transaction.
As an enhancement, customers can also check on how much they have left on their voucher in a new portal that Jetstar has set up. Note that the validity has not been extended, so it should be updated to 12 months in due time.
Screenshot of the Jetstar voucher portal
Jetstar Asia has one of the most restrictive credit voucher terms
Jetstar is a group of airlines that has three legal entities: Jetstar Airways (JQ), registered in Australia; Jetstar Asia (3K), registered in Singapore; Jetstar Pacific (BL) registered in Vietnam; and Jetstar Japan (GK) registered in Japan.
As a low-cost carrier, Jetstar only allow refunds under very specific circumstances, but they usually come as an option if you purchase a Max Bundle, which affords customer some flexibility. While you will not get your cash back, you will be able to cancel your ticket for a credit voucher.
This is when it starts to get complicated. For refundable tickets, the different airlines have different Jetstar Airways allow passengers to hold the value in credit for up to three years from the date of cancellation, while Jetstar Asia, Jetstar Pacific and Jetstar Japan only allow six months.
Jetstar credit voucher terms and conditions
Another key condition was that the value of the voucher must be fully utilised in a single transaction for future use – that means that a customer couldn’t use a S$100 voucher for a S$50 fare twice.
Specific to Covid-19, Jetstar Asia has allowed all customers to either make a one-time change, or refund for a credit voucher. For customers who have opted for a refund in March, the expiry would have been in September. With the expiry being three months away from today, and with no signs of travel restrictions being lifted — it’s not a pretty picture.
Final thoughts
While Jetstar isn’t really going to extra mile for customers, this is definitely a good move, even though it barely matches up with what other airlines offer.
Most other airlines had outright offered either a refund or a credit voucher since early days of Covid-19. To entice customers not to refund their tickets, some airlines such as Scoot and Singapore Airlines have offered bonus credit vouchers.
Scoot offering 120% credit voucher
Nonetheless, this is still a good development for customers with Jetstar vouchers. As travel restriction remains in place, we can only wait to see when can these vouchers be utilised for future travel.
Transit via Singapore only applicable for customers travelling one-way from seven cities in Australia and New Zealand
Singapore Airlines announced Tuesday (11 Jun) that it has gotten regulatory approvals to facilitate transit journeys from a handful of cities in Australia and New Zealand.
Singapore authorities have earlier announced that it will allow transit passengers once again from 2 Jun, subject to regulatory approval of airlines’ plans to manage these passengers. The onus was on airlines to submit a proposal in managing to health risks and segregating transit passengers away from departing passengers.
Singapore Airlines transit-approved origin cities
Customers travelling from the following cities will be allowed to transit in Singapore:
Australia:
Adelaide
Brisbane
Melbourne
Perth (on Scoot)
Sydney
New Zealand:
Auckland
Christchurch
Note that the transit arrangement is only applicable one-way from Australia and New Zealand to any other SIA destinations. There is currently no transit arrangements for journeys via Singapore into Australia and New Zealand, so customers from anywhere else wanting to visit these two countries will have to find alternative routings.
New Transit Holding Areas
Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport has published their plans to manage these transit passengers, with the setup of dedicated Transit Holding Areas (THAs) to segregate transit and departing passengers.
One distinct feature of Changi Airport main terminals (1, 2 & 3) is the fact that departing, arriving and transit passengers all pour into the same transit area without segregation, as security screening are done only at the gate. This allows a seamless transit experience, allowing passengers who have just landed to pour directly into the transit area, without having to navigate through a labyrinth of walkways to get to a central security screening area.
With the setup of the THAs, this will no longer be possible.
The new transit experience
So how will the new transit experience look like?
The experience, in fact, begins at the departing city. Passengers who will be transiting in Singapore will be boarded first (regardless of cabin), and seated in a designated zone in their respective cabins on the aircraft away from the other passengers who are terminating their journeys in Singapore.
Once in Singapore, transit passengers will disembark last, after all the other passengers leave the aircraft. This group of passengers will be escorted to the THAs by ground staff. Transit passengers will not be allowed to visit any shops, restaurants, lounges and any amenities along the way.
There will be a temperature screening area at the entrance of all the THAs, and only authorised passengers and staff will be allowed into the THAs. Transit passengers should also note that they are required to wear a mask at all times, except when they are eating, drinking or smoking.
Based on photos published by Changi Airport, it seems like there are two THAs: one at A21, and one at C3 (ground floor gate holdrooms at gate C1).
Transit Holding Area (Gate C3)Transit Holding Area (Gate A21)
Once in the THAs, passengers will not be allowed to roam anywhere else within the airport.
The amenities within the THAs include:
Vending machines
Mobile food kiosks
Sleeping recliners
Restrooms
Wi-fi (complimentary across the airport)
Smoking room
Shopping concierge service
Customers who wish to shop may utilise Changi’s shopping concierge service to purchase cosmetics or other tax-free items. Unfortunately, the concierge will not be able to purchase duty-free alcohol products on behalf of customers.
Vending machines
Snooze areas
Customers who wish to order food and drinks from any of the airport restaurants, cafes or bars can also place their orders by scanning a QR code and ordering online. The orders will be brought to them.
What about lounges?
Changi Airport has left it to airlines to decide if customers can visit a lounge, and SIA has decided to set up a ‘lounge’ (kind of) within the THAs for their premium customers.
For premium passengers, including suites, first class, business class and PPS Club passengers on Singapore Airlines who are transiting in Singapore, they will not be allowed to visit the SilverKris lounge at Terminal 3. Instead, they will be directed to a premium waiting area at the THAs.
Premium passengers transit areaPremium passengers transit area
As you can see from above, Changi Airport has made some effort in sprucing up the area with armchairs and tables similar to some of the lounges’ offerings, although this is definitely far from the actual lounge experience.
SIA will also make complimentary food and beverages available for its premium customers, although no further details are available.
No limit to transit duration
Neither Changi Airport nor Singapore Airlines have imposed a maximum layover duration, so that means it’s technically possible to do a 23-hour layover if you will like to.
However, this new arrangement will require transit passengers to remain in the THAs at all times until their next flight. Note that all the transit hotels are closed at the moment, so passengers with long layovers should note that they have practically no other options.
All transit hotels, including Aerotel Singapore, are temporarily closed
Final thoughts
It is definitely yet another good step towards recovery, as details on how transit arrangements are unveiled by Singapore Airlines today. Of course, we will expect the airline to expand this arrangement to passengers travelling from other regions in time to come.
The transit arrangement is definitely far from ideal, but in the usual Changi fashion, you can trust the airport to still try their best to make the transit experience as comfortable as they can.
It’s hard to say if and when we will return to the previous ‘free-flow’ model where passengers are free to mix around. We are definitely moving towards a new normal, and this episode may perhaps nudge the airport into rethinking its airport experience and passenger flow model.
Emirates expands list of destinations served to 29 cities as UAE starts accepting transit passengers again
Middle East carrier Emirates will commence flights to an additional 16 cities starting 15 Jun, as the country starts opening up its airport to transit passengers again, paving the way for connecting passengers between Asia and the rest of the world.
At the height of the coronavirus situation, the airline maintained a handful of destinations from UAE, although these links mainly serve foreigners who with to leave UAE and return to their home countries.
Full list of destinations servedfrom mid June
Since this week, Emirates has begun slowly reintroducing flights to some destinations, including Pakistan, the Philippines, with the largest lot of 16 other cities from 15 Jun. The full list of destinations that Emirates will serve after 15 Jun, is as follow:
Asia/Australasia
Middle East
Europe
Americas
Currently operating
Melbourne Sydney
Frankfurt London-Heathrow Madrid Milan Paris
Chicago Toronto
From 8 Jun
Lahore Karachi Islamabad
From 11 Jun
Manila
From 15 Jun
Hong Kong Jakarta Kuala Lumpur Seoul Singapore Taipei Perth Brisbane
Bahrain
Amsterdam Copenhagen Dublin Manchester Vienna Zurich
New York JFK
Emirates operating to Singapore three times a weekin June; more in July
From Singapore, Emirates will be operating three times weekly to Dubai, with the first flight departing Dubai for Singapore on 17 Jun, and returning on 18 Jun.
Sector
Flight no.
Days of ops
Dep
Arr
Flight time
Aircraft
Singapore – Dubai
EK353
Thu, Sat, Sun
0050
0415
7h 25m
Boeing 777-300ER
Dubai – Singapore
EK352
Wed, Fri, Sat
1025
2200
7h 35m
Boeing 777-300ER
Emirates schedule between Singapore and Dubai, June 2020
In the month of July, this goes up to eight flights a week for the first half of the month, before bumping up to twice daily for the remainder of the month.
Sector
Flight no.
Days of ops
Dep
Arr
Flight time
Aircraft
Singapore – Dubai
EK353
See below
0050
0415
7h 25m
Boeing 777-300ER
EK355
See below
2140
0050(+1)
7h 10m
Boeing 777-300ER
Dubai – Singapore
EK354
See below
0305
1500
7h 55m
Boeing 777-300ER
EK352
See below
0920
2055
7h 35m
Boeing 777-300ER
Emirates schedule between Singapore and Dubai, July 2020
The dates which all the flights will be operating in July, as shown in the calendar below:
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
2
3
4
5
SIN-DXB
EK355
EK355
EK353 EK355
EK353
DXB-SIN
EK354
EK354
EK352
EK354 EK352
EK352
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
SIN-DXB
EK353
EK353 EK355
EK355
EK353 EK355
EK353
DXB-SIN
EK354
EK352
EK354
EK354
EK352
EK354 EK352
EK352
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
SIN-DXB
EK353
EK353 EK355
EK353 EK355
EK353 EK355
EK353 EK355
EK353 EK355
DXB-SIN
EK354
EK352
EK354 EK352
EK354 EK352
EK354 EK352
EK354 EK352
EK354 EK352
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
SIN-DXB
EK353 EK355
DXB-SIN
EK354 EK352
27
28
29
30
31
SIN-DXB
EK353 EK355
DXB-SIN
EK354 EK352
Emirates will be operating its Boeing 777-300ER to Singapore for the time being – at least until the end of July. While the aircraft does not have the famous in-flight bar or the first class showers found on the A380s, Emirates will be operating the newest versions of its 777s, featuring the brand-new first class suites.
Emirates Boeing 777-300ER new first class (photo: Emirates)
The downside to this aircraft is the seat configuration in business class, laid out in a 2-3-2 configuration, which means that there’s always a chance in getting a middle seat. Having said that, I highly doubt all the seats will be taken up during this time, so if I’m travelling during this period of time, I’ll be less worried about social distancing.
Not all destinations can be connected from Singapore– at least for June
Given the limited days of week that Emirates is operating into Singapore in June, connections are only possible to the following:
Destination
From Singapore
To Singapore
Amsterdam
1x weekly
1x weekly (overnight connection)
Copenhagen
1x weekly
1x weekly (overnight connection)
Dublin
1x weekly
No connection
Frankfurt
3x weekly
3x weekly (overnight connection)
London-Heathrow
3x weekly
3x weekly
Paris
3x weekly
3x weekly (overnight connection)
Madrid
1x weekly (7hr connection)
1x weekly (7hr connection)
Milan
2x weekly
1x weekly (overnight connection)
Vienna
3x weekly
1x weekly (overnight connection)
Zurich
2x weekly
3x weekly (overnight connection)
Chicago
1x weekly
1x weekly (overnight connection)
New York JFK
2x weekly
2x weekly (overnight connection)
Toronto
No connection
1x weekly (22hr connection)
The connections will significantly improve when July rolls around, with most connections available at least three days a week, although some long connection remains.
As you can see from the table above, the connections aren’t ideal in the few couple of weeks. Given Emirates’ scheduling of having all European flights departing Dubai in the mornings, you are looking at a minimum three-hour connection when you depart from Singapore. On the return flight it’s worse: practically every flight will require an overnight (at least 10 hours) connection in Dubai.
But then again, these services are meant for essential travel at the moment and not for mass travel, so if you really need to fly, the wait will matter not as much, but note that the Emirates lounges will be closed (at least for now).
Emirates suspended services to Singapore since March
The Middle East kingdom has banned visitors since mid-March, as well as forbidding citizens from travelling overseas.
Emirates has previously flew to Dubai four times daily, and also operates two daily fifth freedom services to Melbourne and Brisbane respectively. The Melbourne service was suspended on 22 Mar, while flights to Dubai was also suspended slightly more than a week later.
Unrelated to Covid-19, Emirates has applied last year to end the Singapore-Brisbane service on 30 Mar, but end date was brought forward to 14 Mar instead.
What to expect pre-flight and in-flight?
Emirates has also announced a comprehensive list of changes to its pre-, in- and post-flight experience, including:
Chauffeur drive: Emirates has suspended its chauffeur drive service around the world until July 2020.
Lounges: All lounges worldwide are closed until further notice.
In-flight meals experience:
Special meals: A limited range of special meals can still be pre-ordered online 48 hours before flight. No children’s meal will be available in economy.
Menu cards: A single-use menu will be provided in business and first; no menus in economy.
Meal service: While business class and first class will still get multi-course dine on-demand meal services, Executive Traveller has reported that meals will be pre-plated and served on tray, and some items such as bread and crackers will be plastic wrapped
Alcoholic beverage service: Welcome drink only in first class; no more cocktails in business and first class (mixed drinks still available); Only wine & beer available in economy.
Wifi: No free wifi for the time being. Wifi is still available for purchase.
Duty-free shopping: Not available
Children’s kit: Not available
Newspapers & magazines: Not available
Live TV: Not available
Final thoughts
The resumption of Emirates services to Singapore is yet another encouraging sign of recovery. I won’t hold my breath in waiting for the A380s to return, given that the Boeing 777-300ERs that Emirates is operating is good enough any day.
During this time, many airlines will understandably operate with significant modifications to their services in response to the threat of infection. While some changes – such as in-flight dining changes – erode the magical experience of flying even further, these changes are essential to instil confidence in air travel at least for now.
Having said that, my view is that this might be a good time for airlines to fully re-evaluate what’s truly necessary, even in premium cabins, and do their part in reducing waste in many areas, particularly around magazines, newspapers and even menu cards. In the long run, this episode might yield some positive results for airlines, customers and god knows, even the earth.
The carriers will operate over 800 flights to and from 27 cities over the next two months, up from the 15 cities served in May
In another encouraging news, Singapore Airlines and Silkair announced on Monday (1 Jun) that it will be expanding the list of destinations they will fly to in June and July.
Both carriers will operate to a total of 27 cities across 18 countries/territories.
Transit through Singapore still not possible yet
While this expanded network is a move towards allowing passengers to transit through Singapore in the near term, SIA has mentioned transit is still not possible for now until its plans for transfer procedures have been finalised.
(Photo: Changi Airport Group)
The Singapore aviation authority has earlier announced that transit passengers will be allowed through Changi Airport from today (2 Jun), subject to approvals of plans submitted by airlines on safe transfers of passengers.
The transit market will be critical to Singapore Airlines and Silkair, given that roughly a third of all passengers travelling through Changi are transit passengers, and most of these passengers will likely be carried by Singapore Airlines or Silkair.
Singapore Airlines schedule
In addition to the 14 destinations it served in May, Singapore Airlines will be adding the following destinations from June:
Adelaide
Amsterdam
Auckland
Barcelona
Brisbane
Christchurch
Copenhagen
Hong Kong
Melbourne
Osaka
The full schedules for Singapore Airlines (as of 1 Jun) is as follow:
Singapore Airlines Group schedules for the rest of 2020
While Singapore Airlines continue to make its full originally planned schedule available for August 2020 and beyond, the airline is likely to make adjustments down the road, depending on what the global situation is like at that point in time.
Of course, while we hope for a full recovery of air travel, experts have warned that this is unlikely in the near term, and the volume of air travel is likely to only regain former levels by 2022 or beyond.
Final thoughts
This expanded schedule is definitely along way off SIngapore Airlines’ full schedule. Despite this new development, Singapore Airlines has pointedly said that this is still a 96% reduction off the same capacity last year, so the road to recovery is definitely long.
I’ll be interested to see what will the transfer/transit arrangements at Changi Airport be like, given that this step up in air services is a prelude to the transit traffic that SIA will want to court again.
Another thing that we will be watching out is how Singapore Airlines proceed with its plans to fold Silkair into the mainline, given that the integration was planned to begin this year.
In the meantime, Singapore has earlier announced that it will be exploring setting up travel ‘green lanes’, or ‘travel bubbles’ with some countries, which will help to facilitate ‘essential travel’. By ‘essential travel’, this points to the most important business travel or urgent personal travel, and excludes all mass market travel, so that means it may be a long while before anyone of us steps on an aircraft for a holiday.
