When most aviation enthusiasts think of Singapore Airlines, they picture Airbus A380s, Airbus A350s and ultra-long-haul flights linking Singapore with Europe, North America and Australia.
However, one of the most interesting developments in the airline’s fleet in recent years has been the arrival of the Boeing 737 MAX.
Inherited through the airline’s merger with regional subsidiary SilkAir, the Boeing 737 MAX has become an increasingly important part of Singapore Airlines’ short and medium-haul network. Today, the aircraft can be found flying throughout Southeast Asia, India and parts of East Asia, often wearing the full Singapore Airlines colours.
Here are ten of the best airports where you can regularly see Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX fleet in action.
Why Does Singapore Airlines Operate The Boeing 737 MAX?
S5A-0043, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
For many years, regional routes were operated by SilkAir, Singapore Airlines’ subsidiary airline.
When SilkAir was integrated into the main Singapore Airlines operation, its Boeing 737 fleet was retained and upgraded with new cabins to match the standards of the parent airline. This gave Singapore Airlines a narrowbody aircraft capable of serving routes that did not require larger Airbus A350s or Boeing 787s.
Today the airline operates 23 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, with the MAX fleet continuing to grow.
- Singapore Changi Airport
Naturally, the best place to see Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX fleet is its home base.
Every day, multiple Boeing 737 MAX aircraft depart Changi for destinations throughout Asia. The type can be seen operating alongside the airline’s Airbus A350s, Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, creating one of the world’s most varied airline fleets.
- Phuket, Thailand
One of Singapore Airlines’ busiest leisure destinations.
The short flight between Singapore and Phuket is ideally suited to the Boeing 737 MAX and often sees multiple daily services. The airport’s popularity with tourists means enthusiasts can combine plane spotting with a holiday destination.
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Bangkok remains one of Singapore Airlines’ most important regional routes.
The combination of strong business and leisure demand means the Boeing 737 MAX is a regular visitor. Aircraft can often be seen alongside widebody services from airlines across the world.
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport
One of the shortest international routes in the Singapore Airlines network.
Despite the short flying time, Kuala Lumpur sees frequent Boeing 737 operations, making it one of the easiest places to catch the type outside Singapore.
- Penang International Airport
A popular Malaysian destination served by the Boeing 737 MAX.
The route combines business and leisure traffic and has become one of the airline’s key regional services.
- Denpasar (Bali) Airport
Bali is one of Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destinations and a regular Boeing 737 MAX route.
The airport offers excellent opportunities to photograph Singapore Airlines aircraft arriving over the coastline and operating alongside a wide variety of international carriers.
- Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Airport
Indonesia is one of Singapore Airlines’ largest markets.
Jakarta sees multiple daily services and remains one of the most reliable destinations for spotting the airline’s Boeing 737 MAX fleet.
- Bengaluru Airport
India has become an increasingly important market for Singapore Airlines.
Bengaluru is one of several Indian destinations regularly served by the Boeing 737 MAX.
- Kathmandu Airport
Perhaps one of the most interesting destinations in the Boeing 737 MAX network.
Nestled among the Himalayas, Kathmandu combines spectacular scenery with challenging flight operations. The Singapore Airlines Boeing 737 MAX is a regular visitor and provides one of the more unusual routes in the fleet.
For enthusiasts, it is also one of the most photogenic destinations served by the type.
- Male, Maldives
The Maldives has long been a favourite destination for travellers from Singapore.
The Boeing 737 MAX regularly operates the route, allowing enthusiasts to combine aircraft spotting with one of the world’s most beautiful island destinations. Watching a Singapore Airlines narrowbody approach Male over the Indian Ocean is a memorable sight.
Other Destinations To Watch
The Boeing 737 MAX network continues to evolve, but other airports where enthusiasts may encounter the aircraft include:
- Colombo
- Surabaya
- Medan
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Da Nang
- Hyderabad
- Chennai
- Kochi
- Dhaka
- Fukuoka
As Singapore Airlines continues expanding its narrowbody operations, additional destinations are likely to join the list.
The Boeing 737 MAX may not have the glamour of the Airbus A380 or the range of the Airbus A350, but it has become an essential part of Singapore Airlines’ operation.
Title image: Steve Knight
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[…] This article was prepared by LibelulaFly as an independent aviation-news summary and editorial reinterpretation based on publicly available reporting. Images, when used, are included for editorial context with source attribution. Original source: http://www.airportspotting.com. Read the original article here: https://www.airportspotting.com/10-airports-where-you-can-see-singapore-airlines-boeing-737-max-flee…. […]