SINGAPORE– Singapore Airlines (SQ) has revised its aircraft retirement plans, allowing all 22 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to remain in its operating fleet through the end of the 2026/27 financial year. The decision reverses an earlier plan to withdraw one aircraft by March 31, 2027, which would have reduced the airline’s long-haul fleet from 75 to 74 aircraft.
The updated fleet outlook, released alongside the airline’s half-year financial results in November 2026, reflects the challenges surrounding aircraft deliveries and ongoing fleet modernisation. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) will continue to serve as the airline’s main hub as it maintains its long-haul capacity while waiting for its next-generation Boeing aircraft.
Singapore Airlines Fleet Plan Maintains 75 Aircraft
Singapore Airlines’ revised fleet development plan shows that its Boeing 777-300ER fleet will remain unchanged at 22 aircraft until March 31, 2027. The May 2026 plan had projected a reduction to 21 aircraft during the same period.
Consequently, the carrier will maintain 75 long-haul aircraft, including 34 Airbus A350-900s, seven A350-900ULRs, 12 Airbus A380s and 22 Boeing 777-300ERs.
The airline’s other passenger aircraft plans remain unchanged. Its Boeing 737-8 MAX fleet is expected to reach 26 aircraft by the end of March 2027, and the airline has no scheduled Boeing 777-9, Boeing 787-10, or Airbus A350 freighter deliveries for the remainder of the financial year.
Boeing 777-9 Delivery Delays Continue
The continued use of the 777-300ER is closely linked to delays affecting Boeing’s 777-9 programme. Singapore Airlines has acknowledged that deliveries of the aircraft have been delayed by more than five years compared with the original introduction schedule.
The airline initially expected the 777-9 to enter service by the end of March 2022. However, Boeing’s ongoing certification and delivery challenges have pushed the timeline further back, leaving Singapore Airlines dependent on its existing widebody fleet for longer.
The carrier’s new long-haul cabin products are scheduled to enter service progressively from the second half of 2027.
These products will feature on its retrofitted Airbus A350-900 aircraft and incoming 777-9 fleet, linking the aircraft’s introduction with the airline’s wider cabin modernisation programme.
Meanwhile, the A350 retrofit programme has also started more than a year later than originally planned. With 41 A350 long-haul and ultra-long-range aircraft scheduled for upgrades, some aircraft may remain unavailable while undergoing cabin work.
Retaining another 777-300ER therefore provides additional operational flexibility.
More Routes Planned Across Global Networks
The aircraft will also support several planned network changes in 2027. Singapore Airlines intends to introduce the 777-300ER on Frankfurt (FRA) services from March 28, replacing the Airbus A380 on one daily flight. The aircraft will also return to Dubai (DXB) services from the same date.
Christchurch (CHC) is scheduled to receive the aircraft from May 1, replacing the A350-900 long-haul model on the affected service. London Gatwick (LGW) will follow from October 1, with the 777-300ER replacing the A350 on the designated flights, the Mainly Miles reported.
Keeping all 22 aircraft also preserves the airline’s four-class 777-300ER configuration, which includes four First Class seats, 48 Business Class seats, 28 Premium Economy seats and 184 Economy seats.
Singapore Airlines has not identified the specific aircraft previously scheduled for retirement. However, its revised plan confirms that the long-haul fleet will remain stable for now as the airline manages delivery delays, cabin upgrades, and growing operational requirements.
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