SilkAir is Now Singapore Airlines

About SilkAir

SilkAir merged into Singapore Airlines in May 2021 and no longer operates as an independent brand. Traveloka does not sell SilkAir tickets directly, but you can book Singapore Airlines flights on former SilkAir routes — or use the search above to compare all airlines flying this route.

SilkAir traced its roots back to 1975, when Singapore Airlines set up Tradewinds Pte Ltd as a tours and travel arm to develop holiday packages to leisure destinations around the region. In February 1989, Tradewinds launched scheduled flights under the name "Tradewinds the Airline," connecting Singapore to holiday spots such as Phuket, Pattaya, Hat Yai, Kuantan, and Tioman Island. On 1 April 1992, the carrier was renamed SilkAir, marking its transition from a resort shuttle service into a full-fledged regional airline.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines headquartered at Changi, Singapore, SilkAir spent nearly three decades building out a regional network that complemented its parent's long-haul, widebody operations. By the mid-2010s, SilkAir was flying to dozens of cities across Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, and Northern Australia, carving out a niche on medium-haul routes that were too thin for Singapore Airlines' widebody aircraft but too far for short-haul budget carriers to serve efficiently. The airline was known for its distinctive batik-inspired livery and for operating largely a single narrowbody fleet type through most of its later history.

Airline Overview and History

Within the Singapore Airlines Group, the regional carrier functioned as the connective tissue between Changi Airport's global hub and dozens of secondary cities that did not yet justify widebody service. Flights operated under a shared code with Singapore Airlines for much of its history, letting passengers book connections across both networks on a single itinerary and earn or redeem miles through the same frequent flyer programme.

In 2017, the regional carrier operated scheduled passenger services from Singapore to 54 cities spanning Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, and Northern Australia, making it one of the largest dedicated regional networks based out of Singapore at the time. Growth was particularly strong in India and China, where the airline built up multiple point-to-point connections that fed passengers into Singapore Airlines' long-haul network at Changi.

In 2018, Singapore Airlines announced a restructuring plan to fold the regional brand into the parent airline and its low-cost affiliate. The integration proceeded in stages: thinner and leisure-oriented routes were progressively transferred to Scoot, while denser regional routes were absorbed into the Singapore Airlines mainline network, flown with Singapore Airlines' livery, crew, and service standards. The final flight under the SilkAir name operated in May 2021, at which point the brand was formally retired and full integration into Singapore Airlines was complete.

Fleet and Aircraft

Over its history, the airline moved from a mixed narrowbody fleet to an all-Boeing 737 operation. It took delivery of Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft to standardise its fleet, and later became a launch operator in the region for the Boeing 737 MAX 8, which entered service in October 2017. The improved range and fuel efficiency of the MAX 8 allowed the airline to open new medium-haul routes — including its first flights to Hiroshima, Japan — that would not have been economical with earlier generation aircraft.

Both cabin classes offered on board, Business Class and Economy Class, were configured around a single-aisle narrowbody layout rather than the multi-cabin widebody product used on Singapore Airlines' long-haul flights. Following the 2021 merger, the fleet and its routes were absorbed into Singapore Airlines and Scoot: Singapore Airlines began redeploying the former fleet's Boeing 737-800 aircraft on regional routes such as Phuket and Brunei from March 2021, while the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft were progressively repainted into Singapore Airlines livery. Today, travellers booking on former SilkAir routes fly on Singapore Airlines' current fleet and service standard, or on Scoot's low-cost operation, depending on which carrier now serves the specific route.

Top Flight Routes

At its peak, the airline's network stretched from Singapore across Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, and Northern Australia, linking Changi to dozens of secondary cities that Singapore Airlines' widebody fleet could not serve efficiently. Regional strongholds included multiple cities in India and China, along with destinations in Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, and northern Australian gateways such as Darwin and Cairns.

Those former routes have not disappeared — they have simply been redistributed within the Singapore Airlines Group. Denser regional connections are now largely flown by Singapore Airlines under its own livery and service, while many leisure-oriented and thinner routes were transferred to Scoot. If you are looking to fly a route that the former regional carrier used to operate, chances are Singapore Airlines or Scoot now covers it.

Popular Singapore-centric routes you can search and book on Traveloka today include:

• Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, now served by Singapore Airlines and Scoot on one of the region's busiest short-haul corridors.
• Singapore to Jakarta, a route the former regional carrier once flew heavily and that is now operated by Singapore Airlines.
• Singapore to Bangkok, another long-standing regional connection now flown by Singapore Airlines and Scoot.

Use the flight search above if you want to check a specific former SilkAir route and compare which airline — Singapore Airlines, Scoot, or another carrier — currently offers the best schedule and fare for your dates.

Baggage Allowance and Policies

Historically, the airline set its own checked and cabin baggage allowances by cabin class and fare type, in line with standard regional carrier practice at the time. Because the brand no longer issues tickets, those legacy allowances are no longer applicable for booking purposes.

Former SilkAir routes are now ticketed and operated under either Singapore Airlines or Scoot, and baggage allowance follows whichever carrier's policy applies to your specific flight and fare class. Singapore Airlines' baggage allowance generally varies by cabin class, route, and fare type, so it is worth checking the exact allowance shown at checkout or on the airline's official baggage policy page before you fly. If Scoot operates your route, its baggage rules — including any checked baggage add-ons — will differ from Singapore Airlines' full-service policy, so always confirm the allowance for the operating carrier rather than assuming it matches what the former regional carrier once offered.

When you book a former SilkAir route on Traveloka, the baggage allowance for your specific flight is always shown clearly during the booking flow, based on the airline that is actually operating the route.

Check-in Guide

Passengers used to be able to check in for the regional carrier's flights online, via mobile, or at airport counters, generally within the standard windows common to regional carriers operating out of Changi. As with baggage, those procedures are no longer directly actionable since the brand has ceased issuing tickets.

If you are flying a former SilkAir route today, check-in follows the process of whichever airline now operates it. Singapore Airlines offers online check-in through its website and mobile app, along with self-service kiosks and counter check-in at the airport, typically opening a set number of hours before departure and closing shortly before boarding. Scoot, as a low-cost carrier, has its own separate check-in process and cut-off times that can differ from Singapore Airlines' full-service procedures.

Always check in using the process and timing specified by the airline shown on your e-ticket after booking through Traveloka, since check-in windows can vary by route, airport, and fare type.

Cabin Classes and In-Flight Experience

The regional carrier offered two cabins on its narrowbody fleet: a Business Class with wider seating and enhanced service, and an Economy Class for its core leisure and regional traffic. In-flight service reflected the Singapore Airlines Group's broader hospitality standards, adapted to a single-aisle aircraft rather than the multi-class widebody product used on Singapore Airlines' long-haul flights.

Since the 2021 merger, passengers flying former SilkAir routes now experience the cabin and service standard of whichever airline operates the flight. On routes absorbed into Singapore Airlines' mainline network, travellers fly in Singapore Airlines' own Business Class or Economy Class product, with the airline's full-service in-flight offering. On routes transferred to Scoot, the experience follows Scoot's low-cost model, where core seating is included and additional comforts such as extra legroom, meals, and entertainment are typically offered as optional add-ons.

Whichever carrier you end up flying with, Traveloka shows the cabin class and key inclusions for each fare option before you book, so you can compare what is included and choose the option that suits your trip.

Passenger Policies and Special Services

Like most full-service regional carriers, the airline maintained its own set of passenger policies covering areas such as special assistance, unaccompanied minors, and travel with infants. These policies were specific to the airline's own operations and are no longer directly relevant now that it has ceased issuing tickets.

Today, passenger policies and special services on former SilkAir routes follow the standards of the operating carrier. Singapore Airlines maintains its own established policies for special assistance requests, travelling with children and infants, and other passenger needs, which apply on routes it has absorbed from the former regional network. Where Scoot now operates the route, its own passenger policies — which can differ meaningfully from a full-service carrier's — apply instead.

Because requirements such as advance notice periods, required documentation, and available services can vary by airline and route, it is best to confirm any special assistance or passenger service needs directly with the operating airline, or check the details shown for your specific flight when booking through Traveloka.

Reschedule, Cancellation, and Refund Policy

The regional carrier previously maintained its own rules for rescheduling, cancelling, and refunding tickets, varying by fare type and how far in advance a change was requested. As with other legacy policies, these are no longer actionable, since the airline brand does not sell or manage tickets any more.

If you hold an old booking or are researching a former SilkAir route, any reschedule, cancellation, or refund now needs to be handled according to the policy of the airline currently operating that route — typically Singapore Airlines or Scoot. Fare rules for changes and refunds differ significantly between a full-service carrier like Singapore Airlines and a low-cost carrier like Scoot, so it is important not to assume the old regional carrier's terms still apply.

When you book a Singapore Airlines flight through Traveloka, the applicable reschedule, cancellation, and refund conditions for your specific fare are shown clearly at the time of booking, and Traveloka's customer support team can help guide you through a change or refund request if you need assistance after booking.

Why Book Singapore Airlines on Traveloka

Since former SilkAir routes are now flown by Singapore Airlines, the fastest way to reach the same destinations is to book Singapore Airlines flights on Traveloka. Many of the regional connections the former carrier once operated across Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, and Northern Australia are now part of Singapore Airlines' own network, flown with Singapore Airlines' aircraft, crew, and service standards.

If you are not sure which airline currently serves your route, use the flight search above the page to compare Singapore Airlines against other carriers flying the same origin and destination, including schedules, fares, and flight duration, before you decide who to book with.

Booking Singapore Airlines through Traveloka comes with the same platform benefits available across all airlines on the site:

• Side-by-side price comparison across Singapore Airlines and other carriers flying the same route, so you can see how fares stack up before you book.
• Flexible payment options, including PayNow and GrabPay, alongside cards and other standard payment methods, so you can pay the way that suits you.
• Instant e-ticket delivery straight to your email and Traveloka account after booking, with no need to wait for a separate confirmation.
• 24/7 customer support if you need help with your Singapore Airlines booking, from seat selection questions to rescheduling assistance.

Whether you are booking a former SilkAir route to a regional destination or a completely different Singapore Airlines flight, Traveloka gives you one place to search, compare, and confirm your ticket.

Tips for Finding Cheap Flights on Traveloka

Fares on any route, including former SilkAir destinations now flown by Singapore Airlines and Scoot, move constantly based on demand, seasonality, and how far in advance you book. A few habits can help you consistently find better value without relying on a specific "cheapest" number that changes day to day.

• Be flexible with your travel dates. Shifting your departure or return by even a day or two, or flying on a weekday instead of a weekend, can open up noticeably different fares on the same route.
• Set a price alert. Traveloka's Price Alert feature lets you track a specific route and get notified when fares move, so you do not have to keep checking manually.
• Compare nearby airports and routes. On regional corridors where multiple airlines now operate former SilkAir routes, comparing Singapore Airlines against Scoot and other carriers on the same origin-destination pair can surface a better fare or schedule.
• Book with some lead time for regional and long-haul trips. Fares can tighten as a departure date approaches, so booking a few weeks or months ahead generally gives you more fare options to choose from.
• Check ongoing promotions. Traveloka periodically runs fare promotions and payment-method discounts that can bring down the total price of a Singapore Airlines booking.

Combining a few of these habits — flexible dates, price alerts, and comparing carriers on the same route — is a more reliable way to manage cost than chasing a single lowest fare, since flight prices are dynamic and change constantly.

How to Book Flight Tickets on Traveloka

Booking a Singapore Airlines flight, including on a former SilkAir route, takes only a few steps on Traveloka:

1. Search your route. Enter your origin, destination, and travel dates in the flight search above, or go directly to the Singapore Airlines page on Traveloka to see its available flights.
2. Compare fares and schedules. Review the available flights, fare classes, and departure times across Singapore Airlines and other carriers serving the same route, and pick the option that fits your budget and schedule.
3. Select your seat and add-ons. Depending on the fare, you may be able to choose your seat, add checked baggage, or add other extras during checkout.
4. Enter passenger details. Fill in the traveller information exactly as it appears on each passenger's travel document.
5. Choose your payment method. Pay using PayNow, GrabPay, a credit or debit card, or another available payment option.
6. Receive your e-ticket instantly. Once payment is confirmed, your e-ticket is sent straight to your email and saved in your Traveloka account, ready to use for check-in.

If you run into any issues while booking, or need help after your booking is confirmed, Traveloka's customer support is available 24/7 to assist with your Singapore Airlines ticket.