Singapore Airlines returns to Darwin

Singapore Airlines is back in Darwin this week, with flights between the NT capital and Singapore’s Changi Airport marking the Star Alliance member’s seventh Australian destination and following the restart of flights to Cairns.

The direct service, previously operated by the airline’s now-shuttered regional arm SilkAir, will run three times weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until the end of May, with Monday and Wednesday boosting the schedule to five flights per week from June.

Take-off from Darwin is listed as 3:45pm, landing in Singapore just shy of five hours later at 7pm local time – ideal to check into your hotel for a quick freshen up before heading out to dinner.

On the way back, you’ll want an early brekky at the hotel or Changi, with wheels-up at 8:30am and touch-down in the Northern Territory at 2:45pm.

Singapore Airlines’ services between the two cities will be flown by a Boeing 737 aircraft with an updated business class cabin.

While not hitting the same heights of lie-flat luxury as the airlines’ stunning Boeing 737 Max business class – which include solo ‘throne’ seats fit for a king or queen – these 12 comfortable recliners still offer a premium experience.

Passengers at the pointy end will enjoy Singapore Airlines’ signature in-flight dining experience, with a tablet allowing them to wirelessly connect to the onboard KrisWorld entertainment system, although their own device can also be used.

"The return of Darwin to our global network shows our confidence in the Australian market and emphasizes the fact that Australia's recovery since opening its international borders in November continues to gather pace," says Louis Arul, Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President for the Southwest Pacific.

Points redemption rates appear very reasonable too for members of Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer loyalty program, with only 20,000 needed for a one-way economy seat or 36,500 for business class.

The new link between Darwin and Singapore boosts an already busy international roster for the Top End.

Qantas currently boasts both its longest and shortest international flights from Darwin in the form of the 50-minute ‘barely-in-the-air’ hop to the Timor-Leste capital of Dili or the mammoth 17-hour trek to London, although the London flight will once again see Perth as its transit stopover from June 19.