Singapore Airlines resumes alternative Europe route after 20 years

Singapore Airlines has recommenced flying to Brussels from its hub, Changi Airport, 20 years or so after the carrier stopped the service, in large part due to the SARS outbreak.

It now operates four weekly flights to Brussels on Airbus A350-900s, which feature 253 seats including 42 in business class, 24 in premium economy and 187 in economy.

Singapore Airlines has recommenced its direct service to Brussels.Credit: iStock

SQ304 departs Singapore for Brussels on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 11.55pm, with the return, SQ303, departing Brussels for Singapore on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 12.10pm.

The capital of Belgium is also the home country of the European Union and NATO.

For Australians, the 13-hour flight represents a convenient way to access Belgium, including its World War I pilgrimage sites and the Western Front Way.

Tyne Cot Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.Credit: iStock

It’s also an alternative entry point into north-western Europe to the busier, bigger Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris’ Charles de Gaulle.

With the latter expecting an influx of visitors for the Olympic Games commencing July 26, Brussels tourism is anticipating an overflow effect – the charming capital is less than 90 minutes from its French counterpart via high-speed Eurostar train. Many other places are easily reached by rail from Brussels. (Qantas flies to Brussels but on a codeshare such as with British Airways via Singapore and London Heathrow.)

Charles de Gaulle Paris airport terminal. Credit: iStock

Singapore Airlines’ graduated return to full strength post-pandemic continues across the European summer, with the reintroduction of Barcelona, Spain, to its destination roster, as well as increased capacity between Singapore and Frankfurt, Germany, with an A380 swinging into action on the route, and Copenhagen, Denmark, where service is expanding from five times a week to daily.

In Australia, Singapore Airlines has reinstated its Perth-Singapore service to its pre-pandemic schedule of four times a week. In late May, it will introduce an extra service to Melbourne, meeting the pre-pandemic rate of five flights daily.

Copenhagen Old Town.Credit: iStock

Since March, the airline has also been travelling between Singapore and Darwin at an increased rate of five times weekly. Competitor Jetstar no longer services this route, but Qantas began flying it in December, five times a week.

Qantas has announced a new non-stop Perth-Paris service. It will operate four days a week during the peak European summer, from July 12. It’s on a 787 Dreamliner, is a 17-hour flight, and the airline’s second between the West Australian capital and Europe, the first being Rome, Italy.

The airline’s Perth to London flights are temporarily going through Singapore in order to avoid Iranian airspace due to conflict in the region. Qantas is currently set to resume non-stop flights on that route from April 28.

The writer travelled to Brussels as a guest of Singapore Airlines.