Affordable full-service airline routes from Singapore

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Every now and then it’s nice to treat ourselves to ultimate comfort in the sky, and it’s even better when we snag a bargain on it. We’ve compiled a list of affordable full-service airline routes from Singapore so your flights can be the up-in-the-air version of all-inclusive resorts. After all, they do say, “it’s the journey, not the destination”.

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What is a full-service airline?

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Full-service airlines are airlines that provide facilities such as in-flight entertainment, cabin baggage, amenities, and meals included in the ticket purchased. For this reason, they’re usually more expensive than budget airlines where you have to pay for each additional option.

Budget or low-cost airlines offer cheaper tickets because they’re more bare-bones, charging extra for things usually included in the price of a full-service ticket. In some cases, the total cost of all the extras with the ticket could end up being more expensive than a full-service flight.

Full-service airlines also have some intangible benefits, such as better customer service and a more refined ambience, that budget airlines can’t match up to. Despite all this, you may still be able to snag great deals on full-service flights. However, the cheaper tiers of full-service flights may come with trade-offs like longer layovers, so you’ll have to weigh your options.

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What are the most affordable full-service airlines flying from SG?

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That’s right! There are affordable full-service airlines that fly all over the world. We’ve compiled a table to show the best deals you’ll get on fares and what’s included in your ticket.

Note: Prices are accurate at the time of writing, and are subject to change. 

 

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Southeast Asia for <$400

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1. Cebu – Philippines Airlines

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Image adapted from: Philippines Airlines

Cebu Island remains one of the most sought-after vacation spots for its lush waterfalls and affordable street eats. And what better way to fly there than Philippines Airlines? Travelling to over 33 domestic and 40 international destinations, the national airline is known for bringing Filipino hospitality to the skies.

Fly over Cebu Island from $340, with in-flight local delicacies that will satisfy your cravings beyond what you can find at Lucky Plaza.

Bonus: You can also find affordable full-service flights to Melbourne from $558 and Sydney from $863, with 1 stop in Manila for up to 15 hours.

Economy Super Saver ticket includes:

• 1 carry-on luggage, 7kg
• 1 check-in baggage, 30kg
• In-flight entertainment
• Meal + alcoholic beverages
• Avg. 32in of legroom
• 10mb of Wi-Fi free, further browsing from USD$9.95/hour (~S$13.50)

Find out more about Philippines Airlines.

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2. Bangkok & Hong Kong – Cathay Pacific

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Cathay Pacific is Hong Kong’s flag carrier, flying to over 80 destinations worldwide. They usually go head to head against Singapore Airlines in terms of price point for Southeast Asia trips. Fun fact, Cathay trumps SIA for the world’s best in-flight entertainment.

Find flights to Bangkok from $342 for the next Songkran season or a late-night Bangkok supper crawl. If Hong Kong Disneyland is on your travel bucket list, fly to the airline’s flagship city, Hong Kong from $338.

Economy Lite ticket includes:

• 1 carry-on luggage, 7kg
• 1 check-in baggage, 23kg
• In-flight entertainment
• Meal + alcoholic beverages
• Avg. 32in of legroom
• Wi-Fi from USD$9.95/hour (~S$13.50)

Find out more about Cathay Pacific.

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3. Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam Airlines

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Image credit: Vietnam Airlines

If you’ve been craving some authentic pho and skimming through travel mags on the best things to do in Saigon, fly Vietnam Airlines to the country’s tourist hub Ho Chi Minh City. This airline is the country’s flag carrier as well as its only full-service airline, soaring to 20 domestic and 30 international destinations.

You can fly to Ho Chi Minh City from $322, with fares being up to $50 cheaper on average than budget airline fares with all the add-ons.

Economy Lite ticket includes:

• 1 carry-on luggage, 10kg + 2kg accessory
• 1 check-in baggage, 23kg
• In-flight entertainment
• Meal (Alcohol only served on flights longer than 3 hours)
• Avg. 32in of legroom
• Amenity kit on flights longer than 4 hours

Find out more about Vietnam Airlines.

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4. Bali – Garuda Indonesia

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Image credit from: Garuda Indonesia

For the gang’s beach getaway to finally make it out of the group chat, fly on Garuda Indonesia to Bali. Although it is Indonesia’s flag carrier, it is one of the more underrated full-service airlines out there. Give it a go, it has all the bells and whistles that popular airlines come with.

Find your inner peace at the Bali temples after flying to Bali from $395, after which you can party till the sun comes up at various Bali nightclubs.

Economy Promo ticket includes:

• 1 carry-on luggage, 7kg + free small accessory, e.g. laptop
• 1 check-in baggage, 30kg
• In-flight entertainment
• Meal + alcoholic beverages
• Avg. 33in of legroom
• Amenity kit given on flights longer than 4 hours
• Wi-Fi from USD$11.95/50mb (~S$16.20)

Find out more about Garuda Indonesia.

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5. Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia Airlines

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Image credit: Malaysia Airlines

Even short-haul flights to our neighbours like KL can be zhuzhed up by flying full-service. Next time you need a splash at Sunway Lagoon, try flying Malaysia Airlines. Malaysia’s flag carrier goes over 50 destinations worldwide and operates nearly 300 flights a day, so you have better flexibility in choosing a flight time.

Fly to Kuala Lumpur from $202 in just about an hour. You can prove to all your friends that taking the plane was the best way to get to KL, while they’re stuck on 6-hour-long buses.

Economy Basic ticket includes:

• 1 carry-on luggage, 7kg
• 1 check-in baggage, 20kg
• In-flight entertainment
• Meal(s), depending on flight duration
• Avg. 34in of legroom
• Free Wi-Fi only on A350 flights

Bonus: You can also find the cheapest flight from Singapore to Taipei from $268, with 1 stop in Kuala Lumpur for up to 11 hours.

Find out more about Malaysia Airlines.

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Asia for <$600

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6. Shanghai – China Southern Airlines

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Image credit: China Southern Airlines

Get the best of both worlds in Shanghai, where you’ll find serene ponds and blossoms by day and bustling street markets by night. Fly over with China Southern Airlines, the second largest airline in China. They serve 165 domestic destinations and 71 international ones, making it perfect for connecting flights.

Soar the skies to Shanghai from $484, with 1 stop in Guangzhou for up to 4 hours.

Economy Standard ticket includes:

• 1 carry-on luggage, 7kg
• 2 check-in baggage, 23kg each
• In-flight entertainment
• Meal + alcoholic beverages
• Avg. 32in of legroom
• Amenity kit provided on longer flights

Find out more about China Southern Airlines.

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7. Mumbai – Air India

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Witness the glo-up of Air India on your next trip to the Land of Spices. Flying to a whopping 100 international and 45 domestic routes, the flagship airline has zesty Indian dishes and brand-new plane models for you to fly in comfort.

Explore Mumbai from $570, where you can plunge into the city’s historic monuments such as the Gateway of India and Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.

Bonus: You can also find the cheapest flights to Paris from $930 with 1 stop in New Delhi for up to 10 hours.

Economy Comfort Plus ticket includes:

• 1 carry-on luggage, 7kg
• 2 check-in baggage, 23kg each
• In-flight entertainment
• Meal + alcoholic beverages
• Avg. 33in of legroom

Find out more about Air India.

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8. Seoul – Air China

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Image credit: Asia Miles

If you’ve finished bingeing all your favourite K-Dramas and are looking for your own oppa or noona, get on the next Air China flight to Korea. The flag carrier of China flies to a vast 115 international routes and an even more impressive 123 domestic, making it one of the most accessible airlines in the world.

Image credit: r/semiprotacoeater via Reddit

Fly over to Seoul from $680 with 1 stop in Beijing for up to 8 hours, and who knows, someone might just come crash landing on you.

Economy Flex ticket includes:

• 1 carry-on luggage, 7kg
• 2 check-in baggage, 23kg total
• In-flight entertainment
• Meal + alcoholic beverages
• Avg. 32in of legroom

Find out more about Air China.

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9. Tokyo – Batik Air

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Image credit: Flight Report

Those who frequent Indonesia and Malaysia are no strangers to Batik Air, but the airline also has great deals for further locations, like Japan. This relatively newer airline, which has been in operation for a little over a decade, flies to 44 domestic and 11 international locations, at extremely competitive rates.

People often forget that Batik Air is a full-service airline, which could be due to their cheap rates and the fact that meals are not included in the ticket price. However, they still have in-flight entertainment, great luggage allowance, and spacious legroom like any other full-service airline.

You can also discover cool districts like the Asakusa district on your next trip to Tokyo from $582, with 1 stop at Kuala Lumpur for up to 3 hours.

Economy Lite ticket includes:

• 1 carry-on luggage, 7kg
• 1 check-in baggage, 20kg on non-ASEAN routes
• In-flight entertainment
• Meals from $4.30
• Avg. 32in of legroom

Bonus: You can also find the cheapest flights to Perth from $355 with 1 stop at Kuala Lumpur for up to 3 hours.

Find out more about Batik Air.

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Europe for <$1,000

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10. London & Amsterdam – China Eastern Airlines

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Image adapted from: China Eastern Airlines via Facebook, Airline Equality

1 of the 3 full-service airlines of China, China Eastern Airlines is a big player in the game, flying over several hundred countries at affordable prices. Like the other 2, Air China and China Southern Airlines, some of the plane models may be older, but the level of service still stands.

Head to Camden Market for some retail therapy and try out all the other things to do in London from $980, with 1 stop at Shanghai for up to 8 hours. If you’re more of a hippie adventurer and looking for a booming nightlife, head to Amsterdam from $892, with 1 stop in Shanghai for up to 8 hours.

Economy Standard ticket includes:

• 1 carry-on luggage, 8kg
• 1 check-in baggage, 23kg
• In-flight entertainment
• Meal + alcoholic beverages
• Avg. 32in of legroom
• Wi-Fi is first come first serve with prior application

Find out more about China Eastern Airlines.

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11. Milan & Barcelona – Etihad

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Image credit: Sam Chui Aviation & Travel

For those who want to live out their Euro trip backpacking dreams, fly Etihad Airways to Italy and Spain. It is one of the most luxurious airlines in the world, with interiors inspired by the deserts of Abu Dhabi and even Bluetooth headset pairing on some models.

Fashionistas, catch the latest trends and strut down the streets of Milan from $954. Meanwhile, foodies can indulge in advanced gastronomic treats at some of the best restos in the world by flying to Barcelona from $1,030. Both destinations involve 1 stop in Abu Dhabi for up to 15 hours.

Economy Value ticket includes:

• 1 carry-on luggage, 7kg
• 1 check-in baggage, 25kg
• In-flight entertainment
• Meal + alcoholic beverages
• Avg. 32in of legroom
• Amenity kit on flights longer than 6 hours
• Wi-Fi from $2.99

Find out more about Etihad Airways.

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North America for <$2,000

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12. New York – Emirates

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Image credits: Emirates

Trust us when we say that the concrete jungle where dreams are made of is everything Alicia Keys sang about and more. Fly Emirates to NYC and marvel at landmarks like the glitzy Times Square and mammoth Empire State Building. The airline has garnered a stellar reputation for being reliable, serving delicious food and taking great care of those flying with children.

Take to Time Square in New York from $1,542, with 2 stops in Milan and Dubai respectively for up to 7 hours each. Emirate is also quite accessible in general, flying to over 133 different locations. Keep your eyes peeled for their deals the next time you want to fly full-service, affordably.

Economy Saver ticket includes:

• 1 carry-on luggage, 7kg
• 2 check-in baggage, 23kg each
• In-flight entertainment
• Meal + alcoholic beverages
• Avg. 34in of legroom
• Amenity kit
• Free Wi-Fi for Emirates Skywards Blue members

Find out more about Emirates.

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Choose these full-service airlines for your next trip

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Overall, full-service airlines help us be at ease, by looking after things like food and baggage allowances, which is especially important for people travelling with smaller children. There is also a sense of security with most of these companies having good reputations for punctuality and safety, especially on long-haul flights.

If you’re looking for other travel deals, check out our list of cheap flight hacks so even your flights on full-service airlines can be value for money, or become a nomadic pro with our lesser-known travel hacks. As a bonus, we also have a SEA Monsoon Calendar, so your next vacation won’t be washed away by the rain.

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Cover image adapted from: @asianairlinesuk, @johnnyroodriguez via Instagram