Singapore Airlines (SIA) is one of Asia's most prominent flag carriers. It is renowned globally for its premium service and customer-centric approach. Operating a modern fleet to destinations across six continents, the airline has built a reputation as a top choice for both leisure and business travellers worldwide.
In the following lines, we will discuss the full extent of the Singapore Airlines compensation and refund policies. Find out what you can do when faced with delayed or cancelled flights, and how much money you can claim for your troubles.
Your compensation eligibility depends on the delay's duration and the circumstances causing it. The departure location also plays a significant role. All Singapore Airlines which depart from Europe are protected by Regulation EC 261/2004. You may be eligible for compensation when faced with a delay exceeding 3 hours.
However, SIA does not adhere to a specific compensation chart outside EC 261/2004 routes. In most cases, they provide regular care options. These include refreshments, meal vouchers, and accommodations if you need an overnight stay.
Singapore Airlines must assist passengers in the event of a major delay on a long-haul flight. The airline will either arrange an alternate flight or offer a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
When Singapore Airlines cancels a flight, passengers are entitled to specific rights and compensations . These vary according to flight origin, destination, and timing of the notification. Under EC 261/2004 for flights departing from the EU, passengers may be eligible for additional Singapore Airlines compensation.
For all other flights, the airline offers affected passengers several options. You may opt for:
Singapore Airlines generally operates with stringent capacity planning to minimise instances of overbooking. However, should involuntarily denied boarding occur due to operational requirements or unforeseen events, there are several Singapore Airlines compensation options for denied boarding .
The airline will first seek volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for compensation. It includes vouchers or alternatives, along with confirmed rebooking on a later flight. If you get denied boarding without volunteering, SIA ensures the following options:
Regulation EC 261/2004 establishes passenger rights for compensation and care for EU travellers. Although Singapore Airlines is not a European carrier, the regulation applies to any flight departing from an EU member state. This includes flights operated by non-EU airlines .
All passengers departing from the EU are eligible for compensation under this regulation. You can claim certain amounts in the following cases:
The amount of compensation available is determined by the distance of the flight. The length of the delay upon arrival also matters in certain cases. EC 261/2004 specifies three compensation brackets:
In the case of long-haul routes from the EU, most SIA flights fall within the final bracket. This means you may be entitled to €600 for significant delays or cancellations.
Singapore Airlines offers a range of refund options, which vary according to the ticket type, route, and specific circumstances of cancellation. Generally, flight refunds are available if:
The airline has specified certain conditions where refunds are generally not permitted:
Despite Singapore Airlines’ adherence to international guidelines and customer service promises, there are situations where you may encounter challenges in receiving compensation or refunds. Let’s look at some examples that highlight potential difficulties:
Depending on the payment method you used for the original purchase, SIA generally processes refunds within 7–20 business days. Yet, passengers have reported instances where the process extends well beyond this window.
Singapore Airlines enforces strict conditions about the eligibility of claims. Non-refundable tickets, in particular. The airline will usually not offer a refund, except under special circumstances. As for compensation, strict adherence to terms, such as the minimum delay requirement or specific EU departure criteria, can result in denied claims.
Contact us with details about your case and our team will help you find out if you meet the exact criteria.
Most regions are less regulated than the European Union. Singapore Airlines compensation may be unavailable for flights that do not fall under EC 261/2004. This discrepancy means passengers may receive different treatment based on the departure point.
“Extraordinary circumstances” such as severe weather exempt airlines from paying compensation. The problem is that the scope of what constitutes such conditions can be broad. The airline can take advantage of this, particularly in cases of operational or technical delays. Airlines often resort to this to prevent passengers from successfully claiming compensation. Find out what are extraordinary circumstances in our guide .
And if your case falls outside this group, submit your Singapore Airlines claim for compensation through our system and let our professional team help you get what you're owed.
A Singapore Airlines refund typically takes 7–20 business days to process. It depends on the original payment method and ticket type. Refunds to credit cards are usually faster than bank transfers. However, processing times may vary depending on your case.
Your eligibility for Singapore Airlines compensation for delays depends on the length of the delay and the departure location. Flights from the European Union are more regulated. You can claim up to €600 for long-haul flights. Delays caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as severe weather, are generally not compensated.
Non-refundable tickets generally cannot be refunded if the cancellation is voluntary. However, Singapore Airlines may provide exceptions in cases of flight disruptions. The airline may also issue a refund for medical emergencies or bereavement. However, you will be asked to provide certain documentation. Keep in mind that this process often takes longer than usual.
In cases of missed flights, standard policies generally do not allow refunds. You may be able to rebook for a fee, depending on your ticket type.
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