Carrier Expands European Network With New Daily Spain Service
Singapore Airlines will return to the Spanish capital for the first time in more than two decades, launching daily flights to Madrid Airport via Barcelona Airport beginning October 26, 2026.
The new service marks a significant expansion of the airline’s European network as demand for long-haul international travel continues to recover. The Singapore-based carrier last served Madrid in 2004 through a tag-on route connected with Paris.
Under the new schedule, Singapore Airlines will operate the route using its long-haul Airbus A350-900 aircraft, offering daily connectivity between Singapore and two of Spain’s largest cities.
The inaugural SQ388 flight will depart from Singapore Changi Airport late on October 26, 2026, arriving in Barcelona the following morning before continuing onward to Madrid. The return service, SQ387, will depart Madrid on October 27 and operate through Barcelona before returning to Singapore.
Singapore Airlines said tickets for both commercial bookings and KrisFlyer award redemptions will become available starting in June 2026.
The route will be operated using the Airbus A350-900 long-haul variant configured with 253 seats, including 42 Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats, and 187 Economy Class seats.
Madrid Seen as Key Tourism and Business Destination
Singapore Airlines said Madrid has grown into an increasingly important destination for both leisure and corporate travelers. The Spanish capital remains one of Europe’s largest cultural and financial centers while also serving as a strategic gateway between Europe and Latin America.
The airline’s return comes as carriers continue rebuilding and expanding intercontinental routes to meet rising travel demand across Europe and Asia.
Dai Hao Yu, Senior Vice President for Marketing Planning at Singapore Airlines, said the carrier is witnessing strong travel demand across Europe. He added that the network adjustments reflect the airline’s long-term commitment to the region.
The Madrid relaunch will also reshape Singapore Airlines’ operations in Spain. The carrier confirmed that its existing Singapore-Milan-Barcelona route will end following the introduction of the new Madrid service, allowing the airline to streamline its Spanish network through the capital.
Expanded Flight Frequencies Across Europe
In addition to Madrid, Singapore Airlines announced several frequency increases across key European destinations as part of its 2026 winter schedule.
Flights between Singapore and London Gatwick Airport will increase from three weekly services to daily operations beginning October 25, 2026. The move will boost the airline’s total London-area operations, including flights to Heathrow Airport, to six daily services.
Services to Manchester Airport will also expand from five weekly flights to daily operations starting July 13, 2026.
Meanwhile, flights to Milan Airport will increase from four weekly services to daily operations beginning October 25, 2026.
Singapore Airlines additionally plans to launch a new three-times-weekly service to Munich Airport from October 26, supplementing its existing daily Munich flights and increasing total weekly frequencies on the route to ten.
Singapore Airlines Strengthens European Presence
With Madrid added back into the network, Singapore Airlines’ European footprint will expand to 15 destinations, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Munich, Paris, Rome, and Zurich.
The airline has steadily expanded across Europe in recent years, including newer services to Brussels Airport as it seeks to capture growing premium and leisure travel demand.
Industry analysts expect the increased frequencies and new routes to improve seat availability for both commercial travelers and KrisFlyer members redeeming award tickets. Newly introduced long-haul routes often create stronger premium-cabin award availability during the early stages of operation.
The expansion also reflects broader competition among major global carriers seeking to strengthen Asia-Europe connectivity as international travel demand continues to rebound.
