SINGAPORE — After a decade-long absence, Singapore Airlines will reintroduce First Class service on its daily Singapore–Amsterdam route beginning in July 2026, a move that underscores the carrier’s strategy to enhance its premium offerings on key European gateways.
The service upgrade will see Singapore Airlines deploy its Boeing 777-300ER fleet on the route, replacing the Airbus A350-900 Long Haul currently in use. The shift restores a four-class configuration — First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy — for passengers traveling between Singapore Changi Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
Daily flights will commence on July 1, 2026, with flight SQ324 departing Singapore, while the return flight, SQ323, will operate from Amsterdam starting July 2.
First Class Returns After Ten Years
This marks the return of First Class cabins to Amsterdam for the first time since May 2016, when Singapore Airlines phased out the premium service on the route. The Boeing 777-300ER deployment reinstates an option that caters to high-end travelers seeking exclusivity and comfort on long-haul flights.
The decision comes as part of a broader realignment of the airline’s network. According to aviation outlet Mainly Miles, the carrier is reallocating its aircraft resources, with one daily Boeing 777-300ER currently flying to London Heathrow being swapped for an Airbus A350. Analysts say the move allows Singapore Airlines to highlight its refreshed Business Class product in the competitive London market, while maintaining First Class access to Europe through Amsterdam.
Cabin Experience
Singapore Airlines’ 2013 First Class product will headline the Amsterdam route. The cabin, configured in a single row of four seats arranged 1-2-1, is designed to provide passengers with maximum privacy. Each seat transforms into a spacious, fully flat bed, and is paired with premium bedding and a personalized dining service.
The airline confirmed that its signature “Book the Cook” service — which allows travelers to pre-select meals curated by a panel of international chefs — will be available to First Class passengers departing Amsterdam once the Boeing 777-300ER takes over.
Singapore Airlines has long been recognized for setting industry benchmarks in luxury travel, and its decision to reintroduce First Class reflects rising demand in Europe for premium experiences.
KrisFlyer Redemption Adjustments
The upgraded service is available for KrisFlyer frequent flyer redemptions, though passengers will face rising mileage costs due to a scheduled program devaluation.
Through October 31, 2025, a First Class Saver ticket on the Singapore–Amsterdam route will cost 141,000 miles, with Advantage awards priced at 225,500 miles. Beginning November 1, 2025, Saver rates will increase to 148,000 miles, while Advantage tickets will rise to 259,500 miles.
Saver awards are typically harder to secure due to limited availability, though Advantage awards remain widely accessible. Travel observers note that frequent flyers will be watching for occasional openings in the Saver category to maximize their miles.
Expanding the First Class Network
With Amsterdam added back to the roster, it becomes the 19th city in Singapore Airlines’ global network to regain First Class service. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 22 destinations were served regularly by either First Class or the airline’s ultra-premium Suites product.
In Europe, Singapore Airlines will continue to offer First Class service in 2026 to Frankfurt, Zurich, London Heathrow, and Paris, in addition to Amsterdam.
The selective restoration highlights the airline’s strategy of deploying its most prestigious products in markets where both demand and brand visibility justify the investment.
Industry Significance
The decision to reintroduce First Class on Amsterdam flights carries symbolic weight for Singapore Airlines. The Dutch capital serves as an important hub for business and leisure travelers alike, and the move reinforces Amsterdam’s role as a critical gateway for the airline’s premium passengers in Europe.
For Singapore Airlines, the investment in First Class is a bet that the market for ultra-premium travel — which contracted sharply during the pandemic — will continue its steady rebound. By reinstating the service, the carrier is signaling confidence in sustained demand from corporate travelers, affluent leisure customers, and frequent flyers loyal to the KrisFlyer program.
Bottom Line
Singapore Airlines will restore First Class service to Amsterdam beginning in July 2026, operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The move revives a premium travel option absent for ten years, featuring a four-seat First Class cabin, “Book the Cook” dining, and expanded redemption options through the KrisFlyer program.
While higher award rates may temper some enthusiasm among frequent flyers, the return of First Class to Amsterdam strengthens the city’s standing within Singapore Airlines’ European network and underscores the airline’s continued investment in luxury travel.
