October 7, 2026 — Air India and Singapore Airlines will loosen their codeshare from October 15, letting customers book either airline’s India–Singapore flights on their own through the other carrier, and will add reciprocal frequent-flyer perks in 2027.
What happened
Air India announced the change on October 7. It is the first step under the commercial cooperation agreement the two airlines signed in January 2026.
Until now, a codeshare booking had to include flights operated by both airlines. From October 15, 2026, that requirement goes. A customer can buy an eligible Singapore Airlines flight through Air India, or an Air India flight through Singapore Airlines, as a standalone trip.
| Detail | What is known |
|---|---|
| Effective date | October 15, 2026 |
| Flights covered | 126 weekly flights between Singapore and India |
| Indian cities | Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai |
| Wider codeshare | 77 destinations in 27 countries |
| Reciprocal elite benefits | Second quarter of 2027, exact date TBA |
The loyalty step comes later. From the second quarter of 2027, Maharaja Club Platinum and KrisFlyer PPS Club members get priority check-in and boarding on the partner airline. Maharaja Club Silver and KrisFlyer Elite Silver members get extra baggage and priority boarding on eligible routes.
The announcement does not mention any change to staff travel or interline employee agreements between the two airlines.
What it means for non-revs
- Expect fuller flights between India and Singapore. Each airline can now sell the other’s seats on 126 weekly flights without a connecting leg, which should lift revenue bookings from October 15.
- No staff-travel change has been announced. If you hold ZED or ID privileges on Air India or Singapore Airlines, your existing agreement and listing process still apply. Check your own airline’s interline pages for updates.
- Flight numbers can mislead. More flights will carry both AI and SQ codes. List against the operating carrier, not the marketing code.
- Priority boarding lines get longer in 2027 as partner elites gain reciprocal benefits. That has no effect on standby clearance order.
Sources
- Air India Newsroom — Air India and Singapore Airlines expand strategic partnership to offer customers more travel options between India and Singapore
Get NonRev Travel News by email
A weekly recap newsletter, sent out every Sunday, with the airline, airport, cruise and travel-warning news that matters to airline employees and retirees. Free.
Subscribe free
