Singapore Airlines restores First Class to Christchurch after 25 years, adding 28 weekly seats

Summary

On 1 May 2027, Singapore Airlines will restore First Class to its daily Singapore–Christchurch service after a 25-year absence, swapping the three-class Airbus A350 Long Haul for a four-class Boeing 777-300ER. The change adds four First, six Business, and four Premium Economy seats per flight, lifting weekly First Class capacity by 28 seats and giving the South Island its only true international First Class product.

The 2013-vintage First Class seat lacks the forthcoming privacy doors planned for future aircraft, but KrisFlyer Saver awards have already been loaded at 98,000 miles one-way on select dates. With Air New Zealand also returning to the route from October 2026 with a new Business Premier cabin, premium competition on the corridor is intensifying.

For the first time since 2002, a Singapore Airlines flight touching down at Christchurch Airport will carry a First Class cabin. On 1 May 2027, the carrier will replace the Airbus A350 Long Haul currently serving the daily Singapore–Christchurch route with a Boeing 777-300ER, restoring a four-class configuration that adds four First Class suites, six more Business Class seats, and four extra Premium Economy positions — all while trimming Economy by just three seats.

The upgrade ends a 25-year gap in premium connectivity for New Zealand’s South Island and comes as Air New Zealand prepares to re-enter the same city pair with its new Business Premier product from October 2026. For KrisFlyer members, the change opens a fresh First Class redemption opportunity on a route that has already seen Saver award space loaded at 98,000 miles one-way.

Singapore Airlines has served Christchurch since 1986, but the route’s premium offering has seesawed over the decades. The 777-300ER deployment — the first time the type has operated scheduled Christchurch flights — marks a decisive shift toward higher-yield cabins at a moment when the market is absorbing additional capacity from both SIA and its Star Alliance rival.

The details

From 1 May 2027, flight SQ297 will depart Singapore at 19:50 and arrive Christchurch at 09:30 the following day, a block time of 9 hours 40 minutes. The return SQ298 leaves Christchurch at 10:50 and reaches Singapore at 17:40, taking 10 hours 50 minutes. Both flights will use the 777-300ER, with the schedule currently loaded through 24 September 2027 for SQ297 and 25 September 2027 for SQ298.

The aircraft change boosts total seats from 253 to 264, with the entire increase concentrated in premium cabins. The four-seat First Class cabin — arranged in a single row of 1-2-1 — uses Singapore Airlines’ 2013 First Class product, featuring extended curved partitions for privacy but no closing doors. Business Class remains the same 2013 seat in a 1-2-1 layout, now split into a three-row mini-cabin behind First and a larger section aft.

KrisFlyer one-way Saver redemption rates on the route are 29,000 miles in Economy, 53,500 in Premium Economy, 72,000 in Business, and 98,000 in First. Advantage and Access tiers are also available, with First Advantage at 178,500 miles and First Access at 331,000 miles. Taxes and fees currently run about S$105 ex-Singapore and S$40 ex-Christchurch, though new New Zealand tourism levies and Singapore’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax will apply to bookings made from 1 October 2026.

The value-add

The return of First Class to Christchurch is more than a nostalgic restoration — it’s a strategic bet on premium demand from New Zealand’s South Island. Singapore Airlines is adding 14 premium seats per flight at a time when Air New Zealand is also increasing its own high-end capacity on the same corridor. The result is a rare moment of genuine product competition on a secondary long-haul route.

For KrisFlyer members, the 98,000-mile Saver rate represents a relatively efficient way to sample the 2013 First Class seat, especially compared with the 178,500-mile Advantage level or the eye-watering 331,000-mile Access rate. With Air New Zealand offering only a Business Premier cabin — albeit a newer one — Singapore Airlines becomes the sole provider of a true First Class experience between Singapore and the South Island.

How to lock in First Class award space on the Christchurch route

The aircraft change creates a narrow window for KrisFlyer members to secure First Class awards before inventory tightens.

• Monitor award space now: Singapore Airlines releases seats 355 days ahead, and Saver awards on this route have already appeared. Set alerts for your target dates.
• Transfer miles early: KrisFlyer transfers from major bank programs are typically instant, but having miles in your account before searching ensures you can book immediately when space appears.
• Consider the competition: Air New Zealand’s new Business Premier on the same route may offer a compelling alternative if First Class awards are unavailable — though it lacks a First Class cabin.
• Watch for tax changes: New Zealand’s tourism levy and Singapore’s SAF tax will increase the cash component of award tickets from 1 October 2026; factor this into your redemption calculus.
• Book the Cook: First Class passengers departing Christchurch will likely gain access to the pre-order meal service, with seasonal menus from chef Sid Sahrawat — a small but meaningful perk.

If the 777-300ER remains loaded beyond the currently published late-September 2027 schedule, expect the First Class product to become a permanent fixture on the route, further tightening award availability.

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