Air India and Singapore Airlines widen their tie-up: standalone partner bookings from 15 Oct, elite perks from Q2 2027
From 15 October 2026 you can book an eligible Air India or Singapore Airlines flight between India and Singapore on the other airline's site without pairing it. Reciprocal Maharaja Club and KrisFlyer elite perks follow in Q2 2027. No award prices change.
Air India and Singapore Airlines announced on 7 October 2026 the first phase of the commercial cooperation framework they signed in January. It is not a devaluation and it does not touch award prices, but if you earn KrisFlyer miles or Maharaja Points through an Indian credit card, it changes how you can book and, later, how you are treated at the airport.
What changes, and when
| Change | When |
|---|---|
| Eligible partner-operated India-Singapore flights can be booked standalone on the other airline's website, app or appointed travel agents | 15 October 2026 |
| Network covered | 126 weekly flights between Singapore and eight Indian cities |
| Wider eligible booking classes and revised earn rates across all cabins | Already in effect since April 2026 |
| Reciprocal elite benefits on eligible routes, on top of Star Alliance privileges | Second quarter of 2027 |
The eight Indian cities are Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata and Mumbai.
The booking rule that goes away
Until now, an Air India codeshare booked through Singapore Airlines had to include a flight operated by Singapore Airlines, and the other way round. From 15 October that pairing requirement is removed on the covered routes, so a single Air India-operated sector can be bought through SIA, and vice versa.
Elite perks from Q2 2027
- Maharaja Club Platinum and KrisFlyer PPS Club: priority check-in and boarding on eligible routes.
- Maharaja Club Silver and KrisFlyer Elite Silver: extra baggage allowance and priority boarding on eligible routes.
Exact routes and allowances have not been published yet.
What it does not do
Neither airline announced new award rates or a new way to redeem one programme's miles on the other's flights beyond what already exists. If you transfer card points to KrisFlyer for Singapore Airlines award seats, nothing about the redemption side changes today.
What to do
If you hold a card that transfers to KrisFlyer or earns Air India miles, the practical gain is booking flexibility on India-Singapore trips and, from 2027, better ground treatment if you hold status in either programme. Check which of your cards reaches KrisFlyer, and at what ratio, in the transfer partners matrix, or ask Polo Brain which card to put an India-Singapore fare on.
Sources
Every claim on this page is backed by a primary or reputable source.
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