In This Post
Singapore Airlines Boosts Gatwick While Pulling the Plug on Houston
Let’s start with some good news, shall we? Singapore Airlines is going all in on London Gatwick. What began as a cautious toe-dip into the market has now become a full-blown daily splash. That’s right, SQ’s Gatwick – Singapore service is graduating to daily status.
This 6,758-mile trek is flown by the elegant A350-900. SQ309 departs London Gatwick at a leisurely 10:15 am, ideal for those who fancy a Pret and a browse at WHSmith before jetting off to Changi. Arrival in Singapore? 6:20 am the following day, just in time for kaya toast and kopi. The return leg, SQ312, pushes back at 11:55 pm Singapore time and lands at Gatwick the following day at 6:20 am. Just enough time to beat the M25 traffic (maybe).
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the press release.
Farewell, Houston (and no, we don’t have a problem)
After nearly a decade of transatlantic service, Singapore Airlines is calling it quits on its fifth freedom Manchester–Houston route in April 2025. The airline launched this quirky little gem back in October 2016, flying daily between the UK and Texas with its A350-900s. But alas, all good things, and oddly routed ones, must come to an end.
SQ51, the westbound service, is blocked at a chunky 9 hours and 50 minutes, departing Manchester at 10:40 am and arriving in Houston at 2:30 pm. Coming back, SQ52 departs Houston at 6:35 pm, and lands in Manchester at 10:40 am the next day, clocking in at 9 hours and 5 minutes across 4,714 miles.
It’s a shame, really, this was one of those rare chances to fly Singapore Airlines across the Atlantic without going anywhere near Asia. But if you’re a Mancunian loyalist, don’t fret just yet. The Singapore–Manchester direct route remains safe (for now), with five weekly flights keeping that connection alive.
Final Thoughts
Sure, it’s nice to see more seats opening up between London and Singapore, especially from a secondary London airport like Gatwick. But the Houston cut raises questions. If the route was bleeding cash, why not wait for the winter season instead of dragging it to April 2025? Perhaps a contractual quirk? Or just a slow, graceful bow out?
Either way, pour one out for SQ51/52. You were a weird, wonderful wildcard in a sea of cookie-cutter routes.
H/T Sean M.
