With ongoing uncertainty for Dubai, Singapore Airlines is deploying its Airbus A380 on the Melbourne route again from next week, for the first time in nearly three years.
Singapore Airlines has confirmed that its Airbus A380 will return to the Singapore – Melbourne route from 29th March to 24th October 2026, replacing the Boeing 777-300ER on flights SQ237 and SQ228 for the northern summer season.
It’s been a while since the carrier’s superjumbo has graced Tullamarine Airport, and this short-notice deployment appears to be a consequence of the ongoing disruption to the airline’s Dubai services.
The carrier has simultaneously extended the suspension of flights SQ494 and SQ495 between Singapore and Dubai to at least 30th April 2026, citing the geopolitical situation in the Middle East – a reference to the continuing Iran conflict.
That’s a further pushback from the 22nd March restart date that had already been delayed once, and it means the planned Airbus A380 upgauge on Dubai flights, which we’ve covered extensively, remains on ice for even longer.
Melbourne gets the A380
With the Dubai A380 commitment effectively shelved for now, the airline has found a new home for the aircraft on daily Melbourne services.
It’s a route that last saw the airline’s superjumbo during the northern summer 2023 season, almost three years ago, so many will be pleased to see it back on another Australian route.
From 29 March to 24 October 2026, SIA will operate the Airbus A380 on flights SQ237 and SQ228 between Singapore and Melbourne to meet increased demand. This will replace the Boeing 777-300ER on this service during this period.
Singapore Airlines
The deployment brings SIA’s full premium offering to the route, including its six Suites and 2017 Business Class product, with a total of 471 seats versus the 264 on the 777-300ER it replaces.
The schedule
Here’s the schedule for SIA’s Airbus A380 on the Singapore – Melbourne route, in addition to the four other daily services on this city pair.
Singapore Melbourne
Airbus A380 flight
29 Mar 2026 – 24 Oct 2026
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
 |
SQ237 A380 |
||||||||
| SIN 01:45 |
MEL 12:10 |
||||||||
| Duration: 07:25 | |||||||||
Melbourne Singapore
Airbus A380 flight
29 Mar 2026 – 24 Oct 2026
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
SQ228 A380 |
||||||||
| MEL 16:40 |
SIN 21:20 |
||||||||
| Duration: 07:40 | |||||||||
The A380 is only planned on a seasonal basis to and from Melbourne at this stage – until late October 2026.
For those already booked on SQ237/228 flights between 29th March and 24th October 2026 in First Class, the experience will unexpectedly upgrade to the carrier’s spacious and sought-after Suites product.
Do note that currently Boeing 777-300ER seat maps are still loaded in GDS for these flights, but don’t worry – in the coming days that should be updated with the good news.
Singapore Airlines already operates the Airbus A380 twice per day on its Sydney route, so this switch for Melbourne will represent its third daily superjumbo service to the country.
A380 cabin products
The deployment brings SIA’s flagship Suites product back to Melbourne for the first time in nearly three years, adding a top-tier cabin option that has only occasionally been available on the route in past schedule seasons.
(Photo: MainlyMiles)
All of Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 aircraft now have the latest cabin products, including the 2017 Suites and Business Class seats, which means you’ll also find them on these Melbourne flights from late next week.
(Photo: Agent Wolf / Shutterstock)
There’s also a large 44-seat Premium Economy Class section, in the space the Suites cabin used to occupy (pre-refit) at the forward main deck – 57% bigger than the 777-300ERs PY cabin – so look out for upgrade offers.
The aircraft also feature the latest KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Here are our reviews of the Suites (double bed) and Business Class on these A380s.
KrisFlyer awards
Here are the latest one-way KrisFlyer award rates you’ll pay for the Singapore – Melbourne route, on these Airbus A380 flights and all other services.
| KrisFlyer Redemption Rates One-Way Singapore ⇄ Melbourne |
||||
| Airline / Cabin | Saver | Advantage | Access | |
 |
Economy Class |
29,000 |
60,500 |
78,500 |
|
Premium Economy |
53,500 |
n/a |
69,500 to 85,500 |
|
Business Class |
72,000 |
103,500 |
129,500 to 207,000 |
|
Suites Class |
98,000 |
178,500 |
321,500 |
Other capacity changes
The Melbourne A380 deployment wasn’t the only news in SIA’s latest announcement.
The airline also confirmed supplementary services between Singapore and London Gatwick for the summer season, with additional flights SQ314/SQ313 operating up to daily during peak periods alongside the existing daily Gatwick service, bringing total Singapore – London capacity to up to six times daily.
Singapore Airlines first adopted a ‘dual-airport’ strategy for its London operations back in mid-2024, having failed to secure additional takeoff and landing slots at the city’s main Heathrow Airport.
On the Dubai front, SIA has extended the cancellation of flights SQ494 and SQ495 to at least 30th April 2026, with customers being re-accommodated on alternative flights or offered full refunds.
The airline says it will continue to monitor the situation and adjust its capacity and network accordingly, though we note that even when the SIA proposes to restart the Dubai route on 1st May 2026, its First Class cabin is capped at four bookings, strongly suggesting a Boeing 777-300ER might actually be used, even though an A380 remains listed.
SIA’s short-notice shuffle for the Airbus A380 to Melbourne is a sensible move, rather than leaving a superjumbo under-utilised while the Dubai route remains suspended.
The upgauge from the Boeing 777-300ER brings a significant 78% seat boost to the SQ237/228 flight pairing and, more importantly for premium travellers, restores Suites and the latest Business Class product to Melbourne for the first time since 2023.
Whether the type stays on Melbourne beyond October, or reverts to Dubai once the geopolitical situation allows, remains to be seen.
(Cover Photo: Shutterstock)
