Singapore Airlines traces its origins to 1947 when Malayan Airways was founded as a joint venture between the Ocean Steamship Company, the Straits Steamship Company, and Imperial Airways (later BOAC). The airline initially operated a single route between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
As Malaysia and Singapore moved toward independence, the airline was renamed Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) in 1966. Following Singapore's separation from Malaysia in 1965 and the subsequent divergence of interests between the two countries, MSA was split into two separate airlines in 1972: Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airline System (MAS).
Singapore Airlines began operations as an independent carrier on October 1, 1972. The airline quickly established itself as a premium international carrier, investing heavily in modern aircraft, in-flight service, and the Singapore Girl brand identity. The Singapore Girl, introduced in 1972, became one of aviation's most recognizable brand icons.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Singapore Airlines expanded its long-haul network, connecting Singapore with Europe, North America, and Australia. The airline became one of the first to operate the Boeing 747 and developed a reputation for exceptional service quality that consistently earned it top rankings in airline surveys.
In 1989, Singapore Airlines became the launch customer for the Boeing 747-400, the most advanced version of the iconic jumbo jet. The airline continued its tradition of operating the latest aircraft technology, becoming a launch customer for the Airbus A380 in 2007, the world's largest commercial aircraft.
Singapore Airlines joined the Star Alliance in 2000, expanding its global network through partnerships with other leading carriers including Lufthansa, United Airlines, and Air Canada.
In 2004, Singapore Airlines launched Tiger Airways (later Tigerair) as a low-cost carrier to compete in the budget travel market. The airline also operated SilkAir as a regional carrier serving shorter-haul routes in Asia.
The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted Singapore Airlines, which is almost entirely dependent on international travel (Singapore has no domestic aviation market). The airline grounded most of its fleet in 2020 and raised approximately SGD 15 billion in equity and debt financing to survive the crisis. The Singapore government, through Temasek, provided critical support.
Following the reopening of international travel in 2022, Singapore Airlines experienced a dramatic recovery. In fiscal year 2022-23, the airline reported record net profit of approximately SGD 2.16 billion. In fiscal year 2023-24 (ended March 31, 2024), it surpassed that record with net profit of approximately SGD 2.68 billion.
In a major strategic development, Singapore Airlines announced in January 2024 that it would acquire a 25.1% stake in Air India as part of a merger between Air India and Vistara (a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata Sons). The transaction, which closed in November 2024, gave Singapore Airlines a significant stake in one of India's largest airlines, providing access to the fast-growing Indian aviation market.
SilkAir was fully integrated into Singapore Airlines' mainline operations in 2023, with all SilkAir routes and aircraft transferred to the Singapore Airlines brand.