Travel

Singapore Airlines Increased My Layover From 1 Hour To 10

At this point, I’ve been on enough long haul flights to know that I prefer a short layover going and a longer one on return, so this 10-hour wait in Singapore was definitely not part of my plan. But it wasn’t all that unwelcome either.

My Long-Haul Airline Of Choice

Traveling over the summer holiday season has become a norm for me. Whether it’s heading to Japan or going back to South Africa to visit family, summer holidays are rarely spent at home. Needless to say, flying is something I endure on a yearly basis. So when it comes to long-haul trips, I opt for Singapore Airlines. They’ve been the most reliable, comfortable and affordable airline for me—it’s a no-brainer at this point.

My Singapore Airlines Flight Was Delayed

I must admit I was concerned about my one-hour layover, but I figured they wouldn’t offer this if they didn’t think it was doable…right? Well, none of that ended up mattering. My first flight was delayed, forcing me to get the next one out of Singapore a whole nine hours after my original flight. I knew I couldn’t be mad; there was a storm over the East China Sea, and nothing else could be done about it.

Singapore Airlines Put Me Up in a Hotel

When we’d landed in Singapore there was an announcement telling any passengers heading to Johannesburg to meet with ground staff once off the plane. I fully thought they were there to tell me I could still make it onto the earlier flight, which they were not—that plane had already left. Instead they were there to give me vouchers for a hotel room and taxis during my 10 hour layover. Yay!

I needed to make my way to immigration, fill in a quick form for my eVisa—no need to collect my bags, as they’d be loaded onto my next flight—and then make my way to the taxi stand. Once there, I simply showed the driver the hotel address I was handed and I was on my way.

A Surprisingly Enjoyable 10-Hour Layover in Singapore

The hotel was clearly in the more popular part of Singapore, and damn was it noice! At check-in, I was told I had S$40 to spend on lunch and S$50 for dinner, and my taxi back to the airport would be arranged and paid for when I was ready. So basically, I had nothing to worry about.

The Silver Lining of an Unexpected 10-Hour Layover

I suppose the silver lining of having my one-hour layover turned into a 10-hour layover was getting an unexpected little taste of Singapore. What could have been a stressful travel day ended up being surprisingly comfortable, with a hotel room, a couple of good meals, a shower and even a few hours of sleep before getting back on the plane. All this to say, Singapore Airlines has been my favourite airline for a while now, and if this is how they handle an unexpected delay, I don’t see that changing anytime soon.