Credits on Qatar and Emirates airlines advise

[Winston1997]

take a look at the return flights from Dubai to Singapore. Singapore Airlines lists theirs as VTL and Emirates does not. Both are non stop to Singapore. I would not assume that Emirates is a VTL.

from San Francisco to Singapore United operates a non stop flight that is not stated VTL. Singapore operates a non stop that is marked VTL.

[Lisafuller]

“It's taken a little time, but Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates have now all confirmed their VTL flights, which will allow quarantine-free travel on routes like Paris – Doha – Singapore or New York – Abu Dhabi – Singapore at potentially lower costs or miles rates than you may face when flying Singapore”. According to google, emirates does have some VTL flights.

[Winston1997]

On Sunday February 20th I went to Emirates Singapore website to book the Singapore to Dubai trip and this is what I saw for restrictions into Singapore.

COVID requirements for travel to Singapore: Singapore is now open for tourists | COVID-19 test is required | Quarantine is required..

Well I guess its back to Singapore Airlines to be sure I have a
VTL option into Singapore. Going for 5 days for the Expo etc but dont want another 5 or 7 days at a Singapore hotel when arriving back into Singapore.

[Lisafuller]

Hmm that’s definitely weird, I read that emirates was doing VTL flights into SG but maybe something has changed.

[Winston1997]

Can't trust information as the passenger is left holding the bag if it goes wrong.

KISS

[Lisafuller]

“Tic… Toc…”

[ProvenPracticalFlexible]

Emirates now actually advertised that with they VTL fights you get complimentary Season pass to visit Expo 2020 Dubai as many times as you want unitl 31.3.2022.

So easier than getting a taxi in a rainy morning.

[ProvenPracticalFlexible]

Emirates now actually advertised that with they VTL fights you get complimentary Season pass to visit Expo 2020 Dubai as many times as you want unitl 31.3.2022.

So easier than getting a taxi in a rainy morning.

[Lisafuller]

Seems just like a ploy to get more people to visit the expo rather than just Dubai.

[Winston1997]

Low risk....booked Singapore Airlines. Did a VTL in December from JFK to Singapore and they run a solid VTL. Everyone knows what is going on.

Tickets to the Expo done.

Now looking for a great hotel not a resort. Anyone stay at a Rove? What is a location to book as the Expo is not the only thing we are going to do
We are only going to be in Dubai for 5 days.

Suggestions to make the best if a short visit.

[Winston1997]

One other question. UAE states that only proof of vaccination at immigration no PCR.

Will Singapore Airlines still require us to have a PCR done here in Singapore before allowing us to board the flight to Dubai? I am also thinking we will need to PCR test in Dubai for the Singapore Airlines VTL back to Singapore.

Here is what is going on at Singapore Airlines...
Forget calling no one answers.
Go to ticket office on Orchard.
Did that last Tuesday Long line. We were given a que number and advised that 2 hours later we would get a text to return. We were texted and we returned. Waited 45 minutes till we were called. Only half the service stations were opened.

Agent answered some questions and others she was not sure and advised to visit online

One observation. Lots of flyers are booking in person so each reservation takes forever

It will not get better till the VTL process gets streamlined.

The same goes for airport chech in

[ProvenPracticalFlexible]

SQ doesn't require swap test when flying out of Singapore if the destination doesn't require it. Coming back I think now most VTL destinations only require ART test for pre-flight.

Lesson during Covid times is to book online and read the rules yourself if you don't want to wait in queue for hours. Somehow people assume a booking agent can know all the rules for different countries. They will have to read it from same source to check that you could do yourself. Not to mention that noone knows if the rules will be still same when the travel date comes.