Starting in July – through end of March 2024 (!) – you’ll frequently find four or more business class award seats per flight on Singapore Airlines between New York JFK and Frankfurt. And these flights aren’t bookable just using Singapore’s miles, they’re available if you want to spend Air Canada Aeroplan points as well – which will save you miles.

Here’s a sample, current award availability on the route for 4 or more passengers in February 2024:

Singapore Airlines has historically offered strong award availability using their own KrisFlyer miles (fortunately you can transfer from most major currencies to Singapore Airlines), especially booked far in advance in business class and more so even on their ‘fifth freedom’ routes between the U.S. and Europe.

Right now there’s especially good availability on the New York JFK – Frankfurt route in business class. There’s award space for a whole family, not just for a couple. And because it’s space that Air Canada Aeroplan has access to – which means booking at extremely reasonable prices (e.g. 60,000 miles each way) and still without fuel surcharges. That compares to 81,000 to 87,500 KrisFlyer miles.

Perhaps oddly, while Alaska Airlines has in recent times also had access to some long haul premium cabin Singapore Airlines award space, it’s been less space than Air Canada has shown and these seats don’t appear to be coming up on Alaska’s award search. I did not check Lufthansa Miles & More availability, Lufthansa also sometimes has access to Singapore space that United does not.

Bear in mind that while transfers from a variety of frequent flyer currencies to Aeroplan are instant, they’re not all instant if you move miles to Singapore’s own KrisFlyer program, though they’ve become instant for Amex transfers. Singapore will often let you put seats on hold pending a transfer if you call – if you get told no hang up and call back.

Singapore Airlines generally has a good but not great business class seat – it’s fully flat with direct aisle access, and the bulkhead offers amazing space, but you wind up angling your legs under the seat in front of you. The soft product is excellent – food (including “Book the Cook” where you choose in advance what the airline will have for you to eat on board if you wish), service, and the KrisWorld entertainment system. You can use United’s Polaris lounges where available from Singapore’s gateways in the U.S.

And since Singapore is a member of Star Alliance, it’s possible to include United Airlines domestic award seats to get to and from these flights in the U.S. using Singapore’s Star Alliance award chart if United saver space is available. That holds true when redeeming through Air Canada Aeroplan as well. It’s also possible to book onward connections in Europe and Asia.