Singapore Airlines frequently makes plenty of award space available towards the end of its booking calendar. If you’re searching 9 or more months in advance you have a good shot at finding a plethora of options, although right now there’s good close-in availability as well.

Thrifty Traveler‘s premium airfare deal alert service sent out an alert about business class award space from Houston – Manchester in the U.S., noting availability for two or more passengers February through April and July through December. The flight isn’t daily, but when operated inventory is good.

I want to make a few additional points, though.

• It’s not the only Singapore Airlines route where availability is really good right now
  
• If you’re willing to pay ~ 8% to 16% more miles availability gets even better

Throughout much of the year the Houston – Manchester flight is just three days a week. Looking at November for two business class awards I see:

That’s 81,000 Singapore Airlines miles each way. You get a few more flights available at 87,500 miles each way.

There’s greater availability variance with award price if you look at Los Angeles – Tokyo Narita. I searched November for two business class award seats, and availability is quite good at 103,500 miles each way but roughly doubles if looking at space for 123,000 miles each way or less. In fact, including awards at that price means it’s available every single day.

There’s been a lot written about how Alaska Airlines miles can be used to fly premium cabin long haul on Singapore Airlines, and Air Canada Aeroplan miles can too now. It used to be that Singapore didn’t release any premium cabin award space to partners (and still doesn’t to most partners). However in this case we’re dealing with space that is mostly available only to Singapore’s own KrisFlyer members.

Of course most of you have access to Singapore Airlines miles since the Krisflyer program is a transfer partner of all of the major bank transferable currencies – Chase, Amex, Citi, Capital One, and Brex. (Amex transfers are usually instant.)

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 their Star Alliance award chart. It’s also possible to book onward connections in Europe and Asia.

You can use United’s Polaris lounges where available from Singapore’s gateways in the U.S. The product includes lie flat seats, generally excellent service, and “Book the Cook” where you choose in advance what the airline will have for you to eat on board if you wish.