PNR query

We most likely have a business trip to Singapore next year, and we decided we'd like to fly with VS to Hong Kong and get a connecting flight from HKG to SIN. This is largely because we've not yet been to Hong Kong and would love to see it, so we're thinking after we're done with business in Singapore we'll return to Hong Kong for a few days, plus net some nice TP and miles along the way as we'll either get PE seats (with Y between HKG > SIN as it's not a very long flight), or do M to G upgrades depending on availability (right now outbound is looking good, but inbound not so much).

Anyway, there's only one daily VS flight to HKG and it lands at 17:50. We'd love to do the Y leg with SQ as they're a partner and if I book the right fare bucket we'll earn miles and TP there, too. In fact, enough to tip us into Au territory without thinking about it too much However, I'm a little worried as according to the SQ website, their last flight of the day to HKG is at 19:55. Technically this shouldn't be an issue as it gives us 2 hours and 5 minutes to get through HKG, but we will have to clear customs and immigration, and collect and recheck our check-in bags. I have read that HKG is an ultra efficient airport and I don't see many complaints about delays; apparently even long queues move quickly, but I'm still a bit worried.

So! My questions are as follows:

1) Will I be able to book LHR > HKG > SIN > HKG > LHR all through VS? Obviously they're partnered with SQ and I've done a similar booking with Delta connecting flights through VS before without issue; but will they all be on the same PNR?

2) What happens if there's a delay with our outbound flight and we miss the connecting flight to SIN? As it's the last flight of the evening, I really want them to be on the same PNR so that we're covered if we do miss it. If we do, do they just book us on another airline to SIN? Give us a hotel and a morning flight?

I feel like I sort of know the answer to these questions, but am seeking clarification! Thanks so much, and Happy New Year to you all!

1) It's very tricky to book mixed-cabin tickets across partners on one PNR, especially if the routes are covered by both airlines. For it to be on one PNR SQ would want you to fly the LHR-HKG leg on SQ (via SIN), so you'll probably find that this leg will not be a VS codeshare (thus unable to be booked as a single connecting ticket through to SIN, with the final leg on SQ).

If you want it on one PNR (and helping your VS account), why not book r/t to HKG via SIN, all on SQ earning VS miles & TPs? Long stopover for a few days on the way out for business in SIN, holiday in HKG, and straight back to LHR with a swift connection (1 hr) in SIN.

2) VS's obligation is to get you to your destination on their PNR (HKG in your example). EU 261 only protects you for that first leg. Yes you'll receive compensation (no hotel, though) if delayed etc, but the second leg (HKG-SIN) is not VS's responsibility, and will not be within the scope of EU261. That said, you fly regularly with VS, and SQ is a codeshare partner, so I would like to think VS & SQ would want to help you if you end up missing the SQ flight because of a VS delay, but (if not on one PNR) they have no obligation to do so.

NYLON, as always, thank you for being so helpful! It is as I thought regarding it being tough to book them together. The reason we wanted to go with VS is because even though SQ Y is a good product, we'd still prefer the comfort of PE or UC on such a long flight (plus it'd net us 6 TP on the way to HKG and back, versus 4 TP in Y with SQ).

I had another thought which was to fly out to HKG a day early and spend the night there, then fly on to SIN the following morning so we'd have less worries. The long stopover in SIN is a great idea, too. I'll price a few things up and see what comes out.

Thanks again, it's much appreciated

Good luck, and let us know how you get on! Happy New Year!