Air New Zealand Air Points - SQ on RTW - what to expect

I know, wrong forum, but I know a lot of you here have flown SQ and I am eager for your opinions first before jumping over to the SQ or *A forum (if necessary, that is - keep it in the family first, I always say).

I'm on a *A RTW this August: DUD-CHC-AKL-SFO-YYZ-LHR-GLA-LHR-SIN-CHC-DUD. I always look forward to the NZ and AC flights, but flying SQ on the LHR-SIN-CHC leg - am wondering about seat selection. I know you can't get your seats pre-assigned, and that is what has me worried: winding up in a middle seat for more than 2 hours, let alone 10. For what it's worth, I'm * Silver with a heap of miles siting in my AC Aeroplan account (119,000 at last count).

Is J normally full on these SQ flights? Any point in offering to pay for an u/g?

I suppose it comes down to this: I hear so many good things about SQ, I wonder whether I'm bound to be disappointed!

am wondering about seat selection. I know you can't get your seats pre-assigned, and that is what has me worried: winding up in a middle seat for more than 2 hours, let alone 10.

You can request a window or aisle seat beforehand. Not a specific seat though. However, you can do that over the phone from 48 hours prior to departure. In Singapore you can check-in from 48 hours p2d. You won't have any problems getting a seat. They keep the emergency exit seats to PPS members normally, however.

Is J normally full on these SQ flights? Any point in offering to pay for an u/g?

I'm not sure if you can ug individual segements on a rwt on sq...one for the sq brethren I'd say.

I suppose it comes down to this: I hear so many good things about SQ, I wonder whether I'm bound to be disappointed!

Believe me: you won't. The only thing you'll be disappointed with after this is NZ Y.

Go the the CNN international site and do a search for Richard Quest's recent R-t-W STAR journey. I believe he had several SQ sectors and the reports are quite positive. It'll give you a good idea of what to expect from the various carriers you may be booked on...

SQ often seems to be pretty full when I have flown them between NZ, Singapore and Europe. Your trip being August means you miss the school holidays so may not be too bad then.

You can check in early over internet - up to 48 hours before departure.

Thanks, guys.

Online check-in only available if you're a Kris member, or you booked online through SIA. As near as I can figure, fax/phone check in is not available at LHR (only Athens and Rome in Europe, according to the site).

The only saving grace is that I arrive at LHR from GLA some six hours before the flight, and the counters open hour hours before dep.

SH: good tip on the article by Quest. Nice for some to be offered u/g on some legs!

Dave

If you're flying in from GLA same day you fly out from LHR and you are with a *A carrier (ie BD) or partner of SQ, then you could try checking in for the SQ segments as well. Note that for some strange reason they dont like to issue boarding passes for sectors that depart more than 24 hours away, so depending on your schedule you may only get LHR-SIN sector but not SIN-CHC. But then you may be able to get SIN-CHC issued at LHR (I'd try SQ lounge rather than transfer desk).

Based on my past experiences there could be 100+ pax already checked-in, but still the earlier you can check-in generally the better your chances of a good seat.

The way around this of course is to ring them up before your departure to LHR and have a seat pre-assigned. Even if you can't check in they will allocate you a seat.

KF: good idea - i might try that. I had a problem once at YYZ checking all the way through (long story) - in the end, the check-in staff couldn't figure out how to issue BPs so far out. They did in the end, but took a while for them to familiarise themselves with their system.

Fliar: didn't know you could get a seat assigned but not check in - makes sense - thanks for that!

D