Star Alliance - Would you rather fly SQ Y or UA E+?

I'm headed to Bali and am conflicted on routing - I can go SQ from SFO through HKG to SIN, or I could take United through HKG or NRT to SIN. I'm 1P, so I'd be in Economy+ on United with a possibility of an upgrade, while on SQ I'd be in straight Y with no likely upgrade (and it's a 744, so not their latest-and-greatest cabin, I'm 6' so legroom matters). Advice? Thanks!

I'm headed to Bali and am conflicted on routing - I can go SQ from SFO through HKG to SIN, or I could take United through HKG or NRT to SIN. I'm 1P, so I'd be in Economy+ on United with a possibility of an upgrade, while on SQ I'd be in straight Y with no likely upgrade (and it's a 744, so not their latest-and-greatest cabin, I'm 6' so legroom matters). Advice? Thanks!

The thing with the UA options is that you'd get in close to midnight and have to wait for the first flight to DPS the next day. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it's another point you may want to consider, since the SQ flight would arrive in SIN in the morning and you wouldn't have to spend the night waiting for the next flight.

Do *G flyers still have access to the SKL in SIN, can anyone answer?

How would you upgrade on UA? Miles? Friend with a SWU?

This is an easy one. SQ is a great airline in C and F, but for long-haul flights, nothing beats UA's E+, especially with the possibility of an upgrade. Try to get on UA's 777 via NRT, if you can.

The thing with the UA options is that you'd get in close to midnight and have to wait for the first flight to DPS the next day. Yes, but it appears there's a hotel in the departure terminal at SIN, so relatively painless, and would break up the trip a bit.
While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it's another point you may want to consider, since the SQ flight would arrive in SIN in the morning and you wouldn't have to spend the night waiting for the next flight.Yes, the UA itinerary is about twelve hours longer, due to the overnight in SIN, though I'd arrive in Bali a few hours earlier, which would give me a bit of lounging time by the pool before business the next day.
How would you upgrade on UA? Miles? Friend with a SWU?Yes, if he's feeling generous (it will likely expire before he can use it otherwise).

Yes, if he's feeling generous (it will likely expire before he can use it otherwise).

Yeah, that would be the kicker in favor of UA. Otherwise, it comes down to preference of leg room vs IFE.

If it were me and I were in Y, I'd absolutely fly UA, collect the double miles, and try to use a SWU.

C is of course a totally different matter!

It's hard to pass up the 100% RDMS on the UA ticket, but I would only travel on UA if I could confirm upgrade to C at booking and not have to sweat it out at the gate. Otherwise I think I'd fly on SQ in Y. Better in flight service and IFE to say the least even on an old 744. FWIW I'm 6'1" 260lb and I love E+, but I just think service has to count for something on that long of a flight.

Just curious what's the price difference, and don't forget you need to buy a W fare or better to use a SWU or H to use miles.

It's hard to pass up the 100% RDMS on the UA ticket, but I would only travel on UA if I could confirm upgrade to C at booking and not have to sweat it out at the gate. Otherwise I think I'd fly on SQ in Y. Better in flight service and IFE to say the least even on an old 744. FWIW I'm 6'1" 260lb and I love E+, but I just think service has to count for something on that long of a flight.I'm pretty self-sufficient for entertainment, prefer my laptop to their screen (especially the poor screens on most of the older systems, though the 777ER SQ screen is terrific). I've got two batteries, so I can usually get enough life out of the laptop even without power for most flights.
Just curious what's the price difference, and don't forget you need to buy a W fare or better to use a SWU or H to use miles.My SQ fare was just under $2100; UA to SIN and SQ to DPS was $1900 (class H and M, so I should be good w/SWU or miles, no?). UA does add about 12 hours (overnight in SIN), but it appears there are far worse places to overnight, and it does allow me to get home 10 hours earlier by leaving the night before I'd have to on a purely SQ routing...

I would go SQ.

Maybe try Asiana...? Asiana has 34" pitch in economy class, the same as UA E+ and you also get great inflight service and AVOD where available. Try for the overnight 747s out of LAX, and then take a morning flight out of ICN to Singapore.

But yes, I'd rather fly in SQ Y. How bout SQ15/16? It's on a 773ER.

This is an easy one. SQ is a great airline in C and F, but for long-haul flights, nothing beats UA's E+, especially with the possibility of an upgrade. Try to get on UA's 777 via NRT, if you can.

Fully agree, it is a no brainer: UA it is!

SQ is overrated, anyway. Especially in Y, where it is nothing special (come on, guys, who of you really believes that there are airlines with a good service in the back-of-the-bus).

If this were their 777-300ER service (like SFO - ICN) there'd be no question, but they won't be introducing that on SQ1/2 until January apparently (rather than the A380)... That Y seating and service was great, even with a few inches less seat pitch it was equally comfortable due to the new chair configuration.

This is an easy one. .
Totally agree

SQ is a great airline in C and F, but for long-haul flights, nothing beats UA's E+, especially with the possibility of an upgrade.

Totally disagree. I would definately go SQ, far better service, no overnight in SIN, IFE, meals, etc, etc. Only thing that talks is favour of UA is IF you can get a confirmed upgrade.

(come on, guys, who of you really believes that there are airlines with a good service in the back-of-the-bus).

Give SQ og TG a (serious) try.

There is no choice. Hands down E+.

Last week I flew SQ SYD--SIN--HKG return. SYD out 744 SYD in A380 SIN--HKG return 777. I am 6ft 1in tall and I would choose E+ anytime for that little bit of extra leg room. Click on my photo's below and look at the SIN SYD Nov 07 album it tells all.

Ray

You're about the same height as I am... UA E+ would be a no brainer for me. I took SQ in Y once and that is something I'd prefer never to repeat, it wasn't comfortable at all. UA E+ makes all the difference in the world on long haul routes where one must fly in Y. I'd much rather have the overnight in SIN than spend 12+ hours in SQ Y. Make sure if you want to use the SIN transit hotel to book way in advance, they are often booked full but I was able to just show up and get an unclaimed room there twice.

There is no choice. Hands down E+.

Have you ever actually flown SQ longhaul Y?

Have you ever actually flown SQ longhaul Y?
Why would I? I do my research before I fly and I'm not a masochist.

Why would I? I do my research before I fly and I'm not a masochist.

So you're authoritatively commenting on a product you've never set foot in. Ok.

So you're authoritatively commenting on a product you've never set foot in.
I am expressing an opinion. Last I heard, that was still legal in this country. If you don't believe in freedom of speech, there are other countries that would be happy to have you.

SQ: 32" pitch x 17.5" width. UA: 36" pitch x 18" width. That's all the information I need.

The pitch measurement really doesn't tell the whole story....

For me it would depend on the aircraft... If it was an Upper Deck 380 Y seat on SQ then I'd take it over E+ on UA...

Seat design is excellent IMO.. it sure felt like more room than "32" pitch" would indicate.... Service was top notch.. food was quite good... IFE was also good.

It is very subjective of course... but I wouldn't take the base measurements as a complete answer to the seat comfort!!

P.S. Why so defensive? I would have thought Axey had as much of a Freedom-of-speech right to question your ex-cathedra statement as you had to make it....;)

I've flown on the 77W (which I presume has the same arrangement as the A380) and agree that the 32" seat pitch is much better than would be expected based on the number. I'd choose that over E+ due to the great screen, in-seat power, and other SQ service amenities. Every indication is that the 744 32" pitch is just that, however - a 32" pitch, so given there is no in-seat power and it's an older screen, I agree that E+ is the way to go for those of us with legroom concerns.

I booked a *A ticket LAX-NRT-SIN and return in SQ Y. SQ J was not open.

Since I am not eligible for earning on this flight and I am only 5'8" I could care less about UA. I am excited about the SQ service and IFE.

I will report back in Feb after the trip.

I have done LAX-BKK in TG Y, so I think I can handle this, especially with lounges and a friend along.

I booked a *A ticket LAX-NRT-SIN and return in SQ Y. SQ J was not open.

Since I am not eligible for earning on this flight and I am only 5'8" I could care less about UA. I am excited about the SQ service and IFE.

I will report back in Feb after the trip.

I have done LAX-BKK in TG Y, so I think I can handle this, especially with lounges and a friend along.

I would also choose SQ Y. The IFE alone makes it easy to pass 6-8 hours. And, SQ is one of the few airlines I have been on in Y where they actually come right away to your seat when you press the call button.

UA is only good for confirmed Y>C upgrades. Nothing else.

Y+ sounds tempting with additional pitch but for good food, great service & great IFE, I will go for SQ for such a long journey.