My First SQ Flight - Wow, What A Difference
Feb 24, 2014, 4:03 pm
#31
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That is the biggest drawback on flying on SQ Y, another drawback is the cheapest Y ticket earn no miles.
I'm aware that US airlines can't compete with Asian carriers. While I found the coach product of AC, NH and BR only marginally better than UA and most of it was service delivery or seat size/quality (AC), the difference between SQ and UA was so stark and dramatic, I was shocked.
The point of my post, and no it's not a trip report that should be moved, is to draw attention to this stark contrast, and also try to figure out why UA doesn't even bother trying to compete at all.
The fare I paid on SQ was actually lower than UA charges on the same routing - and if I look further at other routes on SQ, they either price at or slightly below UA (LAX/NRT, SFO/ICN, SFO/HKG).
The point of my post, and no it's not a trip report that should be moved, is to draw attention to this stark contrast, and also try to figure out why UA doesn't even bother trying to compete at all.
The fare I paid on SQ was actually lower than UA charges on the same routing - and if I look further at other routes on SQ, they either price at or slightly below UA (LAX/NRT, SFO/ICN, SFO/HKG).
And if UA had ever tried to be better before ? yes certainly, how long you have been flying UA actually ? sUA basically had full products even in Y before the bankruptcy in 2003. sUA had no amenity kits in Y, but they did have individual blue socks and eyeshades (FA actually would walk down the aisle passing those out, not even on request only), printed menus, towels, the two choice of meals were completely different, not just the entrée, playing cards, stationery sets.
sCO before the merger with sUA, even as close as 2011, sCO still had printed menus in Y, towels, midflight snack with ice-cream and hot sandwhiches.
Most of the times when I looked at the fare for SQ, the low fare actually take me the long way IAH-DME-SIN-HKG instead of SFO-HKG, if not the fare earn ZERO miles, not to mention, I don't get the elite bonus on UA/NH, with that, why bother with SQ ?
Last edited by ORDnHKG; Feb 24, 2014 at 4:30 pm
Feb 24, 2014, 6:40 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,158
"Old" 77W with brown/beige/green colored seats covers in Y (majority of the fleet)
New 77W with blue colored seat covers and touchscreen IFE in Y
The WIFI system is fitted in both versions, but to my knowledge SQ hasnt completed the installation of WIFI systems on all 77W yet. You may have been just unlucky, that you were on one of the birds not offering WIFI yet.
Feb 24, 2014, 6:41 pm
#33
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Were you expecting this?
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Singa...4fa4f6864dc8e7
http://www.silverkris.com/sia-news/2...ducts-unveiled
That's the new cabin product launched last year. The new 77W are now serving London and Delhi (selected flights).
The one which is serving SIN-ICN-SFO is still the older product.
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Singa...4fa4f6864dc8e7
http://www.silverkris.com/sia-news/2...ducts-unveiled
That's the new cabin product launched last year. The new 77W are now serving London and Delhi (selected flights).
The one which is serving SIN-ICN-SFO is still the older product.
Are these seats even more comfortable than the older product or less-so?
Feb 24, 2014, 9:31 pm
#34
Join Date: May 2012
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Feb 24, 2014, 11:39 pm
#36
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Feb 25, 2014, 3:36 am
#37
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I don't mind trashing UA for its service. Indeed, SQ's inflight is way better in all classes.
However, you have to give some credits to UA.
1. UA offers RDM bonus to elites. You get nothing from SQ.
2. Basically, all UA paid tickets are FFP eligible, but not the case in SQ.
3. For 1K/GS, you get GPUs to secure your upgrade. In SQ, you use your miles.
4. Last but not the least, you pay no YQ for award redeemed from UA . But you pay YQ for award redeemed from SQ.
I call this - trade off.
However, you have to give some credits to UA.
1. UA offers RDM bonus to elites. You get nothing from SQ.
2. Basically, all UA paid tickets are FFP eligible, but not the case in SQ.
3. For 1K/GS, you get GPUs to secure your upgrade. In SQ, you use your miles.
4. Last but not the least, you pay no YQ for award redeemed from UA . But you pay YQ for award redeemed from SQ.
I call this - trade off.
Feb 25, 2014, 7:29 am
#39
formerly Fly-Swiss
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ
Posts: 878
the 777 is good but the rest of the fleet is rather tight. As example, 787 has 31'' by 17.2'' that's rather bad, and they are going to fly SIN-DOH with that plane.
Feb 28, 2014, 8:13 pm
#41
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Feb 28, 2014, 9:31 pm
#42
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Mar 2, 2014, 1:17 am
#43
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 549
Yes, I know UA will never be Singapore Airlines, but after today I wonder if they even bother trying to compete on TPAC routes.
Here is a breakdown of my experience:
- reasonably comfortable, 19" wide coach seat with almost 35" of pitch (I could cross my legs if the seat in front didn't recline)
- printed menus - in coach!
- an amenity kit! (ok, socks and a toothbrush, but at least it's something)
- hot towel service - in coach! - twice! Once after departure and again before the pre-landing meal
- more drink services than I could count
- the dinner service had more smoked salmon in the appetizer than I've ever seen in United BF or even GF
- self-service snacks had more variety than UA in BusinessFirst
- the IFE system had more movies and TV shows than I've ever seen on the UA BF system
- my aircraft wasn't even a refurbished model, but the new ones have wifi on board - over the Pacific (yes I know it's expensive, but they have a $18 Chinese New Year special running, which is worth it for a long flight)
- on board staff were not gushy, sweet "we'll do anything to please", but were friendly, very efficient, and delivered every part of the inflight service to SQ's standards vs UA crews who tend to delivery inflight service according to their personal professionalism or mood of the day.
I opened a Krisflyer account so I can move SPG and MR points to that program and upgrade from very reasonably priced Y fares to J and still credit the flight to UA. Once my UA GPU's are used for the year, I think this will be the way to go. I feel sorry for the folks on the UA 747 who followed us from SFO to ICN today.
Here is a breakdown of my experience:
- reasonably comfortable, 19" wide coach seat with almost 35" of pitch (I could cross my legs if the seat in front didn't recline)
- printed menus - in coach!
- an amenity kit! (ok, socks and a toothbrush, but at least it's something)
- hot towel service - in coach! - twice! Once after departure and again before the pre-landing meal
- more drink services than I could count
- the dinner service had more smoked salmon in the appetizer than I've ever seen in United BF or even GF
- self-service snacks had more variety than UA in BusinessFirst
- the IFE system had more movies and TV shows than I've ever seen on the UA BF system
- my aircraft wasn't even a refurbished model, but the new ones have wifi on board - over the Pacific (yes I know it's expensive, but they have a $18 Chinese New Year special running, which is worth it for a long flight)
- on board staff were not gushy, sweet "we'll do anything to please", but were friendly, very efficient, and delivered every part of the inflight service to SQ's standards vs UA crews who tend to delivery inflight service according to their personal professionalism or mood of the day.
I opened a Krisflyer account so I can move SPG and MR points to that program and upgrade from very reasonably priced Y fares to J and still credit the flight to UA. Once my UA GPU's are used for the year, I think this will be the way to go. I feel sorry for the folks on the UA 747 who followed us from SFO to ICN today.
Instead of -
BUD-LHR (BA)
LHR-MEL (QF)
MEL-SYD (QF)
I got -
BUD-FRA (LH)
FRA-SIN (SQ)
SIN-SYD (QF)
All in Y.
Worked out better - shorter distance and got home earlier.
I was most impressed with SQ. WOW. They were fantastic. All of the above that you mentioned I agree with.
IFE
Food
Staff
Drinks
Was a delight to fly on SQ.
Mar 6, 2014, 6:13 pm
#44
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SIN
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Posts: 26
The new seats felt sort of like memory foam to me...hopefully they will hold up.
Mar 6, 2014, 7:03 pm
#45
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Yes, I know UA will never be Singapore Airlines, but after today I wonder if they even bother trying to compete on TPAC routes.
Here is a breakdown of my experience:
- reasonably comfortable, 19" wide coach seat with almost 35" of pitch (I could cross my legs if the seat in front didn't recline)
- printed menus - in coach!
- an amenity kit! (ok, socks and a toothbrush, but at least it's something)
- hot towel service - in coach! - twice! Once after departure and again before the pre-landing meal
- more drink services than I could count
- the dinner service had more smoked salmon in the appetizer than I've ever seen in United BF or even GF
- self-service snacks had more variety than UA in BusinessFirst
- the IFE system had more movies and TV shows than I've ever seen on the UA BF system
- my aircraft wasn't even a refurbished model, but the new ones have wifi on board - over the Pacific (yes I know it's expensive, but they have a $18 Chinese New Year special running, which is worth it for a long flight)
- on board staff were not gushy, sweet "we'll do anything to please", but were friendly, very efficient, and delivered every part of the inflight service to SQ's standards vs UA crews who tend to delivery inflight service according to their personal professionalism or mood of the day.
I opened a Krisflyer account so I can move SPG and MR points to that program and upgrade from very reasonably priced Y fares to J and still credit the flight to UA. Once my UA GPU's are used for the year, I think this will be the way to go. I feel sorry for the folks on the UA 747 who followed us from SFO to ICN today.
Here is a breakdown of my experience:
- reasonably comfortable, 19" wide coach seat with almost 35" of pitch (I could cross my legs if the seat in front didn't recline)
- printed menus - in coach!
- an amenity kit! (ok, socks and a toothbrush, but at least it's something)
- hot towel service - in coach! - twice! Once after departure and again before the pre-landing meal
- more drink services than I could count
- the dinner service had more smoked salmon in the appetizer than I've ever seen in United BF or even GF
- self-service snacks had more variety than UA in BusinessFirst
- the IFE system had more movies and TV shows than I've ever seen on the UA BF system
- my aircraft wasn't even a refurbished model, but the new ones have wifi on board - over the Pacific (yes I know it's expensive, but they have a $18 Chinese New Year special running, which is worth it for a long flight)
- on board staff were not gushy, sweet "we'll do anything to please", but were friendly, very efficient, and delivered every part of the inflight service to SQ's standards vs UA crews who tend to delivery inflight service according to their personal professionalism or mood of the day.
I opened a Krisflyer account so I can move SPG and MR points to that program and upgrade from very reasonably priced Y fares to J and still credit the flight to UA. Once my UA GPU's are used for the year, I think this will be the way to go. I feel sorry for the folks on the UA 747 who followed us from SFO to ICN today.