Simon Cuckoo

Just returned from Asia on SQ last night having travelled there via QR and wanted to put some thoughts here for those deciding who to fly with given the wide choices available.

My routing was SIN-LHR on the 777-300ER for the record.

Firstly my flight from Phuket was late and I was originally booked on the A380 flight. On arrival at the gate (I had 30 minutes to transfer from T2 to T3) I was told by the only ground staff present to run, so run I did, and I made it to the gate 18 minutes before departure. I was informed that I could not board as they had already rebooked me to the later flight. I tried to argue this but they couldn't find me a seat and seemed to be having problems with getting me back on the A380.

So off I trundled to the Lounge which was very nice - very big!

About an hour later I boarded the 777 and on boarding was escorted to my seat (a nice touch) and was fairly impressed by the seat itself. I was allocated 16a but moved up to 15A as I have good earplugs for the galley noise and the extra legroom is quite astonishing on this particular seat.

Positives:
The seat (I managed to get about 6 hrs sleep and I really struggle to sleep on planes).
The Cabin Crew were exceptional and I mean really exception. The primary person who looked after me was always ready to assist.

Minor grumbles/surprises:
Given the price differential versus QR I was shocked that there was no amenity kit (Just socks, eyeshades).
I was really disappointed by the food - I flew Cathay last year and the food was poor and this wasn't really any better. QRs food was better.
The issue with my rebooking was very frustrating.
IFE seemed limited.

Overall I am happy to tick SQ off the bucket list in J. It was a good experience but I can't justify the sometimes more than double price vs QR or Cathay.

Hopefully this can help guide others.

FN-GM

The QR 77W J is a 2-2-2 layout whilst SQ is a 1-2-1 layout. The seat is also much bigger so I don't think you can compare the price really. The 787 is 1-2-1, but you are at an angle, you are not facing forwards.

As for amenities the draws in the bathroom are stocked with various bits and bobs.

What was limiting about the IFE?

SQ325

Which is in principle the same concept as SQs. But SQs seat gives a bit more room sideways.

I wondered that too. In fact I felt that QRs selection was a bit limited compared to SQs.

kevinoh

If you were on last night's flight (9V-SWY SQ306 DEP 01:15 25 Nov) then you were lucky enough to get the latest business class product over the older product in the A380.

nanyang

But QR 787 J seats don't have much privacy - at least that's what I recall from my only flight on a QR 787. Funny that - I remember how my IFE and the overhead light did not work at all on that flight (this was only an issue with my seat).

Simon Cuckoo - thank you for sharing your observations. ^

Fully agree re SQ crews. Very good.

Of course the economics might work a little bit differently for these two airlines - which might be reflected in the ticket price as well.

I do not fully understand the interest in amenity kits - unless one views them as some sort of memorabilia. I'm sometimes happy to take the socks, but that's pretty much it

Phaze

That's putting it mildly. One operates without the need and pressure to generate profit and the other doesn't.

shuigao

Exactly this, especially for the paid-Y traveller who only flies redemption-F once every two years. I imagine if you fly J/F regularly it wouldn't be special at all.