Singapore - DL(NW) or SQ in coach?
Jan 8, 2010, 9:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SLC
Posts: 21
Singapore - DL(NW) or SQ in coach?
I am traveling to Singapore in March with my family. Trying to determine if the DL/NW coach product with the associated MQM for the trip is better than booking with Singapore Airlines with no MQM. Typically fly 50-60k MQM per year with DL and will likely make GM in 2010 irrespective of the SIN trip. I have never flown SQ but understand they provide an excellent product, even in coach. Also, have never flown NW equipment to the Pacific Rim.
Fares on both carriers in coach are the same and with the family there is no chance of an upgrade on DL/NW.
Any insight concerning concerning the SQ vs. NW comfort and service levels in coach for an 18 plus hour trip is much appreciated.
Thank you.
Fares on both carriers in coach are the same and with the family there is no chance of an upgrade on DL/NW.
Any insight concerning concerning the SQ vs. NW comfort and service levels in coach for an 18 plus hour trip is much appreciated.
Thank you.
Jan 8, 2010, 9:20 pm
#2
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
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I am traveling to Singapore in March with my family. Trying to determine if the DL/NW coach product with the associated MQM for the trip is better than booking with Singapore Airlines with no MQM. Typically fly 50-60k MQM per year with DL and will likely make GM in 2010 irrespective of the SIN trip. I have never flown SQ but understand they provide an excellent product, even in coach. Also, have never flown NW equipment to the Pacific Rim.
Fares on both carriers in coach are the same and with the family there is no chance of an upgrade on DL/NW.
Any insight concerning concerning the SQ vs. NW comfort and service levels in coach for an 18 plus hour trip is much appreciated.
Thank you.
Fares on both carriers in coach are the same and with the family there is no chance of an upgrade on DL/NW.
Any insight concerning concerning the SQ vs. NW comfort and service levels in coach for an 18 plus hour trip is much appreciated.
Thank you.
Jan 8, 2010, 9:29 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 3,359
A Singaporean friend told me that she flies DL/NW only when they are cheaper and that given a choice she'll flying SQ even though she claims that they give better service to NON-Singaporeans than their own nationals...she still prefers the hard product on SQ over the AVOD-less DL/NW 747
Jan 8, 2010, 9:40 pm
#4
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If you're on a route where they fly A330, I think you're fine with NW. If you're on a 747 without AVOD, it's going to suck. Personally, I would go on NW and route through a city that will have an A330 (e.g. SFO).
Jan 8, 2010, 9:45 pm
#5
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I cant speak for Singapore air but you can get to SIN and avoid non avod equiptment. I assume you are leaving out of SLC? Take a flight to SEA, then you will be on a A332 with a personal TV the rest of the way to SIN, via NRT.
Jan 8, 2010, 9:52 pm
#6
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Of course it depends on your preference, but I would definitely go via SFO and not SEA. SLC-SFO is a short hop and leaves more time for SFO-NRT, in which you can sleep (if you're the sleeping type). SLC-SEA will mean an hour less on the TPAC flight, which means less sleep. SFO-NRT is also an A332. Avoid PDX as that's currently a 767-300, which unlike the -400, still has overhead screens in Y.
Jan 8, 2010, 9:57 pm
#7
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Of course it depends on your preference, but I would definitely go via SFO and not SEA. SLC-SFO is a short hop and leaves more time for SFO-NRT, in which you can sleep (if you're the sleeping type). SLC-SEA will mean an hour less on the TPAC flight, which means less sleep. SFO-NRT is also an A332. Avoid PDX as that's currently a 767-300, which unlike the -400, still has overhead screens in Y.
Jan 8, 2010, 11:58 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2008
Location: TPE
Programs: NW Plat, DL
Posts: 10
You have to ask yourself if you want to be served by young ladies who genuinely enjoy serving you or a bunch of grumpy old women who want you to understand that you should be grateful that they will bring you water.
Jan 9, 2010, 12:20 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Iowa, USA
Programs: Delta KM, United 1K, SPG plat
Posts: 415
As others have said, as far as actual comfort, just avoid the 747 and 767 routes (PDX and MSP come to mind) and you'll get about the same on NW as on SQ. But the huge difference is service.
The grumpy old women (who hate their jobs and hate people) that you find on trans-pac NW/DL/UA flights make a very uncomfortable 6-8 hours even worse.
Jan 9, 2010, 2:10 am
#11
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I'd go for the MQMs, assuming I could get on an AVOD plane the whole way. Is the service and food on SQ better? Yes. But I don't think it better enough to justify giving up a shot at PM - you say that you will make GM, regardless, so I would think the extra 18k MQMs from this trip would potentially push you over PM (or give you a ton of rollover).
Now, if the SQ fare is an EQM-earning fare on either UA or CO (not all are), then you might consider pushing the miles to one of them, assuming you could top it up and eclipse 25k. Access to Y+ on UA and checked bag fee waivers is a nice thing to have in the back-pocket.
Now, if the SQ fare is an EQM-earning fare on either UA or CO (not all are), then you might consider pushing the miles to one of them, assuming you could top it up and eclipse 25k. Access to Y+ on UA and checked bag fee waivers is a nice thing to have in the back-pocket.
Jan 9, 2010, 4:21 am
#12
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Not that it matters much, but the NW/DL SEA-NRT is operated by A333 equipment;332s operate to/from SFO. In my experience, the SEA flights are more full whereas the SFO flights don't fill up as often. If you choose NW, I agree with others to avoid the 747's (DTW, MSP, and LAX <-> NRT) and the 767-300's (PDX <-> NRT) in coach.
Jan 9, 2010, 8:32 am
#13
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The 330s are great, but I would also consider the schedules. On NW, SLC-NRT-SIN leaves in the morning (how early?) and arrives into SIN at about 1 am, leaving for the return trip at 6 am. Depending on the routing, SLC-LAX-SIN vs another connection through NRT, SQ arrives and departs SIN at more civilized times and at a nicer terminal, although it's all connected inside of passport control. Consider also that on SQ, you must change terminals at LAX, which I consider much more of a hassle than doing NW domestic/international at SFO or even SEA.
Jan 9, 2010, 9:40 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 26
I'd go for the MQMs, assuming I could get on an AVOD plane the whole way. Is the service and food on SQ better? Yes. But I don't think it better enough to justify giving up a shot at PM - you say that you will make GM, regardless, so I would think the extra 18k MQMs from this trip would potentially push you over PM (or give you a ton of rollover).
Now, if the SQ fare is an EQM-earning fare on either UA or CO (not all are), then you might consider pushing the miles to one of them, assuming you could top it up and eclipse 25k. Access to Y+ on UA and checked bag fee waivers is a nice thing to have in the back-pocket.
Now, if the SQ fare is an EQM-earning fare on either UA or CO (not all are), then you might consider pushing the miles to one of them, assuming you could top it up and eclipse 25k. Access to Y+ on UA and checked bag fee waivers is a nice thing to have in the back-pocket.
Jan 9, 2010, 10:01 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 3,359
I'd go for the MQMs, assuming I could get on an AVOD plane the whole way. Is the service and food on SQ better? Yes. But I don't think it better enough to justify giving up a shot at PM - you say that you will make GM, regardless, so I would think the extra 18k MQMs from this trip would potentially push you over PM (or give you a ton of rollover).