opening my eyes, flying SQ to Singapore
#32
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: ROP Gold
Posts: 1,292
Last time I checked a map of the world Singapore wasn't located between Qatar and the UAE. This isn't some oil-rich nation that sees money falling from trees - it's a country that has worked hard for everything it has achieved, and has been blessed with very good leadership that has allowed it to develop and flourish.
If you like you can buy shares in Singapore Airlines - they're a public company listed on the stock exchange.
If you like you can buy shares in Singapore Airlines - they're a public company listed on the stock exchange.
If I may further add, the Singapore government is of the view that the airport as an airhub is of greater economic value than the airline. They evenly openly mentioned that it will be defended even at the expense of Singapore Airlines. (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/...pore-hub_x.htm)
For instance Qantas is allowed to fly further to third countries from Singapore even though SQ is not allowed to fly to other third countries from Australia.
So SQ does not enjoy any protection and in some ways is actually in a disadvantage position due to the preceived economic value of the airport as an airhub.
SQ's success is really its own hard work.
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,481
-- italic fonts (do they think it's stylish?)
-- scrolling window segments that jump suddenly and hide parts of the page
-- when flights are sold out, they disappear completely, leaving you to wonder whether they simply don't offer service on that route/day or what
-- and other functional frustrations
By the way, another thing I liked about their economy class is that the seats, when reclining, push the seat part out forward so you have a bit more room.
The footrests, on the other hand, I didn't find to be that useful.
#35
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX DM
Posts: 1,140
TA, many good airlines are like this in East Asia to a large extent. You just happened to travel with the best of the lot . But you would have experienced many elements of this (though not all) with Cathay, ANA and Asiana too - the last 2 of which are also *A.
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,481
^ - very well said.
If I may further add, the Singapore government is of the view that the airport as an airhub is of greater economic value than the airline. They evenly openly mentioned that it will be defended even at the expense of Singapore Airlines. (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/...pore-hub_x.htm)
...
If I may further add, the Singapore government is of the view that the airport as an airhub is of greater economic value than the airline. They evenly openly mentioned that it will be defended even at the expense of Singapore Airlines. (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/...pore-hub_x.htm)
...
I'm now in the terminal (on a free internet kiosk by the way). It was so impressive going to the basement of T3 and seeing the food court, bustling with activity, variety, and cheap prices, equal to what you would find on the normal streets of Singapore.
What is the difference in philosophy behind the management of this airport, compared to the sterile, sold-off-to-corporate-chains approach that US airports are run? Do they take a different view of value provided, in that giving workers/travelers/staff an affordable place to eat creates value in new business, or desire of people to use the airport as a transit point? Or is it that they see a responsibility to provide value at all levels of customer, not just milking one lever, and letting the market sort it out (which apparently leads to only amenities for the top business traveler)?
I'm assuming this example extends to other functions at the airport.
I think this kind of philosophy requires quite a different mindset -- and giving up short term revenue (like pricing retail rental space so that only the biggest chains can afford it) in return for larger business development and long term viability.
But also perhaps the people and talent to manage it this way, and not just view it as a typical govt job?
I am about to visit the butterfly garden. This is amazing.
Last edited by TA; Jun 12, 2011 at 3:09 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,924
There's also the free City Tours, sometimes free jazz concerts, piano recitals and once, a fashion show. There're also paid services like swimming pool, tennis courts, gym, and of course day / night transit rooms which are very good value for money.
#40
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PIT
Programs: OZ Diamond, UA Gold
Posts: 9,880
Last time I was in SQ I wanted to go to a science exposition, but it had been replaced by a culture one. Oh well, it was good to learn more about Singapore/Malaysia's culture
#42
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: ROP Gold
Posts: 1,292
Oh, don't get me started on their website, which I've only tried a few times.
:
:
-- italic fonts (do they think it's stylish?)
-- scrolling window segments that jump suddenly and hide parts of the page
-- when flights are sold out, they disappear completely, leaving you to wonder whether they simply don't offer service on that route/day or what
-- and other functional frustrations
:
:
-- italic fonts (do they think it's stylish?)
-- scrolling window segments that jump suddenly and hide parts of the page
-- when flights are sold out, they disappear completely, leaving you to wonder whether they simply don't offer service on that route/day or what
-- and other functional frustrations
I also cannot understand why does everyone think useless pictures / graphics / different font types would make the web-site more interesting? e.g. the new LH web-site (I find the pics to be rather distracting on the home page but fortunately the bulk of the site still uses the "classic" functionalities) and the new checkmytrip web-site (another bomb - takes years to upload and those fonts are another eye sore).
Last edited by anaidross; Jun 13, 2011 at 3:36 pm
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,924
One of the most screwed up web-sites I have ever seen. I cannot even make a multi-city booking. why they did not switch it off yet and use the classic mode until all the "teething problems" are fixed.
I also cannot understand why does everyone think useless pictures / graphics / different font types would make the web-site more interesting? e.g. the new LH web-site (I find the pics to be rather distracting on the home page but fortunately the bulk of the site still uses the "classic" functionalities) and the new checkmytrip web-site (another bomb - takes years to upload and those fonts are another eye sore).
I also cannot understand why does everyone think useless pictures / graphics / different font types would make the web-site more interesting? e.g. the new LH web-site (I find the pics to be rather distracting on the home page but fortunately the bulk of the site still uses the "classic" functionalities) and the new checkmytrip web-site (another bomb - takes years to upload and those fonts are another eye sore).
Thx
Guy Betsy
Singapore Airlines Krisflyer forum co-moderator
#45
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
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