Deteriorating quality of service with SQ's Y... anybody
 

I've been told during last three month by five (!) different people that quality of service on medium range and long haul SQ's flights in Y has significantly deteriorated over the course of last two years. Observed signs included:

- degradation of quality of food. People got sick. Plus instead of haagen-das ice cream now people are served Walls - yes, those ones which you buy from ice cream uncle for $1.20.

- non-working IFEs.

- Non-smiling FAs with very robotic movements.

Yet prices for tickets remain 2x-3x of competitors.

Once again, I am just repeating what I was told and would like to check if the public who flies SQ regularly have observed the same.

Thank you.

I most certainly hope not as I have 2 flights with SQ in June '16. One in J Class one in F Class :eek:

Just flew HKG-SIN-SYD in Y.

HKG-SIN - Adequate but still better than much out there. Food fine. White wine was horrid. Crew were meh. Not great. Not bad. Nice aeroplane (777-300).

SIN-SYD - Brilliant. Crew who served me at the back of upper 380 in Y was great even though it was the midnight flight and we were an hour delayed. Switched the reading light on for me whilst I was fumbling with immigration cards. Asked if I wanted the exit row to get away from the toilet and galley noise. Had a conversation with me before and after the flight. Courteous etc... White wine was horrid.

I have found it to be consistently improving. I fly predominantly with SQ, across Y and J with the odd sector in Suites. The majority of which is long-haul.

As an aside, the statement 'Yet prices for tickets remain 2x-3x of competitors' is asinine and / or incomplete.

Regarding the horrid white wine, on their cart they typically only have a Riesling. There are two on the menu, so the trick is to ask for one that doesn't taste like syrup.

They got ice cream?
8 short and medium sectors this year with them and once got a walls. Nothing on other sectors.

I had a great 80 min flight between MAN and MUC last month. The flight was almost packed and its amazing to see the usual, hot towels, and served a quick snack after take off with rounds of coffee, tea and juice from the cart. Crew were smiling and enthusiastic.

I'll be taking them long haul in October to Europe in economy so will see how they are. Would like to try maybe PE too.

SQ is not a bad airline if travelling in Y but I have been avoiding them as my chances of an OP UP(from Y to J) are better with LX, LH and OS even TG I have to say.

Some sectors they have ice cream, some they have dessert, some they just have fruit, depending on menu and I assume port of departure.

As for Haagen-Daaz, I don't think I've ever seen it in economy, and to be frank it is just a brand. The product is not that much different to most other brands of real ice cream (but of course it is better than "ice confection" which often passes for ice cream.

Going back to topic at hand I've taken SQ in Y to LHR, MEL (x2) plus various short hauls across SE Asia, and not noticed any significant difference this year. Always get the hot towels, drinks after takeoff, and responsive flight attendants (OK they're not gushing, chatty and friendly, but they've got a job to do, I'm on a plane to get from A to B not to socialise with staff). Wine can be hit and miss, wish they'd just get some cheap South American Sav. Blanc, can't go wrong with that. Although, I always ask for Singapore Slings, so wine is not so much an issue:D Also this year I've had - in economy - the best eggs in any class I've had on a plane, poached eggs on breakfast flight SIN-RGN, cooked perfectly to my liking (although I do prefer poached to omelettes or scrambled).

As for pricing it depends on port of departure, except for departures from SIN & CGK they are reasonably competitive on price, but never the cheapest. Even ex-SIN on medium-long haul they are rarely 2-3x full service competitors (perhaps China & India routes?), more like 1.5-2x, although on short haul they are often this or greater than the plethora of LCC's operating in SE Asia. Having said this, I did travel to MEL several times on one particular full service airline, and SQ were charging >3x fare on that airline for same travel period. But that had more to do with people being scared to fly the said airline, hence massive discounting, than SQ being overly expensive.

A matter of perspective. The things you listed: insignificant.
Significant change would be: Remove IFE, add additional seats, decrease legroom....

The Haagen Dasz Icecream is a legend of the past. Not sure when it disapeared but its long, long time ago (>10 years).
The selection is varying (Could be Walls, Magnum for instances comes relatively regular in the past 6 month) and one sector in a return-itenary is usually served with icecream.

Crews in Y, IMHO, have always been a mixed bucket ove the many years iam flying with SQ, its an up and down. Longhaul tends to be better.

IFE, yes sometimes it needs a "push", if it happens it usually effects an individual screen and after some reboot its usually fine. I dont see that its recently happening more often than before.

Yes, SQ is not cheap in comparision, but the 2 to 3 times figure is by far exaggerated.

No wonder, they were looking forward to do some shopping in Munich. A short hop from MAN and the upcomin layover in Munich keeps them in good mood. :D

Do crew just do short hops like this? Or do they start and finish in MUC? It's only 6 hours MUC-MAN-MUC.

They do the MUC-MAN-MUC, but still a nice shopping layover in MUC ;)

Haagen Daaz is only offered ex-HKG if I am not wrong. Most premium flavour ex-SIN would be Magnum. Ex-SIn they do have cornetto and some other less familiar brands like Atom?

Believe the ice cream rotate on a monthly basis.

For PEY, there should be some premium brand ice cream ex-SIN e.g. Haagen Daaz or Ben & Jerry to distinguish between regular EY service

Haagen Daz still served ex-TPE as well (at least early this year).

However, the following downgrades did occur within the last 1-2 years:
- Headphones changed to cheapo earbuds with extremely poor sound quality.
- Muffins removed from mid/long-haul breakfast trays.
- Cheese and crackers gradually removed from lunch/dinner meal trays.
- Glass wineglasses changed to cheap looking plastic ones. (Original Y wineglasses will be used in Premium Y instead)