Thoughts on the decline of SQ First
Mar 24, 2016, 4:40 pm
#31
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Singapore / India
Programs: SQ QPP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Taj Inner Circle Gold
Posts: 639
Thanks SFO777 for opening this discussion.
My thoughts are the same as yours.
SQ should take note. How to distinguish F further than their J. Catering and ground service definitely can be.
My thoughts are the same as yours.
SQ should take note. How to distinguish F further than their J. Catering and ground service definitely can be.
Mar 24, 2016, 9:52 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: SQ PPS Golden Circle Diamond
Posts: 7
Thanks SFO777 for opening this discussion.
This is my first reply to a post... so please be kind!
I fly SQ 1st probably 8 - 10 times a year out of Melbourne Australia to Singapore/Asia and Europe and have been doing so for 5+ years. For catering specifically in the past 5 years what I have noticed is that the menu apart from a tweak or two basically has not changed at all. The ingredients have changed and basically the quality has been downgraded but the basic construction of the meal has not. Whilst some other airlines do totally change the menus based on season for some reason SQ does not it simply rotates them. On another point I have never in all my flights actually had a hot main course and have been told that this is due to safety concerns(??)
On my last flight the LFS explained that the crew are crucially aware of the decline in catering and strongly suggested that I email SQ with some constructive feedback. I think one telling comment from the LFS was that in the past feedback was taken very seriously and was important to the Airline, now days not so important and did not mean as much.
I do like the new F product but as others have said before that the QF 1st bed is one of the best in the world.
Lastly, when I first used the Private Room I was really impressed. On my last flight Sin/Melb I was having breakfast and had to get up and actually look for staff to order a coffee; so in my opinion the restaurant part and the showers are really lacking now, it has just aged and probably aged well buts its time for a refresh.
This is my first reply to a post... so please be kind!
I fly SQ 1st probably 8 - 10 times a year out of Melbourne Australia to Singapore/Asia and Europe and have been doing so for 5+ years. For catering specifically in the past 5 years what I have noticed is that the menu apart from a tweak or two basically has not changed at all. The ingredients have changed and basically the quality has been downgraded but the basic construction of the meal has not. Whilst some other airlines do totally change the menus based on season for some reason SQ does not it simply rotates them. On another point I have never in all my flights actually had a hot main course and have been told that this is due to safety concerns(??)
On my last flight the LFS explained that the crew are crucially aware of the decline in catering and strongly suggested that I email SQ with some constructive feedback. I think one telling comment from the LFS was that in the past feedback was taken very seriously and was important to the Airline, now days not so important and did not mean as much.
I do like the new F product but as others have said before that the QF 1st bed is one of the best in the world.
Lastly, when I first used the Private Room I was really impressed. On my last flight Sin/Melb I was having breakfast and had to get up and actually look for staff to order a coffee; so in my opinion the restaurant part and the showers are really lacking now, it has just aged and probably aged well buts its time for a refresh.
Mar 25, 2016, 7:16 am
#33
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,666
Great way to open up the discussion SFO777!
As I've remarked in a few posts before, SQ catering does seem to have gone way downhill in the last little while. Crews and onboard service is as good and proactive as always, so I'm thankful for that.
I flew AKL-SIN-FRA-JFK back in January and the only good food was:
BTC Nasi Lemak before arrival on SIN-FRA
BTC Lobster Thermidor before arrival FRA-JFK
Fresh scrambled eggs on FRA-JFK
Otherwise, the BTC lobster I had on SIN-FRA was basically inedible and the food on the AKL-SIN segment was of economy class quality (the lobster and caviar just outright tasted unfresh and was dreadful.)
The saving grace is the food in TPR was better than the onboard catering - the baked lobster with cheese was absolutely divine, but there were a few misses (the chirashi sushi was a disaster.)
SQ's ground service is lacking compared to the likes of AF or LH, but SIN is a very pleasant airport anyways, so I don't see the value of having an escort or limo ride to the plane anyways. I've never had to wait at the boarding gate to clear security, and always find it fast and efficient.
As I've remarked in a few posts before, SQ catering does seem to have gone way downhill in the last little while. Crews and onboard service is as good and proactive as always, so I'm thankful for that.
I flew AKL-SIN-FRA-JFK back in January and the only good food was:
BTC Nasi Lemak before arrival on SIN-FRA
BTC Lobster Thermidor before arrival FRA-JFK
Fresh scrambled eggs on FRA-JFK
Otherwise, the BTC lobster I had on SIN-FRA was basically inedible and the food on the AKL-SIN segment was of economy class quality (the lobster and caviar just outright tasted unfresh and was dreadful.)
The saving grace is the food in TPR was better than the onboard catering - the baked lobster with cheese was absolutely divine, but there were a few misses (the chirashi sushi was a disaster.)
SQ's ground service is lacking compared to the likes of AF or LH, but SIN is a very pleasant airport anyways, so I don't see the value of having an escort or limo ride to the plane anyways. I've never had to wait at the boarding gate to clear security, and always find it fast and efficient.
May 16, 2016, 7:29 pm
#34
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS, KE MM, OZ DP, SQ PPS, Ritz Carlton Gold, IHG Aspire
Posts: 65
IMHO the biggest problem with First on SQ 777 is the restroom configuration. It is so small, especially compared to CX First. When you want to change out of your suit into something more comfortable (like the sleepwear they provide) it's like being a contortionist.