High number of complaints on Singapore Airlines new Premium Economy product
Mar 8, 2017, 7:26 pm
#46
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
Example the A359 cabin. 38" pitch vs 32" pitch and 8-across vs 9-across means that in the same space (roughly speaking), SQ can put 9x6 = 54 Y seats vs 8x5 = 40 PE seats. In order to get the same revenue/floor area, SQ needs to price PE 35% higher than Y. Add in the champagne, better food, better service (?) etc, perhaps 50-60% price premium over Y could be reasonable?
Mar 8, 2017, 11:02 pm
#47
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Singapore
Programs: KF, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 182
I'd benchmark the pricing to floor area rather than recline.
Example the A359 cabin. 38" pitch vs 32" pitch and 8-across vs 9-across means that in the same space (roughly speaking), SQ can put 9x6 = 54 Y seats vs 8x5 = 40 PE seats. In order to get the same revenue/floor area, SQ needs to price PE 35% higher than Y. Add in the champagne, better food, better service (?) etc, perhaps 50-60% price premium over Y could be reasonable?
Example the A359 cabin. 38" pitch vs 32" pitch and 8-across vs 9-across means that in the same space (roughly speaking), SQ can put 9x6 = 54 Y seats vs 8x5 = 40 PE seats. In order to get the same revenue/floor area, SQ needs to price PE 35% higher than Y. Add in the champagne, better food, better service (?) etc, perhaps 50-60% price premium over Y could be reasonable?
Mar 9, 2017, 6:19 am
#48
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Miles and Smiles Elite Plus, Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 474
Well some airlines seem to treat PE like it is in an restaurant, NZ serves the same meals in J/PE just the PE version is more tray bassed than in J. Although they still bring out the main course after the tray etc, and have a couple of crew just for the PE cabin. Therefore you're never short of being offered an drink etc.
For example here is an meal that NZ offers in PE.
Value of an an curtain can be huge, it keeps down the foot traffic into the PE cabin and offers an sense of privacy from Y. If SQ have of installed toilets for PE it would of helped too.
For example here is an meal that NZ offers in PE.
Value of an an curtain can be huge, it keeps down the foot traffic into the PE cabin and offers an sense of privacy from Y. If SQ have of installed toilets for PE it would of helped too.
Mar 9, 2017, 6:22 am
#49
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Miles and Smiles Elite Plus, Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 474
May 5, 2017, 12:41 am
#50
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NZ
Programs: NZ Gold, BA Gold, QF Silver, IHG Platinum Elite Ambassador, Accor Diamond
Posts: 1,048
I flew SQ PE for the first time a couple of days ago LHR-SIN on the A380 and so I have a mixed response (I've flown SQ Y and C), as I've flown PE regularly on NZ, QF, CX, BA and VS.
Seating - Having a legrest is a positive, because most do not have it (NZ does on its latest product), but the footrest is of minor interest. Seat pitch is fairly average, was only good at the bulkhead (which I was able to use after takeoff as the cabin was only 20% full). Recline was barely adequate, but what I did like was the plentiful power supplies and the way storage had been arranged.
Sharing Y bathrooms is definitely a negative, but SQ shares this with both CX and BA. QF, NZ and VS all have dedicated bathrooms (although the latter varies by aircraft). To be fair, the availability of amenities in the SQ Y bathrooms partly makes up for this.
I did Book the Cook and was glad that I did, because everything else was very "economy". As pointed out, NZ PE catering is very much business-light, QF likewise. CX and VS are more "mid range", clearly better than Y in both, but not up with their business products. BA uses business main meal choices in PE for the first meal, but not the second, so is perhaps aligned with CX/VS in its own way (beverage selection identical to Y though).
The PE amenity kits were almost pointless. I like to have an eyemask, socks and earplugs, but only socks and a toothbrush (which I can get from the Y bathroom anyway) is poor compared to every other airline in PE (I take my own eyemask and plugs anyway, but still).
My conclusion is that SQ PE is not compelling. My most frequent travel is Europe-Australia/NZ (about 5-6 times a year), and this product (plus the shabby KrisFlyer Gold lounge at SIN), means I'd rather go on NZ, QF, CX or even BA depending on the price. It's a shame, because I really like SQ more generally, I prefer it to all of those airlines in C and Y.
Greater seat pitch, slightly greater recline, better quality catering and install showers in the Krisflyer Gold lounge, and I might be convinced otherwise.
Seating - Having a legrest is a positive, because most do not have it (NZ does on its latest product), but the footrest is of minor interest. Seat pitch is fairly average, was only good at the bulkhead (which I was able to use after takeoff as the cabin was only 20% full). Recline was barely adequate, but what I did like was the plentiful power supplies and the way storage had been arranged.
Sharing Y bathrooms is definitely a negative, but SQ shares this with both CX and BA. QF, NZ and VS all have dedicated bathrooms (although the latter varies by aircraft). To be fair, the availability of amenities in the SQ Y bathrooms partly makes up for this.
I did Book the Cook and was glad that I did, because everything else was very "economy". As pointed out, NZ PE catering is very much business-light, QF likewise. CX and VS are more "mid range", clearly better than Y in both, but not up with their business products. BA uses business main meal choices in PE for the first meal, but not the second, so is perhaps aligned with CX/VS in its own way (beverage selection identical to Y though).
The PE amenity kits were almost pointless. I like to have an eyemask, socks and earplugs, but only socks and a toothbrush (which I can get from the Y bathroom anyway) is poor compared to every other airline in PE (I take my own eyemask and plugs anyway, but still).
My conclusion is that SQ PE is not compelling. My most frequent travel is Europe-Australia/NZ (about 5-6 times a year), and this product (plus the shabby KrisFlyer Gold lounge at SIN), means I'd rather go on NZ, QF, CX or even BA depending on the price. It's a shame, because I really like SQ more generally, I prefer it to all of those airlines in C and Y.
Greater seat pitch, slightly greater recline, better quality catering and install showers in the Krisflyer Gold lounge, and I might be convinced otherwise.
May 5, 2017, 5:29 pm
#51
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LON BCN SYD
Programs: BA, OZ, A3, VA, VS, DL, QF, former BD and others
Posts: 1,074
@libertyuk - Does the lack of the curtain not bother you. That plus large takeoff/landing vision panels in the bulkhead to Y that are not closed inflight would put me off paying extra for PE on SQ.
In a bulkhead Y seat you could almost be in PE as you have a full view of the cabin - shame the champagne bottles are put away as the trolley passes the partition...
Also a slight correction, on BA PE has its own toilet on some planes, but not all.
In a bulkhead Y seat you could almost be in PE as you have a full view of the cabin - shame the champagne bottles are put away as the trolley passes the partition...
Also a slight correction, on BA PE has its own toilet on some planes, but not all.
May 11, 2017, 6:35 pm
#52
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NZ
Programs: NZ Gold, BA Gold, QF Silver, IHG Platinum Elite Ambassador, Accor Diamond
Posts: 1,048
@libertyuk - Does the lack of the curtain not bother you. That plus large takeoff/landing vision panels in the bulkhead to Y that are not closed inflight would put me off paying extra for PE on SQ.
In a bulkhead Y seat you could almost be in PE as you have a full view of the cabin - shame the champagne bottles are put away as the trolley passes the partition...
Also a slight correction, on BA PE has its own toilet on some planes, but not all.
In a bulkhead Y seat you could almost be in PE as you have a full view of the cabin - shame the champagne bottles are put away as the trolley passes the partition...
Also a slight correction, on BA PE has its own toilet on some planes, but not all.
May 12, 2017, 7:49 pm
#54
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: BOS/SIN
Programs: DL PM, OZ Diamond Plus, BA Silver
Posts: 1,803
May 25, 2017, 12:20 pm
#56
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mike Xray Papa
Programs: LH FF*, A3, EK, CX
Posts: 269
I'm going to experience the PE on A359(SIN/MXP) and A380(PVG/SIN) of SQ in my next biz trip to Asia. What should I expect from it? Is the Book the cook still available for PE? And what do u recommend for the booked meal? Thanks
Jun 4, 2017, 7:13 am
#59
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Miles and Smiles Elite Plus, Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 474
Unfortunately, ANZ removed their old space seats as its taking up too much space and have moved to a PE cabin similar to other airlines. Their pricing was probably around 50-70% more than an economy class ticket. I think in terms of pricing, 100% more for SQ's PE is too much for not very much more space and the same level of service.
Jun 13, 2017, 6:40 am
#60
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Club, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 93
Recently flew Premium Economy again with SIA. They still haven't changed the meal service system. Book the Cook orders get served way ahead of the other Premium Economy & Economy meals, but the accompanying drinks service starts much later, when the regular Premium Economy & Economy meals are served.
When our Book the Meals came, we asked for a glass of wine, but the cabin crew member replied that the drinks trolley would come soon. It did not. So again we finished our Book the Cook meals without any drinks. When you use Book the Cook in Premium Economy, there are 2 options: 1) wait for the drinks and let your meal get cold, or 2) have your meal without drinks. Very disappointing. I can't understand why the still do it this way.
When our Book the Meals came, we asked for a glass of wine, but the cabin crew member replied that the drinks trolley would come soon. It did not. So again we finished our Book the Cook meals without any drinks. When you use Book the Cook in Premium Economy, there are 2 options: 1) wait for the drinks and let your meal get cold, or 2) have your meal without drinks. Very disappointing. I can't understand why the still do it this way.