global happy traveller

SQ just posted this on Twitter. Many flights suspended due to low travel demand

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/s...t/?id=iz3bp6o4

steved5480

Reuters
February 17th, 2020

Singapore Airlines to reduce flights across network due to virus impact

drvannostren

Sooooo....the ONLY day they cancel the night time JNB-SIN flight is my day.

I believe I�ve been put on the daytime flight SQ481 as I got a new seat confirmation.

couple issues...
1) my connecting flight from CPT-JNB won�t allow me to get there in time (included on the same ticket so some protection will be provided) and it�s on SAA. We all know the turmoil they�re in these days.

2) there�s no award availability on any SAA flight that will get me there (that�s not a dealbreaker, they�ll jsut buy you a flight if they have to)

3) I can�t seem to find the flight in SQ�s site or anything. Apr 1 search of JNB-SIN, it just shows nothing. Did they email me a new seat then cancel the daytime flight after that email? Is the flight oversold and they just don�t wanna allow any more seats to be purchased? I�ve tried everywhere I can think of but I cant locate this flight anywhere SQ479

sbs2716g

SQ481 have been cancelled on 1st April. So guess you were reaccomdated on SQ479. This SQ479 actually fly from CPT to JNB to SIN. So are you being rebooked from CPT instead ?

They alway block the sales of �replacement flight� to accommodate the paxes of the cancelled flights first.

drvannostren

this is kinda what I thought. But I have no way of seeing that the flight exists because you can’t see the status that far out either. SQ didn’t rebook me on the cpt segment. I will be calling Aeroplan to try and get put on that flight b because the flight isn’t being “sold” I can only imagine how many times I’m gonna have to attempt to have this corrected.

also it means I won’t ever get to fly SAA which is a bummer as I was trying to cross off all the star carriers. They said it sounds like they won’t be around that much longer....

bitnapper

My flight from ZRH to SIN in New Suites for may 2020 has been changed to 77W with old FIRST!

definitelynotafrequentflyer

old first as in the one with 8 F seats?

drvannostren

So I called Aeroplan and got things sorted...

They told me that because Singapore only really cares about replacing their cancelled flight, they didn't bother putting me on CPT-JNB-SIN, only JNB-SIN. Then predictably they told me they couldn't see the flight, which I already told them and rather than try to call SIA to have THEM put me on CPT-JNB, instead they stuck me on a 0600 South African departure from CPT on an A320. So I miss out on the 340 unfortunately, but at least I should still be able to cross off South African off my list. I HATE morning flights though and hopefully the airport in CPT isn't too far away cuz that'll just make it riskier that I miss that flight :/.

lokijuh

SQ 345 ZRH-SIN when operated by the 77W is using the newer 77W F seats, 4 seats in the cabin.

definitelynotafrequentflyer

that�s what I�m thinking as well, the old version is only used on shorter route.

anaidross

Are SQ flights that empty these days? (please see pics)

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...virus-12455566

Unfortunately, I am not allowed to fly these days. But I am curious nevertheless.

sbs2716g

not just SQ. CX also. A lot of Asia airlines as well. I did read that on some CX flights there is only 5-10 paxes. Saw another report that a MH flight to HK only have one business class pax n 20 economy paxes. Basically you can have 1 whole row of seat to yourself.

Only budget airlines are not reducing flights cos the paxes can�t get any refunds at all if they cancel.

bitnapper

But what a difference to New Suites. And SQ refuses to rebook - the agent told me "You paid for FIRST and you get FIRST" - never again SQ!!!

definitelynotafrequentflyer

Sir, although you might be getting a rude agent, but you seriously need to calm down. Mind if I ask whether this revenue or award ticket?

drvannostren

What's surprising me is that there aren't big sale prices. There is a philosophy of not "cheapening" the product by offering deep discount fares. BUT I think in a case this severe some of these airlines that aren't cancelling as much as others might be wise to try and draw in some customers. Personally I'm not super worried about travel right now, I'm choosing to avoid China itself, but I'm headed to Thailand for a few days at the end of next month and I'm not really worried about it. I mean, maybe that makes me nuts, but oh well. The point is, these flights can't be flown with 3-4 flight attendants just because the passenger numbers are low. So it's not like they can save a bunch of money there. I'm sure there's breakeven points that they don't wanna cross, but I think they should probably either cross or get close to them at least.

A for instance, I'm not someone who can afford to pay for business/first more than once in a year maybe or even less. But I love flying those products when I use my miles, because otherwise I don't get to. I have no issue flying economy either, but maybe CX/SQ should think about breaking their normal high price = high quality model and try something else to draw people in. If CX had a really great business class fare, as long as it wasn't to China I'd be happy to buy it, try out their product and maybe they could convert me to a CX fan. When things improve and their prices go back to normal, maybe next time I'm looking at paying for J, or even Y I go "hey that CX flight I had was pretty great, I'll look there again". It seems like they'd rather fly empty than even try though.