IAH - MAN 3-times weekly instead of 4-times from 28 March 2023
 

I got an email notification yesterday our June 2023 flight IAH - MAN had been rebooked to a day earlier.

Just checked now and it looks like starting in April they’re only operating on Fridays. :(

see thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/sing...al-flight.html

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/s.../ne0822-221122

“Flights SQ52 and SQ51 that serve the Singapore-Manchester-Houston route will operate thrice weekly instead of four-times weekly from 28 March 2023.

SIA will launch a new twice-weekly service between Singapore and Manchester, SQ302 and SQ301, operated by the A350-900 long-haul aircraft, from 2 April 2023.”

So one flight a week is dropped for IAH, but two new flights a week added for MAN (that do not continue to IAH).

I'd the pleasure of flying aboard SQ52 earlier today. Load was easily below 50%... nice for we pax, but I did fret about the service viability. Superb inflight service from SQ, as ever - *once* you get out of Manchester.

Two random observations: Firstly, the chicken curry "kapitan" had a real kick to it - superbly spicy!

Secondly, WTH was up with manual check-in at MAN? A printed letter from SQ's station manager explained that for training purposes, everything would be done old school. So after reaching the check-in desk, it took 20 minutes for my party (4) to observe the agent writing information into multiple forms, manifests, boarding passes, etc. Said boarding passes appeared to have been printed on an inkjet, then photocopied; then cut out with scissors before being written and rubber-stamped by the check-in agent. Shambolic.

Never seen such nonsense in the 20 years I spent in airports. Seen it done manually at Lagos MMIA and Gabon Libreville - which were still quick; I'm guessing *they* train without subjecting customers to the experience? Can only assume that MAN colludes with its tenants to make the customer experience as miserable as possible - never more so than with the new cluster you'll experience in T2 Departures if you've the temerity to hope for a hot breakfast airside....

Stations have to do this at least once a year to ensure the staff are familiar with the processes if the computers are down. The result is the inconvenience but I'm sure SIA were seeking customers' understanding on the day.

That's a shame, looks like demand on the IAH-MAN segment is low.

I've flown in all classes on this flight and never had a bad experience - in fact, a couple years ago, I experienced the best service I've ever received in economy flying this route.