URGENT: United vs. Singapore Air Business Class on DEN-SIN Route
Jul 30, 2014, 5:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 12
URGENT: United vs. Singapore Air Business Class on DEN-SIN Route
Debating United vs. Singapore airlines for honeymoon trip.
Flying out of Denver on Monday September 29th with arrival in Singapore on Tuesday the 30th (or just after midnight).
United has the benefit of a DEN-NRT-SIN route with no other connection. On 787 two class in Businessfirst so the slightly bigger seats from DEN to NRT and then on 772 three class in Businessfirst from NRT to SIN.
If flying on Singapore air, would book United economy to SFO and then would be on SFO-HKG-SIN or SFO-ICN-SIN both routes on the 773 with the new Singapore Air business class seats which are phenomenal.
Cost is going to be largely equivalent but debating whether the added hassle of switching airlines in SFO and the extra connection is worth the superior experience in Singapore Business. Note I am 6'5" 200lbs, so no the wider seat may be nice. Don't know difference in service quality but interested to hear.
Any help ASAP would be appreciated as only have 18 hours to cancel the already booked United flight.
Flying out of Denver on Monday September 29th with arrival in Singapore on Tuesday the 30th (or just after midnight).
United has the benefit of a DEN-NRT-SIN route with no other connection. On 787 two class in Businessfirst so the slightly bigger seats from DEN to NRT and then on 772 three class in Businessfirst from NRT to SIN.
If flying on Singapore air, would book United economy to SFO and then would be on SFO-HKG-SIN or SFO-ICN-SIN both routes on the 773 with the new Singapore Air business class seats which are phenomenal.
Cost is going to be largely equivalent but debating whether the added hassle of switching airlines in SFO and the extra connection is worth the superior experience in Singapore Business. Note I am 6'5" 200lbs, so no the wider seat may be nice. Don't know difference in service quality but interested to hear.
Any help ASAP would be appreciated as only have 18 hours to cancel the already booked United flight.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 30, 2014 at 5:54 pm Reason: no change -- mod error :-(
Jul 30, 2014, 5:33 pm
#3
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SQ for sure. Especially for such a special occasion!
The entire experience will be so much nicer in virtually every respect - particularly food and beverage.
The only issues with SQ are:
1. Some people do not love the seat, as it can be a bit awkward. It's very wide and has to be flipped to turn into a bed. That said, you have literally 2x the personal space you will have on either UA aircraft and the cabin appointments are an entire level above. Think Chevy vs. Bentley.
2. The SQ service has been described as "robotic" and I would tend to agree. That said, while not particularly warm, the service is exemplary.
The entire experience will be so much nicer in virtually every respect - particularly food and beverage.
The only issues with SQ are:
1. Some people do not love the seat, as it can be a bit awkward. It's very wide and has to be flipped to turn into a bed. That said, you have literally 2x the personal space you will have on either UA aircraft and the cabin appointments are an entire level above. Think Chevy vs. Bentley.
2. The SQ service has been described as "robotic" and I would tend to agree. That said, while not particularly warm, the service is exemplary.
Jul 30, 2014, 5:36 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2002
Location: US
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Posts: 1,735
I would choose SQ even with the extra connection. The only trick is to make sure you allow yourself enough time to make the connection, especially if you are buying two separate tickets (i.e., one ticket to SFO and another ticket to SIN). Having split tickets can sometimes result in problems if ticket one causes you to miss the start of ticket two.
The other nice thing about SQ is that even though it is an extra flight, the connection in HKG/ICN doesn't pose a mis-connect risk since it is the same plane that will take you on to SIN. Sure, the UA trip will only have a single stop in NRT, but you will be changing planes and that is where you are prone to problems. In other words, either trip gives you one chance for problems even though the SIN routing technically has an extra stop.
The other reason I say go with SQ is that their food is miles ahead of UA's and it is always presented with a smile. Sure, sometimes the SQ service can feel robotic, but I much prefer that to the roulette of service quality you play every time you step on UA.
I am also not a huge fan of the PMCO seats either, unless you get the bulkhead with the larger footwell. As someone who is 6' 5" you will do better on SQ.
The other nice thing about SQ is that even though it is an extra flight, the connection in HKG/ICN doesn't pose a mis-connect risk since it is the same plane that will take you on to SIN. Sure, the UA trip will only have a single stop in NRT, but you will be changing planes and that is where you are prone to problems. In other words, either trip gives you one chance for problems even though the SIN routing technically has an extra stop.
The other reason I say go with SQ is that their food is miles ahead of UA's and it is always presented with a smile. Sure, sometimes the SQ service can feel robotic, but I much prefer that to the roulette of service quality you play every time you step on UA.
I am also not a huge fan of the PMCO seats either, unless you get the bulkhead with the larger footwell. As someone who is 6' 5" you will do better on SQ.
Jul 30, 2014, 5:41 pm
#6
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Another positive for SQ is that you're on the same plane for the entire SFO-HKG/ICN-SIN route, so there is virtually no risk of misconnection at the transit point and the layover is quite short (about an hour). You do have to disembark and it adds some time, but it isn't a significant inconvenience. While it's not as good as a nonstop, I rate it significantly better than a standard connection to a different aircraft.
Jul 30, 2014, 6:04 pm
#9
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Congrats!
SQ is one of my least favorite Asian *A carriers, but I would still pick SQ over UA on this itinerary ANY DAY.
Transiting through NRT really works out to be like any other connection, because everyone must deplane, go through security again, and be funneled possibly to a different gate and aircraft. IIRC, you must also deplane and go through security again at ICN. I've actually never transited through HKG, so I don't know what the procedure there is.
Also, I don't like UA's late arrival (or SQ's flight through ICN): 1) MRT would have long stopped running; 2) taxis into town levy a night surcharge; 3) for a long trip in C, you'd likely arrive pretty well rested. It's easier to overcome jetlag with a daytime arrival. SQ SFO-HKG-SIN would be my first choice.
I don't think you will find SQ's C seat to be all that comfortable, but I wouldn't expect UA's to be much better. (They're both fine for me, but I'm 5'8".) If you move on to the soft product, well, there is really no comparison.
SQ is one of my least favorite Asian *A carriers, but I would still pick SQ over UA on this itinerary ANY DAY.
Also, I don't like UA's late arrival (or SQ's flight through ICN): 1) MRT would have long stopped running; 2) taxis into town levy a night surcharge; 3) for a long trip in C, you'd likely arrive pretty well rested. It's easier to overcome jetlag with a daytime arrival. SQ SFO-HKG-SIN would be my first choice.
I don't think you will find SQ's C seat to be all that comfortable, but I wouldn't expect UA's to be much better. (They're both fine for me, but I'm 5'8".) If you move on to the soft product, well, there is really no comparison.
Jul 30, 2014, 7:07 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2009
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For the kind of trip you are talking about, I would even think about going in a day early, spend some time in the city. BART to downtown, cable cars from union square to Fisherman's wharf, BART back to SFO.
Jul 30, 2014, 7:23 pm
#12
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1) Have you priced a ticket taking UA from DEN to SFO in business or FC followed by the SQ flights in business? You might not save much by sitting in coach for the domestic segments.
2) Can you connect at LAX to SQ rather than going through SFO with its delays?
3) Don't even think of taking UA for the same price as SQ.
2) Can you connect at LAX to SQ rather than going through SFO with its delays?
3) Don't even think of taking UA for the same price as SQ.
Jul 30, 2014, 8:14 pm
#13
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I'm also 6'5" and find the sCO style biz class seats to be very lacking in terms of usable length and comfort in the lie-flat configuration. The issue is that the footwell is quite small which reduces the usable length of the seat. I haven't flown SQ in biz class (several flights in coach) but their product looks very nice.
Jul 30, 2014, 8:36 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2012
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Only a masochist would choose UA J over SQ.
I second the suggestion of routing through LAX.
And if you do arrive at Changi around midnight, consider the airside transit hotel, where you can sleep, shower up the next morning, and then take MRT or taxi into town.
I second the suggestion of routing through LAX.
And if you do arrive at Changi around midnight, consider the airside transit hotel, where you can sleep, shower up the next morning, and then take MRT or taxi into town.
Jul 30, 2014, 8:45 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2013
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Programs: Southwest, Alaska, United, American Airlines
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Debating United vs. Singapore airlines for honeymoon trip.
Flying out of Denver on Monday September 29th with arrival in Singapore on Tuesday the 30th (or just after midnight).
United has the benefit of a DEN-NRT-SIN route with no other connection. On 787 two class in Businessfirst so the slightly bigger seats from DEN to NRT and then on 772 three class in Businessfirst from NRT to SIN.
If flying on Singapore air, would book United economy to SFO and then would be on SFO-HKG-SIN or SFO-ICN-SIN both routes on the 773 with the new Singapore Air business class seats which are phenomenal.
Cost is going to be largely equivalent but debating whether the added hassle of switching airlines in SFO and the extra connection is worth the superior experience in Singapore Business. Note I am 6'5" 200lbs, so no the wider seat may be nice. Don't know difference in service quality but interested to hear.
Any help ASAP would be appreciated as only have 18 hours to cancel the already booked United flight.
Flying out of Denver on Monday September 29th with arrival in Singapore on Tuesday the 30th (or just after midnight).
United has the benefit of a DEN-NRT-SIN route with no other connection. On 787 two class in Businessfirst so the slightly bigger seats from DEN to NRT and then on 772 three class in Businessfirst from NRT to SIN.
If flying on Singapore air, would book United economy to SFO and then would be on SFO-HKG-SIN or SFO-ICN-SIN both routes on the 773 with the new Singapore Air business class seats which are phenomenal.
Cost is going to be largely equivalent but debating whether the added hassle of switching airlines in SFO and the extra connection is worth the superior experience in Singapore Business. Note I am 6'5" 200lbs, so no the wider seat may be nice. Don't know difference in service quality but interested to hear.
Any help ASAP would be appreciated as only have 18 hours to cancel the already booked United flight.
