Would you choose Singapore Airlines Business Class or Air India First Class?

[dajop]

I would take AI.

It’s non stop vs two short 7 and 6 hour flights… neither of which are long enough to get a good sleep.

Depending on which flight is chosen on SQ, OP may not need a "good sleep" anyway. If it's SQ 238->SQ406, you leave MEL at 9:15am (or 10:15am in DST) and arrive at DEL around 8pm. Entirely day time., and probably enough time to get to a hotel in Aerocity to get a good sleep and get back to the airport the next morning for a 6:20am (10:50am body clock time!) departure.

At the other end of the spectrum, if its SQ208->SQ402 then 6:25pm (7:25pm) departure and 5:40am arrival in DEL, then yes sleep would be a factor. But it's not going to make a 6:20am departure to Nagpur!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Depending on which flight is chosen on SQ, OP may not need a "good sleep" anyway. If it's SQ 238->SQ406, you leave MEL at 9:15am (or 10:15am in DST) and arrive at DEL around 8pm. Entirely day time., and probably enough time to get to a hotel in Aerocity to get a good sleep and get back to the airport the next morning for a 6:20am (10:50am body clock time!) departure.

At the other end of the spectrum, if its SQ208->SQ402 then 6:25pm (7:25pm) departure and 5:40am arrival in DEL, then yes sleep would be a factor. But it's not going to make a 6:20am departure to Nagpur!

I’m not sure the timing of the flight determines whether someone needs to sleep, or not. Everyone is different.

Many blogs say ‘oh, it’s a daytime flight so you don’t need to sleep’ (excusing the lack of flat beds). Airlines say ‘oh, you don’t need loungewear because it’s a daytime flight’. The choice is up to the passenger.

Personally on a daytime flight I’m asleep between meal services. Not much else to do and a great opportunity to catch up on sleep. Or pax may have a dinner/drinks/other event on arrival and expect to be out late, so want to sleep during the day.

With airlines going full flat bed for even the shortest of regional flights, it suggests there is demand to snooze, or sleep, even during the day!

 

[somebol]

I’d try AI F on the way back. Their F lounge is amazing and onboard despite old seats their soft product is pretty good

 

[anat0l]

I’d try AI F on the way back. Their F lounge is amazing and onboard despite old seats their soft product is pretty good

Do AI fly F to any other destination, perhaps cheaper in terms of redemption zone?

Guess we should be somewhat surprised the F seat is available (though it is a few days since the OP asked the question). Sure, it's AI, but F is F...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Do AI fly F to any other destination, perhaps cheaper in terms of redemption zone?

Guess we should be somewhat surprised the F seat is available (though it is a few days since the OP asked the question). Sure, it's AI, but F is F...

not that i can think of. There are some domestic services with F, but otherwise it’s London and the USA I think. pretty much everything else is the 788, 789 (ex vistara) for europe

 

[Human]

Thanks everyone for your helpful opinions and advice. Very much appreciated.

As flagged, I've booked SQ Business Class in -- though there were better connecting flights from BOM, so I'll be flying into Mumbai. Then at the end of my trip I'm flying AI First Class out of Delhi. From the seat map it'll be in one of their ex-Etihad 777s, so at least the seat/bed should be comfortable (it's a 1:15am flight). The plan is to have a good meal in the new AI F Lounge, then sleep for the first several hours of the 12-hour flight.

I'm planning to do a Trip Report so stay tuned for the verdict!

By the way if anyone's interested, there's great SQ Business Saver availability to/from WSI at the moment.

 

[Human]

And now my 1:15am departure on AI First has been revised to 3:15am! Am I regretting it already?

SQ Business is now sold out, so my only other option is SQ First at the "Advantage" rate of 251,500 points (Suites in an A380 from DEL to SIN, then 777 First Class from SIN to MEL).

 

[Aussie_flyer]

And now my 1:15am departure on AI First has been revised to 3:15am! Am I regretting it already?

SQ Business is now sold out, so my only other option is SQ First at the "Advantage" rate of 251,500 points (Suites in an A380 from DEL to SIN, then 777 First Class from SIN to MEL).

Well you were warned.

 

[anat0l]

And now my 1:15am departure on AI First has been revised to 3:15am! Am I regretting it already?

Interesting timed flight - leaves in the middle of the early morning and arrives in the evening.

Don't think they'll cancel it. But if they sub it out for a no-F aircraft and downgrade you then I'd say we have a contender.....

Remember, this was mostly to experience an excellent lounge.

 

[Human]

Remember, this was mostly to experience an excellent lounge.

... which will hopefully still be open on India's National Day (Jan 26).

I'm leaning towards just paying for an extra night at my hotel so I can nap in the afternoon and check out in the evening. Not worth the extra 100,000 KrisFlyer points ... at this stage anyway!

 

[MathNerd]

As flagged, I've booked SQ Business Class in -- though there were better connecting flights from BOM, so I'll be flying into Mumbai.

By the way if anyone's interested, there's great SQ Business Saver availability to/from WSI at the moment.

With your flight from SIN to BOM, are you on the morning 787 or the evening 380?
If evening, I'm sure you know this already but do what you can to get 11/91/96 A/K if solo or D&F if going as a couple - best seats in SQ J IMO.

 

[Human]

With your flight from SIN to BOM, are you on the morning 787 or the evening 380?
If evening, I'm sure you know this already but do what you can to get 11/91/96 A/K if solo or D&F if going as a couple - best seats in SQ J IMO.

Thanks -- I'm on the morning 787 but I think I'm flying an A380 out of MEL so I'll try to get one of those seats you suggest.

 

[somebol]

And now my 1:15am departure on AI First has been revised to 3:15am! Am I regretting it already?

SQ Business is now sold out, so my only other option is SQ First at the "Advantage" rate of 251,500 points (Suites in an A380 from DEL to SIN, then 777 First Class from SIN to MEL).

Same with my flight on Jan 10th. Looks like a permanent retiming of the flight

 

[Human]

Same with my flight on Jan 10th. Looks like a permanent retiming of the flight

Yeah. I'm actually not too fussed, given it's a 12-hour flight so hopefully I'll be able to crash for 6-7 hours and then have a dine-on-demand breakfast.

Sort-of-related question: I told a work colleague that I'd have the day in Delhi before my flight and she told me that I absolutely MUST spend it going to Agra and the Taj Mahal. Your thoughts? What's the best way to spend 1 day in Delhi before a 3am flight home? (I've never been to India before).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah. I'm actually not too fussed, given it's a 12-hour flight so hopefully I'll be able to crash for 6-7 hours and then have a dine-on-demand breakfast.

Sort-of-related question: I told a work colleague that I'd have the day in Delhi before my flight and she told me that I absolutely MUST spend it going to Agra and the Taj Mahal. Your thoughts? What's the best way to spend 1 day in Delhi before a 3am flight home? (I've never been to India before).

You could do Agra in a day… it’s about 90 mins each way by express train through… or double by car… so a lot of travelling. Friends of mine did it recently but took a late train the day before to agra, overnighted near the Taj Mahal, and then visited first thing in the morning. Then headed back to Delhi after lunch. There are some known brand name hotels close to the Taj (sort of like walking distance).

If it’s your first time in India I might forego the Taj and focus on Delhi… lots to see and do. You can get a car with driver for the day to ferry you around.

 

[somebol]

Yeah. I'm actually not too fussed, given it's a 12-hour flight so hopefully I'll be able to crash for 6-7 hours and then have a dine-on-demand breakfast.

Sort-of-related question: I told a work colleague that I'd have the day in Delhi before my flight and she told me that I absolutely MUST spend it going to Agra and the Taj Mahal. Your thoughts? What's the best way to spend 1 day in Delhi before a 3am flight home? (I've never been to India before).

The most efficient way would be to train (around 2 hours) (book the new Vande Bharat trains, they are much higher quality than regular trains and more punctual).




Costs around $23 one way, in exec class.

Bookings open 2 months in advance, reach out to me if you need help booking the tickets.

You could also hire a car for the day (easily organised online without the tourist tax) and visit other sights such as Agra fort or Fatehpur Sikri (a must do IMO)

 

[somebol]

Also, if you could, go to agra the day before and stay in one of the hotels with views of Taj, and return to Delhi the next day. Would be much more relaxing and the night time views of Taj are excellent. If your schedule allows for it, you should definitely consider this option.

 

[dajop]

Costs around $230 one way, in exec class.

$230 or $23?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I would just focus on Delhi also if you haven't done it before, see the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, India Gate, have a coffee at United Coffee House in Connaught Place, maybe a beverage at the grand old Imperial Hotel

 

[somebol]

$230 or $23?

Pretty expensive typo that.