2023 trip ADL-SIN-CDG

[Broin]

Hi.
First post. Please forgive the preamble.

Beginning to plan a potential 2023 trip to Europe. Not a frequent flyer by any means (been to Europe 6 times in 14 years) and have always travelled Economy.

We can't justify (afford) Business Class all the way so thought I'd have a look at splitting the trip up by travelling to SIN on economy and then taking Etihad Business Class to CDG.

I have plugged this in to Etihad and Singapore Airways bookings departing Sept and returning in October and I am able to get tickets: ADL-SIN 470 AUD return and SIN-CDG 2700AUD return. This is $3200 total return which seems like a good price to me.

The flight will have two layovers of approx 3 hours in SIN and AUH on the way over and a 3 hour (AUH) and 14 hours (SIN) on the return.

The 14 hour SIN layover on the return is not ideal and I thought it might have been good to make full use of the Business class facility by not having to transit through Abu Dhabi but if I go this way it can't be avoided.

I should probably also note that I have probably slept a grand total of 2 minutes combined on all previous trips (one of the reasons why I'm looking to make use of Business Class).

I guess what I wish to know is has anyone here done anything similar? Does it seem like a sensible idea and are there any pitfalls I should be aware of if I choose to go with this plan.

Many thanks

 

[jb747]

14 hours at Singapore…there’s a hotel that you can use for that.

 

[Quickstatus]

Welcome @Broin

Business class (J) is not a prerequisite to interesting or even amazing travel.

The only issue I have with your itinerary is that they are on 2 separate tickets.
Potentially if the ADL-SIN leg is late you could miss the SIN-CDG sector and then have issues with the next airline booking which you will have to sort out. Whereas if on one ticket, you could miss the next sector but its done for you.

Both SQ and AY uses Terminal 3 at Changi so you wont have to walk far between gates

Current SIN transit rules can be found here. Basically you need both flights on the same ticket and your luggage tagged at origin to final destination - or else you will have to go through immigration, baggage claim then checkin at AY etc etc. They used to find and retag bags for free via the airside transit desks without you having to go through immigraton but it seems no longer.

Why not overnight in Singapore

 

[Broin]

Thank you for your replies. Any information is welcome.

@Quickstatus: Your suggestion to overnight or at least break up the flight into 3 7 hour legs instead of a 14 and 7 hour leg is one that I had previously considered and have not ruled out.

I had thought that a 3 hour layover between flights would have been enough to have covered any delay but you are right, something might cause an even longer delay and would naturally stuff up the onward leg.

BTW we usually only travel with carry-on and while immigration etc and then going through security etc again would be a pain, my experience of transiting and having to (seemingly) go through the same hoops is also a bit of a pain.

Perhaps someone can help me and let me know if it is that much worse going through immigration on arrival in SIN and then re-boarding another flight than simply transiting. I know that the last couple of times we went transitted through Dubai it seemed as painful (if not more) than going through check-in and security in ADL.

 

[Quickstatus]

@Broin
I not sure that you will be allowed to transit in SIN even with only carry on luggage.
Their rules are that you need both flights on the same ticket.

SIN immigration was efficient last time I was there pre covid but it all eats into elapsed time. 3 hours should be enough time assuming the ADL flight is on time. But…..