BNE they used the oldest, coughpiest Aircraft - Do they still?

[Muzfly]

I've not booked Singapore Airlines for about two years now, preferring instead to fly QF. I fly out of Brisbane and got jack of the service and aircraft used by SQ. Everyone raves about the SQ service, particularly in comparison to QF. I must confess that this is not my experience. I fly Business Class and have without exception always had great service from QF crew. I'll concede that down the back it might be different, and domestically their game could improve.

However my biggest gripe is the aircraft. Out of SYD SQ give you the 380 whereas ex BNE they used the oldest, coughpiest Airbus they have. The Business Class seats are the older style sit up and beg seats and the service average. On three consecutive flights my preferred meal choice was not available. Not a big deal, but when one is paying the SQ premium its an issue.

My question is can anyone tell me if this is still the way it is with SQ ex BNE.

Muzfly - Brisbane
QF Platinum

 

[elbarto]

Re: Singapore Airlines

They use the A330 and 772. The A330s are only a few years old and have the new regional J seat whereas the 772 will probably have the older spacebed. Can't comment on service.

 

[dajop]

Re: Singapore Airlines

They use the A330 and 772. The A330s are only a few years old and have the new regional J seat whereas the 772 will probably have the older spacebed. Can't comment on service.

Actually, generally Brisbane is routinely served by the A330. In fact the regular schedule only has the A330 serving BNE, and these all have the new regional J seat which is not an older style sit up seats (it is angled lie flat). And whilst it is true they may be the coughpiest airbuses in the SQ fleet (the only other airbuses are the all J A340's and the A380's), the A330's have only come into the fleet in the last 3-4 years. In fact the airbuses SQ use out of BNE are not really much different to the ones QF use, and seat arguably is better (wider and less inclined) than QF's skybed MKI that serves the BNE route.

The only watchout is that over Dec/Jan SQ are running a fourth service (for students mainly) some days each week - these ARE on coughpy old sit up-seats on a 772. Looking at the weekly timetable on the SQ website is the easiest way to tell which ones these are. But it does appear (from expert flyer) business class is allocated (old style sit up) first class seating. (BTW, I don't just happen know this, I was looking hard to find redemptions SIN-BNE around Chinese New Year in late Jan, and discovered this then)

As for meals, I've never encountered running out of my choice, and if this is a concern at least on the SIN-BNE sector, one can pre-order a "book the cook" meal, but unfortunately this service isn't available ex-BNE.

I think the great thing that SQ offers that QF doesn't (and speaking from experience from SIN-MEL, but equally applicable to BNE) is three different timed flights a day, not just one.

 

[Muzfly]

Re: Singapore Airlines

The fact that the meal I wanted was not available, was not the end of my world. The point I was making that SQ charge a premium ex BNE but don't deliver a premium product.

I travel to Europe almost monthly and have done so a few times on SQ and have been astonished at the difference in product quality between the BNE-SIN leg and SIN-LHR. Its at the point where I won't use them at all.

Muzfly - Brisbane
QF Platinum

 

[dajop]

Re: Singapore Airlines

The fact that the meal I wanted was not available, was not the end of my world. The point I was making that SQ charge a premium ex BNE but don't deliver a premium product.

I travel to Europe almost monthly and have done so a few times on SQ and have been astonished at the difference in product quality between the BNE-SIN leg and SIN-LHR. Its at the point where I won't use them at all.

Muzfly - Brisbane
QF Platinum

How recently? As I said above SQ have moved fully to A330's on their regular scheduled services to BNE, all equipped with angled lie flat beds (and a far cry from the days when you used to get old style sit up or cradle seats configured 2-3-2 on a 777). Whilst not their best business product, certainly these seats are as good as or better than many of their competitors (certainly better than EK, TG & MH). And really no different to flying BNE-SIN-LHR on QF. You get an angled Skybed MKI on BNE-SIN on a QF A330 and a fully flat Skybed MKII on QF from SIN-LHR on the A380. Always found, from MEL, QF and SQ pricing comparable (vs TG, MH, EK and others which can be quite a bit cheaper).

 

[oz_mark]

Re: Singapore Airlines

However my biggest gripe is the aircraft. Out of SYD SQ give you the 380 whereas ex BNE they used the oldest, coughpiest Airbus they have. The Business Class seats are the older style sit up and beg seats and the service average. On three consecutive flights my preferred meal choice was not available. Not a big deal, but when one is paying the SQ premium its an issue.

My question is can anyone tell me if this is still the way it is with SQ ex BNE.

As far as I know the oldest A330 in the SQ fleet is approaching 3 years old - which is hardly old. I imagine they'll be using these A330's till the next fleet replacement.

 

[Muzfly]

Re: Singapore Airlines

Last time I flew SQ would have been two/three years ago. I'd need to go back and check. All I was asking though is what the situation is today and has anyone been similarly disappointed in the service. I've never been overly impressed with Singapore service. Its good, but then in Business Class it ought to be. But I'd not rave about it.....

Muzfly - Brisbane
QF Platinum

 

[wilco]

Re: Singapore Airlines

As far as I know the oldest A330 in the SQ fleet is approaching 3 years old - which is hardly old. I imagine they'll be using these A330's till the next fleet replacement.

Which at their rate, is sometime next week!!

 

[Awesom Andy]

Re: Singapore Airlines

The A330s are more or less replacements for the aging 777-200s, which are promptly sent to Scoot and reconfigured into high density LCC-layouts to fly SIN-SYD next year.

 

[elbarto]

Re: Singapore Airlines

I believe the A330s are an interim solution until the 787 or A350 arrives. I don't remember which, could be both, that they've ordered. Also I think they got the A330 at a good price due to the A380 delays.

 

[mel-world]

Re: Singapore Airlines

The SQ A330s are 2 years old, if that and have a quite comfortable J product with an angled flat 'pod' type seat configured 2-2-2 at the front of the plane (no F seats). In fact, the first destination for the A330 was BNE (other than a few shakdown flights to KUL). While the 777-200s can be old and have dated AVOD IFE, all the 777-300 stock is progressively being update to similar seats and IFE as the A330s for what they call regional long-haul - typically up to 8 hours.

 

[clifford]

Re: Singapore Airlines

Last time I flew SQ would have been two/three years ago. I'd need to go back and check. All I was asking though is what the situation is today and has anyone been similarly disappointed in the service. I've never been overly impressed with Singapore service. Its good, but then in Business Class it ought to be. But I'd not rave about it.....

Muzfly - Brisbane
QF Platinum

SQ service is more or less window dressing IME. All glitz and pizazz, but light on substance. And as for Y class pax, they are regarded as the lowest of the low scum. And for good measure, SQ doesn't even give FF points on their discount fares. I certainly agree that QF beats SQ hands down, particularly in Y class. Note that I am lifetime Star Gold and QF Gold, so I can judge the relative merits of the offerings quite well (at least I think so).

I would never, ever pay for a flight on SQ again. I think even D7 is much better value (you have to get the right seats of course).

 

[trooper]

Re: Singapore Airlines

I am no huge fan of SQ's style of service (too robotic IMO).. but whether in J or Y I must say I have never felt that I was seen as "scum" in any way!

I just prefer FA's with more personality!

I have had no problem crediting the cheap Y fares to my NZ account either... YMMV there depending on program I suppose...

As for QF.. well, my view mirrors cliffords view of SQ... never again.. at least on long haul.

 

[Muzfly]

Re: Singapore Airlines

I am no huge fan of SQ's style of service (too robotic IMO).. but whether in J or Y I must say I have never felt that I was seen as "scum" in any way!

I just prefer FA's with more personality!

I have no problem crediting the cheap Y fares to my NZ account either... YMMV there depending on program I suppose...

As for QF.. well, my view mirrors cliffords view of SQ... never again.. at least on long haul.

Clearly our expereinces have been quite different!

My experience with QF International service has been without exception very positive. My last flight (two weeks ago) was back from LAX and as before the service was first rate. I was expecting it to be less than this given the industrial relations situation but this was not the case. The QF experience for me (J&F) has always been good. I do agree with the statement above in relation to SQ/s style of service. I'd been searching for a term to describe and your use of Robotic is perfect.

Muzfly - Brisbane
QF Platinum

 

[dajop]

Re: Singapore Airlines

You guys must be flying a different SQ to the one I fly, .... In J they are certainly consistent. But stay away, stick to QF, the more of you steer clear the better, as far as I am concerned, the more redemptions for the rest of us

What I do like about SQ is the consistency of service. I know I will have a coughtail (or other bev) in my hand less than 10 mins after the seatbelt sign goes off. I know I will get multiple hot towels (4) in J on services between SIN & Australia (not 1 ... if I'm lucky). I know that if they can't get to me to hang my jacket (because of the Y pax going through the cabin), they will come to me to retrieve it ASAP. I know in Y, even on a 2 hour sector, I will get a hot towel (even if I board late and miss the hot towel service through the whole cabin they will bring one to me individually), that I will get a juice or water or beer or wine 10-15 mins after seatbelts off, multiple drinks with meal if I want, and that 9/10 times someone will be patrolling the cabin with water and juices throughout the flight. Also whatever the class, that when I press the call button, the call will be answered more or less immediately, and what's more I won't get a attitude from the flight attendant who answers the call.

I feel that on Qantas all too often those pax who are bubbly extraverts, engaging the FA's in conversation and trying to be a little friendly, get outstanding service and those who don't get ignored. Which is why I think QF gets such mixed reports. Don't get me wrong, I am polite, but I am somewhat introverted and feel that I really can't be bothered trying to smooth talk the FA's to get good service - in J all pax should be treated more or less equal. On SQ I don't feel the need to do any smooth talking.

I hear the robot accusation often, but since living in Singapore, I have a different view, and often it takes some shared experiences and understanding of the culture to get through the robotic veneer (or indeed something like 3 hours on the runway in Newark being de-iced!) I think sometimes they have a such a busy schedule and work to do - so don't take the time to banter with pax.

In summary, SQ is consistent but not outstanding. I think SQ style service fits some better, whilst QF style fits others better.

 

[trooper]

Re: Singapore Airlines

Nicely said.

 

[mel-world]

Re: Singapore Airlines

You guys must be flying a different SQ to the one I fly, .... In J they are certainly consistent. But stay away, stick to QF, the more of you steer clear the better, as far as I am concerned, the more redemptions for the rest of us

What I do like about SQ is the consistency of service. I think SQ style service fits some better, whilst QF style fits others better.

Could not agree more. I have had some excellent conversations with SQ crew during flights (I do not sleep well on long haul) and the comment about living in Singapore or the region is also valid to understand the personalities.

Another point... How can SQ feed all the children first in all classes when a simialr request to QF crew on a recent flight returned a comment about waiting til we get to you? I find that the product is consistent on SQ no matter what the route (except maybe some of the North Asia business routes) while the service on QF is patchy. As mentioned above; to each his own. That's what competition is all about - we have a choice.

 

[Muzfly]

Re: Singapore Airlines

An interesting comment, and one I cannot say that I agree with totally. I do agree that one service criteria will appeal to one individual whereas another won't. I've lived in Asia and also for many years in the RSA. In that time I regularly commuted to Australia via Asia as QF ex JNB was nearly always full in all classes. I found MH to be more to my taste than SQ. Mind you having just written that I do recall that on one or two occasions that some of the male MH crew needed to be coaxed to serve alcohol. Obviously a cultural/religious issue, but unacceptable in the circumstances I thought.

Muzfly - Brisbane
QF Platinum

 

[JohnK]

Re: Singapore Airlines

As far as I know the oldest A330 in the SQ fleet is approaching 3 years old - which is hardly old. I imagine they'll be using these A330's till the next fleet replacement.

Really? I had a return trip BNE-BKK on SQ last year and I don't recall the A330's to have a new feel about them. Don't get me wrong economy was not too bad and the service is always OK and at least consistent.

You guys must be flying a different SQ to the one I fly, .... In J they are certainly consistent. But stay away, stick to QF, the more of you steer clear the better, as far as I am concerned, the more redemptions for the rest of us

Don't we all have different experiences?

I was actually quite impressed with the TG service in business class on a recent BKK-SYD flight on the A340. The food was good although the seat was a little uncomfortable for me. What I really liked was the FAs coming through the cabin regularly with water/juice. Quite easy to ask for a drink without any fuss.

I will be trying out SQ business class SYD-SIN on the A380 in a couple of weeks and then returning in TG business class BKK-SYD on the A340 again a few weeks later. It would be nice to get a feel for SQ and TG service.

I have never really had an issue with service from FAs on QF flights in business class the few times I have had an op-up from economy although it still feels like I am intruding and not welcome when I go to the galley to ask for a drink. I have just purchased AA miles with the recent bonus on offer and I would be interested in trying out QF business class to/from Australia on the A380.

 

[sail0r]

My question is can anyone tell me if this is still the way it is with SQ ex BNE.

Muzfly - Brisbane
QF Platinum

Am on SQ256 9.1.12, will let you know what I see. I am not in J (though) so will do my best to report.