Business Class Con flying from Brisbane to Singapore

[Maverick116]

Hi all, are Singapore airlines for real?

I have flown from Melbourne to Singapore in Business Class on the A380 and it was outstanding in every respect more so on the comfort and features of the seat/bed.

The cost was less than Brisbane to Singapore on the A330. Hence the con flying from Brisbane on the same class and paying more i found their business class to be a joke in comparison when is came to the seat/comfort. Just checkout their website for the photos regarding the difference of the Business class seats.

In fairness my gripe is I paid more money for the same class, different aircraft and it felt like I was in Economy in comparison based on the seats/comfort.

As another thread states Singapore Airlines really do fly rubbish aircraft out of Brisbane.

People do not waste your money flying business class out of Brisbane, fly to Melbourne and get 5 star comfort for less money than the rubbish one gets out of Brisbane.

Singapore Airlines should be charging half the price from Brisbane in comparison to Melbourne as it is truly comparing the same class except the A380 was 5 star and the A330 was like flying Economy in comparison. WHAT A RIPOFF

 

[mannej]

Does the same not go for any airline?

You are essentially comparing the SQ flagship with their mid-haul product.

Is it the actual product itself is not that good, or is the product being compared to the expectations after experiencing the 380?
The stats itself kind of suggests that the comment about it feeling like economy is a bit off (geez, I would like 60 x 24.5 inches in an economy seat), however their must be reasons why the product isn't seen as that great?

Each to their own I guess.

 

[markis10]

Try QF to HNL or another destination serviced by the 767!

 

[Maverick116]

Its about the cost for what is supposed to be the same class although the product is inferior at what is essentially a higher cost ???

Does the same not go for any airline?

You are essentially comparing the SQ flagship with their mid-haul product.

Is it the actual product itself is not that good, or is the product being compared to the expectations after experiencing the 380?
The stats itself kind of suggests that the comment about it feeling like economy is a bit off (geez, I would like 60 x 24.5 inches in an economy seat), however their must be reasons why the product isn't seen as that great?

Each to their own I guess.

 

[markis10]

Cost is to a certain point irrelevant, especially in J where the difference between what you paid and your neighbour paid can be 400-800% despite being on the same flight, and I am not talking points here. Airlines put their assets to use where they get the best yield, with newer equipment offering lower cost and better comfort.

 

[mannej]

Its about the cost for what is supposed to be the same class although the product is inferior at what is essentially a higher cost ???

The actual seat/product itself is only part of the actual costing itself. There are other variables and factors at play that all play a role in how an airline costs a seat.

I would hardly call the product itself an economy product, however I understand that you may be frustrated that you have to pay X amount for it when Melbourne and Sydney get the A380.

I can tell you that this is not limited to SQ.

 

[Maverick116]

I quoted the product (Economy)in comparison with the same class on the A380 I know as I flew the same class in both planes.

The actual seat/product itself is only part of the actual costing itself. There are other variables and factors at play that all play a role in how an airline costs a seat.

I would hardly call the product itself an economy product, however I understand that you may be frustrated that you have to pay X amount for it when Melbourne and Sydney get the A380.

I can tell you that this is not limited to SQ.

 

[JohnPhelan]

It's true that this sort of thing does happen on many airlines - SQ and TG being the most blatant offenders.

CX used to be shocking in this regard, too, with huge variability in Business class equipment, but this has been largely fixed in the last couple of years.

As others have noted, those airlines that do this sort of thing generally explain it by saying that the better Business class is on what they term their "long haul" aircraft, with the inferior product on what they term their "regional" or "medium haul" configured aircraft. The problem is there is often virtually no difference between the flying times on some of those routes (especially to Australia), and - a particular issue with SQ and TG - they have been known to swap them round at the last minute!

At one point in the last couple of years, SQ had five different types of Business class! I think they have it down to three or four now, but it's completely understandable that people are unhappy with such inconsistency. (And don't even start on the SQ penny-pinching of "only one meal - dinner or breakfast, you choose, but you can't have both" on overnights to Australia!)

 

[albatross710]

Would economy of scale have something to do with it. The A380 justification is two decks of PAX travelling the same sector. With so many more J seats on the A380 it is possible to provide a better product as more people are buying the same service. The A330 out of Brisbane has just 30 J seats but does operate three times a day.

For me the extra hours to go via Melbourne or Sydney aren't worth the difference.

Another similar catch I've noticed in their current European early bird sale into Europe. Choosing the better arrival and departure points will have a big bearing on aircraft experience to SIN and into Europe.

As always, buyer beware.

 

[dajop]

Fly on Qantas and you will face exactly the same issue. An A330 from BNE-SIN on Qantas will have Skybed Mk I in 2-2-2 configuration (aka Skyslope seat ), which actually narrower than SQ's seat. From MEL or SYD you will get the A380.

The SQ new regional J product is actually one of the better angled lie flat products out there (try, for example Emirates or Malaysian which both have steeper slope, and are narrower (18.5" on MH, 20.5" on EK vs 24" on SQ), and in the case of EK less seat pitch.

I used to love the A380 seats, but the other ones are growing on me. In the last five weeks I have flown SIN-SYD on the A380 and SIN-MEL on 777-300 (which hasthe same seats as the A330). Both flights similar length, and both left SIN at around 00:45, and surprisingly I slept better on the 777-300, so it has really gone up in my estimation (my theory on this is that on the 330/773 seats my feet are slightly lower - due to the slight angle - than the rest of my body, whereas on A380 they are either at the same level as rest of body, or if anything higher).

The biggest business class con - if you call it that - on SQ, is happening to MEL right now - 744 instead of A380 (until April). And if really unlucky (as I was in November), an OLD business class cradle seat instead of a new 380 style seat on the 777-300ER due to aircraft substitution!

 

[Justchecking]

No! Really? different seats on different aircraft. That never happens... More expensive to fly from a secondary port than a primary? Once again, I'm flabbergasted!

 

[dajop]

(And don't even start on the SQ penny-pinching of "only one meal - dinner or breakfast, you choose, but you can't have both" on overnights to Australia!)

I am a huge fan of this penny pinching as it reduces the amount of conversation, clink clink clinking and light in the cabin!! It is only done on late night (midnight-ish) services, not the earlier departure services where a full meal + continental breakfast is offered. The offering has been upgraded recently to include a standard main (not just entirely consisting of supper/snack/breakfast items) and one can ex-SIN/MEL (not ex-BNE though) book the cook for a proper meal. Also if you have a meal on departure, you can usually request some fruit and pastries on landing if you want - as many in the cabin eat nothing at all on these flights.

 

[opusman]

Speaking of penny-pinching, what's the deal with SQ not having an amenity pack in J? I was quite literally shocked to get socks and an eyemask and nothing else - even had to ask for earplugs!

 

[dajop]

Speaking of penny-pinching, what's the deal with SQ not having an amenity pack in J? I was quite literally shocked to get socks and an eyemask and nothing else - even had to ask for earplugs!

It's all in the toilet (not literally). Razor, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste can be found in drawers. L'Occitaine products (hand lotion/moisturizer, EDT and aftershave) in containers.

 

[albatross710]

(And don't even start on the SQ penny-pinching of "only one meal - dinner or breakfast, you choose, but you can't have both" on overnights to Australia!)

I didn't get that impression. I think both meals are both available for each pax if they so choose.

What I did notice is the downgrading of the J breakfast on the overnights.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I have flown from Melbourne to Singapore in Business Class on the A380 and it was outstanding in every respect more so on the comfort and features of the seat/bed.

The cost was less than Brisbane to Singapore on the A330. Hence the con flying from Brisbane on the same class and paying more i found their business class to be a joke in comparison when is came to the seat/comfort. Just checkout their website for the photos regarding the difference of the Business class seats.

In fairness my gripe is I paid more money for the same class, different aircraft and it felt like I was in Economy in comparison based on the seats/comfort.

Maverick I hear you brotha and totally understand your post and to some extent I sorta kinda agree with you.

I have flown SQ's 380 / 77W AND the new regional J MANY times - it's not just a simple straight forward black and white situation.

Any reasonable person's first impressions of the 2 products would lead to the conclusion that the super duper product on 380 / 77W is way superior to reg J and therefore should be priced higher - or rather reg J priced lower.

In fact you could mount an argument that SQ themselves consider 380 / 77W way superior in that you cannot redeem J savers on these craft whereas reg J is available - twice as good? Nah - but initial impression is it's significantly superior.

Lay flat bed compared to angle / huge wide individual space compared to much smaller reg J / superior amenities in and around your seat - yes it looks better - but IMHO that is where it finishes.

Same level of service on all craft - 380 / 77W product as hard as rocks when you lay bed flat - reg J not much better but I take sleeping tablets and sleep ok on both.

My biggest gripe with 380 / 77W is that I just cannot get comfortable when sitting. There is no leg rest to raise - so to rest your legs you must swivel left or right like 20 odd degrees to rest your feet at end of bed - this askews your body to take in IFE - it makes for a very uncomfortable seating position after 20 mins or so - I continually wriggle trying to get comfortable - maybe that just me.

As dajop has previously mentioned - reg J does grow on you - most of my flights are J savers so reg J or sky bed or new 380 / 77W product after the first few try’s sorta kinda all seem same - MEL-SIN during day I am more than happy on any seat as drinking watching ent on my computer is all I do - IFE not issue to me. SIN-MEL overnight flight that departs after midnight is the one I usually take - reg J most times - I sleep OK with tablet. I very seldom eat on this flight - take tablet as soon as seated and tell FA's do not wake me until time to deplane - I go straight to work when I arrive MEL - but I do know you get 2 full meals MEL-SIN if you want.

The only time I have ever gotten upset with not getting 380 metal was when i took my number 1 man to Shanghai 1 time - I booked 2 x J savers on 777 300 reg J - prior to departure notified of equip change to 380 - my man was super excited getting 380 flight - then week before departure volcanic ash problems arose - SQ sent 380 to Europe and replaced it with 747 - bummer.

Long winded post I know - I understand your thinking Maverick - we all want biggest newest and best - but sometimes what is touted as biggest newest best may not quite be so.