MEL-SIN return - skybeds on all flights?

[pksw]

Sorry if this has been posted already, but I'm flying Melbourne to Singapore return as one leg of my honeymoon. I've never flown in the pointy end of the plane before, but this will be a good time to do so!

I had a look at the singapore website and seatguru, and from what I can ascertain I have a choice of flying out in either a 777-300ER, 777-300 or 747-400, and returning in either a 777-300ER or 747-400.

Does anyone know which plane will have the best business class seats? I've just returned from flying the same route in economy, and the 777-300 had the old fashioned business seats (and no video on demand in economy). If I'm going to go to the expense of getting all my honeymoon flights in business class, then obviously I want to impress the wife.

 

[NYCguy]

Are you sure you want to get her started with expectations of Biz every time you fly? Sure, it seems like a good idea at the time, but before you know it, it's First-class this and Deluxe-oceanview-suite that and helicopter transfers to the airport and back... and don't think that ain't gonna cost ya over the years!

In fact, if I hadn't had to finance The Spending Machine's lifestyle for the last 13 years, I would probably be flying around in a G550 instead of slumming it on commercial services...

(DISCLAIMER - should you ever get to read this, my love, it's all a joke. I promise, I'm only kidding. I could not stand to live without you, or without the enormous settlement I would have to give you if you decided to leave)

 

[dajop]

I had a look at the singapore website and seatguru, and from what I can ascertain I have a choice of flying out in either a 777-300ER, 777-300 or 747-400, and returning in either a 777-300ER or 747-400.

Assume you must be travelling sometime from November onwards, when the three aircraft type are in the timetable.
In order the best seats are:
777-300ER (new lieflat extra wide leather seats) on SQ 217/8
747-400 ("space bed" angled flat seats) on SQ 227/8
777-300 (older style seats) on SQ 237/8

Travelling MEL-SIN, unless you are time poor, and even though the seats are better on the 777-300ER, this is the overnight flight (218). I'd savour the business class experience & service and go on either of the day (238) or afternoon flight (228). Even the older seats on the 777-300 are quite comfortable for sitting up in (for sitting up, some say they are better).

Coming back - again choose your time day or overnight first. If day - only one choice, and you get to try the new seats (maybe worth doing for this alone). If overnight the evening (SQ227) departure has the better seats, and a full meal service. The late night flight has a reduced meal service and older seats (peversely I always get a better sleep on that one even though it has the old seats because it leaves at midnight and I'm ready to sleep, whereas on the earlier flight I'm still wide awake).

The other rider - IME SQ never fly anything but the 747 on SQ 227/8, but I have had noticed plane swaps on the other flights (777-300 to 777-200). Also the 777-300ER may attract a surcharge at the pointy end with the new seats.

 

[Evan]

Not releated to seats, but i like the day flights up to Singapore or afternoon. You gain a couple of hours so you have plently of time and feel fine.

On the way back unless you sleep well on planes and intent to sleep as much as possible the short flight time of 7hrs only allows a short broken sleep and you arrive really in the morning and feel cough for the rest of the day.

Just my thoughts about flights.... so for me the 15:00-15:45 afternoon departure is great, get in and goto hotel, sleep as per normal. and a day flight back.

E

 

[pksw]

Thanks Evan and Dajop - they are very comprehensive replies to my question. I still have to decide exactly where to go on a honeymoon, and I realised I have enough points to get 2 return business class tickets MEL-SIN. Not sure how difficult they will be to redeem, but I may as well use the points up on a honeymoon. (NYCGuy - that way I'm not setting a precedent either, as the flights are almost free).

 

[dajop]

I realised I have enough points to get 2 return business class tickets MEL-SIN. .

Just be wary of the condition on the Krisflyer award charts page: "Only unrestricted awards are available for redemption of flights in First and Business Class on the B777-300ER."

Good luck with availability! And remember the 15% online booking discount, and that quite a few destinations are available for the same no of points as Singapore (eg Bangkok, Hongkong).

 

[pksw]

Just be wary of the condition on the Krisflyer award charts page: "Only unrestricted awards are available for redemption of flights in First and Business Class on the B777-300ER."

Good luck with availability! And remember the 15% online booking discount, and that quite a few destinations are available for the same no of points as Singapore (eg Bangkok, Hongkong).

Actually, I'm trying to claim tickets on points via Virgin Atlantic's partnership with SIA. They charge 85k points return, rather than the 90k listed on the SIA website. (Plus I got a 20% bonus for transfering my points from Amex to VA)

There must be some limits on the number of "freebie" seats in business, as so far I've only been able to get an out bound flight. I'm trying to see if there is any availablity on SQ237, as 217/227 are unavailable (flying in Feb 08).

I am still able to purchase tickets on these flight via the SIA website, so obviously there are very limited seats available for redemption.

I'm not sure if anyone has any other tips - I'll just wait and see if I can get a trip home.