SIA Vs Emirates

[Dalescott]

We have flown Emirates for the last few years ( back and forward to UK), but have just got back from China ( on a Tour in Economy) with SIA. The difference between the two is unbelievable. Emirates seats are crowded and very very uncomfortable, SIA on the other hand was very good. There was room to move, and space between the seats. There was no comparison in service Emirates Flight attendants are totally disinterested, while SIA flight attendants cannot do enough for you.
The problem we have is that we go to Newcastle UK or Edinburgh, and Emirates service both direct from the Middle east. The next time April or May next year so we are thinking Business Class. But Emirates planes and service are the pits, and are now looking at other Carriers.
We would welcome ideas from everybody.

 

[Keith009]

EK would be the most direct, however the J seats on some aircraft aren't fantastic. Maybe Etihad? I am not sure if they do NCL or EDI though.

You could also do SQ via SIN and FRA, followed by a codeshare operated by LH onwards to EDI (not sure if LH does NCL).

Or QF/BA via SIN/BKK/HKG and LHR, followed by a BA flight to NCL or EDI.

The LH fares over to Europe are cheap but you could really do better than LH business, and i think they make you fly TG on the way up to Asia (or pay extra for SQ).

 

[Aussie_flyer]

How about QATAR? They are starting to mel later this year, Business fares to london are about $10,500. sadly no edinburgh or newcastle. only LHR and MAN in the UK

 

[Keith009]

How about QATAR? They are starting to mel later this year, Business fares to london are about $10,500. sadly no edinburgh or newcastle. only LHR and MAN in the UK

I think you can get tickets on JAL/SWISS/Finnair/Lufty for a fair bit less, and still have some spare change left over even after buying separate flights to EDI or NCL. Of those I'd really recommend SWISS, and have heard lots of good stuff about Finnair. JAL I avoid but others enjoy them. LH in C is just all around ho-hum.

 

[chrizzz14]

what you say about the difference to SIA and Emirates Y seats is so very true. I was personally also very shocked when i was forced to fly Malaysian airlines earlier this year to KL. I was shocked how roomy the Y seats were, i thought them more roomy than Y+ on QF!
As for business class emirates again are nothing special. Etihad is quite nice, and, if you get the right seats, BA is too quite nice. I have flown BA J a bit, and always get 64A on the upper deck. Has to be one of the most private business set up's ive experienced. If your travelling with a MR/MRS the E&F seats on the lower deck is quite a nice private set up for couples too!

All the best

 

[onemore]

I travel to Europe twice a month with work, and have tried the three i.e Qantas, Emirates and SIA. I finally settled on SIA because they have the most comfortable seats and the best service and this is in economy.
If you are really a gluton for punishment try Lufthansa from Singapore to Frankfurt where it is always full and the 747-400 is probably one of the first put into service, with the only entertainment system being the big screen on the bulkhead.
I personally think Qantas needs to look at their customer service on the international flights as it seems to have deteriorated to a point where they can't mix it with the others. I gave up on the Qantas club in Singapore, the same old flimsy pizza and spring rolls, yuk.
Phew, I have vented enough.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Danger UXB]

We have flown Emirates for the last few years ( back and forward to UK), but have just got back from China ( on a Tour in Economy) with SIA. The difference between the two is unbelievable. Emirates seats are crowded and very very uncomfortable, SIA on the other hand was very good. There was room to move, and space between the seats. There was no comparison in service Emirates Flight attendants are totally disinterested, while SIA flight attendants cannot do enough for you.
The problem we have is that we go to Newcastle UK or Edinburgh, and Emirates service both direct from the Middle east. The next time April or May next year so we are thinking Business Class. But Emirates planes and service are the pits, and are now looking at other Carriers.
We would welcome ideas from everybody.

Well dalescott it really depends on how many stops you are willing to make.
Emirates could do the trip with one stop in Dubai but I understand your reluctance
SQ only fly to Manchester up north so you got a car trip across the Pennines .They fly a 2 class 777 to MAN with spacebeds in J (lie flat but tilted like the QF J seats on their 747s).If you fly into LHR T3 they have lie flat horizontal J seat on 777 and 380 This is an unbelievably wide seat.
BA probably only go in and out of LHR T5( not sure about that) so you've got a terminal change and an internal up north. Their J club world seat is lie flat and horizontal.
QF go into LHR T? They have a lie flat tilt seat on 747 and a lie flat horizontal on 380. They also fly into Frankfurt ,as QF009 said,so you could connect up north from there.
My personal preference is as few stops as possible but the seat you are paying for is very important because you spend a long time in it and you want to sleep. I have flown with BA, QF and SQ in J to LHR and I try to avoid the tilt seats as they are less comfortable for the big sleep. I used to go to Newcastle too and I just used to do the internal from LHR.
My personal preference these days is SQ- great seats for sleeping, good service on the plane, great lounge in Sinapore with plentiful food and good conversion of points from AMEX with excellent redemption availability when you want a freebee. Having said all of that next March I'm off to LHR. QF and BA thru HKG then back on SQ but it's all on points so I'll take what they give me!
Cheers Danger UXB

 

[brett-au]

My only request with SIA is for them to introduce space plus/economy plus similar to what AirNZ and united have done.

Sure 3-5 inches doesn't sound like much, but when I'm flying economy and have work to do, there is a huge difference between having an empty seat in front and someone trying to snooze.

(I'm certain SIA wont introduce it as it gives frequent flyers another reason not to fork out for business class)

 

[dajop]

My only request with SIA is for them to introduce space plus/economy plus similar to what AirNZ and united have done.

For a fee, you can get an exit row seat. Won't go into the merits or otherwise of whether this is fair or not, but the fact is you can do it, at least on longer routes.

 

[KLN]

Just wanted to give a big thumbs up to Singapore Airlines. Recently flew with them Syd-Sing on business and it was just fantastic.
then flew Economy A380 Sing-Tokyo, and even this was fantastic. i had a 13yo daughter who vomited for the last 3 hours of this flight, and the staff were just brilliant in dealing and assisting us.
my gluten free meals all were excellent, even on the economy flight, unlike QF, where you're not even guaranteed a special meal. i've now missed out twice on QF flights, even though i had repeatedly rung them in the days preceeding the flights.
Organising thru their website to upgrade with points was also very easy, at least you're guaranteed the seat, unlike QF

 

[Travel Guru]

Singapore Airlines just released their Europe Earlybird fares for 2010 this morning, i'm pretty impressed.

They've gone from 3 seasons to 2, which means before 30 June and post 15 August is all low season, which is great.

Their low season to Europe is $1264 plus taxes, on sale to 5 Jan 2010.

They're also issuing a price guarantee with their fares where they'll refund any difference should they put a cheaper fare out into the market post Earlybird season.

TG

 

[Alanslegal]

They're also issuing a price guarantee with their fares where they'll refund any difference should they put a cheaper fare out into the market post Earlybird season.

TG

Yeah I saw SQ's price guarantee - which IMO a pretty impressive promise, see more here

 

[penegal]

Yeah I saw SQ's price guarantee - which IMO a pretty impressive promise, see more here

I agree, it seems to be a good deal. And from SQ's point of view it encourages people to book, and pay for 'Summer' early-birds now.

However, I suspect that further discounting beyond these fare levels is unlikely (less than 50% chance), unless we see another 'shock' in consumer sentiment.

Also, note that you must make a claim while the lower fare is on sale to enforce this guarentee (it isn't automatic).

 

[SQ1]

I agree, it seems to be a good deal. And from SQ's point of view it encourages people to book, and pay for 'Summer' early-birds now.

However, I suspect that further discounting beyond these fare levels is unlikely (less than 50% chance), unless we see another 'shock' in consumer sentiment.

Also, note that you must make a claim while the lower fare is on sale to enforce this guarentee (it isn't automatic).

But no FFP!!!!

 

[browski]

The problem we have is that we go to Newcastle UK or Edinburgh, and Emirates service both direct from the Middle east.

Well for starters, I don't believe that Emirates (or SQ for that matter) fly to Edinburgh. So, if flying to Edinburgh (and if you wish to avoid London), you'd be better off choosing KLM or Lufthansa. Either way, from Oz it is going to be a minimum of 2 stops, no matter who you fly.

If flying to Newcastle, then Emirates is the only airline that can get there from Oz with 1 stop.

 

[Dave Noble]

Well for starters, I don't believe that Emirates (or SQ for that matter) fly to Edinburgh. So, if flying to Edinburgh (and if you wish to avoid London), you'd be better off choosing KLM or Lufthansa. Either way, from Oz it is going to be a minimum of 2 stops, no matter who you fly.

If flying to Newcastle, then Emirates is the only airline that can get there from Oz with 1 stop.

If wanting to go to/from Edinburgh, I would say would be better off just going to Glasgow airport which is only 48 miles by road from Edinburgh Airport ( on par to the distance between LHR and LGW ); EK does fly from Glasgow to Dubai making it just one stop and quicker than taking an extra flight ex EDI

in relation to the OP ,I wouldn't agree that EK's aeroplanes and service are "the pits" ; I have found the service on every flight I have been on with them to be extremely good. I haven't tried their newest business class yet ( trying it in 2 weeks time) , but it does look reasonable

Dave

 

[penegal]

But no FFP!!!!

The 'early bird' fares (whcih are the ones with the price promise) are eligable for KF miles. These fares are for outbound travel between 01/04/10 - 30/11/10.

Final booking and payment date is 05 January 2010. Departures to Europe are valid between 01 April 2010 to 30 November 2010. Fares are Economy Class return, per person and include the price of the air ticket, associated taxes, levies, surcharges and credit card service fee correct as at 15 October 2009. Taxes and surcharges are subject to change due to currency fluctuations. These Economy Class fares are eligible for KrisFlyer mileage accrual.

Singapore Airlines extend customers a "Future Proof" Early Bird Price Undertaking.

Purchase a Singapore Airlines Economy Class European EarlyBird airfare and should Singapore Airlines release a lower fare in 2010 for travel to the same destination within the same travel period, Singapore Airlines will reissue your ticket to the lower fare and refund the difference without penalty. For full terms and conditions, visit: www.singaporeair.com/priceundertaking

The 'curtian raiser' fares are not eligable for KF miles. Also, these fares DO NOT have the 'price promise'. These fares are valid for outbound travel 21/10/09 - 30/11/09 and 16/01/10 - 30/03/10.

Final booking and payment date is 30 November 2009. Departures to Europe are valid from 21 October 2009 to 30 November 2009 and 16 January 2010 to 31 March 2010. Fares are Economy Class return, per person and include the price of the air ticket, associated taxes, levies, surcharges and credit card service fee correct as at 15 October 2009. Taxes and surcharges are subject to change due to currency fluctuations. These Economy Class fares are not eligible for KrisFlyer mileage accrual or redemption upgrades.

The difference between them is the outbound travel dates.

However, if in doubt the SQ website will tell you what your expected mileage earn is before you confirm the booking. If it's zero, then you are booking into a 'heavily discounted' fare class, which does not earn miles.

 

[dajop]

The 'curtian raiser' fares (cheaper ones) are not eligable for KF miles.

Actually, at least ex-MEL they are not cheaper - the same price as the early bird fares, just different travel dates, but not eligible for accruing KF miles.

 

[penegal]

Actually, at least ex-MEL they are not cheaper - the same price as the early bird fares, just different travel dates, but not eligible for accruing KF miles.

You are correct, they are exactly the same price, but book into different fare buckets (as per mileage earn/ or not).

The difference is the travel dates.

I have ammended the post above.

 

[clifford]

If wanting to go to/from Edinburgh, I would say would be better off just going to Glasgow airport which is only 48 miles by road from Edinburgh Airport ( on par to the distance between LHR and LGW ); EK does fly from Glasgow to Dubai making it just one stop and quicker than taking an extra flight ex EDI

in relation to the OP ,I wouldn't agree that EK's aeroplanes and service are "the pits" ; I have found the service on every flight I have been on with them to be extremely good. I haven't tried their newest business class yet ( trying it in 2 weeks time) , but it does look reasonable

Dave

IME, EK is better than SQ in Y.

Business class may be different though. I've found EK's business class to be variable, partly because of the wide range of ethnic backgrounds of FA's they employ and the cultural differences involved. Some cultures were never designed to serve...