SQ regional J vs long-haul J

[smit0847]

Looking at some USDM options to come back from NRT or KIX to MEL in J in Feb. 1 option is short-ish (5 hour) overnight flight SQ J A330 to SIN then another 7 hour SQ 777-300 or A330 J SIN-MEL day flight. Both flights would have the regional J and aren't really long enough to have a decent sleep on either.

Other option is short NH NRT-PVG day-flight then long overnight CA (Air China) PVG-MEL all J. I can hear you screaming in horror at the suggestion of CA J but it's an overnight flight, they have fully-flat beds in J and all we will want to do is sleep (and I believe CA is an airline rapidly improving).

My question is how the regional J stacks up against the long-haul (ie A380) J. I know the seats are 2-2-2 instead of 1-2-1 and are angled lie-flat but is the rest of the experience the same? Is the food and drinks, IFE and service all as good? They currently have 4 different aircraft types into MEL so assume there is consistency in the soft product!

I'm tossing up between going with SQ for the service and 'experience' but preparing to be exhausted when I get home because of the awkward flight times, vs taking the CA option, forgetting about food and service and just crashing out the whole flight to arrive refreshed.

Any thoughts would be appreciated although I suspect you will say SQ all the way!

 

[dajop]

My question is how the regional J stacks up against the long-haul (ie A380) J. I know the seats are 2-2-2 instead of 1-2-1 and are angled lie-flat but is the rest of the experience the same? Is the food and drinks, IFE and service all as good? They currently have 4 different aircraft types into MEL so assume there is consistency in the soft product!

SQ service doesn't really vary by product, but does by time of departure, with the late night departures you get abbreviated cabin service (and only one meal) to cater for those who want to sleep.

The 1-2-1 is definitely a more spacious product, but the A330 or 773 angled flat seats are fine, they are some of the best angled seats out there. I have taken both overnights out of SIN to MEL on several occassions (on the A380 leaving around 9pm and the 773 refitted leaving around midnight). With the A380, you get a full dinner service (and continental breakfast if you are awake), however by the time the meal service is over, and for me - by the time I am ready to sleep, which is after midnight - it doesn't leave much time for sleeping, I always feel like rubbish after this flight. On the later flight, the choice is supper or breakfast, and I choose the latter (or nothing at all), and always, without fail get a good night sleep, and can normally go about the next day with good energy levels, despite the seats not being fully flat. FWIW, the seats go almost flat at the lower end of the seat (where your feet, and legs below the knees are) and have a slight angle for the upper body, so the angle isn't that problematic. Certainly a far cry from the original angled seats such as SQ spacebed, or QF Skybed Mk I (aka Skyslope).

The service on the day flight will be much better (with the proviso the cabin will be darkened to accommodate Europe originating pax), as you should get full meal/drink service, although the first meal I guess will be breakfast. The other option could be an extra 2 hrs in SIN and take the 77W service with 1-2-1 seats and full lunch service after take off.

 

[albatross710]

If you can manage to be on long haul seats they are better for sleeping (for tall me) than the regional product. The regional angle is good sleeping on my back, but a side roll during the night is really uncomfortable due to the slight kink angle.

 

[penegal]

If you value sleep (e.g. hard product) over soft product, I would suggest you should take the flat beds on CA.

It is possible to sleep on both SQ's new & old regional J products. However I find it a lot harder than a flat bed (e.g. 388/77W long-haul J).


Regarding SQ227 / SQ237 - I agree with dajop, I try to eat in the lounge and don't eat much (or at all) on the plane. Flight time is normally between 7 and 7.5 hours. You loose 15-20 mins at each end due to ascent/descent, so if you spend 1-1.5 hours per meal waiting for food and eating food, there just isn't going to be adequate sleep time.

 

[stripakis]

In relation to SQ227 and SQ237 in J class, would you recommend the A330 or the B773 (retrofit) for a better rest? I have got used to the flat bed and do not look that forward to the regional J seats, especially as I have a heavy work schedule upon landing. Not sure why SQ are not using the A380 or B77W on the overnight flights in August but this is it at present.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Flew 237 last night., after having had the previous night on the 77 from FRA, and so after an easy sleep from FRA found the sloping seat no were near as good.

Flight time is awkward. Had the meal on boarding. Will skip this next time.

However even if one skips it, there is still noise in the cabin from serving others.

 

[dajop]

In relation to SQ227 and SQ237 in J class, would you recommend the A330 or the B773 (retrofit) for a better rest? I have got used to the flat bed and do not look that forward to the regional J seats, especially as I have a heavy work schedule upon landing. Not sure why SQ are not using the A380 or B77W on the overnight flights in August but this is it at present.

It depends on you. I live in Singapore and I am accustomed to going to bed around 11:30pm. Hence even trying to sleep on 227 in the first three hours is futile for me, it just doesn't happen, and then it's about 3hrs time until they start to prepare cabin for landing. By contrast if I take 237 I eat earlier in the evening, skip the onboard meals and usually get 5hrs sleep.

 

[albatross710]

I really wish they would take less time to serve the 'breakfast' meal allowing more time for sleep. Even requesting not to be woken, sometimes gets ignores and you find yourself being sitting up 90 minutes before scheduled landing.