SQ Tips, Trips and Tales

[lovestotravel]

Had my first ever SQ J flight yesterday and I am feeling a little bit mixed about the experience. People here and on other sites rave and rave about how good SQ but overall I felt it was a bit pedestrian with nothing that greatly sets itself better than its competition.

Maybe this is more reflective of the regional J product that Brisbane gets lumped with but still not the best first impression.

A few notes from the trip:

- The Brisbane SilverKris lounge was extremely small and had disappointing catering. I would hate to see this lounge with a bunch of status holders plus J in there. I would rate the Plaza premium outpost above this lounge.

- Priority boarding enforced which is a tick.

- Welcome drinks offered with a decent selection vs the standard sparkling, water or juice.

- I don’t eat seafood and the lack of a non-seafood based appetiser was disappointing. Equally disappointing was the lamb dish which lacked flavour or flair. Asked for a snack in between lunch and the refreshment service and was a little shocked that the only snack on offer was a short bread biscuit. Apparently the Virgin Australia pantry is better stocked for snacks than Singapore Air, who knew.

- Couldn’t fault the service or the drinks. Drinks was reactive via call bell vs anything proactive.

- The regional J seat is fine, but I suspect this isn’t SQs best foot forward and this is the biggest area where I don’t see much of a difference to any other major J carrier out of Brisbane.

Overall, it was a fine trip. It just didn’t live up to the expectations set by others online.

That's a pretty normal J experience from the regional A350s and the newer crews.

It's still the best way out of Australia in business, first or suites.

Here in MEL the loinge is also average best and the Air NZ lounge is where I head.

We don't get the regional A350s anymore, except for a few odd times, so that helps alot

 

[mel-world]

Took my first flight on the SQ regional single aisle B38M, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 (not the one with doors that fall off) operating SQ 203, SIN-CNS yesterday. I cannot remember seeing any report on that aircraft so here are a few impressions of the flight.

Being the Monday after the Lunar New Year holidays, I expected the lounges at Changi to be packed at 0700 but the T3 F lounge was quite relaxed... busy but had no trouble ordering eggs on toast and a barista made Esspresso for breakfast. I needed that for a trek to A19 for a decent 0830 on-time departure. While the service is not daily yet, it will soon be up gauged to a regional A350 as a daily service. The return SQ204 leaves CNS at 1810 to arrive in time for the European departures at 2305.

What I appreciated was the service we received in J with 3 crew looking after 9 passengers. Economy looked full. Hardly 30 mins went by without someone coming through in case we needed anything, proactively offering drinks. There was a check CSM on board (the Man with the Gold Tie) so I am sure everyone was on their best behavior. . Raj has been with SQ for 29 years so probably knows the procedures by now.

The cabin has 10 J seats in a 2-2, 1-1, 2-2 configuration, so 2 so called 'throne' seat in Row 2. Normally, as a TPPS, I would be able to book these seats until T-80 but this benefit was not made available on this flight so Row 11 and 12 all take 3 months ago when I booked. Not an issue as I scored the only free seat next to me in Row 14.

The single seat, Row 12:
Row 14:


Legroom, 14F - enough room to stretch out.



The seats were very firm (after 6 hours) but, otherwise wide and comfortable enough.

I did like the touch screens, very responsive and within easy reach. The ARC flight map especially nice to use. I don't use the entertainment much, preferring to read or use my own entertainment.

I did make comment to Raj about the catering. He did admit that the menus had been revised since Covid but would, of course, not say that the choice was more limited (or of lesser quality). Mind you, I could not fault my prosperity salad or the BTC lobster. I only only ever order it ex Singapore and this was one of the best I have had - fresh, tasty and creamy.

My main fault with the flight was the timing of the meal. Lunch was offered soon after takeoff, not long after 0915 SIN time. In J, I would expect most people would have had breakfast in the lounge so would be happy with a single catering service around 1300 CNS time - they do have a snack service later in the flight (that I did not partake in) so maybe that's the problem. The crew did offer to delay my meal until later and did slow down on the service but I cannot see why the rush. In Y, people would be waiting for a meal but J should be a more relaxed offering or offer dining on demand.

To summarise, a relaxed, comfortable flight with excellent service in a small J cabin even though the seat belt sign was on for the majority of the flight due to persistent light turbulence.

 

[serfty]

I cannot remember seeing any report on that aircraft so here are a few impressions of the flight

More here:

Seats CNS to SIN direct

What aircraft do SQ use CNS to SIN direct?, and comfort of Y and J seats?

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

SQ flights to Cairns & Darwin

The Cairns Post is reporting an announcement is imminent about SQ flying into Cairns from Singapore using Boeing 737-800. SilkAir formerly flew the route. The article is behind a paywall, but the report states: A Cairns Airport spokesman said an exact time frame on new flights will be known in...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[mel-world]

More here:

I guess I'm late to the party as usual. Enjoyed the flight nonetheless.

 

[p--and--t]

https://loyaltylobby.com/2024/02/16/singapore-airlines-strikes-again-denies-partner-conversion-claims-name-mismatch/

 

[LinaLee]

Auguste bear is finally paired up. He’s not staying single. Thanks once again @Cruiser Elite.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Auguste bear is finally paired up. He’s not staying single. Thanks once again @Cruiser Elite.

And didn’t that ‘little tart’ get amongst the vinegar last night;



Whilst her fellow ‘classmates’ were held in captivity:

 

[drron]

Meanwhile SQ slides on the stock exchange after falling profit. May be fare increases sometime this year.

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/singapore-airlines-outlook-warning-casts-shadow-over-air-show-2024-02-21/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=Daily-Briefing&utm_term=022124&user_email=42c279be87db2e6b362e5c5af53114ca6a8bab3e0d36948cf7872b29529df7e9

 

[boomy]

And didn’t that ‘little tart’ get amongst the vinegar last night;

View attachment 372128

Whilst her fellow ‘classmates’ were held in captivity:

View attachment 372131

That Montepuliciano looks lovely, hope you’ll score it on your next SQ flight

 

[Cruiser Elite]

That Montepuliciano looks lovely, hope you’ll score it on your next SQ flight

Was just a pleasure to be at OT with some decent company for a change - and no this post is not OT - we discussed SQ R, F and J at length

 

[Kangol]

Are you able to change a ticketed flight to add an additional waitlisted segment, if a waitlist is later confirmed?

eg. for the same day, saver MEL-SIN is available. MEL-SIN-LHR (with the same MEL-SIN segment) is only available as waitlisted saver.
If I book the saver MEL-SIN and also waitlist the MEL-SIN-LHR, what happens if the waitlist clears?

Can they change the ticketed MEL-SIN to the cleared MEL-SIN-LHR without much hassle?
Issue is I don't have enough miles for booking both at the same time.

 

[Harthagan]

Had the opportunity of visiting the Silverkris lounge in Singapore 4 times in the last month. I know that is a long way shy of making me any sort of expert but each time it has been packed to the brim. Can't say it ever really matched my expectations as a top tier business class lounge. Overall pretty basic food and very basic beverages, compared to what I frequently experienced at the Emirates business class lounge in LAX. Meanwhile the space and layout seems barely sufficient to meet current demand during peak hours.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Had the opportunity of visiting the Silverkris lounge in Singapore 4 times in the last month. I know that is a long way shy of making me any sort of expert but each time it has been packed to the brim. Can't say it ever really matched my expectations as a top tier business class lounge. Overall pretty basic food and very basic beverages, compared to what I frequently experienced at the Emirates business class lounge in LAX. Meanwhile the space and layout seems barely sufficient to meet current demand during peak hours.

Agree. It’s not a lounge you want to spend much time in! A shower and a coffee maybe.

 

[boomy]

Had the opportunity of visiting the Silverkris lounge in Singapore 4 times in the last month. I know that is a long way shy of making me any sort of expert but each time it has been packed to the brim. Can't say it ever really matched my expectations as a top tier business class lounge. Overall pretty basic food and very basic beverages, compared to what I frequently experienced at the Emirates business class lounge in LAX. Meanwhile the space and layout seems barely sufficient to meet current demand during peak hours.

The T3 SK lounge is disappointing, I’ve said that from the moment it opened. SQ missed an opportunity and instead created another boring lounge as the previous one just with nicer decor. Even after the *G lounge next door opened SK remained constantly overcrowded and I don’t think the T2 lounge will make any difference.

 

[Harthagan]

It's funny but when you first enter it does have that brief feeling of being somewhat special, for all of a few seconds. But as soon as you are a few metres in, either side, you are confronted with the reality; which is that it is just a mass feeding lot.

 

[lovestotravel]

Had the opportunity of visiting the Silverkris lounge in Singapore 4 times in the last month. I know that is a long way shy of making me any sort of expert but each time it has been packed to the brim. Can't say it ever really matched my expectations as a top tier business class lounge. Overall pretty basic food and very basic beverages, compared to what I frequently experienced at the Emirates business class lounge in LAX. Meanwhile the space and layout seems barely sufficient to meet current demand during peak hours.

Yep been saying that for a while - So much money spent and it's a zoo sadly between 7pm and midnight

I much preferred the old lounge which was more private, darker and less like a school cafeteria.

The first class and private room is great though... but that's a rare visit for me when travelling with the family as can rarely get 4 F seats

My 2nd flight change for SQ248 now, was 6:45am, then 7:00am and now 8:00am, which is almost a sane time to leave home!

 

[luckypierre]

I much preferred the old lounge which was more private, darker and less like a school cafeteria.

I've mentioned before we don't mind the older and less popular T2 Silverkris lounge. We're less interested in the food (we enjoy the inflight BTC experience)and more interested in quick access to showers, comfortable seating, peace and quiet

 

[boomy]

The *G lounge in T3 right next to SK used to be a hidden gem back when it opened as pax didn’t know about it. Haven’t been there in a while, need to check it out again. In SK I’m always going for a sofa, if available, in the small section (former F) which is more quiet.

 

[dajop]

SQ missed an opportunity and instead created another boring lounge as the previous one just with nicer decor.

That sums up Singapore in a nutshell.

SQ are very good at drawing lines in the sand, to contain costs, unlike the ME3/TK who seem to invest more in their lounge products.

I put SKL on a par with various other "draw a line in the sand" airline business class lounges at their hubs - such as QF J lounge @SYD, BA Galleries Club lounges @LHR, LH J lounges @ FRA are three that spring to mind immediately.

And let's not even bother with comparisons to AI @ DEL, MH @KUL and TG@ BKK.

What they really need is more satellite lounges like CX, one in T1 and another at the A16-21 end of T3.

 

[wenglock.mok]

That sums up Singapore in a nutshell.

SQ are very good at drawing lines in the sand, to contain costs, unlike the ME3/TK who seem to invest more in their lounge products.

I put SKL on a par with various other "draw a line in the sand" airline business class lounges at their hubs - such as QF J lounge @SYD, BA Galleries Club lounges @LHR, LH J lounges @ FRA are three that spring to mind immediately.

And let's not even bother with comparisons to AI @ DEL, MH @KUL and TG@ BKK.

What they really need is more satellite lounges like CX, one in T1 and another at the A16-21 end of T3.

The issue is that there is supposedly just no available space that's suitable at T3, which may possibly go some way to explaining why they've moved some of their flights away from T3 back into a renovated T2.

Of course that's not discounting the fact that maybe there is a lack of thinking outside the box...