Velocity Platinum to Europe - SQ or EY

[Notyourbag]

Hi all

Velocity Platinum member travelling to Europe next month for work in Y. I have the option of SQ or EY. Although I feel the Economy product in SQ is far superior, does the F Lounge in Abu Dhabi trump travelling SQ? Would a 1 45min connection even give me enough time to visit the lounge?

Any better chances of an upgrade with either airline? Any difference in benefits for a VA Platinum member?

 

[Lord_Lenny]

Hi,

I've just gone through this decision myself, but for a SYD-MUC-LHR-SYD holiday in December/January (Lady Lenny and I are fans of the cold!!)

I was quite tempted to try EY for the first time, but in the end I chose to stick with SQ for a number of reasons, but for me there were 2 main factors: I know the Y product on SQ quite well, and I know that whilst it's Y, I do fit in the seats (I'm 6'3' and used to swim/play rugby) there is reasonable (for Y) legroom, and I am happy with the service that I get on board. EY seemed a bit too hit and miss in terms of Y service and product.

Secondly the transit experience in Chang is efficient - SQ from Australia and to Europe arrives and departs in the same terminal (if we're lucky, sometimes from the same group of gates too) Changi Terminal 3 is well layed out and handles the crowds at the usual Oz-Europe transfer times quite well, as long as the transfer is under 3hrs then I don't have a real problem with the KrisFlyer Gold lounge for a quick drink and a snack.

From what I have read on AFF and in other places 1hr 45min would be pushing to get through the terminal and then to your gate, let alone have time to properly enjoy an F lounge. Especially if your inbound or outbound flight is on a remote stand. For us that was pretty much a deal breaker as I try to avoid as much stress as possible when travelling, and a potential crush and rush at AUH with a very tired Lady Lenny (who struggles to sleep on planes) without even any real chance to sample the lounge.

Mind you, this is all based on my reading of other peoples opinion, and our own specific needs. I've been transiting via Changi since I was a boy whenever we did a trip to Scotland to visit family and have done a few work trips to Malaysia on SQ so I guess SQ/Changi are my default settings. Others may have different views or experiences

Edit: Forgot to mention earlier - pretty much no chance for upgrades on SQ, they are almost impossible for non KrisFlyer members and rare enough for KrisFlyer members!!

Your lounge options will be broadly similar at either end: SilverKris (which is quite nice) or Etihad Business/First Lounge (never been, but looks similarly nice) in Sydney. In Europe you will get SilverKris access where they have one, but if there isn't one then you won't get access to their partner lounge (at least not using your VA WP status) From what I can see EY may get you access to some of their partner lounges, but I'm not sure how reliable that is. You will of course have access to an EY branded lounge (but there aren't that many in Europe - just Dublin, Heathrow and Paris)

In Changi you will get access to KrisFlyer Gold (basic lounge, drinks, snacks, some hot food/sandwiches. Some people hate it, others tolerate/don't mind it. No showers and the toilets are outside the lounge and just down the hall - but clean and quiet) I find it better than sitting in the terminal, but YMMV.

In Abu Dhabi you will technically have access to the Etihad First Class Lounge - but with that connection time, probably no chance to actually use it

 

[rtyuiop]

I am a bit biased as I really like SQ and have never done Etihad in Y, but I would be going via Singapore. SQ Y is just about as good as it gets IMHO, and it sounds like the layover time isn't long enough for the better lounge to make a difference. The KF Gold lounge isn't terrible, and all the Changi terminals have pretty decent pay-for-shower lounge options.

 

[Bibendum]

Whilst SQ Y is good, the EY offering is dependent on aircraft. I travel PER-AUH-CDG return a few times a year using EY and the 787 is mint.. EY31/32 are A380 so it's even better.

I believe some MEL and SYD flights are B777 or A330 which are horrible on the first 14 hour leg.

AUH is a pig to transfer through.. if arriving at terminal 1 it may take 45mins to get through the first security check point.. then it's 15 a min walk to T3

Ive been upgraded once (AUH-CDG) VA Gold at the time.. You could bid to upgrade..

 

[Notyourbag]

Forgot to mention:

I'd be flying out of SYD so would go for the A380 and flying in/out of LHR - I'm guessing Etihad has a nice lounge there than SQ?

The KF Gold lounge is ordinary at best. I found the food (or lack of!) pretty inedible and there was barely any room to sit -- had to do a few laps and stalk a lady about to leave before pinching her seat.

Which airline has a better chance of bulkhead/exit row seats? I know EY are like VA and make you pay.

 

[Bibendum]

Forgot to mention:

Which airline has a better chance of bulkhead/exit row seats? I know EY are like VA and make you pay.

Luck of the draw really... I have paid before and then other times been seated in them with no one next to me..!

Not sure about the lounge at LHR as I generally fly Air France in and out of the UK..

 

[Lord_Lenny]

SQ will make you pay for bulkhead/exit row I believe, as 'Priority Seats'.

From what I see Etihad are pretty decent when it comes to lounges - so I guess the LHR one would be nicer than the SilverKris option?? I find judging a lounge to be a fairly subjective thing, and depends on any number of factors: what time of day you're there, how the flight beforehand was, how rushed you are, staff, whether you want a shower or not, whether you need to have a proper meal.

I've had a couple of experiences with KFGold now, and they have been quite different depending on the circumstances. First time was great - we'd had a great flight from Sydney, rocked up and found seats, had a beer and some soft drinks/juice and a small bowl of curry then we were out the door and re-boarding 2hrs later for the onward journey. Second time was awful - delayed out of London so we missed our planned City tour which meant we had 5hrs in transit. Transit hotel was full, lounge was crowded and we were in no mood for food/drinks, just somewhere to sit and maybe doze whilst we waited.

Both SQ and EY seem to have similar Y experiences, so it sounds like it may come down to a 'battle of the lounges' I'd still be hesitant about the transit in AUH though, I have yet to hear anything good about it. Hopefully it will change if they ever open the new midfield terminal!!

 

[Lemon_Party]

EY F lounge is very very good. AUH airport is a pig. Haven't flown EY Y, but SQ is consistent and generally as roomy as you get down the back. SIN is a dream to transit, but Krisflyer gold lounge is lacking.

From what I've read you've a better chance of being upgraded on EY and are also likely to get the opportunity to bid for a cash upgrade, but won't be cheap.

Personally I'd tend towards SQ, economy seats are bigger and you probably won't end up with much transit time for F lounge with EY which is the main reason to choose them over SQ.

 

[Jack_OC]

With respect to lounge access, EY wins hands down - in every airport along the way, and especially the AUH F lounge vs Changi KF Gold lounge. Additionally, you certainly have a better chance of an upgrade with EY - your chances with SQ are virtually zero. I've had three op-ups from EY - one from Y to J, and two from J to F. That said, you need to accept that the most likely outcome is that you fly in the class in which you were booked, so I'm not sure if I would let that influence me too much.

I also agree with comments above, especially:
- with a 1hr 45min transit in AUH, you would be very lucky to spend any more than a few minutes in the lounge
- AUH is generally painful to transit through, unlike Changi
- EY service on board is hit and miss (sometimes great though), while SQ is consistently good

 

[BNEFlyer]

How about SQ Premium Economy? I've just booked BNE-ZRH/AMS-BNE for just over $2500 (and BNE-SIN/AMS-SIN-BNE is on the A350). From SYD you have the choice of A380, 77W, A333 or 772.

EY from SYD is 77W on the afternoon flight, A380 on the evening flight. EY has a good Y product, I think SQ is better though. And Changi (T3 or all flights concerned) is a better airport to transfer through than AUH.

 

[BNEFlyer]

I believe some MEL and SYD flights are B777 or A330 which are horrible on the first 14 hour leg.

MEL and SYD each have a 77W flight (though MEL is going 787/A380 later in the year). No more EY A332's to Australia.

 

[CPMaverick]

My thoughts:

SQ:
- A380 is very nice, but all aircraft are reasonably comfortable
- Easier to get Flexi fare SC on a reasonable fare (sometimes the cheapest available)
- Consistently great service in the air
- Much better airport experience at SIN than AUH
- coughpy lounge at SIN


EY:
- A380 is very nice, 10-wide 777 is absolute torture, 787 not much better
- Inconsistent but normally OK service in the air
- Much more expensive to get Flexi-fare SC
- Fantastic F lounge at AUH, after you slog through transit

Basically, the only reason to prefer EY in my opinion is if you can get the A380 and have a long layover at AUH. The 777 in Y and a tight connection at AUH is a nightmare that I have lived and will never again. Whereas I have done a 50 minute connection at SIN and had plenty of time.

 

[Obzerva]

MEL and SYD each have a 77W flight (though MEL is going 787/A380 later in the year). No more EY A332's to Australia.

Actually it's worse for MEL, 787 on the afternoon flight, 777 on the evening flight, which means cramped seating on both options. MEL's A380 is going to SYD.
SYD will have both flights as A380 - waaaaaaay better.

As a Melbourne based traveller, I'd transit in Sydney, or at least turn the departure flight in to a status run and do a MEL PER (A330), connecting to the shorter 787 flight to AUH.

 

[coralda]

As a VA household and UK expat, this is full of great info. Thank you. We are annual UK travellers with typical route MEL-SIN independently then SIN-MAN-MEL with EY.

One consideration not fully mentioned as yet is the status credits. We are VA due to status credit pooling. HRH maintains Platinum off the back our our three adult returns to UK each year plus her domestic flying. She and the WeeOne certainly have enjoyed the First Class lounge at AUH.

Yet this year, we're considering SQ for the flights - although likely to be MEL-MAN-MEL. This is because (as mentioned by CPMaverick) the flexi fares are more reasonable on SQ AND attract double status credits (when compared to Discount Economy). So, this means if we fly SQ for an extra $300-$600 we get some flexibility plus HRH receives 840 status credits (I believe) enough for a Platinum renewal and gets me on the way to Companion Gold.

How bad can the lounges in SIN be ?.........

 

[Lemon_Party]

How bad can the lounges in SIN be ?.........

They are perfectly adequate for a couple of hours with food, drinks, beer on tap, tv's & wifi. They are probably below the standard of most premium airlines business lounges, and the fact there are no showers and the toilets are outside in the terminal can be frustrating occasionally. But that aside, they are relatively comfortable and fine for a quick transit.

Other benefit to SQ is also the Changhi $$ which can add up if travelling with a family. Its been dropped to $20 per person now, but is another small incentive to fly SQ.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

They are probably below the standard of most premium airlines business lounges...are relatively comfortable and fine for a quick transit.

This. The KrisFlyer Gold lounges are not business class lounges, so don't expect that level of amenity. If you transit is under 3hrs I find it perfectly fine, seats are reasonably ok, there's power and WiFi, some food, drinks and beer. The bathrooms may be down the hall, but they're clean (it's Singapore) and not much foot traffic - they are in between the SilverKris and the KF Gold lounges, on a mezzanine that's practically all lounges anyway, I have found that most non-lounge travellers stay down on the main retail floor.

Coralda: as a fellow annual (well every 2 years anyway) UK traveler and VA household I am finding SQ to be the 'sweet spot' for maintaining status, the last UK trip we did with them put me over the line from Gold to Platinum (with some helpful work travel and a status run weekend to Melbourne) so with our 'year off' travelling to Europe coinciding with my year as Platinum, I will have soft landed to Gold next time we go (January) and then our plans for the next few years should all sync up nicely with keeping me there for 3 or 4 years. If you're pooling the little one as well you should have no trouble!!

 

[PlutekPlutek]

So what are everyone's thoughts when it comes to comparing them in J?I am flying with wife and 2 kids UAE-SYD next year as FF redemption. Direct AUH-SYD on A380 is around 420k points and $1200 in taxes or DXB-SIN-BNE-SYD is some 60k more but $1000 less in taxes. Planes are 777W and A359 plus a domestic leg. I've flown the SQ 777W in J before in January and found it ok, but a little tired and dark, but it wasn't the newest version of the seat (although still had direct isle access from each). It was good for a red eye flight. I've read some mixed reviews of the J seat on the A359 but it would be a daytime flight whereas the 777W would be red eye with a 2 hrs too in SIN. The EY flight is 14 hrs , the SQ flights are 7 each.

 

[Ausbt]

Can't comment on SQ Y, but I can say that EY Y on the A380 was bearable. The CSM greeted me and asked if I needed something (yes, an upgrade please). I was also informed over the phone and at check-in that there would be a spare seat next to me for two sectors and that was indeed correct. The EY F lounge is great.

 

[Lemon_Party]

So what are everyone's thoughts when it comes to comparing them in J?I am flying with wife and 2 kids UAE-SYD next year as FF redemption. Direct AUH-SYD on A380 is around 420k points and $1200 in taxes or DXB-SIN-BNE-SYD is some 60k more but $1000 less in taxes. Planes are 777W and A359 plus a domestic leg. I've flown the SQ 777W in J before in January and found it ok, but a little tired and dark, but it wasn't the newest version of the seat (although still had direct isle access from each). It was good for a red eye flight. I've read some mixed reviews of the J seat on the A359 but it would be a daytime flight whereas the 777W would be red eye with a 2 hrs too in SIN. The EY flight is 14 hrs , the SQ flights are 7 each.

EY business studio on 388 and 789 is excellent IMO. Probably best J product I've flown. Another poster on here has said "when they are good they are great" and that probably sums up our experience over 3 J sectors. PER-AUH on 789 was probably better than our F leg service, but not as polished on other legs.

SQ J products are just so varied - but service seems very consistent, and I still prefer Changi transit to AUH even factoring in loss of F lounge.

Looking at your options I'd most likely take the quicker direct flight and put the 60k points saved towards the next holiday.

 

[FromTheRail]

Whilst SQ Y is good, the EY offering is dependent on aircraft. I travel PER-AUH-CDG return a few times a year using EY and the 787 is mint.. EY31/32 are A380 so it's even better.

You must be joking..........Y on a 787 is horrible, tiny seats with minimal leg room

Have just returned from a PER-CDG/EDI-PER trip in Y, the only thing that saved me, from becoming a very grumpy cripple on the PER-AUH leg was that the row in front had bid for the middle seat to be free and been accepted (my bid wasn't as it was a busy flight and I didn't bid enough), I was sat in the middle of my row and the seat in front was never reclined, Y on the A380 AUH-CDG was ok, I had taken the seat next to the 'special' seat in row 69 hoping it would be empty, but someone was in it, but as he had space, he left me with space.

On the way home the EDI-AUH leg was on a A330, even though it was old our bid for a spare seat was accepted and we had a row of 4 for the 2 of us, it made a massive difference, it meant we could lie down and get some sleep, our bid for the AUH-PER leg was also accepted and I made it though that flight even though it was still hard.