Singing the Praises of Singapore Air
Written: Mar 31 '06 (Updated Mar 31 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Phenomenal service and amenities at a decent price
Cons: They set the bar too high for everyone else
The Bottom Line: Book it. Even if it's slightly more expensive, it's worth the extra service and comfort. You'll learn to enjoy flying again.
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| belynch's Full Review: Singapore Airlines |
This review is based on several JFK-FRA round-trips taken on Singapore Air (SQ) during the past two years. Prices paid for economy class tickets generally ranged $550 - $750 USD. Tickets were purchased either through singaporeair.com as well as my corporate travel agent.
What if I were to tell you that an airline exists that makes flying a pleasure. That food served at 30,000 feet can be palatable, and that crews exist that actually enjoy their jobs. That I’ve seen planes that are clean and well maintained. That the service in coach is done with professionalism and a smile. That in-flight entertainment and amenity kits are something everyone enjoys.
You’d probably tell me to get my head out of the clouds.
My response is that I actually enjoy having my head in the clouds when I’m flying on Singapore Air.
Booking
Arranging tickets on Singapore Air can be done any traditional way. Whether via the website, singaporeair.com, a travel agent, a third party website (kayak, orbitz, expedia, etc.), or over the phone – it’s all the same.
singaporeair.com is attractively designed, easy to navigate, and provides all relevant information. Where it falters on the usability aspect is in booking flights. As a non-Kris flyer card member (Kris Flyer is Singapore’s frequent flier club) I had the option of inputting my Star Alliance frequent flier number, however, the system wouldn’t take it. It kept defaulting telling me that “the number is incorrect” (it wasn’t).
No worries there though, a simple call after booking had them able to add my number.
Another problem I’ve encountered booking on Singapore’s website is that because it’s based in Singapore my credit card company gets all panicky when I book on them. I’ve had my credit card locked twice by my bank because of the “unexpected foreign charge.” I appreciate my bank looking out for me, but it’s still kind of a pain (and beyond Singapore’s control).
Depending on your destination, Singapore offers e-tickets and simply asks that if you book a ticket online that you print out your confirmation email and bring it to the airport with you.
If you’re a Star Alliance member and you’re trying to earn credit on Singapore please take note of you’re booking class as the very discounted fairs do not let you earn credit, even in your “other” frequent flier membership program. Booking codes that are eligible are generally about $100 USD more expensive then the bottom fairs.
Routes
“I live in North America, when would I ever fly on Singapore?”
Good question. However, Singapore offers flights from the US that do not only go to Singapore. Of course, if you’re going to South East Asia then Singapore operates one of the largest hub operations in the region at Singapore Changi International Airport (which, I’ve been told, is the best airport in the world).
From Newark, Singapore offers the world’s longest flight (current) on new a340-500’s (slightly longer than the JFK – Bangkok trip Thai Air offers, which, coincidentally I wrote a review about here on epinions). There are also flights to Frankfurt, Germany from JFK and from the West Coast from LAX to Tokyo, Tapai, and Singapore. From SFO you can get to Seoul or Hong Kong, and from Vancouver you can fly to Seoul (all current as of spring, 2006 – Singapore had been trying to lobby the Australian government to allow them to fly from North America direct to Australia – providing competition to Qantas, Air New Zealand, and United – but they were rejected. Stay tuned though, this probably won’t be the last we hear of this.)
Because Singapore is a member of the Star Alliance, connecting from USAirways or United to Singapore is easily done, with through baggage checks and pre-issued boarding cards.
Within south east Asia, Singapore has a sub-carrier called Tiger Airways, which addresses the need for low-cost service between popular business and leisure destinations. www.tigerairways.com
Aircraft
Singapore Airlines will be the first to fly the A380 – the superjumbo currently in construction by France’s Airbus Industries.
Singapore airlines flies both Boeing and Airbus long and medium-haul aircraft, all with a relatively young age. The b747-400’s with their “Megatops” are, in my opinion, one of the ugliest birds in the sky from the exterior, but inside you’ll see what color, and thought to style can do to an airplane.
Configuration of Singapore jets depends on the model of plane flying and also the route it is being flown on. Singapore generally offers three classes of service (first, business, economy) except on ultra-long hauls where they offer economy, premium economy, and business.
Consult with singaporeair.com and seatguru.com before selecting your seat.
In-flight Experience
One of the highlights of Singapore Air service is the in-flight entertainment system offered at every seat in every class of service in medium to long-haul routes. With one of the best system’s in the sky (all of you Emirates fans bear with me, I think I’ll be flying with them this summer, so I’ll be able to make a fair comparison then) you have hundreds of movies, TV shows, and music on-demand. In addition, there are city guides, “learn a language” features, and the traditional route map and flight information. Really – 13 more hours?
Food service on Singapore Airlines has always been done with great attention to detail and quality, even in Economy. Upon boarding you’re presented with a menu featuring that week’s selections. Although, note that on several occasions they have run out of meal choices at the end of the service. (more on that in a minute)
There is generally a regional selection (from where you’re flying from or two) and an oriental selection. In addition, Singapore also offers a unique service they call “book the cook” where you can pre-select your meals before you fly for business (raffles) and first class. When you get on the plane they’ll reconfirm your choice and serve you separately (and usually before everyone else).
In economy you can also pre-select meals (kosher, vegetarian, oriental, etc.) when booking your trip. A watered-down book the cook if you will.
Wine, beer, and spirits are complimentary on Singapore flights in all classes of service. In front, you just get better stuff.
Where other airlines are trying to skimp on service and amenities, Singapore doesn’t skip a beat. In addition to everyone having pillows and blankets (for some reason, the cabins always seem a bit cool to me), everyone is also given a small amenity kit so you don’t have to worry about brining your toothbrush in your carry-on. It’s not much, but it’s a really nice thought.
The seats are generally very comfortable, although in economy of course they’re tighter than we’d all like them to be.
Duty free shopping, as well as an in-flight magazine are available.
And, if all that wasn’t enough, you’re being served and attended to by some of the most professional and caring staff in the skies. The “Singapore Girl” is held in high-esteem, and for good reason. They excel at what they do, and they’re proud of who they are. I can’t think of a US Airline that has stewardesses like that.
Going back to my running out of meals comment from up above, on my last flight they ran out of the curried chicken and all they had left was a pan seared grouper, which I had tried a few weeks before and wasn’t a big fan of (personal thing, there was nothing wrong with it). When the flight attendant told me the bad news I said thanks and declined the Grouper. She was very apologetic and asked if there was anything she could get me. I said no thanks.
Five minutes later she reappeared from the business class galley carrying a tray with a business class meal, set it front of me and again apologized for having run out of curried chicken and thanked me for flying Singapore so often.
Wow.
In the several times I’ve flown with Singapore my only complaint about the service is on my last trip to Frankfurt I was sound asleep. Apparently they wanted to begin the breakfast service – usually they’ll let you sleep, but for whatever reason, I woke up with a hot moist towel in my crotch. It scared … something …. out of me. I’d like to think she simply dropped it there on accident.
Ground Service
Even in different airports where Singapore contracts ground service out, I still find the high level of service to be there. Check-ins are always done efficiently and professionally and ques are never too long.
Priority tagged bags are actually off-loaded first (amazing, I didn’t think it was possible) and special requests always seem to be met.
At JFK they’ll ask you to use the LAN Chile lounge for business, first, and Star Alliance Gold but it’s inferior to the Swiss lounge, which you also are allowed to have access to.
In other airports that Singapore doesn’t offer their own lounge product, if you’re eligible you can use another Star Alliance lounge (United, Lufthansa, Swiss, Air NZ, etc.).
Bottom-Line
Singapore Airlines is one of the worlds finest. With exceptional amenities and service, they operate an airline that is first-rate. Prices are often cheaper than competition (although on some non-stop routes like EWR – SIN where they are the only ones flying they’ll be slightly higher). If given the choice, fly on Singapore to experience what air travel really can be like.
Just be careful, they’ll spoil you.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
belynch
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Location: Nyack, NY
Reviews written: 64
Trusted by: 17 members
About Me:
A full-time consultant, a part-time writer, and a volunteer EMT.
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