I flew from New York JFK to Frankfurt on Singapore Airlines last Thursday in economy class. I knew the Singapore experience would be pleasant, but the flight truly exceeded expectations.
I’ve flown several segments in Singapore Airlines First/Suites Class and Business Class, but only one previous flight in Singapore Economy Class four years ago. With Singapore losing money on its longhaul routes, I feared some cutbacks on my flight. Not so. In fact, the service and amenities were simply amazing for economy class.
John and I were assigned bulkhead seats in the rear economy class cabin. It meant plenty of legroom and the two seats between us remained unoccupied. I would not call the economy class seat anything special on Singapore, though it was comfortable enough for a transatlantic crossing.
Several things stood out to me, so much so that I’ll do a separate post on these amenities in addition to a full trip report.
1. Incredible Service
FAs could not have been more professional and courteous. Don’t forget–John was with me–and someone forgot to remind him that this wasn’t first class. Even so, even he was impressed. He regularly employed his call button and FAs always promptly responded, kneeling down and cheerfully addressing his requests.
2. “Business Class” Amenities
The soft product included a pillow fit for business class, hot towels far better than what many airlines offer in business class, cocktails, menus, an amenity kit, real silverware and glassware, and a very decent meal.
3. Best IFE
The KrisWorld IFE system is excellent for its varied content and deep library filled with hundreds of movies. There’s enough to keep you going for days.
CONCLUSION
Of course no airline is perfect. The stale pre-arrival sandwich was not worth eating (even United musters a better pre-arrival meal on East Coast – Europe flights) and the wi-fi is so obscenely priced I did not bother connecting.
But the Singapore Airlines experience in economy is great. It’s a fine way to fly.
I am surprised they give an amenity kit in Economy since they don’t even give one in Business Class on that flight! Sure they have slippers and socks at our seats but nothing else like most airlines in J. If you want ear plugs and eye shades you have to ask.
I thought exactly the same thing — why does economy class get what business does not?!
I think its because in Business and F, they offer all amenities in the washrooms due to the lower number of pax in those classes.
Its actually an interesting way to do it IMO
Matthew, you only just worked this out?
This is a true 5-star airline, unlike Lufthansa, and their Y is so good that you don’t even need to stump up for PE.
Proactive cabin crew, who come round throughout the flight offering drinks and snacks, demonstrate the gulf in class between some of the Asian/ME carriers and their EU/US counterparts. SQ is so far ahead of airlines like BA for Y service (and J and F) that it’s hard to believe they operate in the same industry. TBH I’d rather fly Y on SQ than CW (J) on BA.
You’re right in that the pre-arrival meal is often mediocre but this is a slight blemish on an otherwise excellent service. I recently came off a 13-hour flight to SIN and felt much better than after many flights which were only half as long.
If airlines like SIA could operate fully in the US or Europe, they would absolutely pummel the domestic airlines. Only masochists would choose to fly on them. We accept mediocre airlines because we have no alternative.
I still think Lufthansa is a great airline and five-stars by many metrics, but this blew LH out of the water.
That said, Lufthansa also offers menus and silverware in economy on certain longhaul flights with hot towels (more like napkins) and free booze.
No Singapore Girls though…
I really want to fly Singapore and use their mileage program since I can transfer Citi points and because I used to get more credit for United flights. However, I live in DC. Is there any way to book a Singapore flight when you originate from DC? Seems like I should be able to fly to NY or Houston with a Star Alliance member like United and then hop on a Singapore flight, but this option never comes up. Is there any way to do this, either with cash or with Singapore points?
I recommend just buying the first segment separately. You run into some risk if your first flight is delayed or cancelled, but the cost savings will be tremendous.
I totally agree with your report Matthew. My last experience flying Y on SQ (SFO-SIN RT) was impressive. In my opinion, the economy class service on SQ long haul is First Class.
It’s obviously not the same as the service on their actual First Class, but it definitely is in my opinion at the top of all economy class service globally.
The service that I received on SQ Y long haul is comparable to what I get flying J on SQ, CX, JAL.
Have you tried Google Flights? I couldn’t book JFK-FRA-VIE on the Singapore website but I found it on Google flights for a recent flight I needed.
My last response was meant for Jeff B but clearly I did something wrong in replying.
What you write is no different to what’s available in any of the Gulf airlines such as EK or QR
I’ve flown QR in ecnomy and the experience was nowhere simliar. Have not flown EK or EY in the back yet.
I second Matthew on this. You clearly have not flown SQ enough to make this statement. Unlike the ME3 SQ refuses downright to change their 77W into 10 abreast which QR EK has done and none of the ME3 cabin crew comes near to the Singapore girls, there is simply no replacement. Those 2 points itself is already sufficient to better EK and QR.
SQ also doesn’t need to follow those cost cutting that the ME3s has done because they are earning tons from Scoot their budget arm, Singapore Airlines can afford to become a showcase product, just like Lufthansa.
Interesting timing.. I was just having a discussion with my neighbor (who is not a frequent flyer) who had just gotten back from Istanbul; having flown Turkish C. Her impression was that Singapore Y was much better than Turkish C (granted she is also 5’3″)
FDW
I’ve flown both a few times. SQ Y might have a better IFE and even inflight service than TK C, but you still get a flat bed in TK C. As much as I love SQ, I’d never hesitate to take TK C over SQ Y.
Even more so, because in some cases on routes they compete, TK C is not much more than SQ PEY or even Y…
Just flew TK C. SO much better than SQ Y…
Aren’t these seats very narrow?
I did not find them to be too narrow.