J MEL-SIN advice

[Ads22]

Hi guys,
Finally saved up enough points for fiance and I to head to Maldives via Singapore for our honeymoon in April next year. Never flown business on SQ before and would obviously like to get the best experience. So questions are;

1. For april next year, which of the 777-300ER flights from MEL - SIN will have the 'new' business class cabins (i.e. 218/228/238)
- same question for return from SIN - MEL (ie. 217/227/237)
2. Is it worth going via Sydney to pickup the a380 business for one leg or is it similar to J on the 777?
- would prefer not to go via Sydney unless it's a significantly better seat/service

Is there a simple way to tell which aircraft has been upgraded at time of booking?!

Any other advice?

Thanks all so much.

 

[hummel]

Hi guys,
Finally saved up enough points for fiance and I to head to Maldives via Singapore for our honeymoon in April next year. Never flown business on SQ before and would obviously like to get the best experience. So questions are;

1. For april next year, which of the 777-300ER flights from MEL - SIN will have the 'new' business class cabins (i.e. 218/228/238)
- same question for return from SIN - MEL (ie. 217/227/237)
2. Is it worth going via Sydney to pickup the a380 business for one leg or is it similar to J on the 777?
- would prefer not to go via Sydney unless it's a significantly better seat/service

Is there a simple way to tell which aircraft has been upgraded at time of booking?!

Any other advice?

Thanks all so much.

I'm not super familiar with the new SQ J but have flown the old J (777/A380) variant a fair bit - to be honest if you don't get the new one you'll still be mighty comfortable!

April next year I would have thought the roll out would have been completed as it's been going for a little while now.

No point going via SYD if your not flying Suites, stick to J out of MEL.

 

[PLANT]

I read no pj's in J

 

[Cruiser Elite]

And no amenity kit - no big deal IMHO but others will hold a different view.

Ads if it is first flt on SQ J for both of view my strongest advice is to disregard actual metal you will be flying and try to maximise daytime hours you will be flying - enjoy whichever SQ J product is on offer by sitting up rather than sleep through it.

2 J products ex MEL - bigger wider long haul Diamond seats on 77W and 77WN / narrower smaller Weber seats or regional fitout on 773 and 330. I suggest you look for timings that maximise your daytime flying / early evening if possible - you only need an hour or so in SKL J Lounge in SIN - enough time for shower and quick Champers etc.

Both long haul Diamond / regional Weber seats will give you memorable exp on your flts - personally I would go with this combo outbound if you can accomodate an overnight in SIN:



I have not not looked at return but you will get the idea - and as Hummel says don't both going via SYD unless Suites on 380 your goal.

 

[hummel]

Can't believe I forgot there is.a 777 with regional fit out! That'll teach me for actively booking 77Ws! Thanks cE!

 

[Ads22]

Thanks guys, really good advice as always! I saw the ausbt article mentioning no amenity kit on Singapore - I also won't miss it, rarely end up using the thing anyway. Pack my own tooth brush and tooth paste!

 

[Denali]

Thanks guys, really good advice as always! I saw the ausbt article mentioning no amenity kit on Singapore - I also won't miss it, rarely end up using the thing anyway. Pack my own tooth brush and tooth paste!

In the toilets you will find sealed colgate toothbrushes and toothpaste and L'occitane toiletries. They do give you an eye mask and socks but I prefer to pack the hotel slippers as the sole is firmer/better barrier for walking into toilets. The higher the cabin, the nicer the toothbrushes - no colgate in economy (toothbrushes are cheapish) and their toothpaste was more paste than tooth.

I wouldn't fly to Sydney just for an A380, unless planes are your thing. I would pick the "new" J seats over the old J seats but be careful you don't get the regional J seats (2-2-2, still nice but not as nice an experience as the others).

 

[Cruiser Elite]

be careful you don't get the regional J seats (2-2-2).

I don't necessarily agree with this - nothing wrong with regional seats for daytime flts - TBH IMHO I think they are more comfortable to sit in than the Diamond seats - although Diamond seats have more room - again I would choose itinerary that suited rather than try to pick the plane - if plane is subbed that day - which does happen sometimes - then the best of plans are out the window.

Again my personal views only and clearly others will hold differing views which are just as valid as mine - such is the 'rich tapestry of life'.

 

[smit0847]

If youve never flown SQ J before definitely aim for the long haul J. Its much more impressive.

 

[Ads22]

So if I go with a flight that's showing business layout as 1-2-1 I'll hopefully get new long haul J, but at worst the other seats for this layout are fine. If I avoid 2-2-2 then I'll avoid the regional layout? Is that the main way to tell?!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

So if I go with a flight that's showing business layout as 1-2-1 I'll hopefully get new long haul J, but at worst the other seats for this layout are fine. If I avoid 2-2-2 then I'll avoid the regional layout? Is that the main way to tell?!

Not exactly - 1-2-1 are Diamond seats - they are the larger seats - but there is 2 variants - older and new - new is better but no way to guarantee to get these - 2-2-2 is regional fitout or Weber seats - avoid for overnight flts but fine for daytime flts - IMHO - but clearly others differ.

Either way soft product same - same meal quality / same service quality / same toothbrushes in toilets / same eye masks and socks handed out.

 

[dajop]

They do give you an eye mask and socks but I prefer to pack the hotel slippers as the sole is firmer/better barrier for walking into toilets. .

On my two most recent SQ J flights (Sep, SIN-MEL and Aug SIN-ZRH) I was given slippers (and socks) instead of the hybrid socks with padding on the sole that they have given for many years now.

 

[hummel]

On my two most recent SQ J flights (Sep, SIN-MEL and Aug SIN-ZRH) I was given slippers (and socks) instead of the hybrid socks with padding on the sole that they have given for many years now.

I never understood these?? I just whip my socks off and hang my feet up in the air on the seatback in front of me??

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So if I go with a flight that's showing business layout as 1-2-1 I'll hopefully get new long haul J, but at worst the other seats for this layout are fine. If I avoid 2-2-2 then I'll avoid the regional layout? Is that the main way to tell?!

Pretty much.... 1-2-1 = full flat bed, 2-2-2 (either 777 or A330) = some sort of angled bed.

Daytime or night time, my preference is always for full flat. There is no continual service element to speak of in between meals... no 'experience' to enjoy. Cabin crew don't provide 'entertainment' and there aren't fashion shows in the aisle. There aren't constant trays of canapes or a bar cart with a 'mixologist' circulating. You are basically sitting there entertaining yourself with a movie or book.

Part of the premium cabin experience is that you can snooze or nap when you feel like it. Sometimes an hour's sleep can make all the difference between enjoying the rest of the flight, or your next flight, (or even making the transfer less stressful). No reason to forego a full flat bed in order to force yourself awake for any supposed 'experience'.

 

[hummel]

Pretty much.... 1-2-1 = full flat bed, 2-2-2 (either 777 or A330) = some sort of angled bed.

Daytime or night time, my preference is always for full flat. There is no continual service element to speak of in between meals... no 'experience' to enjoy. Cabin crew don't provide 'entertainment' and there aren't fashion shows in the aisle. There aren't constant trays of canapes or a bar cart with a 'mixologist' circulating. You are basically sitting there entertaining yourself with a movie or book.

Part of the premium cabin experience is that you can snooze or nap when you feel like it. Sometimes an hour's sleep can make all the difference between enjoying the rest of the flight, or your next flight, (or even making the transfer less stressful). No reason to forego a full flat bed in order to force yourself awake for any supposed 'experience'.

I did laugh at this, I think you've been doing too much travelling Mr MEL!

When it's a first time it's very exciting.. when you do it regularly and know work is at the end of it does tone it down a little.

 

[Denali]

......There is no continual service ......

Yeah but this is OPs first time in J, they want the experience that most only wish for while they walk to the rear of the plane and its their honeymoon, they want to live it up a bit (which in reality is ruining all their future travels if stuck in Y ).

They want to press all the buttons on the IFE and plan their movie marathon (my husband still does this and yes, he still takes the toothbrushes) and indulge in a few drinks they usually don't partake and yes, the Facebook photo to share with friends with the FA with champers, sitting on the comfy seat. Heck, I admit it, I don't eat as fancy at home as I do on some of these flights.

I would pick a day flight to Singapore in 2-2-2 over a night flight with a full bed, I want my monies worth from "the J class experience" but if flights are a few hours apart (eg SIN>SYD morning flight at 7.05am and 9.40am), yes I pick the flat bed.

Fortunately I don't travel for work often so its still enjoyable for us.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Yeah but this is OPs first time in J, they want the experience that most only wish for while they walk to the rear of the plane and its their honeymoon, they want to live it up a bit (which in reality is ruining all their future travels if stuck in Y ).

They want to press all the buttons on the IFE and plan their movie marathon (my husband still does this and yes, he still takes the toothbrushes) and indulge in a few drinks they usually don't partake and yes, the Facebook photo to share with friends with the FA with champers, sitting on the comfy seat. Heck, I admit it, I don't eat as fancy at home as I do on some of these flights.

I would pick a day flight to Singapore in 2-2-2 over a night flight with a full bed, I want my monies worth from "the J class experience". Fortunately I don't travel for work often so its still enjoyable for us.

Therein in a nutshell is how normal people approach J on SQ - forget about posts by Captain Snooze (A.K.A. MEL-Traveller) - MEL forgets that one day we are all going to sleep forever - and he is also getting a bit long in the tooth and forgets the life and vitality that these young'uns possess!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Ads - the last piece of advice I can give you is the most precious.

When you and your recently betrothed settle into your seats and you are both presented with your first glass of Champagne by a gorgeous young sweet Singapore Girl - immediately lean over to your new spouse and whisper quietly - darling - I want you to closely watch these lovely cabin crew staff as they go about their business and for the next 7 hours they will treat me like royalty - they will pamper me non stop - they will adhere to my every want and desire - darling watch closely and learn - this is the treatment I will be expecting from you for the rest of out long loving life together!

At the time pay absolutely zero attention to possible repercussions - the pain and swelling will disappear once the bandages come off!

OR

NOTE: No gender bias here on AFF - we are one happy family!

 

[SuzieQ68]

Ads - the last piece of advice I can give you is the most precious.

When you and your recently betrothed settle into your seats and you are both presented with your first glass of Champagne by a gorgeous young sweet Singapore Girl - immediately lean over to your new spouse and whisper quietly - darling - I want you to closely watch these lovely cabin crew staff as they go about their business and for the next 7 hours they will treat me like royalty - they will pamper me non stop - they will adhere to my every want and desire - darling watch closely and learn - this is the treatment I will be expecting from you for the rest of out long loving life together!

At the time pay absolutely zero attention to possible repercussions - the pain and swelling will disappear once the bandages come off!

View attachment 58924 OR View attachment 58925

NOTE: No gender bias here on AFF - we are one happy family!

Bwah ha ha ha ha ........ marriage #101 - not!

 

[Ads22]

Despite all my best efforts and planning, BOTH SQ237 and 238 have now been subbed for the 737 regional 2-2-2 layout since i originally booked them in 1-2-1 config on the 737ER. I don't really care about 238 but 237 is the overnight flight I specifically wanted the lie flat bed for. Have tried calling the call centre several times to try other options, fly later, fly into Sydney etc but they have been pretty useless and have been unable to offer any alternatives despite several calls over the last couple of months - a very frustrating experience. It's disappointing as I really wanted to at least try both products being my first time in J on Singapore.