PER-CDG: Which itinerary would you take and why?

[Choopsta]

Hi All,

One for the Australia - Europe long haul specialists: I would like your considered opinions (please based on experience) of which itinerary for my PER-CDG trip you would choose and why. Disregard the finances as it's work related (business fare), the focus is clearly on quality of flight experience, ie seating, service, meals, etc.

I'm a QF WP / OWE so a clear consideration re benefits and maintaining status is important (halfway to maintaining WP status with 6 months left in this qualifying period, and about 3k status credits short of LTG), though there is quite a bit of international business travel expected over the next 4 yrs so opportunity to build status with different programs a definite reality.

So my 2 options offered are:
SQ:
PER-SIN-CDG
777 / A380-800
Return:
CDG-SIN-PER
A380-800 / 777

or

QF/AF:
PER-SIN-FRA-CDG
A332/744/A318(AF)
Return:
CDG-SIN-PER
A380-800(AF) / A333

Look forward to you opinions and associated reasoning.

Cheers
Choopsta

PS. Emirates via Dubai unavailable for my dates - an obvious option that unfortunately cannot be exercised.

 

[dajop]

Hi All,

One for the Australia - Europe long haul specialists: I would like your considered opinions (please based on experience) of which itinerary for my PER-CDG trip you would choose and why. Disregard the finances as it's work related (business fare), the focus is clearly on quality of flight experience, ie seating, service, meals, etc.

If choosing on hardware alone, I'd say SQ 777 (if it is new regional product, which is should be) is as at least as good as, if not better than QF A330 product. And SQ A380 with fully flat beds and aisle access for all, should be better than QF 744 and AF A380. For service it depends on what you're after, QF you may get good engaging service, SQ you will get efficient responsive, but less engaging service. I will reserve my judgement on AF, as my sole J class flight with them, HAN-BKK about 4 years ago saw me and three or others (including the then Australian Foreign Affairs Minister) wandering around the cabin, searching the closets for jackets/suit packs on arrival, with inflight service to match. May have just had an off day. Meals? Maybe QF wins on quality, , but you can book the cook out of SIN if on SQ.

Unless desperate for the SC's I'd tend to SQ simply as one less connection on the journey there has to be a good thing!

 

[Choopsta]

Thanks dajop, appreciate your comments.

I'm also keen to get feedback on the general consensus re lounge options / access when considering SQ over QF?

As WP/OWE options available are ok to quite good. What could I expect with SQ being I have no status, only the J ticket?

Cheers
Choopsta

 

[Boris spatsky]

Choopsta

I would definitely go the QF option - F lounge benefits at all ports (except CDG I believe). Greater chance of upgrade (yeah, dreaming!) and if you haven't re-qualed WP, then that is what I would do. I have been caught before with work related travel that has been cancelled at the last minute, leaving me high and dry (thankfully always able to still get to WP).

I personally think that QF is a top shelf product - not having flown SQ (but most others) in J, I can't really comment, but I know what I would be doing.

Then again, if you are going to fly SQ a lot, their PPS+ program (WP equivalent I believe or even P1) has huge benefits. They know how to look after customers! Family member is PPS+ and gets a lot of upgrades, including the odd one to First Suites on SQ A380.

 

[dajop]

Choopsta

I would definitely go the QF option - F lounge benefits at all ports (except CDG I believe). Greater chance of upgrade (yeah, dreaming!) and if you haven't re-qualed WP, then that is what I would do. I have been caught before with work related travel that has been cancelled at the last minute, leaving me high and dry (thankfully always able to still get to WP).

Just one point on lounges, As Choopsta is not touching SYD, MEL or LHR, F lounge access is not really relevant. PER doesn't have an F flounge. And in SIN, until the renovations are completed in the QF F lounge (Dec), the SQ J lounge is much better than the QF lounge ( both as it is currently and even before renovations started) - particularly in terms of range and quantity of food offered - albeit within food type only 1-3 dishes, as in true Singapore style you get Western, Malay, Indian and Chinese food plus Sushi.

 

[mannej]

Is CX an option?

 

[Boris spatsky]

Yes dajop, you are right. Narrows the benefit somewhat.

 

[browski]

Personally, I prefer the arrival time of the Qatar Airways into CDG. Afternoon/evening arrivals to me are always preferred. Ditto for EK.

The QR flight from PER-DOH is on a 777, and their J class is probably the best of all the options. I'm unsure of the A340 connecting flight from DOH-CDG.
Unfortunately, no real good FF partners for QR, so probably SQ is the best value bet for you.

 

[docjames]

Of the options you present, SQ by miles.

The AF product is not as good as SQ (amongst other reasons).

+1 also see if CX have availability as they also will do cdg without the fra transit.

 

[mella2007]

DEF SQ! AF is terrible from my past experience whether in J or Y. The fact there is a shorter connection with the itineraries is a big plus also

 

[Isochronous]

AF is a horrid airline. If status is a concern try CX.

 

[nonpop]

Some other food for thought if you want to stay oneworld

Get to BKK ... then take Finnair to CDG via HEL ... or take Royal Jordanian to CDG via AMM (cough airport) ... or even BA I guess ... all are OneWorld.
Or get to HKG ... then again take Finnair via HEL or continue on CX.
Or get to NRT ... then use JAL

 

[Moopere]

Finnair will take you PER-SIN-HEL-CDG and back and has a class product by all reports. I'm thinking of using them next year from SIN though, 4.5K SIN-HEL-CDG return in J as opposed to 7K$ from PER.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

What could I expect with SQ being I have no status, only the J ticket?

Cheers
Choopsta

An AFFer told me that TK (Turkish Airlines) are doing a status match but only to Star Alliance Gold so it might pay to do this if taking the SQ option. It's always good to have a foot in both camps.

 

[ricee007]

Or, Perth - Sydney - Singapore - London - Paris - London - Singapore - Sydney - Perth.....

Might seem stupid, but, if you wanted the points / status credits and the cost was about the same!

 

[Isochronous]

Some other food for thought if you want to stay oneworld

Get to BKK ... then take Finnair to CDG via HEL ... or take Royal Jordanian to CDG via AMM (cough airport) ... or even BA I guess ... all are OneWorld.
Or get to HKG ... then again take Finnair via HEL or continue on CX.
Or get to NRT ... then use JAL

What's RJ J class like?

 

[Simo]

Option 2 more stop overs

More SC's and a few different lounges.

 

[Choopsta]

Thanks All,

Your advice & considered opinions are appreciated.

Being a company paid ticket I only had the two options to choose from (SQ:PER-SIN-CDG or QF/AFER-SIN-FRA-CDG) hence the other alternatives suggested, though appreciated, are not an option.
Had other options been possible, CX via HKG was one that I would have been happy with.

Anyway, decision has been made and SQ gets the nod this time around. Never flown with them before, though from the comments here and from other colleagues who have flown with them in the past, it should be a quite satisfactory experience.
Time will tell .

Cheers
Choopsta

 

[nonpop]

Thanks All,

Anyway, decision has been made and SQ gets the nod this time around. Never flown with them before, though from the comments here and from other colleagues who have flown with them in the past, it should be a quite satisfactory experience.Time will tell .

Keep in mind ... usually anything in J is better than whY. Looking forward to a TR. Safe & Happy travels.