QF or SQ First?

[sirchop]

Hi team
My first post and fittingly a real first world problem… I have a paid QF F fare MEL-SYD-SIN and have noticed that SQ suites fare is available for basically the same $ direct on A380.

I’ve not done SQ F before and am in two minds so looking for some advice from the forum.

Couple of my own thoughts:
- QF positives: lounge, good SC earn
- I imagine SQ hard/soft product better
- Day flight in both cases so not really too fussed about suite
- Have read that SQ in MEL is a bit of a coughshow
- Don’t really need the SC earn for KF/VA

Can anyone talk some sense into me? Thanks!

 

[boomy]

I’ve done both multiple times and SQ suites is a far better experience than QF F. Not sure what you mean by SQ in MEL being a coughshow. If it’s about the F lounge then yes, it’s pretty bad but the TPR in SIN will definitely compensate for that (you get access on arrival).

 

[MrJetset]

SQ F, no question.

The service and suite are exceptional. The BTC options are numerous and the several course menus do not remotely compare to QF. The staff anticipate absolutely everything.

IMHO, QF is my second least favourite F after BA.

 

[Mr H]

SQ F isn't what it used to be. Leaving ex MEL you will get a thermo-printed boarding pass You will get access to a genuinely horrid lounge - teeny tiny with no windows and a funeral parlour ambience. You would do well to pay to access The House. The catering on board the SQ flight has been scaled back to three courses and the food ex-MEL is disappointing at best. The four book the cook options are no more exciting. I haven't been on the new Suites (only old Suites and 777 F) but I hear reports that the seat is not particularly comfortable and that you have to sit facing the aisle when you are using the table. I don't personally care for the doors (I don't sit in cupboards at home) but I know some people like them. Oh, and the PJs are now made from a polyester mix. I would probably go for the QF routing myself, but YMMV.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Mr H makes some good points. But. If you haven’t flown SQ F, this is a good chance to do it. Both are good products, but delivered totally differently. Access to the Private Room in Singapore probably swings it in favour of SQ on this occasion.

 

[Mr H]

Mr H makes some good points. But. If you haven’t flown SQ F, this is a good chance to do it. Both are good products, but delivered totally differently. Access to the Private Room in Singapore probably swings it in favour of SQ on this occasion.

But who is going to arrive late in the evening into SIN and want to go to an airport lounge, just because they can?

 

[Steady]

But who is going to arrive late in the evening into SIN and want to go to an airport lounge, just because they can?

People who join frequent flyer forums

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But who is going to arrive late in the evening into SIN and want to go to an airport lounge, just because they can?

Good point. I read it as a MEL-SIN-MEL round-trip rather than one way via SYD!

 

[sirchop]

I’ve done both multiple times and SQ suites is a far better experience than QF F. Not sure what you mean by SQ in MEL being a coughshow. If it’s about the F lounge then yes, it’s pretty bad but the TPR in SIN will definitely compensate for that (you get access on arrival).

coughshow as Mr H described - check in is a bit of a mess apparently and the lounge situation. Though not the end of the world as I should have access to The House so i can check that out.

Appreciate the comments - in the end I decided to give SQ a whirl. Something different and saved a little bit of $ too all up so no bad thing. Thanks.

 

[boomy]

But who is going to arrive late in the evening into SIN and want to go to an airport lounge, just because they can?

When I’m landing late in SIN I usually visit TPR. By the time arriving to city everything will be closed anyway so why not have something from the restaurant menu and maybe another cheeky drink, there’s no rush

 

[boomy]

coughshow as Mr H described - check in is a bit of a mess apparently and the lounge situation. Though not the end of the world as I should have access to The House so i can check that out.

Appreciate the comments - in the end I decided to give SQ a whirl. Something different and saved a little bit of $ too all up so no bad thing. Thanks.

Check in isn’t a mess, not sure what makes you say that. There is dedicated line for F/R pax.

The lounge in MEL is disappointing, yes. This is the main advantage QF has over SQ when departing MEL but that’s not enough IMO. The new suites are very impressive I’m sure you will have a wonderful experience

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @sirchop . I've only flown SQ out of SYD recently, so obviously a different experience, but why some have concentrated on the 2 hours or so you'll be in MEL rather than the lengthy on-board experience I don't know. The flight should be exceptional.

And you are only going on 'reports' of the check-in situation. As boomy says, there is a dedicated line for First Class.

Appreciate the comments - in the end I decided to give SQ a whirl. Something different and saved a little bit of $ too all up so no bad thing. Thanks.

Glad you've chosen to 'spread wings' beyond QF. People rarely regret it. I flew both F and R recently and I'd prefer the suite both day and night flights. If, like MrH you don't like doors on your suite, just leave the door open

 

[RichardMEL]

SQ F without hesitation. Sorry QF but this is a no contest EXCEPT the QF F lounges either end.

But, SYD F lounge for SQ is fine for pre flight, and the TPR is more or less equal to the QF F lounge SIN, with the benefit of far less busy and more exclusive (and better drinks).

I note you mention MEL-SIN, so likely fly SQ direct. There is an A380 flight out of MEL (yay!) and at decent timings, so that could work. I agree with Mr H, that SQ@MEL is not a patch on SQ lounge in SYD, but there's also the Air NZ lounge which does have some light, and while not a F lounge per se, I find the staff there to be really good (my last flight out of MEL the barista made me a coffee, brought it to my table (not my request) and even got me a glass of water proactively too.).

the flight product, specially A380, is so far ahead it's not funny, and SQ catering and drinks (Krus plesase!) blow away QF.

I would do SQ F every. single. time. (yes, even in the 77W).

(I'd do QF if I needed SC's but noting the SYD QF F and SIN F lounges get pretty busy around flight times of F product flights, and this may or may not be a factor. )

 

[MrJetset]

I haven't been on the new Suites (only old Suites and 777 F) but I hear reports that the seat is not particularly comfortable and that you have to sit facing the aisle when you are using the table. I don't personally care for the doors (I don't sit in cupboards at home) but I know some people like them. Oh, and the PJs are now made from a polyester mix. I would probably go for the QF routing myself, but YMMV.

Amazes me when people offer an option with no direct experience.

The seat is not uncomfortable. SQ added a collapsable Ottoman that the crew deliver on request because there is no footrest.

The bed is on the firmer side as one would expect on an Asian carrier.

The crew are extremely proactive to serve your meals discreetly, opening and closing the door each time.

I have flown TG F, EY F, SQ F, EK F, AA F, QF F and BA F and rate them in that order.

SQ F is spectacular. If you want a better lounge experience then route via SYD. The small SQ F Lounge is calm with generally no more than the 6 pax in F IME.

 

[Mr H]

Amazes me when people offer an option with no direct experience.

The seat is not uncomfortable. SQ added a collapsable Ottoman that the crew deliver on request because there is no footrest.

That's a fair comment.

I have flown several times on the SQ 777 F seat and it really isn't that comfortable; and I have read reports that the Suites one also isn't. On the other hand, I find the seats very comfortable on QF (and BA, as it happens). For me, comfort of the seat is the most important factor.

I don't find SQ F particularly spectacular. It strikes me as trying to look expensive and luxurious (stitched leather, caviar, Krug, etc.) but they miss the basics of comfort. Maybe they get that right on the new R product, but the fact they felt the need to add collapsible footstools suggests otherwise. .

 

[cjd600]

SQ new suites over QF F any day of the week.
And I do like QF F, but SQ R is another level.
(** direct experience of both )

 

[RooFlyer]

I have flown several times on the SQ 777 F seat and it really isn't that comfortable; and I have read reports that the Suites one also isn't. On the other hand, I find the seats very comfortable on QF (and BA, as it happens). For me, comfort of the seat is the most important factor.

I don't find SQ F particularly spectacular. It strikes me as trying to look expensive and luxurious (stitched leather, caviar, Krug, etc.) but they miss the basics of comfort. Maybe they get that right on the new R product, but the fact they felt the need to add collapsible footstools suggests otherwise. .

I agree with you re the F seat - and the whole F set-up on B777 which I took recently. Not saying it wasn't 'comfortable' (as in to sit in) - just not up to what I would expect in F on SQ.

The suites on the other hand were fantastic. Completely different seat, swivel-able etc, literally room to swing a cat. Bathrooms enormous and well decked out (well, one is enormous - the other is just large). Have a look at the linked posts @sirchop and see if its up to scratch

 

[RichardMEL]

You can't begin to compare the A380 new suites to QF F, or frankly most current F products. The seat is both very comfortable, and you can move that thing all over the joint it seems, plus the separate bed, while yes a bit firm, is just a winner compared to a seat conversion - and the bedding makes it very very comfortable. Plus the sheer amount of space in the SQ Suites is mind boggling.

I don't personally find the SQ 77W F seat that uncomfortable, but it's certainly on a lower level to the Suites.

And frankly to the earlier comment about "appearing" to be expensive - SQ offers far more of the real deal soft product wise than QF does - including the caviar service, Krus consistently (vs the merry go round mystery of what QF might load) - and I am biased and love Krug I admit, and many of the meals and options (including wines etc) are of higher quality.

I would agree that perhaps on a route like SYD-SIN the catering has stepped down a notch (ie the pre arrival meal I most recently got was a croque monsieur - not a bad item in and of itself, and puts QF's version to shame - but it wasn't quite up there with the main offerings for sure.

I guess at the end of the day all of these things are so subjective in many ways, and having the relative luxury (pun intended) to pick between SQ F or QF F (or even potentially BA F to SIN) is truly a First Class World Problem in so many respects.. so all of our varied opinions aside, perhaps this is one where schedule may be the deciding factor (and well SQ is the only carrier offering a F product on MEL-SIN, and has 2 flights daily offering F currently - 1x380 and 1x77W - so that trumps QF in that regard.

 

[dajop]

On the SQ F lounge at MEL, if you go expecting a whizz bang lounge it is disappointing. And the catering goes in fits and bursts, sometimes they have a few great items and then they kill that off and spoil it next time you visit. Go figure, but Cruiser's onto them about this. Singapore hawker food seems to be the staple, not sure if that's appealing to locals wanting there fix (which I find puzzling, as you are only 8 hrs aways from having the real thing) or for passengers that will be transiting SIN s wanting to sample some local Singapore cuisine.

But I do find a very chill, relaxing space to get you in the zone for the flight. You need to have that mindset, and not expect more. Maybe because of and not despite the absence of natural light is the reason for this. It's usually very quiet and I've only ever seen at most about a dozen people in there (although you tend to get more with the A380 I asume).

I have gone down to the NZ lounge, straight from the SQ F lounge, and yes there's natural light, but other than that I found it busy, loud colours and seats nowhere near as comfortable and just not as relaxing.

 

[dajop]

(and well SQ is the only carrier offering a F product on MEL-SIN, and has 2 flights daily offering F currently - 1x380 and 1x77W - so that trumps QF in that regard.

You forgot about EK, they have F on their daily OMGo'clock service from MEL-SIN as well. Timing much better in the other direction though.