SQ Tips, Trips and Tales

[dajop]

And to sit at the bar and have a chat to Mahommed.

He makes a great Singapore Sling to boot.

 

[greenfrog86]

Hopefully they have those kits on SIN-PER next month

I'd love one in late August when I fly J with them again...

Lurking here to get some tips on how I should maximise my lounge and flight experience since it's been a few years since my last KF redemption

 

[AndrewL]

Having just returned from our honeymoon and our first SQ J experience I thought I might share some brief notes on our experience (not worthy of a separate TR):

- We flew BNE-SIN-DPS//DPS-SIN//SIN-BNE so all on regional A330 J product. Ok for day flights without being outstanding, but really not good enough for overnight flights. So tight and constrained when configured into the bed, and the incline is obviously very noticeable.

- The T3 Krisflyer lounge in SIN left me underwhelmed, given it's SQ's home port and their best chance to impress. The BNE lounge was small and the DPS contract lounge very unimpressive but these are both somewhat understandable given the small number of flights per day. The SIN lounge was comfortable but didn't really have any 'wow' factor. I also felt like a naughty schoolboy, having to go and ask lounge staff for a glass of champagne then wait around for a few minutes while they went out back to pour me a glass. Surely if they're going to have a staff member supervising that area (to take drink requests) they could allow passengers to self-pour under a bit of close supervision, if they're worried about wastage and keeping costs down (assuming that's the reasoning behind having to ask staff for champagne).

- Most disappointingly, I expected big things of SQ's soft product and found it lacking on a couple of occasions. On the SIN-DPS sector I'd ordered the lobster through BTC. When it was served I asked for some champagne and they told me they'd be right back with it. By the time I'd almost finished my meal, my partner asked me where my drink was. I assumed they were busy and the drink would be on its way soon but it never came. Not even an apology upon collecting my plate. Yes, I know I could've asked and followed up, but it still left a poor impression to be able to go a whole meal service without a staff member noticing I hadn't been served a drink. Then, on the SIN-BNE sector, my partner (sitting in the F seat) was served before me (sitting in the D seat), which is fine. However, she had finished her breakfast before I was served, and she certainly wasn't in a rush. One of the FAs then came to offer me a warm towel before realising I hadn't been served, so went to find my (BTC) meal. After I'd finished my meal I then wasn't offered the warm towel as they'd already been through earlier.

Now yes I get these are all very insignificant, third-world problems, however given all of the praise I'd heard of SQ J I've got to say it didn't really live up to expectations. Maybe the A359/A380/B777 service is a different experience, though.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Maybe the A359/A380/B777 service is a different experience, though.

Shouldn't be any difference in service between the aircraft type... SQ is pretty consistent at being consistent! Perhaps the only exceptions to the full service would be the ultra short-hauls such as KUL where's not much time for anything.

But not all crew are perfect... forgetting service (drink and then the meal) is pretty rare, but occasionally things happen. I was once told on a Shanghai to Singapore sector that they couldn't dim the cabin lights because they weren't allowed to. A follow-up with the purser rectified the situation pretty quick. Same with requesting a drink... perhaps you shouldn't have to follow up, but it saves the situation from festering.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Not acceptable AndrewL - not at all. As MEL has indicated service should be consistent across all metal - makes no difference which plane you are on.

A couple of points:

1. IMHO SQ Crew are extremely well trained do try really hard to deliver - but shortcomings are always going to occasionally occur. As a premium pax in SQ J class and you do deserve premium service - if and when problems look like they are going to arise use the call button - that is what it is there for. Crew can be busy - things can go wrong that pax don't notice - but that should not detract from service delivery.

2. As well as posting here please submit full and comprehensive feed back to SQ via email [email protected]. Make sure you highlight the fact that it was your first SQ J exp and indeed on your honeymoon and explain in full your less than acceptable experience. SQ take responsible well written feedback very seriously - this will not dampen the disappointment you both experienced when you were expecting a memorable flight - but it really needs to be followed up.

All the best to you and your partner on the marriage too by the way. I hope the flts didn't detract too much from your honeymoon.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If you are going to write in I would suggest not naming crew or identifying crew in any way. As CE says, SQ take their feedback seriously and this could go as a black mark - with consequences - for the crew involved.

https://www.iheartcabincrew.com/life-as-a-flight-attendant-singapore-airlines/

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Yes no need to identify indidual crew members but certainly list flts and dates - there may or may not have been cabin issues on a particular flt so full information most beneficial. Again responsible well written feedback will always yield best results.

 

[LadyC]

Have recently had some great flights with SQ and have sent in feedback. I could tell from my interaction with cabin staff they really appreciate it.

 

[halogen]

Positive feedback gets processed by head office and the cabin crew gets a notification through the internal system that they have received a compliment.

These get referenced during reviews and also aid in promotion, although promotion from the entry level is extremely competitive, takes a long time and is dependent on a wide variety of factors.

If you have received exceptional service, I'd encourage everyone to write in through their website, it doesn't get lost in cyberspace somewhere but actually makes its way through the grapevine to the individual staff.

 

[AndrewL]

I'm not sure it's really worthy of submitting feedback because I wouldn't want it to sound like a complaint. As I said it's really a minor issue and both cases could've easily been fixed by using the call button. It was more an observation from someone that is new to SQ J that perhaps the famous SQ service isn't always 100% spot on. Then again maybe I got unlucky because I've certainly read quite a few good things about the SQ soft product.

Thanks for the well-wishes CE. The flights in no way took away from what was a great honeymoon.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Am currently stumped up for brekky in Senator Lounge in E ZRH.

Entry:

 

[serfty]

...
Entry:

Exit ??
.............

 

[petercr]

On the little metro that goes to the remote terminal?

 

[cove]

We walked to D at ZRH. How much further is E Terminal?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Sorry about that post as WiFi in Senator Lounge was pretty slow and I could not add pics - I will do so if I get motivated. cove you cannot walk to E Concourse you need to take the shuttle down in the bowels.

 

[kevrosmith]

Saver seats on A380 from SIN-LHR seem to be pretty tight for next year now. What would others recommend? Take the B773 to LHR? (do you get TPR access if you arrived on the A380 from SYD?) Or do A380 through to CDG et al. and make way to London by other means?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Gold R or Maroon F BP gets you access to TPR - makes no matter what metal you are arr / dep on. Only you can make decision kevro as to whether direct flt on 773 or conn flt on 380 is the way to go.

 

[andy2015]

Saver seats on A380 from SIN-LHR seem to be pretty tight for next year now. What would others recommend? Take the B773 to LHR? (do you get TPR access if you arrived on the A380 from SIN?) Or do A380 through to CDG et al. and make way to London by other means?

First gets TPR access not just Suites/a380. I'd take A380/Suites - I found the bed pretty bad on the 777.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Some housekeeping:[/FONT][/FONT]

1. [FONT=.SFUIText]Firstly title of In Flight Supervisor now changed to In Flight Manager - change took effect a couple months back basically in accordance with other airlines.[/FONT]
2. [FONT=.SFUIText]SQ flies to 93 destinations (I think) - only destinations where alcohol is not permitted to be served pre takeoff China and India ports.[/FONT]
3. [FONT=.SFUIText]SQ take pax feedback extremely seriously. Positive Feedback onboard via written feedback on forms available on request or indeed often offered and feedback via email to [email protected] will unquestionable get through to any crew members who are named or identified. Most important you include your name, date of flt and flt number - for obvious reasons. Feedback can take 1 to 2 weeks even up to a month to filter through - depending on how it is provided and verification processes. Negative feedback slightly different process clearly - all negative feedback re crew is 100% investigated if and where possible. IFM may or may not be involved in verification process but first port of call will be his submitted flt report. Written negative crew feedback is quite uncommon and mostly general in nature and rarely crew member specific. [/FONT]
4. [FONT=.SFUIText]Issuance of Sleeper Suits and Amenity Kits to R/F pax. Written protocol is that no distribution pre takeoff - BUT - IFMs do have discretion to bend slightly - ie 346 to ZRH dep SIN 01:25 our IFM would instruct his crew to distribute PJs to any pax who wanted to change pre takeoff. ALL R /F pax are to be issued SSs + AKs on ALL flts >7hrs flt time or ALL flts >5hrs with flt time dep bw hrs 18:800/06:00. Crew are trained to try to read pax moods - mostly SSs and AKs offered together imm post takeoff - but if pax appears immersed in other pursuits etc then some flexibility might occur.[/FONT]
5. [FONT=.SFUIText]Comp In Flight vouchers - whilst not printed anywhere on Voucher yes they do have 12mth validity. And YES for redemption - written protocol is that issued pax MUST be on board to either use themselves or sanction use by someone else. IFM on board today was staggered that an IFV was honoured without pax on board.[/FONT]
6. [FONT=.SFUIText] Standby runways - I previously posted about these - one being on ECP with fast removal median strips clearly visible and 2 being north of Changi. This is wrong - yes there are standby runways in SIN but definitely not on ECP as I posted and certainly designed only for military aircraft - definitely not comm pax aircraft - if ever rqrd they would be diverted to nearby countries.[/FONT]
7. [FONT=.SFUIText]Crew Refresher training - I asked about what is process after qualifying period - new FSS (Flight Stewardess) after 18mths in Y can apply for retracing for J. Flight Steward (Flight Stewards) are auto sent for refresher every 12mths or so for new meals etc. Any SQ Crew Member can apply at any time for specialist training such as Sommeliers etc but extremely competitive. [/FONT]
8. [FONT=.SFUIText]J amenity kits - only issued ex SIN flts - ill grab a couple on 217 when we leave in an hour or so.[/FONT]
9. [FONT=.SFUIText]Champs J Lounge - posed Q to 2 diff Senior Lounge staff members as to why Champs not out on offer at all times as are all other wines / liquors with 2 differing responses: a) Due to some inebriated pax arriving at gate post J Lounge attendance Champs has been put away and on request only (clearly rubbish as all other liquors available for open slather b) Supply problem from their suppliers who cannot keep consistent supply up (clearly rubbish also). Cannot help but think it is no more than cost cutting. However both staff members told me they have a number of pax complaining at having to ask for Champs and there advice is put it in writing to [email protected] and that way far greater chance of policy change than just complying to Lounge staff.[/FONT]
10. [FONT=.SFUIText]CC verification at checkin - any pax at any time [/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText-BoldItalic]may [/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText]asked to present the CC used to purchase their tix. This is not a common occurrence now and usually more likely if tix purchased very close to dep or itineraries that have had a number of changes. [/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]BUT[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText] it still remains [/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]ANY[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText] pax at [/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText-Bold]ANY[/FONT][FONT=.SFUIText] time may be requested to show CC used to purchase tix.[/FONT]
11. [FONT=.SFUIText]70th anniv Teddy Bears - should be available throughout rest of 2017 but they might change before year is out - nobody really knows.[/FONT]

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[petercr]

Sorry about that post as WiFi in Senator Lounge was pretty slow and I could not add pics - I will do so if I get motivated. cove you cannot walk to E Concourse you need to take the shuttle down in the bowels.

Like going from T2<->T3 at Changi except without the view (or temp and humidity)