SQ vs EK in F

[legroom]

Hi AFFers

I have a trip coming up in the not too distant future.

Tossing between SQ and EK in First.

I have tried and liked SQ very much.

But I have an open mind.

Would love to hear from those of you who had sampled both to see whether if you have any preferences at all !

Small first-world problem, I'd have to admit.

On-board shower with EK - would be interesting !

SQ service with a smile - unbeatable !

What would be your preference, and why ?

Many thanks for sharing.

 

[Alanslegal]

EK F looks pretty extravagant I have never flown them, hoping to do so in the near future using QF points however in the meantime have read several details reviews on them and I am amazed. Here's a recent review that I found online of them and if this doesn't send you ooooooooooohing to give them a go, then I don't know what will

A380 Extravaganza: Emirates First Class Singapore to Dubai - One Mile at a Time

 

[Homer]

That's a lovely problem to have. I've flown EK F half a dozen times. It's the best experience I've ever had in a plane. But I've never flown SQ F which also looks very good, particularly with the double-suite in the middle (which EK doesn't have). It would be difficult to beat SQ's service too. EK isn't quite up with SQ in service. But can you pass up a chance to shower on board a 380?

 

[Gerg]

Have flown both - EK from LHR, CDG to DXB as well as SQ CDG to SIN - have also done EK DXB to SYD . My preference would be for the SQ service whihc was amazing and their overall attitude and if travelling with a " friend" the set up is far more intimate than in EK . the cabins layouts are comparable in ma ny aspects and yes the shower is novel but I would go for the SQ experience as being a cut above .

 

[legroom]

Have flown both - EK from LHR, CDG to DXB as well as SQ CDG to SIN - have also done EK DXB to SYD . My preference would be for the SQ service whihc was amazing and their overall attitude and if travelling with a " friend" the set up is far more intimate than in EK . the cabins layouts are comparable in ma ny aspects and yes the shower is novel but I would go for the SQ experience as being a cut above .

I am grateful that you chose my thread to be your very first post !!!

Congrats and Welcome to AFF.

It is a decidedly 1st world problem for which I apologise if someone is not happy with.

BTW, it will be a lone traveller here

As I said, I remain very impressed with SQ service.

But I would welcome everyone's input for discussion.

At the moment (11/4/2013), I am leaning towards EK ..... just for the sake of 'sampling' it.

Unless I hear something from you guys that I should be aware of.

BTW, QF codeshares (SYD CDG) is about $2500 more than EK pricing.

That is SC pricing as far as I am concerned.

Thanks

Keep the comments coming.

Also, which seat on EK First is your favourite and why ?

I always go for the middle (2 or 3), never select 1 - not sure why.

 

[tuapekastar]

Afraid I haven't flown either airline, but the youtube clips blow may assist your decision:

I have seen 1) a few times and it is a nice little potted summary of EK F BKK-HKG

I haven't watched 2) or 3) but they are video TRs of EK and SQ F respectively, by the same person, so may help you compare.

Either way, I'm sure you'll enjoy the trip.

1) Emirates Airlines A380 First Class-Bangkok to Hong Kong - YouTube

2) Emirates A380 First Class Suites, HD Experience - YouTube

3) Singapore Airlines A380 First Class Suites, HD Experience - YouTube

 

[benlight]

If I was in your shoes I'd be inclined to go EK this time, considering you've already tried SQ before. And the novelty of having a shower at 43,000 feet might be worth the price of admission on its own!

I've flown EK F twice, and will fly SQ Suites for the first time in June so I'll be able to give a proper comparison in a few months time. The EK F hard product is fine, even if cabin design has a bit too much "bling" for my taste. Where I was disappointed with EK was the service -- probably the worst F service I've experienced (worse than my experiences on CX, QF, BA, AA, EY, LH, OZ) -- with FAs messing up my dinner order (and running out of other options), "hiding" during the flight, forgetting my request for some tea, and not being particularly warm or friendly. Maybe I was just unlucky, but if my experiences in SQ J are anything to go by, I suspect the service in SQ F is consistently better than EK F, if that's an important consideration for you.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

if you are comparing a380s, then the sq suites are a lot wider than EK. EK squeezes 4 across upper deck, compared to a generous 4 across on the lower deck.

 

[legroom]

If I was in your shoes I'd be inclined to go EK this time, considering you've already tried SQ before. And the novelty of having a shower at 43,000 feet might be worth the price of admission on its own!

I've flown EK F twice, and will fly SQ Suites for the first time in June so I'll be able to give a proper comparison in a few months time. The EK F hard product is fine, even if cabin design has a bit too much "bling" for my taste. Where I was disappointed with EK was the service -- probably the worst F service I've experienced (worse than my experiences on CX, QF, BA, AA, EY, LH, OZ) -- with FAs messing up my dinner order (and running out of other options), "hiding" during the flight, forgetting my request for some tea, and not being particularly warm or friendly. Maybe I was just unlucky, but if my experiences in SQ J are anything to go by, I suspect the service in SQ F is consistently better than EK F, if that's an important consideration for you.

I was thinking along the same lines about SQ:

* better (subdued) decor [no bling]

* elegant, attentive and charming FAs (nobody could say anything but nice about them)

* slightly wider suites

Against that, SQ has:

* bad arrival time (7am in Europe !) [you need to book an extra hotel day when you want to check in at that time]

* no shower on board (personally, this is only a novelty, not a deal-breaker)

* 'been there, done that' factor

* much longer connection time back to Oz if you wish to select A380 (14 vs 2-3 hrs for 777)

I'd be very [very] annoyed if I received the service as you described.

Timing wise, your travel would be before mine so let us know how it will be, please.

'Sampling' is the only factor in favour of EK at this stage!

If only SQ has (a) later arrival in Europe and (b) more consistent A380 back to Oz then EK would no longer be an alternative.

Sweet choices !

 

[eric2011]

I've flown EK F on a number of occasions and highly recommend them. Especially the 380. Nice bar area at the rear of the J section. Can't get over the F showers and toilets. It's bigger than my bathroom at home.

 

[legroom]

I've flown EK F on a number of occasions and highly recommend them. Especially the 380. Nice bar area at the rear of the J section. Can't get over the F showers and toilets. It's bigger than my bathroom at home.

Would you care to comment on the EK "soft products" i.e. the FAs and their service ?

With SQ, I have nothing but praise for them: just the right amount of attention and instant response.

Walking past but always attentive to what is needed.

A bit OCD here to mention this but it serves to demonstrate the level of SQ care: every single time I use the F bathroom, it is meticulously clean ..... with the toilet roll turned up in the manner when you first check in your 5* hotel room.

It appears that the FAs see to it to restore the bathroom to an A1 state soon after each guest has gone back to his/her suite.

To me, that's A1 attention / care.

Having said that, the factor of "why not try it" comes to EK - in my case anyway.

To be honest, without the Qantas tie up (with its publicity etc..) I would not even think of "trying" EK but now with some research - aided by comments here on AFF - I think I might "just sample" EK F to see what it is like.

For example, I have not even looked at EY (Etihad) as an option.

 

[scwappy]

Would you care to comment on the EK "soft products" i.e. the FAs and their service ?

Have flown a few times with EK First. Generally the service is excellent. Nice warm crew, trying to do a great job.

 

[cove]

Do EK have the caviar with the bacon and eggs?
The best thing about SQ Suites is the low occupancy in their A380 Suites. I just love that!

 

[legroom]

Do EK have the caviar with the bacon and eggs?
The best thing about SQ Suites is the low occupancy in their A380 Suites. I just love that!

Master Cove

I'm a closet heretic here.

I thought I did see an EK F menu with caviar so that part is covered.

For arguments only (I'd stress), why is EK F more 'crowded' then ?



n.b.: I am a genuine SQ lover (but increasingly feel like I should 'try out' another F). Apologies, Master Cove

 

[cove]

I still cannot figure out how come SQ could not fill their Suites. EK has been something I don't know about as the credit card system to get me there was blown to pieces by Citi last month.
The most passengers in Suites for our group ever has been four and the least has been just us two.

 

[JohnPhelan]

The best thing about SQ Suites is the low occupancy in their A380 Suites. I just love that!

I suspect, however, that SQ does not love it!!

 

[legroom]

Subconsciously, SQ back office disappointed me early this year.

My +1's trip in J was marred by (a) non-appearance of the BTC requests and (b) non-appearance of her return leg booking leading to a loss of the preselected window seat on the A380 (CDG - SYD).

I posted an after-trip enquiry and was told - four weeks later - a lie by SQ management.

They claimed BTC was made within 24 hrs so it could not be complied with.

My reply - attaching the SQ BTC confirmation email dated 8 weeks prior to departure - remains unanswered after two months.

Computer glitches I can accept (Paris window seat), but straightforward untruth I cannot.

That is partly behind my inclination to stray from my usual path this time.

Hello SQ, be as professional on land as you are in the air - all the time.

More grating was the fact that the reply letter was signed by the Australian Service Manager who obviously was fed wrong info by his troops but elected to ignore my reply (with the SQ BTC confirmation email).