SYD - LHR in SQ J

[Tooner]

It's time for Tooner to visit the office in London, and due to late changes etc I've only just been able to book for a flight this Sunday:shock:.

QF is generally my preference, but was a full $2k more expensive than SQ. After a brief flirtation with CX (but they have no J this Sunday), I'm with SQ!

I haven't flown any *A flight since AN passed evil, so have a few questions:

• I have no *A FFP, is it worth joining KrisFlyer for one flight? I have VS membership so can credit to them and build up points there (and probably attain some status). I can't see me flying enough with SQ to attain PPS.
• 3 of the 4 flights are A380 (incl all the long legs), but one is 744 - does this mean skybeds? If so, this suggests a good day-seat with power etc?
• From what I gather, SQ's lounges in SYD and LHR are pretty ordinary (esp as I'm a committed FLounger when flying QF). Some people have noted elsewhere that under *A lounge policy J passengers can use the NZ lounge in both SYD and LHR (though you might need a copy of the rules). Still the case?
• Do the check-in agents hand out express cards for SQ flights?

That's about it for now. Any thoughts welcomed.

 

[qf unfort]

It's time for Tooner to visit the office in London, and due to late changes etc I've only just been able to book for a flight this Sunday:shock:.

QF is generally my preference, but was a full $2k more expensive than SQ. After a brief flirtation with CX (but they have no J this Sunday), I'm with SQ!


I haven't flown any *A flight since AN passed evil, so have a few questions:

• I have no *A FFP, is it worth joining KrisFlyer for one flight? I have VS membership so can credit to them and build up points there (and probably attain some status). I can't see me flying enough with SQ to attain PPS.
• 3 of the 4 flights are A380 (incl all the long legs), but one is 744 - does this mean skybeds? If so, this suggests a good day-seat with power etc?
• From what I gather, SQ's lounges in SYD and LHR are pretty ordinary (esp as I'm a committed FLounger when flying QF). Some people have noted elsewhere that under *A lounge policy J passengers can use the NZ lounge in both SYD and LHR (though you might need a copy of the rules). Still the case?
• Do the check-in agents hand out express cards for SQ flights?

That's about it for now. Any thoughts welcomed.

Can't help on all questions, but I flew back to MEL from London with SQ a month ago. No A380 (was 77W from LHR-SIN), but yes, all 747s are spacebed in J (which i liked despite it not being as big and spacious as 77W - definately fine for day flights).

Think in London SQ/NZ use different terminals and therefore not possible to access NZ on a SQ flight. SQ J lounge in London is pretty basic but has decent views of airfield. I actually went along to the nearby SAS lounge which is shared by Thai i think. Was a nicer place than SQ lounge with better (in my opinion) food and drink, lots of computers and reading material. But a looooong way from QF F lounge quality.

Express departure cards handed out in MEL and LHR (sticker on bp) but no express immigration card when i flew back to OZ.

 

[StevePER]

I have no *A FFP, is it worth joining KrisFlyer for one flight? I have VS membership so can credit to them and build up points there (and probably attain some status). I can't see me flying enough with SQ to attain PPS.

On VS and SQ, the earn rate is 125% in J. Both earn status, but I don't think this trip on its own would get you to the next level.

Another option is BMI Diamond Club, you would earn at 150% plus a 25% bonus once you hit Silver (which you would on this trip). I think you would earn 36,900 miles, and awards are really good value (particularly Cash+Miles awards in business).

Steve

 

[Danger UXB]

I'd be interested in your opinion of the SQ J seat on the 380 compared to QF J. I think they are far superior. The J lounge in SIN is also way ahead of the QF/BA F lounge in SIN (I was very disappointed).
Look forward to a TR??
Cheers Danger UXB

 

[maninblack]

I'd be interested in your opinion of the SQ J seat on the 380 compared to QF J. I think they are far superior. The J lounge in SIN is also way ahead of the QF/BA F lounge in SIN (I was very disappointed).
Look forward to a TR??
Cheers Danger UXB

There is a real dichotomy between the 2 J seats in question. I have flown the SQ J seat 7 segments now and don't like it much at all, not great for sitting, not great for sleeping especially if you are tall and have big feet! It also forces one to sleep at a skewed angle. Disliked the seatbelt mechanism whilst sleeping too. It certainly looks great though. I also dislike seats that have to be "converted" into beds. I think the new flat Skybed Mk2 is very good and has few flaws.

As Tooner is having his first trip with it I don't want to put him off, some people absolutely love it. Mrs Maninblack for one who says it's like having her own little "hotel capsule".

 

[samh004]

From what I gather, SQ's lounges in SYD and LHR are pretty ordinary (esp as I'm a committed FLounger when flying QF). Some people have noted elsewhere that under *A lounge policy J passengers can use the NZ lounge in both SYD and LHR (though you might need a copy of the rules). Still the case?

With your WP status you can always visit the QF J lounge in SYD if SQ's lounge is not up to scratch.

 

[dajop]

As Tooner is having his first trip with it I don't want to put him off, some people absolutely love it. Mrs Maninblack for one who says it's like having her own little "hotel capsule".

I'm one who really likes the new SQ seat and would take it over MK I skybed anyday. Haven't tried MKII but one thing I like on the SQ seat is everyone has aisle access, no climbing over fellow pax if you are "trapped" in the window seat. Also love the width of the seat - great if you have work to do (have seen one guy have is computer going and sort out a month worth of receipts spread out across his "cubicle"). Also handy that you can get out very easily if you have the meal tray down whilst working, or haven't finished the meal service yet, once again you never feel "trapped" in the seat"

As for comfort, when sitting you do need to find the optimal position for the two pillows provided, but once you do I find it quite comfortable, and I sleep on my side so find it easier to sleep on the any of the angled flat seats. Whilst most of the SQ seats (except bulkheads) taper at the legs into a small area (similar to the 744 F seat on QF), there is loads of space for your upper body to get comfortable.

As for FF programs - if you are not likely to travel at all much on * alliance, and don't have a KF crediting CC, then probably putting to VS makes a lot of sense, to avoid having orphan miles in a program that you can't use. However, you may still join KF and at least get the PPS credit there - and credit the miles to your program of choice. They are not mutually exclusive, just need to make sure at checkin that they have your mileage going to the correct program.

They always hand out AUS express arrival cards at the gate in SIN as you board, make sure you collect one there, although more recently I have noticed them passing through the plane handing them out to those who somehow missed them at checkin (for eg, if you board in the Y lane).

 

[dajop]

With your WP status you can always visit the QF J lounge in SYD if SQ's lounge is not up to scratch.

Only problem with that is the QF J lounge is that it is a bit of a walk from the SQ lounge, whereas the NZ lounge is next door. I'd go for the NZ lounge over either of QF or SQ J anyway (and always do in MEL when travelling on SQ).

 

[trooper]

Definitely go to the NZ Lounge at SYD....... I can't compare it to the QF F Lounge (and NZ doesn't have F anyway) but it's pretty decent.

I liked the "new" SQ C seat....dajop outlined the same reasons I would have... and since I flew in it they have apparently added a leather covered "block" of a cushion to help you set things up more comfortably for you... (I had to use the pillows for that purpose.. the seat is seriously wide, and I am NOT! :mrgreen

 

[Tooner]

I'd be interested in your opinion of the SQ J seat on the 380 compared to QF J. I think they are far superior. The J lounge in SIN is also way ahead of the QF/BA F lounge in SIN (I was very disappointed).
Look forward to a TR??
Cheers Danger UXB

Thanks for all the tips - I'm booked and ticketed now, but can't do a seat selection as the trip wasn't booked online

Still some details to sort out (special meals etc), but on my way.

Had a good look at BMI but will probably stick with VS to avoid an orphan account.

Correct about the LHR Lounge: SAS seems to be it. Interestingly the site actually talks about International J customers on *A flights using their J Lounge.

I'm interested in the seats. As some of you may have read in other TRs I've never had to sleep in a QF new-J bed (always managed F upgrade or op-up:mrgreen. Coming back from SIN last month I was in BA NCW, and found it awful. When I was briefly flying CX I read up on their new seats and was a bit worried. I am not sure about the SQ seats, although I tend to sleep on my side on a plane so we'll have to see.

And yes, I will do a TR this time (the SIN flight was only for 2 days for a conference so was as boring as ...:!

I'll start on Sunday then...

 

[dajop]

Thanks for all the tips - I'm booked and ticketed now, but can't do a seat selection as the trip wasn't booked online

May still be able to do using OLCI, and centre bulkheads (if available) are the best as you have the whole width of the seat to use for your legs, not just tucked under the seat in front. (But avoid the window bulkheads in the very first row).

 

[StevePER]

Thanks for all the tips - I'm booked and ticketed now, but can't do a seat selection as the trip wasn't booked online

Although you can't do it online, you can get a seat allocated by calling SQ. They can help you with meal requests as well.

 

[maninblack]

Although you can't do it online, you can get a seat allocated by calling SQ. They can help you with meal requests as well.

That old trick! Who would have ever thought of using the phone

 

[trooper]

dajop....Are the A/K seats in C on the 380 undesirable for some reason?

I had 11A (same-same front row bulkhead window) on the 77W and it was brilliant!

 

[Tooner]

May still be able to do using OLCI, and centre bulkheads (if available) are the best as you have the whole width of the seat to use for your legs, not just tucked under the seat in front. (But avoid the window bulkheads in the very first row).

Thanks for the tip dajop, scored 18D on the SIN - LHR leg. Thanks to those who pointed out online is not the be-all and end-all , and yes a phone call fixed it all. The only thing is I've got a KF number recorded against the booking - I presume I can change that at check-in?

 

[Tooner]

Trip now done, trip report in draft, but I've got to sit my last exam on Wednesday before writing it up.

I have to say the trip was excellent, and food for thought. Also managed 6 minutes from Smartgate to Taxi in SYD.

More to come!