Erela From Finland, joined Oct 2000, 152 posts, RR: 0 Posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 724 times:
I am going to fly Singapore Airlines from Bangkok to Seoul and with Raffles fare being about the double compared to Economy, I am probably taking Economy. is there a big difference between Raffles and Economy? I´ve heard that SIA´s Economy beats many Business classes so is there a point in paying for Raffles?
Regards...
Singapore 777 From Singapore, joined May 1999, 1006 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 679 times:
Let me assure you that the Economy does NOT beat many Business Class. Economy is economy, is what you paid for, half the Business fare and this is no different on Singapore Airlines. My advice is don't walk onto the plane thinking you're walking into a palace. You might be disappointed!
Ryanb741 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2002, 3219 posts, RR: 17 Reply 2, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 674 times:
As it's a relatively short flight, economy would be fine. As Singapore 777 said though, economy will not be better than J class. Singapore Airlines' economy is good, amongst the best, but it's not THAT good!
I used to think the brain is the most fascinating part of my body. But, hey, who is telling me that?
Singapore_Air From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 13711 posts, RR: 21 Reply 3, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 656 times:
I actually think it's that good and excellent
I take it you're flying the 880
That's a Celestar and you will have the new Economy Class seats with footrests, winged heardrests, headrests, the world-famous KrisWorld system with it's excellent choice of Movie, Audio and TV channels, free flowing champagne and the great inflight service SIA is world-renowned for.
Ryanb741 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2002, 3219 posts, RR: 17 Reply 4, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 648 times:
When I said it's not THAT good, I meant it's not better than other airlines' Biz class.
Also, footrests, Winged headrests, great entertainment system, champagne etc, you could be talking any one of SQ, EK, BA etc.
So yes, SQ are good, amongst the very best in fact (indeed, my best ever flight was on a SQ a/c), but just don't expect them to be something they're not, as overly high expectations lead to disappointment.
I used to think the brain is the most fascinating part of my body. But, hey, who is telling me that?
Singapore_Air From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 13711 posts, RR: 21 Reply 5, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 647 times:
Oh right!
Yes don't expect "a palace" as said above. I was disappointed with a flight in Y class once, so I know what it feels like!
Mit From United States of America, joined Dec 2000, 166 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 647 times:
1) BKK-SEL is not a particularly short flight. At 3700 km it's equivalent to IAD-LAX or LHR-YQX(Gander). Figure about 6 hours on the plane
2) There is a big difference between economy and raffles. For all the hoopla about winged headrests and the PTV's, it is still cramped, it is still full of tourists, and the food/service/comfort level is nowhere near any business class. Raffles is 2-2-2 in a cabin of 30 on the A340, Coach is 2-4-2 in a cabin of 225. At it's best, economy should be pleasant. Raffles should be actively enjoyable.
3) Raffles also gives you priority checkin, baggage handling, boarding/deplaning, lounge access and better FF miles.
So ... Raffles is unquestionably superior; economy is good, but only special in comparison to other economy services; how do you decide? Roundtrip you might be at the airport/on the plane for 16 hours. Is it worth the difference? Depends what else you could do with the money.
Ryanb741 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2002, 3219 posts, RR: 17 Reply 7, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 636 times:
I'm sorry, but to me 6 hours is not a particularly long flight. In this context, better save your money to spend at your destination rather than pay for J class.
I used to think the brain is the most fascinating part of my body. But, hey, who is telling me that?
USflt1778 From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 268 posts, RR: 2 Reply 10, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 611 times:
I have flown SQ on the SEL-BKK-SIN route in Raffles a couple of times during the last year. I like SQ service (vs. OZ or KE!) and the noon-time departure from SEL is convenient for me.
Although the flights were pretty full with tourists in Y class, I always had an empty seat next to me in Raffles for the SEL-BKK segments. The f/a's will move people around in C to give more space if there are open seats. Very big lunch is served. Meal choices are 1 Korean, 1 Thai and 1 Western out of SEL. PTVs in all classes with KrisWorld entertainment system. Flight is about 6 hours to BKK and they encourage (but don't require) you to stay on board at the transit stop.
The 1.5 hour leg between BKK & SIN tends to be more crowded. A light meal is served. The same flight crew flies both legs of the trip.
Either way you should have a good trip. SQ service is good by any standard and the A340 is a comfortable a/c.
Greg From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 606 times:
You'll get more space in Raffles, but that's about it. The service lately (in the last month) in Raffles has been very bad (based on two roundtrip sectors from the US). I was very dissapointed. I'm afraid their reputation for service is getting as tarnished as their reputation for safety.
If you have to pay for the ticket yourself, then save your money. Six hours is not that long a flight anymore.
Cathay pacific From Australia, joined May 2000, 1864 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 590 times:
i flew with their Raffles Class from SYD to HKG via SIN (return).....their services are quite good...but nothing exciting...it was pretty much the standard type of service that you will expect from any major airline....nevertheless, i had a very enjoyable trip!!!!!
9V-SPJ From United States of America, joined Dec 2000, 741 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 572 times:
I would not be prepared to pay double for Raffles than Economy, after all, SIA is very expensive. There is a big difference between these two classes but it is not worth paying double.
Singapore 777 From Singapore, joined May 1999, 1006 posts, RR: 3 Reply 15, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 565 times:
The flight 880 will soon be operated by a Boeing 777-200 with effect from the Summer schedules if I'm not mistaken. Then again, there's no difference. SIA's 777s are more comfortable than their A340s.
Erela From Finland, joined Oct 2000, 152 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 543 times:
Thanks for all your comments!
No, I won´t be expecting a palace from Sia´s economy if I take that, I have been on several charter flights and I am sure no routed economy can be worse than that.
And remember, only the fact that they serve champagne on economy in SIA is a first-ever thing for me, even after flying with several tens of airlines.
I get the message that Raffles is always Raffles but compare the fares 7500 baht and 21500 baht from Bangkok to Seoul and you know why I think again...
Erela From Finland, joined Oct 2000, 152 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 540 times:
Yes, Singapore 777, I will take the flight in the summer, so they are already operating Triple seven on BKK-SEL. What was that Celestar you mentioned? A B-777?
Erela From Finland, joined Oct 2000, 152 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 542 times:
Yes,
Ryanb741, It´s a one-way student fare and as i suppose I couldn´t get Raffles for student fares, that is the reason for such a big difference...
TG would have around 10000 baht...
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