SIN-ICN red-eye: SQ 602 or "SQ" 5752 ? (OZ 752)

[SQOZflyer]

Hi to all SQtalkers...

I will take the SIN-ICN overnight route a few times this year and there are two options on *A carriers:

- SQ 602 (regional 773) or
- "SQ" 5752/OZ 752 with Asiana (new 333)
I usually go directly to work after arriving in ICN and thus prefer to fly C or F overnight...

Does anyone of the frequent inner-Asia travellers here has experience with OZ on this route. I've always taken SQ so far. Asiana claims to use one of its new Airbus 333 with lie-flat Business seats and no F whereas SQ still uses the regional C and F products on a 773...

I'm a frequent traveller with both Airlines (OZ mainly in NE-Asia) and found that in terms of service and food, Asiana has always be at least on a par with SIA... (not forget to mention the gorgeous OZ FAs ) now if they (finally) offer decent seats in C the balance clearly goes to OZ on the SIN-ICN route.

I have been hesitant to book OZ (mainly because I want to accumulate some precious PPS sectors before SIA throws the "peasants" (C-class pax) and all the "unworthy" out of their oh-so exclusive "club") and would be glad about any feedback...

Also comments on Asiana's new Business Class product in comparison with lets say regional SQ F would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[MAN Flyer]

Also comments on Asiana's new Business Class product in comparison with lets say regional SQ F would be much appreciated.

If you are comparing someone's J product with SQ F then I'm afraid it's a no brainer, regional or otherwise. Think of the Krug and Dom.

Most of my OZ experience is limited to GMP-BUS and somewhere else down South which is shared with the military. However, I did fly ICN-KIX on an A330 with them a couple of months ago and apart from the worst mid air turbulance I've sampled in years the flight was quite enjoyable, with a great crew. It's only a short hop and I've no idea if it was their latest product but the seat seemed quite comfortable.

Let us know what you choose and how it goes.

[yvrcnx]

I have taken OZ's A330 with new C class a few times between MNL and ICN and I am sorry to say but OZ is the winner here when comparing to SQ's regional business class.
OZ's seats will go flat though in an angle. You will most likely get a much better sleep then on SQ's regional seats.
OZ's service also is great. For me the choice would definetly be OZ with new C class.

Compared to SQ's regional F I would probably choose SQ due to more privacy and less pax in cabin.

If you book the OZ flight with SQ flight number it will still count towards PPS until August 31st.

[QSG]

From my experience: OZ 333 C > SQ 772 Regional C ;
OZ 767/747 C < SQ 772 Regional C.
If you are flying F then you can not compare.

BTW, I hate the red-eyes from SE. Asia to Japan/Korea especially on TG A300 B4 with domestic C !

[TON_UK]

As I'm Thai, I would say. Thai Airways still use an old aircraft. If you are lucky you might get the new one but still A300 is stopped building it now....so I hope Thai will retry those aircraft soon....

[WSSS]

Thai seats really varies from the type of aircraft used. Their 744s are going some kind of upgrade and if you are flying regional, be prepared to get an A300 or A330 which the former is not very good. Good news is some of the TG A300 being decommissioned from service sometime this year. Of course SQ's regional F will be a better choice than OZ's C, for obvious reasons. However, not SQ's regional C, you are better off getting a good night's sleep from flying in OZ's C.

[SQOZflyer]

Thanks for sharing some experiences...

Took again SQ 602 in F a few days ago and it was rather dissapointing... on the same flight, in the same class earlier this month I had a great crew. However this time service was "robotic" and without a genuine smile... felt a bit like being in one of the pretentious luxury hotels in the U.S. where employees let you know that they are only nice to you because you pay a lot and as long as you give generous tips... sad, as service really should make the difference in F with the old seats on 773

Maybe the comparison is a bit harsh I'm well aware that on some airlines you're lucky to get a smile at all, even in F... but as regular SQ fliers we are simply spoiled...I haven't been on a US Airline for too long I guess...

Anyway would like to add that OZ also has very attractive fares for anyone considering ICN-SIN roundtrips:

SQ
C ICN-SIN roundtrip for WON 2'290'000 (SGD 3792) in 772/772ER or
(WON 2'432'400 or SGD 4028 in 77W)

OZ
C ICN-SIN roundtrip for WON 1'777'200 (SGD 2942) in 333 with new seats and AVOD!

So as much as I enjoy flying with SQ I will consider OZ in C on this route in the future... honestly after 3 flights this month, I think F on SQ 602 is overprized for what they offer... for the fare difference between OZ C and SQ F I can buy plenty of bottles of Krug or Dom in Changi Dutyfree...

So for the time being my conclusion for ICN-SIN/SIN-ICN flights is:

SQ C: don't bother (unless it's the 772ER) - for 77W you pay a surcharge in C not worth the flight during daylight.
SQ F: Can be a great experience but on SQ 602 not really a good deal...
OZ C: Definitely worth the money but only on Airbus 333.