SQ reduces flights to Penang

[Kiwi]

Yeah, well, it's pretty bl00dy pointless and unhelpful for us passengers

Couldn't agree more. It is time for MI to either join *A or be fully merged into SQ mainline.

[philipat]

Agreed

Couldn't agree more. It is time for MI to either join *A or be fully merged into SQ mainline.

Isn't it just another example of fuzzy logic by SQ Management who have amply demonstrated already that customers are seen as a PITA?

The logical conclusion to this policy will be that SQ will soon be flying only Australia-SIN-LHR. Even then, other carriers will be operating A380/77W on this route with lower Premium fares and better services (Eg, EK showers in F without the R premium) So then what? Economy only? Perhaps more likely that's the end of the road and MI takes over all? It's a very dangerous game they are playing and the evidence to date does not support that this management team actually know what they are doing.

[SQADL333]

The Smallest Plane that now flies with Singapore Airlines is the A330-300.

[huaiwei]

When Cathay swallowed up regional DragonAir, did it completely merge the later into the former? No. When Qantas tried to enter the regional Asian market with a vengeance recently, did it use Qantas-branded planes? No.

Branding seems far more important than the demands of PITA travellers, it would appear!

[MAN Flyer]

Branding seems far more important than the demands of PITA travellers, it would appear!

Those that fly frequently on SQ, and those that used too, also seem more concerned about it than those that don't. Funny that.

[kt74]

When Cathay swallowed up regional DragonAir, did it completely merge the later into the former? No. When Qantas tried to enter the regional Asian market with a vengeance recently, did it use Qantas-branded planes? No.

Branding seems far more important than the demands of PITA travellers, it would appear!

You completely misunderstand why high revenue travellers find MI irritating, don't you? Frankly we couldn't give a flying f*** about branding

(1) Oneworld status members get full reciprocal benefits flying on Dragonair. *A members get nothing, no miles, no lounge, no additional baggage, no separate check in, absolutely nothing on MI

(2) Jetstar has only replaced QF on holiday routes or opened up new markets. MI is gradually replacing SQ on trunk business routes such as SIN-KUL

If they must keep their separate identity, why doesn't MI just join *A as a regional member?

[Kiwi]

(2) Jetstar has only replaced QF on holiday routes or opened up new markets. MI is gradually replacing SQ on trunk business routes such as SIN-KUL

Incorrect. From 10 June all QF domestic flights in NZ are on jetstar. More and more trans-tasman flights are switching to jetstar (including some on the AKL-SYD business route).

[kt74]

Incorrect. From 10 June all QF domestic flights in NZ are on jetstar.

Like I said, "holiday routes"

OK, point taken, but just 'cos QF has taken a bad decision for its customers, doesn't mean SQ should follow...

[flyguy]

or perhaps SQ should seriously consider getting its own small fleet of single-aisle plane like the A321 for its regional routes that have been given to MI.

[sqdazz]

Qantas created Jetstar as a BUDGET airline, no frills. Silkair still markets itself as a premium carrier on regional routes. There is no comparison between Silkair and Jetstar.

I agree Silkair and SQ should just merge, nothing wrong with having a narrow body fleet too, most of the big Star Alliance carriers do: Lufthansa, United, ANA, Air New Zealand, BMI etc

[TerryK]

...I agree Silkair and SQ should just merge, nothing wrong with having a narrow body fleet too, most of the big Star Alliance carriers do: Lufthansa, United, ANA, Air New Zealand, BMI etc

SQ and MI have difference pay scales, different unions, difference work rules, amongst others. It would be much easier for SQ to bring MI into *A.

[Kiwi]

SQ and MI have difference pay scales, different unions, difference work rules, amongst others. It would be much easier for SQ to bring MI into *A.

Other airlines have same issues and seem to deal with them okay. Air NZ has at least 4 different sets, for example.

[philipat]

Internal/External

Other airlines have same issues and seem to deal with them okay. Air NZ has at least 4 different sets, for example.

Agreed KIwi, the arguement simply doesn't hold water but TK (Should perhaps change moniker to Stanley Quinn (SQ)?) is one of the diehards to whom SQ can do no wrong. Nothing wrong with that, we all have different perspectives.
LH have multiple operating units with different contracts) but still maintain one overall Lufthansa brand for external consumption. Payscales and benefits are a purely internal matter. If MI were an LCC (And perhaps with all the lower costs and payscales it should be?), the rationale would be different, but it is not. Given that the way things are going, within a few years SQ will be flying a few longhaul routes only, the "Exposure" and advertisng/marketing benefits of exposure to the SQ brand will be severely diluted. I believe, from a purely business strategy perspective, this is another wrong move resulting from the same myopic SQ Management thinking (Dont accept market forces/trends and try to maintain "Full service" fares whilst providing service "Enhancements", substituting an inferior product and irritating SQ regulars. Hmm, sounds very familiar?)

However, certainly having MI join *A would provide some relief from the above problems and would be a way of addressing the concerns of loyal customers. And, therefore, unlikely to happen?!!