A345 (EWR) or A380 (JFK) to NYC??

[SQ Queen]

I have been in a dilemma for the past 24 hrs over which flight to choose for J travel to NYC.

A345 obviously has the fuss free non-stop feature in it's favour but the relatively new (and quieter?) A380 weighs against this.

Is there also less bang for the buck with fewer meals served on the A345?

Some input from travelers who have done both flights will be much appreciated!

[CarbonMan]

SQ Queen: here's where you need to decide.

1) Do you want to eat a lot more food, don't mind going thru security twice, like sitting in the lounge in FRA, no issue waking up for transit? Yes? take the 380, at least 4 large meals.

2) Do you value uninterrupted rest/sleep, fastest way to NYC? Yes - take the 345. Only 2 large meals, but if you're hungry midway, there're good snacks as well.

And yes, the 380 is relatively newer than the 345 but the seat is about the same except in the former you get an extra "cupboard" on the window seats to place your stuff.

Personally, I did SIN-EWR for quite a few times in the last year (I can't even remember how many!) and have only done it once on the 380. But if you love flying, and you're not doing this too regularly, sure give the 380 a go.

[SQ Queen]

SQ Queen: here's where you need to decide.

1) Do you want to eat a lot more food, don't mind going thru security twice, like sitting in the lounge in FRA, no issue waking up for transit? Yes? take the 380, at least 4 large meals.

2) Do you value uninterrupted rest/sleep, fastest way to NYC? Yes - take the 345. Only 2 large meals, but if you're hungry midway, there're good snacks as well.

And yes, the 380 is relatively newer than the 345 but the seat is about the same except in the former you get an extra "cupboard" on the window seats to place your stuff.

Personally, I did SIN-EWR for quite a few times in the last year (I can't even remember how many!) and have only done it once on the 380. But if you love flying, and you're not doing this too regularly, sure give the 380 a go.

Thanks for the perspective. I think at my age, I really need to stop focusing on food quantity as any excess becomes harder to work off.

It was a much easier decision when the 747s were in operation for JFK as the interior & IFE were worse for wear and I dreaded that sector much.

Also, having the lounge before security at JFK is a negative imo.
I trust that it's not the case with EWR?

[Short Final]

Thanks for the perspective. I think at my age, I really need to stop focusing on food quantity as any excess becomes harder to work off.

It was a much easier decision when the 747s were in operation for JFK as the interior & IFE were worse for wear and I dreaded that sector much.

Also, having the lounge before security at JFK is a negative imo.
I trust that it's not the case with EWR?

Lounge in EWR is after security, correct. SQ uses the SAS lounge. Comfortable and nice, but not great coz no shower. About 1.5 hours before departure of the flight the lounge/SQ puts out a hot food selection, in addition to the cold cuts and salad available.

I've done this route a dozen times or so roundtrip and really enjoy not having to make the stop in Frankfurt, deplane and all that. Same goes for the LAX A345 flight. It feels like a way longer journey to me when you have to stopover.

And I have never ever found the food on the SQ 21 or 22 to be too little. Two main meals, as CarbonMan said, and a menu of snacks usually including sandwiches and noodle soup. Eat meal 1, sleep, then eat a snack, then sleep, and maybe eat meal 2. That's a lot of doing nothing and eating. Having 4 main meals instead seems over the top to me and I couldn't do it on my recent SFO-HKG-SIN flight, which has a similar format to JFK-FRA-SIN flights

On EWR-SIN, you get breakfast as the second main meal. Often I book the cook for this, as I find the egg dishes to be relatively boring and less "bang for the buck" than, say, lamb shank or chilean sea bass.

[CarbonMan]

Also, having the lounge before security at JFK is a negative imo. I trust that it's not the case with EWR?

Yes, there's a SAS lounge at EWR that's after security and 50m to the gate. Between EWR and JFK, I prefer the former, as I normally stay around mid-town, it's easier and faster to get to in a limo/taxi. And if the tunnels are stuck, there's always the possibility of taking a quick train from Penn Station (though not my first choice if I have heavy luggage).

With only a max 100 pax, the 345 do seem less stressful to get on and out vs the 380. The downside is that since everyone is J, your bag could be the last on the belt!

[Short Final]

With only a max 100 pax, the 345 do seem less stressful to get on and out vs the 380. The downside is that since everyone is J, your bag could be the last on the belt!

I agree with CarbonMan that it's much less stressful on the 345 than a full 380. Though even in a full 345, I've never had too much issue with time to collect bags.

If you go with the 345, avoid seats in rows like row 17, which are near the lav area or near the exit rows, if you don't want to be woken by the lav door slamming or the PA panel bell ringing. (345 lav doors are not typical folding style lav door). My wife regretted that row selection on her last 345 flight.

[SQ Queen]

Lounge in EWR is after security, correct. SQ uses the SAS lounge. Comfortable and nice, but not great coz no shower. About 1.5 hours before departure of the flight the lounge/SQ puts out a hot food selection, in addition to the cold cuts and salad available.


On EWR-SIN, you get breakfast as the second main meal. Often I book the cook for this, as I find the egg dishes to be relatively boring and less "bang for the buck" than, say, lamb shank or chilean sea bass.

Thanks for the BTC pointer - I will definitely look into it for variety sake!

[SQ Queen]

Yes, there's a SAS lounge at EWR that's after security and 50m to the gate. Between EWR and JFK, I prefer the former, as I normally stay around mid-town, it's easier and faster to get to in a limo/taxi. And if the tunnels are stuck, there's always the possibility of taking a quick train from Penn Station (though not my first choice if I have heavy luggage).

With only a max 100 pax, the 345 do seem less stressful to get on and out vs the 380. The downside is that since everyone is J, your bag could be the last on the belt!

As a side note, I recall that some manhattan cabbies are reluctant to go to EWR as they are not allowed to pick up passengers on the way back? One cab driver told me something to that effect back in 06.

[CarbonMan]

As a side note, I recall that some manhattan cabbies are reluctant to go to EWR as they are not allowed to pick up passengers on the way back? One cab driver told me something to that effect back in 06.

Easily solved with a handsome tip! Hotels can also arrange for a limo - it's about the same price, perhaps more comfortable, because it doesn't feel like you're sitting in a cage.

[MAN Flyer]

Also, having the lounge before security at JFK is a negative imo.
I trust that it's not the case with EWR?

Not a game changer I know but the lounge at JFK (VS CH) is now after security as they have opened a new one:

http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12464

[HUGE AL]

...don't mind going thru security twice...

FRA security is hardly an issue at all.

...when the 747s were in operation for JFK as the interior & IFE were worse for wear and I dreaded that sector much.

As a side note, I recall that some manhattan cabbies are reluctant to go to EWR as they are not allowed to pick up passengers on the way back? One cab driver told me something to that effect back in 06.

Not an issue at all. In fact, all car services I've encountered (and I believe jhm listed a nice one somewhere on here) PREFER EWR as it's easier to deal with.

[SQflyergirl]

Not an issue at all. In fact, all car services I've encountered (and I believe jhm listed a nice one somewhere on here) PREFER EWR as it's easier to deal with.

I think they partly prefer EWR because there's no flat rate (i think) unlike the $45 one they have for Manhattan-JFK transfers.

[SQ Queen]

Not a game changer I know but the lounge at JFK (VS CH) is now after security as they have opened a new one:

http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12464

Good that the flow has changed - JFK is like pushing your way through a packed bazaar though - and tends to leave me quite flustered at the end

[HUGE AL]

I think they partly prefer EWR because there's no flat rate (i think) unlike the $45 one they have for Manhattan-JFK transfers.

Actually, it's easier to navigate and provides options into Manhattan. Rates are almost always less because you get to your destination faster.

[concept|infinit]

Noob question. Why doesn't SQ just operate solely out of EWR, moving their JFK service there?

Won't that save on the staff/operating costs? Maybe the passenger volume would justify a dedicated Silverkris lounge too?