Qatar better than SIA, says its chief

[flying.monkeyz]

http://business.asiaone.com/news/qat...says-its-chief

Any comments??

[milehighj]

Well their error fares have been better than SQ's error fares for a while...

[lingua101]

http://business.asiaone.com/news/qat...says-its-chief

Any comments??

In term of aircraft yes. In term of services definitly a big no no. I think QR still have a long way to match SQ (or any better airlines) in term of services both in C and Y.

Of course my experience is only limited to short haul between SIN and CGK/DPS

[jasonahl]

Did several flights with Qatar, I would say, SIA is hub in a world class top rated airport, while Qatar Airways is operating from one of the worst airport in the world, no aero bridge, constantly have to ride on a bus that hoover around the runway for at least 20 minutes to get to the transit terminal, horrifying toilets, there were passengers washing their feets at the toilet, bad ventilation, miserable eatery outlets.

I do not want to comment on their premium class service, but their EY catering is far away from SIA, food taste horrible especially their DOH/Europe sector, cabin staff were simply not interested with call button, ask for a glass of water, buzz thrice times, no response, simply walk over to the galley, 3 FA were sitting around chit chat.

Anyway, wasn't that impressive after all, if SQ rate at 8, QR were only get 5 from me.

[SilverChris]

It's mildly reassuring to know that SQ isn't the only arrogant airline in town

[kt74]

Did several flights with Qatar, I would say, SIA is hub in a world class top rated airport, while Qatar Airways is operating from one of the worst airport in the world, no aero bridge, constantly have to ride on a bus that hoover around the runway for at least 20 minutes to get to the transit terminal, horrifying toilets, there were passengers washing their feets at the toilet, bad ventilation, miserable eatery outlets.

Well, to be fair to them, the new airport will open later this year, and there is a separate terminal and separate buses (albeit neither are that luxurious) for F and J pax in the current airport

Can't comment on Y, but for J:
- Outstation lounge at LHR is far better than SQ - the QR London lounge is really something special - almost as good as the VS Clubhouse
- Inflight service and F&B is outstanding - lots more choice and flexibility than SQ - none of this "either supper OR breakfast" on late night flights
- The current seats are not great, but the new 787 seat is the CX-style reverse herringbone, which is much more practical than the silly bench on SQ
- IFE is just as good as SQ
- Pajamas and a proper amenity kit and amenities in the toilet
- OW recognition, generous TPs and miles on BA - just over 1 return trips LHR-SIN for BA Silver (= KF Gold), and 3 return trips gets you BA Gold
- Oh, and QR fares are 30-40% cheaper than SQ on average in my experience

So, I would say that QR (and indeed all the ME carriers) are giving SQ a run for their money...

[MAN Flyer]

You would have thought he'd be better off worrying about whether the new airport - that he has been 'overseeing' - is ever going to open, as the current DOH is a disgrace. The buses are a PITA and I don't get what people see in the satellite JCL lounge. I haven't been in the F side but a mate says it's easy to sneak in a la the MH KUL F lounge a few years ago.

I can't comment on their current JCL as not having flown with them for a year or so I am not up to date but my previous flights were in slopey/slippy seats, which were miles behind the current competition. Food on airlines as a rule is crap so not too bothered either way, the ability to sleep is priority number one, two and three for me. I did think their IFE was much better than SQ's and I have heard their lounge at LHR is excellent. SQ do have a new SKL in LHR T2 opening in a few months and with what they are promising it should be much better than the current one.

[SQ228]

I'm not going to pretend I know anything about the physical product offered by Middle Eastern airlines, as I haven't experienced it, and none of what I am saying is expert opinion.

The only comment that I would make is that regardless of aircraft seats and lounges and menus, there is also the issue of trust.

While from an Australian viewpoint, I have some issues with the personal and political freedoms of citizens in Singapore (I also have identical issues with the Mid East, even more so actually), I view Singapore as stable and secure. Singapore to me as an outsider is somewhere that gives me the impression that it values safety standards, accountability and prudent financial management leading to consistency and reliability, and it has a track record to prove it.

We've seen the meteoric rise of a number of Middle Eastern carriers over the past decade. Where all the capital is coming from is a lot less transparent in my opinion. There's an endless supply of cash to splash if you listen to their spin. Gigantic fleets suddenly materialise well before they can build the airports required and the only message we get is that they plan to make them ever bigger and bolder.

The faster they rise, the heavier they fall. If the massive growth strategies of these airlines, some of whom have never returned a profit, should begin to falter, I have reservations about what cost-cutting may begin to occur in jurisdictions that are alot less accountable than Singapore.

[FN-GM]

I agree with @SQ228 - The middle eastern airlines bubble will burst, its just a matter of time. I would bet my house on SQ not coming to the same end.

[kt74]

the current DOH is a disgrace. The buses are a PITA and I don't get what people see in the satellite JCL lounge.
...
I am not up to date but my previous flights were in slopey/slippy seats, which were miles behind the current competition. Food on airlines as a rule is crap so not too bothered either way, the ability to sleep is priority number one, two and three for me
...
SQ do have a new SKL in LHR T2 opening in a few months and with what they are promising it should be much better than the current one.

1. Yup, DOH is a disgrace, and the J-lounge is pretty poor... However, judging by what SQ has done in Australia, I'm expecting to be underwhelmed by the LHR T2 lounge...

2. Airbuses are slopey, but Boeings and the forthcoming A380, A319 and A350 are flat and "next generation" vs the SQ J "bench"

3. Airplane food is much-of-a-muchness, but I don't like being dictated to a la SQ. QR is truly a la carte, and on late night flights there are maybe 10 or so choices you can mix and match, plus full breakfast with 4-5 choices. You can have anything, any time. None of the "after take off or 2 hours before landing" malarkey you get on SQ

The only comment that I would make is that regardless of aircraft seats and lounges and menus, there is also the issue of trust.
...
I view Singapore as stable and secure. Singapore to me as an outsider is somewhere that gives me the impression that it values safety standards, accountability and prudent financial management leading to consistency and reliability, and it has a track record to prove it.
...
If the massive growth strategies of these airlines, some of whom have never returned a profit, should begin to falter, I have reservations about what cost-cutting may begin to occur in jurisdictions that are alot less accountable than Singapore.

Now, I don't much like Al Baker, nor the rumours about how staff are treated in that country. But are you suggesting that they are not complying with international safety standards? And that Singaporean airlines are safe, stable and secure by comparison?

[I don't remember the last time a pilot on a Middle Eastern airliner aimed their aircraft directly at an Indonesian swamp or a closed runway. Just sayin'...]

[flying.monkeyz]

[I don't remember the last time a pilot on a Middle Eastern airliner aimed their aircraft directly at an Indonesian swamp or a closed runway. Just sayin'...]

Hmmm... I do remember a pilot on a Middle Eastern airliner keying in the wrong take-off mass into the FMC and almost made a mess out of the departure in Melbourne. Oops... then again, some pilot in Singapore Airlines did the same in Auckland??

[MAN Flyer]

1. Yup, DOH is a disgrace, and the J-lounge is pretty poor... However, judging by what SQ has done in Australia, I'm expecting to be underwhelmed by the LHR T2 lounge...

Are you referring to the refurbished SKL in SYD ?. I haven't tried any QR lounges in Australia myself, how do they compare?.

2. Airbuses are slopey, but Boeings and the forthcoming A380, A319 and A350 are flat and "next generation" vs the SQ J "bench"

Ah, 'forthcoming', just like the airport then......

3. Airplane food is much-of-a-muchness, but I don't like being dictated to a la SQ. QR is truly a la carte, and on late night flights there are maybe 10 or so choices you can mix and match, plus full breakfast with 4-5 choices. You can have anything, any time. None of the "after take off or 2 hours before landing" malarkey you get on SQ.

But who on earth wants to eat a full meal on a late night flight?. If it's long haul, which is presumably what we are comparing, then not only is it late at night where you are departing from but it's usually the middle of the night or early in the morning at the destination. It both baffles and amuses me when I see the handful of lunatics who still want to do this sat there chomping away while most of the other pax have the beds flat and are trying to sleep. Om a MIA-LHR flight on BA last month there was one person on the entire upper deck sat up chomping away while the rest of the cabin slept, much to the amusement of the crew. I think SQ should go further and turn all the lights off straight away on late flights and let those who want to sit up eating use the personal lights to help them avoid starving.

I can see why QR are popular now they are in OW as some of their prices for J flights are truly astonishing, and if you are a member of BAEC then one long haul return to Asia is almost enough for Silver. But those flights mean getting up and off the aircraft (and on to buses) half way through the journey, and like I said it's all about being able to sleep for me so I'll wait until the new airport is open and all these 'forthcoming' aircraft with flat beds arrive, which going off Al Bakers track record should be some time around 2018.

Still, each to their own etc...

[mr_botak]

Well we will find out if Mr Al Baker is true to his word in a couple of weeks as the recent companion fares ex LHR were just too tempting.

Ex LHR it's a nice connection to SIN, 15.5 hours, and a sensible departure time. The other way, not so good. 4 hours at DOH seemed no problem, booking late at night, somewhat inebriated. In the cold light of day, I suspect that dedicated terminal or not, we may regret our decision.

What to do in DOH for about 4 hours middle of the day on a Friday?... was thinking we might try to get to the Museum of Islamic Art.

[SQ228]

Now, I don't much like Al Baker, nor the rumours about how staff are treated in that country. But are you suggesting that they are not complying with international safety standards? And that Singaporean airlines are safe, stable and secure by comparison?

I'm certainly not suggesting in any way, that at the present time, any Middle Eastern airlines are not adhering to international safety standards.

My concern is rather, that should such an airline at some future point in time, if their mega-expansionist strategies go off-course, begin to cut corners to 'make ends meet', I don't feel that authorities in those countries would be as transparent in holding their airlines to account as I feel Singapore would likely be.

It's very much a hypothetical scenario.

[kt74]

Are you referring to the refurbished SKL in SYD ?. I haven't tried any QR lounges in Australia myself, how do they compare?.

QR = OW = QF First Lounges = pretty awesome, I'd say

Ah, 'forthcoming', just like the airport then......

Boeing 787 and 777 are both flat and on 2 flights a day from LHR right now

But who on earth wants to eat a full meal on a late night flight?.

Well, airlines fly across time zones (shocker!). So late night to you may not be late night to someone else. Taking the overnights on SQ to and from Oz, you're in the middle of the day, European time. I don't expect a full meal, but a light snack at a time I choose, and, you know, more than one starter choice (who knew!), is appreciated

I'm not saying that QR is necessarily better than SQ, but it is certainly *much* better value for money, and it does offer a number of small touches that make for an enjoyable flight

Oh, another thing. QR has 3x flights a day from KUL, sensibly spaced through the day. Even SQ doesn't do that now. And while sitting on a bus in DOH isn't glamorous (a separate bus for F, J and Y - unlike the last time I flew into SIN in SQ F), neither is getting from the far A gates to the far F gates at SIN in 45 minutes. YMMV