British Airways or Singapore Airlines?

[december2020]

We have a bit of a once in a lifetime trip to SE Asia and looking to book business class flights and unsure which way to go. I know this is a first world problem.

It is either Singapore Airlines on a A350.
I know the reputation is out of this world, the seats however need to be manually converted into lie-flat mode. From reading online reviews, this came up consistently as a con, which made me hesitate.

The other is British Airways.
Flying out would be the 777 new Club Suites (which I've travelled in before with work) but the flight back is the higgledy piggledy A380, which looks quite cumbersome.

I just booked the British Airways flights and now hesitating on whether I should go with Singapore Airlines. I have about 20 hours to cancel and get my money back and pick the other flight.

So this poll and all your reviews and insight is very much appreciated and needed in urgency!

@Lonely40 - what's so bad about BA's business class ?

Ugh. We recently flew Singapore premium economy. Seat was broken. Wouldn't recline at all. They aren't interested.
You pay more for an uograded class so in my mind if they can't fulfil the upgrade they should at least refund the difference between the upgrade and economy.

Although in reality economy seats at least have some recline.

It was a 12 hour flight

How do they get away with it. Not giving you what you paid for

Came here to say this. Singapore Airlines over BA, obviously, but my airline of choice for Singapore now is Finnair as I find the price to quality balance is great and Helsinki Airport is a delight (and the lounge there is lovely).

In answer to OP’s second question regarding itinerary, ‘airport runs’ in Singapore are a breeze so no worries about that. But then again a 6 hour layover in Changi isn’t a problem either as there’s plenty to do (unless it’s late and the shops etc are all closed just like in any other airport)

It's just a dated product and if you're on the A380 you can't have a window seat with direct aisle access.

SQ everytime…. My sibling is a pilot for them 🙌🏼😅

@Lonely40 - ah, you're still referring to the old seat layout I guess.

I've flown them 4 times to the US this year on A350 and 777s - all planes had the new suite type BC layout which is very impressive

So I am veering towards Option 1

Option 1:
5-6 day stint in Singapore
5-6 day stint in another part of SE Asia
Home with a 6 hour layover at Changi

Option 2:
3 day stint in Singapore
5-6 day stint in another part of SE Asia
3 day stint in Singapore
Home, no layovers but more 'airport runs'.

The layover is in the evening with the flight around 11pm.

Option 2 had the pros of 2 different hotels and no super long wait when you're tired and ready to go home.
But option 1 may let us feel a bit more relaxed with less airport runs over all, even if we'd have the same amount of time in each place.

I know some posters mentioned Singapore is more of a stopover place than holiday place.
I totally agree, the reason I'm spending longer there is for sentimental reasons and having lived there almost a decade in my childhood. :)
So a very special trip for me to get to go back. I'll probably end up crying as soon as we land in Singapore (tears of joy).

It is the best airport for a six hour layover. Use the pool, see a movie, enjoy the little rainforest garden, as well as the lounge.

The BA planes to Singapore aren’t the new lay out yet - they are crap.

Honestly if you have a choice and cost isn't a barrier, Singapore every time.

I don’t think the club suites are dated. I agree about the A380 although it was quite nice being able to sit facing my son and chat to him though the flight.

Singapore can absolutely be a holiday place rather than just a stopover (as you no doubt already know OP)
There is so much more to it than most visitors realise!

BA are a shambles right now. Flights are cancelled a lot as they can’t get engines for their fleet from Rolls Royce. I flew with them a few months ago and 3 of the my flights were delayed (making connection tight) and one was cancelled but we weren’t notified. We only found out as the Heathrow app pinged us.

Ive flown both and id take Singapore EVERY TIME!

BA is one of the least impressive airlines. Singapore is fantastic.

Morning.

Delays happen at any airline for a variety of reasons, and on bad day you get rolling delays across the network…yes it’s a PITA but it can and does happen at any airline. The nil notification of the cancellation obviously shouldn’t have happened.

As far as engines go, for fairness I’m going to have to explain that isn’t just a BA problem.

The story here is Rolls Royce have been having problems with their later series Trent engines for quite a few years now and they are struggling to provide quite a few airlines with the required spares and support…..BA aren’t the only airline to have been clobbered by this but they are a big Rolls users and it has hit them quite badly…lots of gripes across the industry about this, especially as one minute Rolls appear to have the problem in hand, the next minute something else pops up..

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/transport-logistics/rolls-royce-engine-defect-new-blow-historic-firm

https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/145796-british-airways-cuts-flights-over-trent-1000-engine-issues

Additional link explaining RRs difficulties in a bit more detail here:

www.logisticsbusiness.com/transport-distribution/persistent-rolls-royce-supply-chain-issues/

I fly regularly for work & BA have cancelled numerous flights, leaving me stranded.
Ironically, I only flew to Singapore with SQ because BA cancelled my original flight which meant I missed my connection - BA then put me on SQ!

Singapore always does very well on reviews. my only Q is if you have status with BA, two CW flights to Asia put you well on the way to silver for tier points (sounds like you travel for work as well so may be useful).

I can confirm I now have a booking with Singapore Airlines for Business Class.
I am very excited!

(Let's see how long it takes for BA to refund me)!

@cyclingmum67

'I've flown 4 BA business class flights to the US this year (2 return trips) + 1 delta, 1 AA and 1 Virgin, and BA trumps them all IMO.

Planes were A350 and 777, all with new suites layout, which was much improved on the old layout. Service was good too.

I've never travelled BC with any of the Asian carriers (my company is american), so I can't comment on those - maybe they are so much better.'

Absolutely anyone is better than Delta and AA. Asian airlines are a whole other level. The service, the food, the cleanliness just so much better. IMVHO obvs. Although to be fair it's a long time since Ive flown a US airline.

I am a frequent flyer. Singapore Airlines is the way to go. BA doesn’t compare.

Good pick to do SIA. BA biz class seats are rubbish ( although have not tried the new seat so no idea about that)
sq a350 seats are actually very wide and I prefer them to the newer a380 seats, the crew are happy to make the bed for you which feels like a bit of a luxury. Service is top notch and the book the cook options out of Singapore are amazing ( if you like beef, go for the wagyu)
hope you enjoy Singapore!

Singapore, no question. I would generally take the major (good) Asian airlines any time.

Where are you departing from, make sure you take advantage of the SA business lounges at each airport