michaels_edinburgh

I am in fortunate position, with redeeming star alliance points, of going to Singapore either Lufthansa first class from Frankfurt or Singapore Airways Business class from Manchester. I am starting in Edinburgh and can easily get to either (although in Frankfurt 55 minute transfer may be tight?. Rather a nice choice but wondering which service is best? Ongoing flights to Australia are with Singapore Airways in Business class.

Any views/recent experience of either would be appreciated as well as recommended, and reasonably priced, hotels in Singapore.

Many thanks

Kathie

I haven't flown that route on either airline. Singapore Air is considered one of the best airlines in the world. I've not flown Lufthaunsa in First class, but have in business and have flown Singapore Air in business. Comparing the two business classes, I'd choose SIngapore Air hands down. Perhaps someone else can compare Lufthaunsa First to Singapore Biz.

mrwunrfl

I'd try to get Singapore Airlines from Zurich. They have theire new business class on that route. That flight also has first class. So, you could go for SWISS from MAN to ZRH (in F if available) and then ZRH to SIN in F on Singapore Airlines.

If you go to star-alliance.com you can check out a variety of routings. Use the 7-day lookup. Looks like it's mostly with LH and SQ via FRA but also SAS and SQ via Copenhagen along with the ZRH option. And connections via Heathrow.

Hanuman

Lufthansa advantage is the First Class Terminal at Frankfurt. Wonderful experience there and I would plan to spend sometime there before your flight - try to get at least a 2 hour transit time there.

I don't know if SQ have started using their new business class seats on the Manchester route but I doubt it so go with Lufthansa First Class.

Smeagol

If you are going Bus class from sin to Aus then i would go for 1st with lufthansa. that way you get both experiences.
check out this website which gives airline/seat reviews
www.airlinequality.com

Melnq8

Greetings from the Singapore Air Business Class lounge in Changi Airport! I've flown business class on both Lufthansa and Singapore Air several times. I've flown Lufthansa First Class once from Kuwait to Frankfurt.

Singapore Air has the best service IMO and I'd select their Business Class over Luftansa Business or First Class anytime.

My husband recently flew Lufthansa Business Class from Singapore to Frankfurt then on to Amsterdam and back. Lufthansa managed to lose his luggage BOTH ways. When I read your question to him, he said "Singapore Air, no contest".

Melnq8

Regarding hotels in Singapore, we like Royal Plaza on Scott's Road. About half a block from Orchard Road and very close to an MRT station.

Ericka

I haven't flown any of these routes, but have flown both carriers in both classes of service...

Your 1st choice should be getting the NEW biz class on SQ (is it available out of Zurich?). It looks amazing! But this may be too difficult to achieve.

As a 2nd choice, I would choose Lufthansa first on a 747. Upper deck. Totally flat, comfortable seat/bed. Large, fluffy comforter. And, the

Ericka

Sorry, got cut off...my hand slipped!

And the AMAZING Lufthansa 1st class terminal in Frankfurt - full service restaurant or buffet, gorgeous decor, private security and immigration, and they drive you in a Cayenne or S-Class to the belly of the 747 where you are escorted up the stairs and to your seats like a rock star.

3rd choice would be 747 SQ biz class. Always a nice experience with nice lounges but the seat is angled flat and some find it a bit uncomfortable (sliding down, etc.) Great service, though. So friendly, and everyone knows your name.

mrwunrfl

Zurich-Singapore <b>has</b> the new biz class seat. See:

http://tinyurl.com/3ay9q9

&quot;Available only on selected flights from Singapore to Barcelona, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Milan, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul, Taiwan, Zurich, and progressively on other routes.&quot;

I believe Zurich was the first route to have it. Don't know if that seat is on any flight to Oz.

Zurich also has the new first class:
http://tinyurl.com/uv8ed

I'd be very happy to fly F on LH but that and the SQ nonstop are not the only options.

Cicerone

I don’t think you would have a bad experience in either; although I have to say that the new business class seats on SQ are simply wonderful. For the first time ever in 20 years of flying business or first I am a little sad to get off a plane when I am in the new seats. They are your own little fort like you used to build when you were a kid. Beyond the flat bed (which is not angled, it lies flat) there is a ton of storage room and just room to spread out your things, you can do work, write, read, sleep --it’s a little cocoon. If you get the window seat you will have no one beside you (for us misanthropes).

But the seat alone would not sway me for such a long series of flight. My order of preference for such a long haul would be:

--Non-stops first, I would not take first class with a layover versus a biz non-stop (the Frankfurt connection would worry me if your UK flight takes off late, which is of course entirely possible)
--Shortest layover next, who wants to hang around for 8 hours even a nice lounge
--At Changi, do you have to change terminals. A slight consideration but it’s a big airport and there is train ride involved and with a lot of stuff can be a pain (your checked luggage will go without your having to take it). Generally changing SQ to SQ you won’t change terminals.


Singapore hotels are expensive and getting more so. I like the Intercontinental’s location as it is near some interesting bits for walking like Arab Street and Little India and the colonial part of town as well. If you can go over a weekend you will find better rates at the better hotels. Not sure what “reasonably priced” means to you in any event.

michaels_edinburgh

Thanks for comments. We have had to change plans and are now travelling in September/October 08 and I see one return flight between Frankfurt and Singapore will be operated for Lufthansa (as codeshare) by Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 300ER so will see if I can redeem my bmi points for first class on that service as soon as schedules released for next Sept.to maximise chances of getting seats. Although I guess business seats would be a perfectly acceptable alternative reading the postings!

Stopping in Singapore for 3 nights on way home (planning to stay at Royal plaza on Scotts) but on way out planning an overnight in Changi Airport and then take morning flight to Melbourne (again a 777 300 aircraft)rather than doing the journey in one go.

Can anyone recommend hotel to stay at airport?

Also does anyone know which of the daily flights between Singapore and Sydney the A380 is planned to operate on once introduced later in the year/early next year?

Many thanks

StanKase

Maybe this comment is a little late but based on business travel in 1990-2005 on both in all classes of service through Asia, Middle East and Europe I would take Singapore 9 out of 10 times over Lufthansa if I had a choice. Said another way, I woiuld go Coach/Premium on Singapore over Business on Lufthansa, in my opinion.

Lia

I recommend Singapore Air business class over Lufthansa, but don't expect to get the new business class seats if you're redeeming FF miles.

I'm booked on JFK/FRA/SIN/FRA/JFK and was told (by both Singapore Air and United) that the flight with new business class seating was &quot;not available&quot; even though it showed availability on SA website.

I specifically asked if I could have that flight and they refused. I then said &quot;So they're not available only to those using FF miles, right?&quot; and they said that was correct.

Can't really blame them for saving these seats for paying customers, but it would have been nice!