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Singapore 70th Anniversary Hennessy Paradis Imperial, Bad PaxEx, Qatar News

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Here’s an impromptu roll-up from some of the interesting things I’ve seen over the past few weeks – including a rare bottle of Singapore 70th Anniversary Hennessy Paradis Imperial. I’ll have a more complete Weekly Round-up tomorrow, but here’s a brief one for your idle–or not so idle–Thursday.

Singapore 70th Anniversary Hennessy Paradis Imperial

Save 50% on Regional Southeast Asia Awards with SilkAir!

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I’ve found SilkAir and Singapore Airlines to be very helpful when finding regional flights in Southeast Asia. It’s allowed me to hop around Asia and include a stop in Singapore for many trips. . Right now, you can save 50% on Regional Southeast Asia Awards with SilkAir, which makes it even more of a bargain.

Singapore KrisFlyer SilkAir 50% Discount

Save 50% on Regional Southeast Asia Awards with SilkAir

It is important to note that this only applies to flights that are operated by SilkAir, Singapore’s regional carrier. SilkAir primarily operates narrow bodies, but they are comfortable for a sub 4-5 hour flight. I flew a SilkAir 737 from Phuket a few years ago and much enjoyed it.
SilkAir Seat, Save 50% on Regional Southeast Asia Awards with SilkAir

You can save 50% on Regional Southeast Asia Awards with SilkAir!

 
The terms of the promotion are pretty simple: Book between 12 June and 11 July, for flights 1 July through 31 October and choose from 53 destinations. 
 
This is for economy and business class awards. But, to be clear, they must be operated by SilkAir. 
 
To give you an idea of some of your options, here’s a snip from Singapore’s website:
 
Singapore KrisFlyer SilkAir 50% Discount

SilkAir Flights eligible for 50% Discount on Award

Singapore KrisFlyer SilkAir 50% Discount

SilkAir Flights eligible for 50% Discount on Award

 
As you can see, you can fly SilkAir to Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos. You can also fly to a number of cities in China, India, Sri Lanka, and even the Maldives! There are even more options for Economy class upgrades. 

Wrapping Up

This is an excellent opportunity if you will be flying to Southeast Asia. Its a great opportunity to nest these 50% award flights with a tough to find over-water flight. It also is an excellent opportunity to leverage if you want to hop around Southeast Asia or even fly up to parts of China or out to the Maldives. 

Will you be leveraging this amazing deal to save 50% on Regional Southeast Asia Awards with SilkAir?

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Devaluation

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Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program has announced that they will be amending their award chart and removing some key benefits. Worse, they’ve essentially given KrisFlyer members only three weeks to respond and plan under the old award chart. While this Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Devaluation is not the end of the world, it is unfortunate.

Background

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program is one of the easier programs to utilize, for a few reasons.

  1. They provide very reasonable amounts of award space to their own members for all cabins.
  2. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is a transfer partner of all major transferable point currencies (Ultimate Rewards, Membership Rewards, Citi Thank You, and Starwood Preferred Guest).
  3. Singapore Airlines operates flights to the US, both direct (SFO-SIN), and via 5th Freedom rights (SIN-NRT-LAX, SIN-FRA-JFK, etc), so you can in theory, fly entirely on Singapore Airlines metal.

Additionally, there hasn’t been a Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Program Devaluation in quite some time. In fact, Singapore’s own announcement states:

We had last made adjustments to award levels in various zones in 2012

Its hard to fault them in this one. Mile Lion has a more complete history of Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer devaluations, if you are curious.

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Devaluation 2017

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Devaluation

There are a few changes that Singapore Airlines is making in 2017. All are very much tied together, but I’ll try to parse them out below:

Award Chart Update: Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer award chart goes by zones (screenshot of old chart), and the fact is, some of those zones are going up. If you compare the old award chart to the new one (screenshot of new award chart), you’ll see that it doesn’t look materially horrible. I’d argue that if it stopped here, its not as bad as the American Airlines devaluation announced in 2015 and enacted in March 2016. 

No More Fuel Surcharges for Awards on Singapore Airlines or Silk Air metal: This is excellent. Its needed. Fuel has been cheap for a while, and I suspect that since some airlines have already done away with the fuel surcharge, it is at least getting on the radar of folks. This is pure money in your pocket. Its not as meaningful as British Airways Avios fuel surcharges, but, its still meaningful. On a recent trip, I paid about $50 in fuel surcharges for a couple of regional business class flights in Asia. Every little bit helps.

So far, we’re looking pretty positive, right?

Wrong. Here’s the kicker:

No More 15% Discount on Mileage Required When Booked Online: Previously you could save 15% of the mileage required by booking online. In fact, if the itinerary was mixed (e.g. business for one leg and Suites for another, like my itinerary last year, you could still get the 15% even by calling, if you at least tried to do it online first). So that changes the math on the devaluation; essentially, the starting point is a 15% increase, rather than the previous award chart.

How big a deal are the changes? I did a brief analysis of traveling from Zone 13, which is the US East Coast and Houston, to Zone 9, which is Eastern Australia and New Zealand, and the difference is pretty drastic, take a look:

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Devaluation

So, using this example above (which I took out the 15% discount from the old chart, mind you), each class of service jumped a bunch, double digits at least. You can look further by looking at the old award chart, and the new one.

The changes go into effect for awards ticketed on or after 23 March 2017 – So if you are looking for an award that you see availability for – do not delay.

Bottom Line

No devaluation is good. This Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer devaluation and past ones seem to have been more reasonable over the years, as compared to some US based airline program award changes. But the fact remains, it hurts. At least Singapore tried to find something of a balance here. I would just argue that if you consider the impact, you must include that 15% discount going away as a comparison.

Of course, there are ways that these new developments can give you an opportunity for savings, you just have to look harder.

What are your thoughts of this devaluation?
 

Could Singapore Airlines and Air France become Partners?

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 SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES
Business Traveller reports that Singapore Airlines and Air France executives recently met to discuss a partnership.
The article cites logical benefits of a partnership means an opportunity to leverage each airlines route network through code-shares, and various other reciprocities like lounges.

Why would Singapore Airlines and Air France Partner?

Its interesting that the argument for this partnership revolves around the ME3. While we hear a lot about the back and forth between the US3 and ME3 over subsidies, the EU3 (if such a thing exists?) likely have similar issues. In 2015, Carsten Spohr made remarks of the “unfair competition” with the ME3 at the Chamber of Commerce’s Aviation 2015.
So I suppose it isn’t surprising to see partnerships like this, that leverage robust regional networks, such as Air France’s Europe and Africa links, and Singapore’s Asia and Australia routes.

Crossing Alliance Boundaries

It seems to me, that airlines are seeking out partnerships more often than incorporating new airlines into the big three alliances. I say that despite Qatar and Sri Lankan joining OneWorld Alliance, and Air India joining Star Alliance. But many airlines are establishing partnerships or equity investments.
For example, you have American Airlines’ partnership with Etihad, Alaska, Air Tahiti Nui, and others. Speaking of Alaska, they aren’t in an alliance, rather opting for strategic partnerships that cross alliance bounds.
So, is it odd for Singapore and Air France to be doing this? Probably not. However, the article does cite that Star Alliance is more strict, and that Singapore likely got some sort of waiver. Candidly, Singapore Airlines seems to be less and less aligned with Star Alliance, over the years, given some equity investments like Virgin Australia.

Wrapping Up

I’m not really sure what kind of time frame we’re looking at here, but it seems to me, that such a partnership could be interesting, especially if KrisFlyer points can be used on Air France metal. They perhaps aren’t the most luxurious airline flying, but Air France certainly flies to some unique places, even if they may not all be the best timed flights.
Besides, you can transfer most of the transferrable currencies to KrisFlyer, so that just opens even more of the world up for award redemptions!
What do you think? Will Singapore Airlines and Air France partner up? Is it  good or bad?

Review: Singapore Airlines – The Private Room

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I woke my wife up about 4:30 in the morning so we had plenty of time at Singapore Airlines’ Private Room. Believe it or not, I think that part worked out ok, other than not having our taxi drop us off at the First Class drop-off. Of course, walking outside to that entrance, meant the lens fogged up.

Needless to say – if you’re flying Singapore First, tell the Taxi to drop you off at the right entrance. The folks there are quite nice, and there’s a very easy, quick, and private immigration line. I dare say, it was a faster transition than Global Entry. Once out, we had to grab a snapshot of the lounge, with our Private Room invitations:

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Singapore Airlines – The Private Room

Once we made it up to the SilverKris lounge, we were escorted through two lounges, to the Private Room

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The Private Lounge itself is nice, though not terribly large. It seemed to be an appropriate size given the amount of passengers we saw while we were there. The window to the left below, looked over the airside, which is always nice. Based on the structure of the partitions, it was easy to feel like there was no one else in the lounge.

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Our first stop however, was the restaurant – we wanted breakfast after all.

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Dining was a la car, with a reasonable menu, given the hour.

My wife ordered the waffles. She enjoyed them (I think my favorite are still the ones at the Emirates First Class Terminal).

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I had the French Toast. I hate to say it, but they weren’t my favorite. The mimosa was good though!

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After breakfast, we moved to sit in the main lounge area.

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In addition to there were some computers to use.

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And some private rooms (ironically within The Private Room).

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Even the restrooms were nice. Not bashful, I took a few shots, since it was of such an early hour, no one else was really in there.

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I didn’t partake of the shower rooms, but those looked nice too.

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There were nice amenities too — I use an electric razor, but the non-electric razor they had totally looked like a brand I’ve resold in the past, so pricey!

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Our Plane:

Before long, it was time to leave, however before we left, we got a nice photo of our plane, which happened to be one of two Singapore SG50 Livery A380’s.

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Review: Singapore A330 Business Class Denpasar-Bali to Singapore

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We had booked this flight as part of a two segment itinerary to Hong Kong. Our first flight got us to Singapore, with an overnight there, before our second segment on the A380 to Hong Kong. Boarding the aircraft was fast and efficient. The only hiccup I had was that I forgot how small the overhead bins on the A330 can be. It took me an extra moment to find space for both my wife and my bags.

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Before long, Abdul came around with pre-departure beverages. My wife selected the last glass of champagne on his tray, which availed me the opportunity to request a mimosa, rather than mixing one myself. He came a moment later, and it was quite good.

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Boarding completed with the business class cabin, at most, half full. That included one infant up front—in fact the crew proactively pulled out a bassinet—and one toddler/walking age who sat behind us. “M” (at least that was how her parents referred to her), got a tour of the cockpit, and seemed to have fun exploring the cabin. Despite two kids, we didn’t hear a whole lot of screaming or crying when the aircraft pressurized.

Once we were in the air, the meal service began. The crew worked relatively quickly, but perhaps not as quickly as I would have expected. I selected the chicken dish, my wife the beef, you can see the photos below:

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We thought both were good, but I was rather surprised at the flavorful-ness of the chicken dish. To accompany my lunch, I started with a Silver Kris Sling. It’s good, but I found it to be a bit on the strong side… I know, surprising, right?

If you’re curious of what is in the Silver Kris Sling, vs. the Singapore Sling, you can see the difference here:

Kris Sling

Silver Kris Sling

Silver Kris Sling

Singapore Sling

Singapore Sling

Singapore Sling

I find it interesting that some of my favorite drinks have Angostura bitters, which doesn’t seem terribly common. The other favorite, being the Rum Swizzle of Bermuda.

Despite some light turbulence, the meal service was complete about halfway into the flight. Overall, the flight was enjoyable for a regional sub-3 hour jaunt.

The Art of the Buttonhole Napkin

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I can’t remember who taught me about the napkin button-hole. I think it was my father, after all, he took to the buttonhole napkin immediately on our last Lufthansa First Class flight. It is truly a marvelous invention, and I can tell you that many spills did not make it to my shirt because of it.

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The buttonhole napkin in its glory on American Airlines.

You see, there is this buttonhole in some napkins. The idea probably harkens back to when folks would stuff the napkin in the neck of their shirt. Well, someone came up with a better way, put a buttonhole, that folks who are wearing either a button down shirt, golf shirt, or really any shirt that has a button somewhat close to the neck, can just put the napkin on that, rather than stuffing it in the neck of their shirt.

I know what you are thinking – this is trivial thing, and it’s just better to not spill food on your shirt to begin with. But you see, between turbulence, and general goofiness, I need this buttonhole. In fact, as I wrote this post, I’m sitting with my napkin still firmly attached to a button on my shirt.

Sporting the buttonhole napkin, and look, in the background another is doing the same!

Sporting the buttonhole napkin, and look, in the background another is doing the same!

In fact, back when I took my brother and father to the Christmas markets, I shared this amazing human innovation with my brother. He took to the buttonhole in the napkin very quickly, leveraging it on the flight I mentioned it on, as well as the following flight. Yet then we got onto an intra-Europe “Club Europe” British Airways flight, and, to our chagrin, there was no buttonhole. I still remember each of us going corner to corner to corner to corner of the napkin provided, with greater dread with each passing corner. When it became apparent, we were faced with a difficult decision. Do we do what our ancestors did, and just stuff it in the neck of our shirt? Or, do we risk it, and just use the napkin on our lap.

This was perhaps my greatest quandary in December. I’m still not sure if I chose wisely! All I can say is that I luckily didn’t spill any of that wonderful clotted cream or jam on my shirt, from our Club Europe British Airways afternoon tea meal service.

And whenever the airline is kind enough to provide a buttonhole on their napkin, you can be sure to find me utilizing it, like recently on Singapore Airlines’ Regional Business Class:

Singapore A330, had to protect the aloha shirt!

Singapore A330, had to protect the aloha shirt!

And of course, flying on Singapore Suites Class:

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Wrapping Up

With that, I would submit that the napkin buttonhole is an innovation that deserves a Nobel Prize, or at least a PF Digest Award!

Have you ever noticed the buttonhole? Have you ever taken advantage of said buttonhole in the napkin? Has this ever saved you from certain doom of a stained shirt while traveling? Please, share your conquests over food-stained shirts in the comment section.

A350-900LR to make Singapore to New York and LA possible again

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Map courtesy of GCMap.com

Map courtesy of GCMap.com

Via the Australian Business Traveller, Airbus has announced that the Airbus A350-900LR will have a range of 8,700 miles, which is enough to fly Singapore to New York and LA.

It isn’t clear how many cabins the aircraft will have, but it will have something in the range of 170 seats, and Airbus note that there will be a new business seat.

Airbus says that they are doing it in such a way, that the aircraft can be reconfigured to a non LR version fairly easily, in the event that the A350-900LR operated flights from Singapore to New York and LA turn out to not be as profitable as envisioned.

To quote Australian Business Traveller‘s article:

Those modifications to the A350-900ULR over its off-the-shelf sibling include “a higher capacity fuel system within the existing fuel tanks”, says Airbus, rather than fitting extra tanks.

The revamped fuel system will boost carrying capacity from 141,000 litres to 165,000 litres and will allow any 900ULR “be reconfigured easily to the standard A350-900 specification” should the non-stop market grow softer than SQ’s current forecasts.

Don’t look for this flight to restart until sometime in 2018, if the schedule holds.

Overall, this is a great development, especially when you consider that Emirates is vying for the longest flight (pulling it away from Qantas)

Singapore Airlines A330 Kneels at the Gate

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Earlier today, casually looking through Twitter, I happened to see and retweet a Singapore Airlines A330 that was either kneeling out of respect, or had a rough night at Singapore’s Changi airport.

It’s always interesting to see what more there is to the story.

Via Avherald the incident happened about an hour before boarding, as a mechanic was on board doing a maintenance check on the landing gear. It’s not yet clear whether the landing gear retracted as part of those maintenance checks, but based on the comments on the above linked post, there are some checks that do require one to select “retract the landing gear” on the ground, but, pins that are put in place, prevent the gear from actually retracting. The result of the incident was not only the A330 with putting its nose to the tarmac (or grindstone perhaps?), but also ripping off door 1L. Here are some photos, all courtesy of AvHerald:

Courtesy of AvHerald

Courtesy of AvHerald

Courtesy of AvHerald

Courtesy of AvHerald

Singapore Airlines’ newest special livery

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Courtesy of Singapore Airlines / Business Traveller

Courtesy of Singapore Airlines / Business Traveller

Courtesy of Business Traveller, Singapore Airlines has unveiled a very cool and colorful looking livery (on not one, but two A380s!), meant to celebrate Singapore’s “Golden Jubilee” (which, if like me, you didn’t know off hand, celebrates the country’s 50th anniversary).

It’s not a surprise when you think of how tied Singapore Airlines is to its home country of Singapore — if you’ve ever flown on them, you may recall that your boarding pass got you a few discounts and other benefits.

Of course, I suppose no livery will match ANA’s R2-D2 livery for me.

What do you think? What are your thoughts of the new livery?

 

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