Travelling with Singapore Airlines is so far, so good. I must say, its services are at par with global standards; no wonder, it is capable of providing its passengers the real comfortable experience. SIA is what a flag carrier should be. I hope some owners or executives of other flag carriers must take SIA flights and take the opportunity to learn about the airline’s best practices and probably, apply them on their own. Just like the country it represents, SIA does not content with mediocrity; instead, it continues to reinvent and improve itself to be the best. From the few flag carriers I traveled with, SIA is on top of my list. Keep up the great work err flight!

When you travel overseas, achieving what you set out to do in the destination is the singular most important part of the process. In doing that, one contends with culture shock, unfamiliar environment, climate and time zone change, jetlag etc.

And the last thing one needs is coping with more hassles getting there and back. Air travel brings with it a whole host of other potential problems such as punctuality (whether caused by weather, politics, natural and man-made calamities or aircraft serviceability etc). There are airlines which treats you like just another passenger - unless you travel in the front pointy end of the plane and there are airlines - relatively few airlines - that do a great job making earning your loyalty and trust. And one such airline is Singapore Airlines.

Sure there are those who don't find their cabin staff chatty enough but hey, did you buy an air ticket for a chat at cruise altitude? In delivering its core competencies in the most professional and caring manner possible, SIA consistently hit the mark and often exceed it. I flew SIA more than 100 times in the last 25 years and I have perhaps only been irate enough to consider providing a negative feedback just once. Yes only just once. You talk about consistency, SIA understands what that means.

It possibly one of the greatest way to fly.

I had my experience once during my flight from SG to shanghai. That flight was full and the food serve portion indeed was quite small for a big eater for me. My colleague ask the air stewardess for additional portion if there's possible and the air stewardess jokingly mentioned that add rice need to pay extra 50 cents. Even though at the end, I didn't take their offer for the extra meals, but that air stewardess did tried to ask me if I am enough with the food whenever she passby my row.
And she was one of the senior staff (judging from her uniform).
I would says that their service does varies, not all are good but yet not all are bad.
Anyway I would say that they are at least better than other European/US airline cabin crew.

I guess different airlines have different business strategy and that depends on whether you accept that. In many situations, SQ has the right formula.

If you ask me whether I will take SQ for a higher price, to Bangkok or Hong Kong, the answer is no. But if you ask me whether I will take SQ to Taiwan, where the cheaper alternatives means higher risk (the taiwan airlines) or longer travel time (Cathay Pacific does not fly SG-TW direct), then maybe I can take a higher price differential.

I had a chance (or rather 3 trips) to go to Toronto for work purpose and I took different airlines on the trip. It simply reinforce the fact that SQ is the first choice for business trip (and that is one of their business strategy).

- my first trip was a economy class entitlement and I took the Newark (longest flight in the world) where it was executive economy, plus a domestic flight from US to Toronto.
- my 2nd trip was a biz class entitlement and I took SQ to Hong Kong Air Canada to Toronto, and back was Air Canada to Tokyo SQ.
- my 3rd trip was a biz class entitlement and I got back on United Airlines SQ Newark.

The first trip was pleasant, even though it was only executive economy for such a long journey. They had food available at a corner for us to stretch and eat and I could repeatedly ask for my favourite Singapore Sling. Although it was not flat bed, the seat is still very cosy.

The 2nd trip with Air Canada, did make me feel that SIA girls are too "cold" as compared to Air Canada. But at the same time, I was thinking whether being "warm" is good, since I got the front seats of the biz class and I could hear them talking behind the curtains, not something I would like, as a biz class passenger. And, the biz class seats for such a long flight (Toronto-Tokyo/HK), does not seem any much better than the SQ Newark exec econ class. And my HK-Toronto Air Canada flight was also delayed. I ended up having to keep running out of the SQ biz class lounge in HK to check out the Air Canada's revised flight timing.

The 3rd trip was the ultimate which made me say SQ is the first choice for biz trip. My United Airlines flight was delayed for nearly 3 hours!!!! And imagine how I will get stuck at the Newark Airport if I miss the SQ Newark flight???? And was I given anything in compensation?? NO!!
(Luckily for me, my travel agent did warn me and also arranged a longer transit time. And must reinforce that my flight to Toronto, I had very little transit time due to the lack of flights, but I never had to rush as SQ actually reach earlier than targeted.)

In comparison, SQ had a better compensation scheme. When I took the SQ Newark exec econ back, I was told that the exec econ class was over-booked and SQ is willing to compensate SGD 400 (or so) a fully paid hotel stay to whoever who wait till the next day flight 24 hours later.
- I wonder if I will get to see excellent service (like sending me to the hotel, etc) if I do take up this offer. Too bad, the 24 hours wait does not allow.

Some will say why did SQ even allow over-booking in the first place? Is their booking system screwed up?
- No. I find this good instead. Because they allow passenger to change flight dates up to 24 hours before the flight. Hence, they allow over-booking initially to ensure the flight still maintains enough passenger to cover costs. But at least they have a compensation plan in place.