Comparative Airline Experience

Comparative Airline Experiences

There are obviously multiple choices in airlines, fare combinations and of course ways of getting to and from Australia. In our case we wanted to go to Britain first for a few weeks and then head off to the continent – specifically Frankfurt in Germany, to pick up a campervan and then head off and see things.

The only option which was possible for us was a combination with the Star Alliance requiring that we use Singapore Airlines to Singapore and then from there travel with Lufthansa.

Having travelled with both airlines before, I have to say that my response to this option was less than enthusiastic. Let me be clear, Singapore airlines are among the finest in the world. Their service even in economy class is absolutely first rate; their food is terrific; their ability to provide personalised video and other services directly to your own seat is exceptional. Lufthansa on the other hand offers a lesser service and unfortunately was the carrier of ‘choice’ for the longer part of the journey.

Unlike passengers of Singapore airlines, Lufthansa treats its economy class passengers as if they were in ‘cattle class’. I am not referring here to the penchant that Germans seem to have had for transporting people in cattle trucks during WW II, however they do NOT offer the choice of videos and other services at your seat like Singapore airlines and they do not appear to have service personnel whose entire existence seems to be based making your journey comfortable. They do not provide some of the little luxuries that are available on Singapore airlines – like a tooth cleaning kit, a set of on board slippers and most importantly their luggage allowances are smaller than those of their service partner Singapore Airlines.

That said, both airlines appear to have a good safety record and so there is a better chance that you will actually arrive at your destination following the journey than with some airlines I have had the dubious pleasure of travelling with in the past.

The seating in the economy section of both airlines is of course less capacious than either business or first class. However, since both airlines use the Boeing 747 for transporting their passengers (at least at present) it is noteworthy that the seats on  Singapore Airlines are not only more comfortable, but are wider than those available on Lufthansa. RECARO seats are simply better able to provide lumbar support to passenger on the long journeys where comfort and physical well being are both essential ingredients for travelling pleasure.

Let us now come to airport hub facilities. At Changi airport there is a hotel actually inside the terminal so that people who have to stay over for a more than 8 hour connection with their next flight can arrange a room and sleep there to get rid of jet lag or simply to get comfortable for the next leg of their journey. No such comfort awaits the passenger who arrives at Frankfurt airport.

All in all on a comparative analysis – if it is at all possible to make a journey to Europe using Singapore airlines – take it! If it involves it’s partner Lufthansa – look actively for another alternative.