I DON’T GET IT: How Has Singapore Airlines Gone This Far Downhill???

Intro

Earlier today, I was back on board my arch nemesis, Singapore Airlines, and as much as I want to love the airline with the amount I fly with them, they frustrate the living heck out of me. 

I have tried and tried to love this airline, but today was yet another example of why this airline is just going downhill. 

What Happened To Drink Orders?

Please, let me elaborate here. I am grateful to be flying business/first class most of the time, but with that, I like sharing experiences with which airline I believe is the best. So for those who are splurging, you can book the better business class. 

However, today I finally thought I had a good crew on board SQ. Everyone was chipper, including the lovely Bulgarian (weird ha) purser. Cue the woman FA working my aisle. 

40 minutes after takeoff, she comes around and drops my lunch on the table. Cool, I don’t mind much, but she just said, “Here is your fish”. No offer of a drink or anything. Only when I called her back and asked that she finally say, “Okay, champagne”. 

Ahhhh, SQ, what has happened?

Please go on to correct me if I am wrong, but even on US carriers, they would never offer a meal without a drink. And then you combine that with the bread service coming around 20 minutes after your meal is served. Why not just delay the meal 20 minutes? 

Please, for the life of me, I just don’t get it. 

IFE

Okay, yes, I am on a rip and run with SQ at the moment, but for good reason. What on earth is their issue with their IFE system? We were on the plane for 56 minutes before the IFE was turned on. Why? Well, only after the seatbelt sign has been turned off does the IFE system switch on. 

I would have loved to review the IFE, but it didn't work...

Yes, in the grand scheme of things, this is not a big issue whatsoever. But once again, it comes back to this: what other “premium” airline does this? I can’t think of one. 

Why I Am Frustrated With SQ

I want to like Singapore Airlines, I really do. It’s an airline that has a vast network, an incredible F product, and was once one of the best in the world. But I am frustrated as they are becoming an airline that is cutting corners and relying on reputation. Flying SQ used to be polished, but honestly, I would rather fly an angled flat seat on TG than SQ at this point. 

It frustrates the living heck out of me, because if you went to a restaurant and ordered a steak, would your wine come 20 minutes later? It’s common sense, and for an airline that is this “prestigious”, common sense has clearly flown out of the window from FL360. 

Yes, these are entirely first-world problems, and believe me, I have seen the poorest places in the world in person, from Myanmar to South Sudan to Madagascar to Somalia. But I am trying to get this message off: stop paying thousands of dollars to fly Singapore J. F is great, J cuts corners.

Final Thoughts

I am currently being driven up a wall by Singapore Airlines after giving them another shot earlier today. While having a lie-flat seat is always lovely, Singapore Airlines is cutting corners and frankly, becoming lazy. 

But stay tuned, as my next post will talk about the return flight might have been the best service I have ever experienced...

Side note: I want to make it clear that the decline has come in the past 15 months for SQ. I have praised them in the past for the most unbelievable service, but if you know anything about me, I am honest. The airline is slipping, and it’s beginning to show. There are no bells and whistles anymore, just relying on reputation.