QANTAS or Singapore Airlines?
I plan on booking a return trip from Sydney, Australia to Olso, Norway. Departure around the end of November, 2011 with the return around the end of February, 2012 (I am flexible in terms of dates). I have looked up the prices around a couple of online flight booking websites however with further research, decided it was better to book with a travel agent for an international flight. So, I have looked up the prices on the website of the travel agent I plan on making the booking with. At first, I was thinking of going with the cheapest ticket which was KLM Royal Dutch Airlines but after a few Google searches, came to the conclusion that it was probably more wiser to pay the extra money for better service. So, after having removed a couple of other airlines from my possible options, I am now left with QANTAS or Singapore Airlines. With QANTAS, it will be around $2223.14 and for Singapore Airlines, $2495.94. I've moreover checked both airlines on SKYTRAX and QANTAS is 8/10, with Singapore Airlines as 8.5/10. So, there is really only a '0.5' difference between them there. I've read up good things about both airlines but I'm still uncertain. I know that it will be a long flight so obviously seat comfort, food and entertainment do remain as being factors to consider. However, is there a need to spend possibly an extra $272.80 for a supposedly better airline or will it be fine to just travel with QANTAS? Plus, if it does make any difference, my actual destination will be Bergen so I need further travelling costs there and back as well. So, that's why I just want to be definite as to whether spending the extra money is necessary.
Air Travel - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
It's always better to fly with your 'own' airline, if you're a native from Australia, it's Qantas. Home airlines tend to cater to needs and preferences of natives, the magazines, meal menus etc. are all chosen based on natives' favorites. The other important factor is you can accumulate air miles when you fly, the chances you are going to fly Qantas again should be much greater than flying with a foreign airline.
2 :
If the only choice is between QANTAS and Singapore Airlines I would go for QANTAS. Singapore Airlines do not offer direct flights from Singapore to Oslo. You would need to transit through either Frankfurt/Germany or Copenhagen/Denmark and continue your flight on either Lufthansa or SAS. This requires to pass through either German or Danish immigration. The flights between the so called 'Schengen' countries are internal flights without immigration controls. Flights from Frankfurt or Copenhagen to Oslo depart from the national/Schengen part of the airport. International transit without immigration control is not possible. The stopover time of only 1:05 hours to 1:20 hours will result in a 'nervously queuing' at immigration with the self-question asked: will I make it to my connection flight?? http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Europe_Schengen .. The transit at London travelling on QANTAS will be more smoother. You will be able to stay airside without passing British immigration and you will be transported by designated buses to the departure terminal. However you will have a 6 ½ hours stopover at London of you want to travel on a flight operated by QANTAS; the other flights offered and sold by QANTAS are actually performed by the allied airline British Airways. Maybe you should still reconsider your plans and book on KLM. The flight will take you directly into Bergen with stopovers at Singapore and Amsterdam. Qantas Airways flights 31; departs 17:30 Kingsford Smith (SYD); arrives 22:30 Changi (SIN) stopover in Singapore (SIN) for 2h 45m KLM Royal Dutch flight 836; departs 01:15 Changi (SIN); arrives 07:50 Amsterdam - Schiphol (AMS) stopover in Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS) for 2h 50m KLM Royal Dutch flights 1187 operated by KLM Cityhopper; departs 10:40 Amsterdam - Schiphol (AMS); arrives 12:30 Bergen - Flesland (BGO) flight time: 8h 10m + 13h 35m + 1h 50m = 23h 35m stopover time: 3h 40m + 2h 50m = 6h 30m total travel time: 30h 05m The stopover time of 2h 50m at Amsterdam (or 2h 00m on the return flight) is sufficient to clear immigration without hustle.
3 :
Singapore Airlines!!!
4 :
Given the choice between Singpaore Airlines, Qantas or KLM, I would choose Singapore every time. They win more "best airline" awards than any other airline, have incredible food (for an airline) and the service is as good as it gets. You also will layover at Singpore's Changi Airport which is one of the best airports in the world for a number of reasons. Singapore Airlines can be more expensive, otherwise I would consider KLM and Qantas to be about equal regarding service and amenities and would choose the airline with the best price and flight and layover times.
