Kinglobjaw's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘singapore’

I was just playing around on Singaporeair.com and pricing fares for “R” class between London Heathrow and Sydney via Singapore for a one way trip I could end up taking in July 2009. 

For those who don’t know, “R” class on Singapore Airlines is the Suites cabin on the Airbus A380. You cannot upgrade into the Suites cabin and you can’t use miles to reserve an award for an A380 Suite. At this point in time, only $ talks when it comes to the A380 Suites.

Naturally, I was wondering how much elite qualifying and redeemable miles I would earn in the Dividend Miles program should I choose to book “R” class. You won’t believe it, NOTHING! Iwas stunned!

I will have to look into this and probably contact someone from Tempe. I find it very odd- I’m just not sure whether it’s a typo or if they are serious. I understand no earning miles/ less miles earned on cheaper fares like the BMI “V” fare, but “R” class on SQ? Come on! I’m sure it’s just a typo. Well, I’m hoping! Should report back soon.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Just found this picture on Airliners.net; it was taken at San Fransisco International Airport. Very fitting give the recent codeshare extension between US and Singapore Airlines. The two carriers will now codeshare on US Airways’ Phoenix to Houston services in addition to the codeshare services announced in 2008.

Singapore Airlines has chosen US Airways for codesharing over United due to US’ superior on-board service, better airport lounges and frequent flyer program.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

What has Windows XP SP 3, an 8.9 inch LCD screen and a full QWERTY type keyboard?

Answer:  A Dell Inspiron Mini 9! A truly blogable device that will even fit in smallest book bag or purse. They’re coming out with a 12, but if you want to keep it small, go with the 9. And while in the aviation world bigger is better and more fun, when you mix blog writing, laptops and travel- smaller does turn out to be wiser.

So it has been a while since I’ve talked to all you fine folks and I wanted to assure you I have not turned my back on you. What has changed? The last time you thought about me, I was 18- now not so much. 19 here and every flight I take less people consider me the “brat” who stole their last available upgrade seat. I sure miss those days!

What’s new, you ask?

A lot has happened since my few hours in PIT. Aside from fuel going sky high and falling down low, one of the best TV series fast forwarding 5 long years into the future, world’s longest all-business class legacy airline flight making it’s way from EWR to SIN and a few other things, I’m still good!

What’s coming, you ask?

I think my tiny photography hobby might be growing in the upcoming months. I’ve upgraded my simple digital point and shoot camera to the Canon EOS 50D. Get ready for some nicer, higher quality travel photos.

Back in September five airlines allocated in two opposing teams fought for the honor of giving up 2 of their highly coveted “O” and “I” class award seats in First/Business Class for Kinglobjaw’s 150,000 (X2) US Airways Dividend Miles Award from USA to Africa.

Team Europe included Lufthansa (LH) and Swiss Intl Airlines (LX) and offered a tempting LAX-FRA-MUC-ZRH-JNB-FRA-LAX which consisted of upper deck 747 First Class on 3 flights, a First Class Terminal visit in FRA, a ride on the rare A300, and exquisite Swiss hospitality service generations have raved about.

Team Asia which included ANA (NH), Singapore Airlines (SQ) and Thai International Airways (TG) offered an exotic ORD-NRT-BKK-JNB-BKK-NRT-ORD involved the elegant Japanease service, the warm and friendly Singapore Girl and the Royal Orchid service by Thai was another excellent choice. NH is known for delicious food and Thai’s First Class lounge at BKK is a true rival for Lufthansa’s FRA First Class terminal due to it’s Royal Orchid Spa.

The winner? Before the decision, only one airline knew it would win regardless of which of the above choices would be selected. Team Africa! Since, JNB isn’t the final destination, there is only one Star Alliance carrier that could fly me from JNB-MRU and back. South African Airways, I’m ready to try your Business Class.

Alright! Alright! You want to know what option was selected between the United States and JNB? Both choices were available in First Class all the way through to JNB, so this decision was tougher than most would expect. In the end Lufthansa and Swiss were chosen. Lufthansa’s ultra private upper deck First Class experience on the B747, the FRA First Class terminal and the option of flying Swiss is what made me choose the two carriers for the July 2009 trip. Plus, I’m dying to fly an A300, especially since Lufthansa is one of the oldest operators of the type and is slowly, but surely beginning to retire them. Therefore, I hope my flight won’t be downgraded to a narrow body. I want to save airlines SQ, NH, TG, and OZ for my next trip to Asia. To my readers, which option would you pick?

A) LAX-FRA (Lufthansa 747) + 1 night in FRA for Zzzz’s…
FRA-MUC (Lufthansa A300), MUC-ZRH (SWISS AVRO RJ100), ZRH-JNB (SWISS A340)

Return: JNB-FRA-LAX (Both 747’s on Lufthansa)

B) ORD-NRT (ANA 777) + 1 night in NRT for Zzzzz’s
NRT-BKK (Singapore Airlines 777), BKK-JNB (Thai A346)

Return: JNB-BKK (Thai A346), BKK-NRT (Thai 777), NRT-ORD (ANA 777)

What else is new, your ask? I’m planning a fun mileage run since I think I can find lower deals than the US Airways’ Buy Up to Preferred program.

I really want to try to find a deal to Seattle, WA (SEA). I love the city and I want to check out the Boeing museum. Plus, if I can get a free night at the Seattle Airport Marriott that would be fantastic. It is my favorite property near the SEA airport. Their indoor pool is amazing. Few airport properties in the USA are this nice. Marriott sure did an excellent job here. Enough with the words, sometimes pictures do indeed speak more than words.

Pretty long post, but totally worth it since I messed up big time by not posting for a few months. I’m really sorry about that, but I won’t forget this blog or my readers- I promise.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

People often complain about redeeming miles. But for me, part of the pleasure of flying on an award ticket is actually booking it!

Yes, you heard me right. But it’s not necessarily skill, but strategy. A little bit of ANA Tool, a little bit of SQ SQ on Seatcounter and a chit chat with the Chairman’s Preferred Desk. In the end? 3 Business Class tickets routed EWR-SIN-MLE-SIN-LAX-JFK on combo of Singapore Airlines and United Airlines PS First Class on LAX-JFK. Sounds nice. But what if you find out that your Skybed would suddenly be converted to this:

Singapore Airlines’ recent announcement confirmed rumors of EWR-SIN and LAX-SIN nonstop services going all Business Class. These flights will feature 100 new Business Class seats that are currently installed on Singapore’s A380 and 77W aircraft. I must say I am very excited about my outbound leg. Not only will be flying the longest flight in the world on one of the world’s best airlines, I will experience the newest and most luxurious Business Class offered. In the books it has to go down as a Royal Event.

So what does it mean to fly on single cabin plane where the cabin is not coach? Surely the amenities are wondrous, the service is exceptional and the clientele? Holds on to very high expectations, every single minute of this 18 hour 50 minute journey! Do I have any expections? Of course- just one. To not allow myself any sleep, to be awake each and every second of 67,800. I mean it has be captured not as a dream, but as a reality.

Singapore Airlines flight 21 departs with me on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 11:00PM. Look for the navy suit with the US Airways pin. In the end, it’s all thanks to US.

And just so we’re clear; a range extending 9535 miles seperates Newark, NJ and Singapore, all of which can be easily covered nonstop with a Singapore Airlines Airbus A345.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark