A couple of questions about Singapore Air, transit hotel and the A380.

**LKC** · 24-11-2008, 01:40 PM

Well, oh and I have decided to bite the bullet and try and book our flights this week some time, for the middle of Jan. Might be a bit rash since the visa hasn't come, but our agent says that even if it isn't here (it's a 457) we can come on a business ETA because for the first four-six weeks in Australia hubby won't actually be working, just the odd meeting etc.

Anyhow, I have a couple of questions about Singapore Air and the A380. We flew Qantas last time and whilst they were fine, we heard that Singapore are better with children (not that we had any probs with Qantas), plus the oh has decided that he would like to go on the A380. So, are Singapore better with children? What is the A380 like to fly on and am I right in thinking that you can plug things like laptops in (to play dvd's for our toddler if the entertainment doesn't meet with her approval)? Looking at the flight times, the A380 leaves either at 11am or 10pm. When we flew in Sept, we had a midday flight which was terrible - the children didn't sleep so I was wondering if anyone had experience of the night flight with young children. Also, because we would prefer to land in Sydney late afternoon/early evening we were thinking of a few hours in transit hotel in Singapore so we can get the second flight we want. Any advice/experience of this would also be great. Would we need a visa or anything for the transit hotel, or since you don't leave the airport, not?

I presume that if we book the tickets and then our plans get held up in any way, we can change them for a fee.

Any pearls of wisdom etc would be most gratefully received. Thanks!

**WARDStoOZ** · 24-11-2008, 02:43 PM

Hi LKC!

Well, I flew on the Singapore Airlines A380 at the end of June and I have to say that they were fantastic! The A380's a great plane - feels like it takes forever to take off though lol but it feels like any other plane once you're on board as you are not allowed to move from one storey to another... or atleast we weren't!

I'd say that they would be great with young kids and I think you can plug electronic items into the headrest in front to use laptops etc.

Definately go for the night flight!

Hope that helps!

Dan xx

**ellie2** · 24-11-2008, 06:54 PM

Havent been on the A380, just flown on the 777 twice with Singapore, both great flights and they seem to be great with children (ours are all grown up now)
The transit hotel at the new terminal which singapore airways uses is great, it had only been open for 1 week when we used it in February, its well worth the stop as your not as tired when you arrive.

Christine

**KP Nuts** · 24-11-2008, 07:30 PM

We only came over two weeks ago, and we used Singapore, they were great, our children are abit older 14 and twins of 12, but they had enough with the films and games to keep them going, also we left on Sunday at 22.10 got to Singapore at 18.45 (I think) and then left again at 23.55 and got into Adelaide at 09.25 on Tuesday, much better flying at night.

Good luck

KP Nuts

**slipshot** · 25-11-2008, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by LKC

Well, oh and I have decided to bite the bullet and try and book our flights this week some time, for the middle of Jan. Might be a bit rash since the visa hasn't come, but our agent says that even if it isn't here (it's a 457) we can come on a business ETA because for the first four-six weeks in Australia hubby won't actually be working, just the odd meeting etc.

Anyhow, I have a couple of questions about Singapore Air and the A380. We flew Qantas last time and whilst they were fine, we heard that Singapore are better with children (not that we had any probs with Qantas), plus the oh has decided that he would like to go on the A380. So, are Singapore better with children? What is the A380 like to fly on and am I right in thinking that you can plug things like laptops in (to play dvd's for our toddler if the entertainment doesn't meet with her approval)? Looking at the flight times, the A380 leaves either at 11am or 10pm. When we flew in Sept, we had a midday flight which was terrible - the children didn't sleep so I was wondering if anyone had experience of the night flight with young children. Also, because we would prefer to land in Sydney late afternoon/early evening we were thinking of a few hours in transit hotel in Singapore so we can get the second flight we want. Any advice/experience of this would also be great. Would we need a visa or anything for the transit hotel, or since you don't leave the airport, not?

I presume that if we book the tickets and then our plans get held up in any way, we can change them for a fee.

Any pearls of wisdom etc would be most gratefully received. Thanks!

ha ha - going through the same thing as you and same date(s) - I'm looking at about the 13th or so of January but we're flexible. Given we have a 4 year old, 2 year old and 6 month old, it's key for me to get a decent flight for them having dine it before with kids, it can be a nightmare.

I like the 380 because of the power pack. It sounds strange but I'd rather pay more and have the kids entertained or asleep than crying and annoying other passengers - as it used to annoy me before I had kids and became far less selfish!

**hannahf** · 25-11-2008, 09:41 AM

Hi, We leave on Saturday, flying from Heathrow to Sydney with Singapore on the A380. I chose Singapore because of their reputation with children, we have a 17 month old. We leave Heathrow 10.05pm arrive in Singapore the following evening, have six hours there for which we have booked into the transit hotel and then fly out again half past midnight to arrive in sydney 11.00 Monday morning. I will post a review as soon as I am back online next week.
Hannah

**J.Hornby** · 25-11-2008, 10:12 AM

Hi LKC,

We just flew with Singapore for our holiday but didn't get the A380. We also chose them because of their reputation but feel I have to comment. Apart from getting her meal first, my 10 year old was treated in exactly the same way as all other passengers with the exception of one of the shorter flights when they gave her extra nuts and smiled alot. When they asked her name, I thought it was a nice personal touch but it was never referred to again. I understand it must be hard flying for such a long time but Singapore haven't made me think that I'll never fly with anybody else. In fact, I would actively seek out cheaper flights next time and take loads of snacks as we missed out on alot. The entertainment was good although I have heard that Eithad(?) are offering a good service and are very competative. Just feel that Singapore was ok but didn't live up to the hype.