In Reply to: flights posted by abby on Thursday, 21. December 2006 at 14:40 Bali Time:
ust returned on my maiden voyage with Tiger Airways and thought I'd just post my personal opinions on the two budget carriers.
Between the two, there is now without a single doubt that I'd choose Jetstar over Tiger anytime if I have a choice or if I'm travelling to destinations that are served by the two airlines eg. Bangkok, Phuket.
Firstly, I am totally not in favour with Tiger's free-seating policy. It gives one the jitters not knowing where you're gonna sit exactly and doesn't gives you the assurance that you'll definitely be sitting together with your travel partner or companions - well, not unless you're really that typically "kiasu" and make sure you reach the gate the minute it's open. Jetstar's seat assignment policy gives me that additional bit of confidence and lessens the stress on where I get to sit on the aircraft. At least, I can do some duty-free shopping or have a quick bite before boarding, all done at ease knowing that I have a confirmed aisle seat in a section of the plane that I'm comfortable in.
And being in the budget terminal - it really kinda cuts you off from the rest of the "airport crowd". Only Cebu Air and Tiger Airways depart from the budget terminal at this point in time - which on the other hand can also be good news for travellers, because that means faster clearance through Immigration and Customs. Queuing up at the boarding gate at the budget terminal to board one's flight from the tarmac is not something I totally relish either. I dread to think what would happen if it's raining ...
Baggage Allowance - Quoting my Econs teacher's favourite words, If everything else remains the same (ceteris paribus) i.e. same fare, same timing etc., if I had to choose between the two airlines, I'll pick Jetstar simply because of its 20kg free baggage allowance, versus Tiger's 15kg. Sure you have an option to top up your baggage allowance from 15kg to 20kg at the point of your reservation for an additional $15 (and note: you can't do this after you've finished your reservation online), but why would I want to pay additional for what another airline gives me free? And if it means saving me the hassle of having to repack my bags at Bangkok airport (which I did 'coz it weighed 18kg, else they'd charge me an additional S$8.60 X 3 for the extra 3 kilos) because of the shopping I did, and then having to lug that extra baggage around as my hand baggage, give me Jetstar anytime!
Cabin crew - Hmm ... perhaps I'm already partial to Jetstar from the beginning but I think I still prefer the Jetstar crew over the Tiger crew. There's a shadow of the typical "SQ service" with the Tiger crew that doesn't really appeal to me. Not that I dislike the crew when I'm travelling on a Singapore Airlines flight ... but I don't really think the Tiger crew can hold it up on their own. IMHO I find the Jetstar crew more spontaneous, personable and affable.
All in all - I'd put my money on Jetstar and as far as possible, will give Tiger a miss unless something weighs heavily in their favour eg. anniversary fare deals or if I'm travelling to a destination not served by Jetstar.
Just my few cents' worth. No offence intended to Tiger fans ;-)
And a reply-
Just priced up Darwin - Singapore Return in Feb 07
Tiger = $310AUD return
Jetstar = $970AUD return
I would agree to some extent when flying to Bangkok and other destinations, but the journey to Darwin is consistantly cheaper, maybe not always to this extent but Tieger deals are regular and genuine savings...
Bottom line is when you are 1/3 of the competetive price, you can take a few hits in the service area. I am not a cheapskate on travel, but would rather have another $1200 in my pocket for two people to spend in the destination, as both are discount services after all