Singapore Airlines wins awards for being the best airline. You get more privileges if you book a premium economy seat, or are a frequent flyer.
My husband earlier this year took a flight to Singapore on a longer but cheaper Air Indian route instead of direct on Singapore Airlines, at a considerable saving. The alternative flight he chose involved a stopover of a few hours at an airport in India. Was it worth it and would he do it again, or recommend it to me or you?
I thought that having an Indian meal, or two, might be interesting. It could be fun, seeing another country's foreign airport in transit.
He said these were the advantages.
1 He saved a lot of money.
2 The Indian food was better, more interesting.
3 He was able to use a lounge during the stopover.
If you don't have a free lounge linked to your regular airlines, the cost of using a lounge on a one-off basis as a paying guest might still leave you considerably better off than flying on a more expensive leg of the journey.
The disadvantages:
Packing comparison
Increased risk of losing luggage, or personal items you accidentally leave behind in the transit airport or extra flight when you are overtired and stressed and thinking about making your connection.
Carrying bulky items such as climbing sticks for trekking is a nuisance when you have to keep hold of them in transit. He had to take a larger suitcase in order to pack them into checked luggage.
Not using the regular airline which gave him extra luggage weight allowance meant he could not pack food and drink in heavy bottles in a bulky heavy container. He had to decant wine into a Platy Preserve and take a lighter folding cool bag.
Frozen food and perishable food and drink would be in transit longer and less likely to be fresh or even edible and drinkable at the other end.
In Flight Comparison
On one leg of the flight he had no movie screen, no pillow and no blanket. When he asked, he was given a pillow borrowed from another class.
Verdict
Even if you don't mind the hours at the transit airport, the entire time spent between leaving home and reaching your destination might be exhausting or eat into a holiday or working week.
So he saved money in peak season, but will return to his favourite airline in the off season when prices are lower.
Useful Websites
https://www.flyertalk.com/articles/airlines-targeted-in-google-search-scam.html
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