Choosing Between Singapore Airlines Vs Emirates

Hubs & Destinations

Emirates’ Victory 

Emirates, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, serves  a remarkable 133 destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific. Notably, it includes service to 12 cities in the United States, such as Boston, Chicago-O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, and more. What sets Emirates apart is its independent status, as it is not a part of any airline alliance, allowing it to establish its own extensive network of routes worldwide.

On the other hand, Singapore Airlines, Singapore's national carrier, provides connectivity to 139 airports spanning 34 countries. Among its offerings, Singapore Airlines connects with six U.S. cities, including Houston-Intercontinental, Los Angeles, New York-John F. Kennedy, and others. Notably, Singapore Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, a global network that extends its reach to almost 1,250 destinations across the globe. While this affiliation enhances its connectivity, Emirates surpasses it in terms of the sheer number of destinations it serves independently, establishing its leadership in this category.

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Difference in Classes

It’s a tie!

Emirates and Singapore Airlines both offer top-notch premium cabin services that are known for their luxury and comfort. They have various premium classes, including first and business classes, along with economy seating, and consistently receive praise for their high-end services.

Emirates provides four classes on international flights: economy, premium economy, business, and first class. Business class passengers enjoy flat beds and gourmet food, and there's even an onboard bar on the Airbus A380. First-class passengers have private suites, fine dining, champagne, a shower spa, and a lounge bar, plus free chauffeur-driven transfers.

Singapore Airlines also offers the same four classes:  first, business, premium economy, and economy classes. First class on their Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 planes includes fine dining, champagne, and seats that turn into flat beds. Business class passengers can preselect meals and have the option to turn select seats into double beds on the A380.

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Baggage Allowance & Extra Fees

It’s a tie!

Both Emirates and Singapore Airlines offer varying baggage allowances depending on factors like cabin class, route, and fare type. In general, for economy class, both airlines usually allow one to two pieces of checked baggage, with a maximum weight of around 50 pounds (23 kilograms) per piece. Business class passengers tend to enjoy a more generous baggage allowance, often up to two pieces, each weighing up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms), while first-class passengers typically have even higher allowances, sometimes up to three pieces, with the same weight limit.

For cabin baggage, both airlines typically permit one piece of carry-on luggage and one small personal item for all classes, with maximum dimensions for the cabin baggage typically around 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20 cm). However, it's crucial to check the specific baggage policies for your particular flight, as allowances may vary depending on the route, fare class, and any changes in airline policies. Always refer to the most current information on the airlines' official websites or contact them directly to ensure you have the accurate baggage details for your trip.

When it comes to extra fees, there's a tie between Emirates and Singapore Airlines. Many airlines impose charges for services like seat selection and extra baggage. Comparing the fees of these two airlines, Singapore Airlines has lower seat selection fees, while Emirates offers more favorable rates for additional baggage.

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Loyalty Programs

Singapore Airlines wins 

When it comes to airline loyalty programs, Singapore KrisFlyer stands out as the winner for its simplicity and value. Emirates operates the Skywards program, offering various elite status levels that provide mileage bonuses based on membership tier. However, redemption rates for Emirates flights have recently increased, making award flights more costly. For instance, a round-trip business class journey from San Francisco to Dubai requires 256,500 Skywards miles and additional fees.

In contrast, Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer program offers straightforward mileage accrual and competitive redemption rates. A round-trip business class flight from San Francisco to Singapore costs 214,000 KrisFlyer miles with minimal taxes and fees. KrisFlyer miles can also be used for Star Alliance Round The World Awards with flexible point transfer options from U.S.-based credit card programs, making it easier and more cost-effective to earn and redeem miles through Singapore Airlines.

While Emirates lacks alliance membership, it boasts a wider destination network compared to Singapore Airlines. Nonetheless, for loyalty program enthusiasts, Singapore KrisFlyer outshines Emirates Skywards.

When it comes to premium services, both Emirates and Singapore Airlines excel, particularly in first class. Ultimately, your choice between the two should be based on factors such as cost-effectiveness, convenient flight schedules, and the number of stopovers that align with your travel preferences.