Singapore Airlines provides a premium travel experience with extensive in-flight entertainment and generally high service quality, making it suitable for those prioritizing comfort and entertainment. Southwest Airlines offers a more budget-friendly option with valuable perks like free checked bags and flexible change policies, appealing to travelers focused on cost savings and convenience.
| Attribute | Singapore Airlines | Southwest Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| On-time arrival performance | 78.67% (within 14:59 minutes of scheduled arrival) | 82.3% (within 15 minutes of scheduled time in February 2025) |
| Baggage handling reliability | Skytrax rating: 3.8 (based on 26 reviews). Some reports of poor handling. | Generally reliable, two free checked bags. |
| In-flight entertainment options | KrisWorld entertainment system (movies, TV shows, music, games, custom playlists, live TV). | Free inflight entertainment via Wi-Fi (movies, live TV, on-demand TV series, free texting), no personal TVs. |
| Seat comfort and legroom | Economy: 32-inch pitch, adjustable headrests. Extra legroom seats available for a fee. Premium Economy: More space and recline. | Seat width: 17.5", seat pitch: 31"-33" (some 737-800/737-MAX aircrafts have a 32-inch pitch). |
| Food and beverage quality | Meals inspired by international cuisine, options for dietary preferences, 'book the cook'. Some find the food average or disappointing. | Complimentary snacks and beverages (pretzels, cookies, non-alcoholic drinks), alcoholic beverages for purchase. |
| Customer service responsiveness | Generally ranked highly, praise for cabin crew attentiveness. Some issues with communication and complaint handling. | Friendly and attentive staff, but some reports of long wait times and rude representatives. |
| Frequent flyer program benefits | KrisFlyer members may receive complimentary Wi-Fi depending on tier and class. Bonus baggage allowances for KrisFlyer and Star Alliance members. | Rapid Rewards program, earn points on flights, no blackout dates. |
| Ticket change and cancellation policies | Rebooks passengers if a flight is canceled, depending on the reason and availability. Check directly with Singapore Airlines for specific assistance. | No change fees, changes/cancellations up to 10 minutes before departure (limitations with "Basic" fares). |
| In-flight Wi-Fi availability and cost | Complimentary Wi-Fi is available for KrisFlyer members, depending on membership tier and class of travel. | $8 per device per flight (free for A-List Preferred members and Business Select customers). |
| Cabin cleanliness and maintenance | Most reviews describe the cabins as clean and well-maintained. Some reviews mention dirty seat areas. | Aims for clean and well-maintained cabins, but some cleanliness issues reported. |
| Safety record and ratings | Reputation for safety and operational reliability, attributed to its young and modern fleet. | Considered one of the safest airlines in the US. |
| Overall value for money | Recognized for high levels of service quality. Overall value for money rating: 3.4 (based on 253 reviews). | Affordable tickets, good value, two free checked bags, no change fees. |