Ever since the SQ check-in desks have been moved to the left of the Virgin desks, the whole check-in process has been less depressing.
Check-in took no time and I was on my way through to the air-side lounge
However, I was slightly disappointed that we were not able to use Virgin's private security lane.
Also, one can no longer use the Virgin Clubhouse.
This WAS a great perk if you have a SQ PPS card. No longer
.
.
The SQ lounge was basic and dated with some sandwiches, nibbles, soup and the usual drinks. One could also order a hot panini from the kitchen.
At least this lounge has windows with views over the SAS gates.
.
.
Boredom soon set in and as the flight shown as boarding ( SQ starts boarding approx 45 minutes before departure time); I sauntered slowly over to the A380 gates. Only a few minutes walk from the Lounge.
The boarding process had just started. This A380 gate has separate waiting areas for Premium and Economy class passengers.
One of the gate staff saw my "Suites" boarding pass and personally escorted me pass the lines of other business class passengers, through the locked glass door separating Premium and Eco passengers...and straight into the pier for the plane's lower door 2L, pushing-in before the boarding Eco passengers! He escorted me up to the very door of the plane, introduced me to the head FA and wished me a pleasant flight.
The FA escorted me to my seat( 1A) and immediately took my jacket.
Then came the drinks orders. I went for a nicely chilled glass of Krug with some warmed nuts.
Afterwards, came the newspapers; magazines; slippers, eye-shades and socks; a black Givenchy sleep suit ( medium size for me); Ferragamo amenity kit; Bose noise canceling ear -phones; leather Menu folder....and finally a top-up of my Krug
The view out of suite 1A.
.
.
Interesting to note that each suite has this card placed on the side console:-
.
.
Departure was on time. The take off itself felt powerful but strangely very quiet.
.
.
Another drinks service was offered immediately after the crew were 'released'.
A FA came by, (SQ FAs always seem to kneel down to be on the same eye level as a seated passenger), and took the lunch orders; she also asked if I would like to be woken up for breakfast.
The head FA came around and we had a very chatty and jokey conversation. Not at all "robotic" ; as some have mentioned.
(The entire scanned menu is at the end of this trip report.)
Lunch service.
First came the Satay appetizer with peanut sauce. ( My favourite . Juicy and flavorsome.)
Sorry forgot to take a photo! Gobbled it up to quickly! Was going to ask for another portion. But with quite a few more courses to go. I decided not.
Chilled malossol caviar.
.
.
Place setting.
.
.
Watercress soup with pork and red dates
.
.
Honey roasted assorted beets and frisee, spinach, wild rucola and walnut.
.
.
Nasi Padang.
(Indonesian style steamed rice with prawn sambal, lamb rendang, vegetable omelette and pickled vegetables)
Really tasty!
.
.
Warm fig tart with honey-thyme ice cream, raspberry coulis.
I loved the honey thyme flavoured ice-cream
.
.
Chesses.
(I decided not to have this)
Fruits.
( I decided not to have this)
.
Coffee( Blue mountain) with pralines.
.
.
Time for bed.
I asked one of he FAs to put the bed down for me. While I went to change into my SQ Givenchy branded sleep-suit.
The mattress is totally separate from the seat. It drops down from the back wall. The side console in turn drops down to near the floor, to make way for the mattress.
The large toilet with drop down leather seating bench.
.
.
The bed in mood lighting.
.
.
View from the bed, showing how private it is.
.
.
Entertainment view from the bed.
.
.
I slept for a view hours and then watched a few of the hundreds of films/dramas/comedies/etc on offer.
The mattress was comfortably firm... but felt a bit too narrow for me.
I didn't go for the noodle soups, sandwiches or snacky nibbles on offer.
Soon we were nearing Singapore and the smell of coffee was in the air.
I ask the FA to re-position my seat as I went back to the toilet to freshen up.
(Apparently, one can also have breakfast in bed, on a tray.)
Breakfast.
Orange juice
Fresh fruit plate
.
.
Choice of cereals or yoghurt
( I skipped this)
.
Lobster dumpling noodle soup..
Assorted pastries
My usual, favored Blue mountain Coffee.
.
.
After a leisurely breakfast with a few more re-fills of coffee; the cabin was prepared for landing.
Approaching SIN.
.
.
No storm clouds to dodge this time around; which is unusual when coming into SIN.
The landing was smooth.
Docked into the new-ish Terminal 3 on time.
My ride from LHR:-
.
The SIN-HKG, HKG-SIN & SIN-LHR trips reports to come soon.
Eccc From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2009, 35 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (3 years 6 months 1 week 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 26466 times:
Great report - thanks. I'd love to fly Singapore suites - having flown EK suites this summer, both on their 777 & A380, I think Singapore is the only "upgrade" I can think of. I'd be interested to know what you think SQ has over EK in terms of their suite offerings (other than the price!), if you're able to make a comparison.
HOOB747 From United States of America, joined Nov 2006, 420 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (3 years 6 months 1 week 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 26216 times:
Wow, that is such a level of personal service, I'm not sure I could ever get used to all that attention (ha)! As a lifelong coach flyer, it would feel a bit odd. But it looks like you had a beautiful flight. And the food makes my mouth water. Thanks for the lovely photos, and nice descriptions.
Mtaabq From United States of America, joined Oct 2009, 81 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (3 years 6 months 1 week 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 25500 times:
Oh. Mah. Gawd. What an experience! I can only imagine "la vie" in First on SQ.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for providing us with that sumptuous little slice of what life is like at the front of the plane.
Yours is a lovely report and your pictures are excellent. Top marks for scanning and including the entire menu. That was a delight. I may print that out and take it with me next time I fly and I'll read it while I'm sipping my little cup of soda and munching salted peanuts back in Coach.
Xtra1 From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 106 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (3 years 6 months 1 week 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 25420 times:
Hi,
Thanks for all the comments so far.
Quoting Eccc (Reply 1): Great report - thanks. I'd love to fly Singapore suites - having flown EK suites this summer, both on their 777 & A380, I think Singapore is the only "upgrade" I can think of. I'd be interested to know what you think SQ has over EK in terms of their suite offerings (other than the price!), if you're able to make a comparison.
LondonCity From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2008, 1200 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (3 years 6 months 1 week 6 hours ago) and read 23476 times:
Quoting Xtra1 (Reply 6): The load on this flight ( LHR-SIN)was rather light.
There were only 4 passengers in a 12 Suite cabin
Yes, it's a great product but one which not a lot of passengers are willing to pay for as SQ tends to charge more for its R product (ie SQ's Suite accomm) than other carriers do for their F class.
I've heard from work colleagues that, sometimes, passenger loads in R class on this route can be as few as one.
Jayeshrulz From India, joined Apr 2007, 1000 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (3 years 6 months 1 week 5 hours ago) and read 23303 times:
Quoting LondonCity (Reply 9): I've heard from work colleagues that, sometimes, passenger loads in R class on this route can be as few as one.
Well to be frank, my friend was doing the SIN-HKG trip and he said the F suite was empty!!
business was 40% full.Economy was rather light with 55% load factor.Somewhere in October.
Xtra1 From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 106 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (3 years 6 months 1 week 4 hours ago) and read 23228 times:
Quoting LondonCity (Reply 9): Yes, it's a great product but one which not a lot of passengers are willing to pay for as SQ tends to charge more for its R product (ie SQ's Suite accomm) than other carriers do for their F class.
Also...apparently, no mileage redemption or upgrades are allowed for travel in Suites 'R' class.
With 300% mileage earned in R class.
Quoting Jayeshrulz (Reply 8): If you were given SQ or EK to fly in suites, which one shall you chose? And why?
I have no experience traveling with EK; but have seen their 'suite' FC product.
I would say I would go for the SQ product over EK.
1. The SQ suites are bigger with higher walls.
2. The SQ bed is a proper flat and even mattress; not a seat to bed configuration as in the EK suites.
3. The SQ suites are on the lower deck; thus giving a more spacious feeling.
The great thing about the SQ service, is that they are generally very consistent.
B747forever From United States of America, joined exactly 6 years ago today! , 16574 posts, RR: 11 Reply 12, posted (3 years 6 months 1 week 4 hours ago) and read 23215 times:
Great TR
For sure it is a amazing experience to fly in R class. Would love to do that one day.
Kurt From United States of America, joined Oct 2001, 413 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (3 years 6 months 1 week 1 hour ago) and read 22884 times:
Nice report! I love the complete scan of the menu and wine/drinks list, too. I hope Gordon Ramsay wasn't in the galley berating the flight attendant as she prepared the meals: "You donkey! That looks like absolute s*#^!"
Pellegrine From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1845 posts, RR: 8 Reply 15, posted (3 years 6 months 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 21010 times:
Nice TR.
They offer up some nice bibs on this flight. I'd be getting DRUNK...
9VSIO From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2006, 642 posts, RR: 2 Reply 16, posted (3 years 6 months 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 20035 times:
Quoting Xtra1 (Thread starter): However, I was slightly disappointed that we were not able to use Virgin's private security lane.
Also, one can no longer use the Virgin Clubhouse.
This WAS a great perk if you have a SQ PPS card.
It also used to be a perk if you were just Krisflyer Gold. However, they will still let you in if you are travelling on VS (last I heard) but no guest privs. It has always been a surprise to me that VS won't let SQ use their private lane. But I suppose that VS really wants to protect their Upper Class product.
Quoting Xtra1 (Thread starter): A FA came by, (SQ FAs always seem to kneel down to be on the same eye level as a seated passenger), and took the lunch orders; she also asked if I would like to be woken up for breakfast.
I for one, am fulling in favour of the F/A kneeling to your eye level. For one, it means that less volume has to be used when communicating, thus not disturbing other pax. It also gives a less intimidating and more personal stance. If only other carriers would do this as well...
Quoting Jayeshrulz (Reply 10): Well to be frank, my friend was doing the SIN-HKG trip and he said the F suite was empty!!
I've heard that most people who fly R to HKG do it mainly for the experience of flying R. After all, the flight is only 3 hrs long and many of the excellent features of the suites will not be able to be utilised in such a short time. J is already good enough!
Quoting Xtra1 (Reply 11): Also...apparently, no mileage redemption or upgrades are allowed for travel in Suites 'R' class.
Last I heard, staff members, even the top brass, were not allowed to travel for free in R.
Were your PJs black with a gold stripe or a horrid brown with a black stripe?
Great TR! Time to go read part 2.
Me: (Lining up on final) I shall now select an aiming point. || Instructor: Well, I hope it's the runway...
Crdaus From Australia, joined Jan 2006, 142 posts, RR: 3 Reply 17, posted (3 years 5 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 18871 times:
On a recent trip to BKK from MEL, a trip I usually do in "F", I chose SQ "J" because the fare had been heavily discounted as a promotion for the introduction of the A380 service between MEL and SIN. I had never travelled in the new SQ "J" product before, but many times in "F" on all SQ jets except the A380. Well, I couldn't tell the difference between the "J" service on the 777-ER an the "F" service on the 777-ER, except no DOM or Krug in "J" of course. Then on the return journey SIN-MEL on the A380, the "J" service was even better than that on the 777-ER. Since SQ food is not that great in either "F" or "J" and the new "J" seat is just as comfortable as the 777-ER "F" seat, I have decided I will never pay the premium to travel SQ "F" again, now that the 744 service has been withdrawn from MEL. And as for paying even more for SQ "Suites" - well, you have got to be kidding! There is just not enough service differential to warrant the huge price difference.
I note that SQ has been offering one-way "Suites" fares to SIN from MEL or SYD at an unusual 50% of the round-trip fare. Could this be the start of reduced pricing for "Suites"?
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 10243 posts, RR: 40 Reply 18, posted (3 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 17381 times:
A very nice trip report on this most exclusive service with beautiful pictures.
You could not get to use the Private Room in the First Class Silver Kris Lounge at T3 as you flew the other way.
For having tried both, I will say this is now the best service in the sky ever after the now defunct Air France Concorde on board service. You don't fly as fast, you enjoy sleeping in the sky plus the other luxuries offered by this unmatched on board service.
The SQ380 R Suites is a product you certainly will easily get used to if you get the chance. I wish you many more such flights.
There was a better way to fly it was called Concorde
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 10243 posts, RR: 40 Reply 20, posted (2 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 11645 times:
Quoting infinit (Reply 19): I came across your wonderful TR and there aren't many for SQ's R product.
You will probably find a good number of Singapore Airlines R Suites trip reports in the trip reports section of the SQTalk forums. Try and see what's there.
LHR-SIN-LHR are the best fligths that will allow those lucky enough to fly in the Suites to get the best of them due to the duration of the flight.
There was a better way to fly it was called Concorde
JL418 From Italy, joined Jun 2009, 493 posts, RR: 7 Reply 21, posted (2 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 11556 times:
Thanks Xtra1 for your report, it was great to see how SQ's suites look like.
I'm the sort of person who, I think, will always take the right turn while boarding a 747 so TRs like yours are, for me, the only chance to see how F looks like!
fca767 From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2006, 1720 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (2 years 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 11417 times:
Quoting Mtaabq (Reply 3):
Yours is a lovely report and your pictures are excellent. Top marks for scanning and including the entire menu. That was a delight. I may print that out and take it with me next time I fly and I'll read it while I'm sipping my little cup of soda and munching salted peanuts back in Coach.
One can always dream. . . . .
Again, thanks for this TR.
Nice Report! Nice Pics, Also MTA you can be in Coach on Singapore and get lovely food, I think they even brought glasses of wine through from business class once
iainbhx From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2008, 234 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (2 years 8 months 3 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 11012 times:
Quoting MadameConcorde (Reply 20): LHR-SIN-LHR are the best fligths that will allow those lucky enough to fly in the Suites to get the best of them due to the duration of the flight.
I have LHR-SIN-MEL all the way in Suites on December 16/17. I promise to try and do a trip report and take photos.
Coming back in C - BNE-SIN, then SIN-LHR. If I really like Suites, I might ask how much extra to upgrade the SIN-LHR. There again, I've been very comfy in C on the A380 in the past.
iainbhx
25 MadameConcorde: Don't hesitate to upgrade to Suites if you can afford it. It's the best way to fly!!!!
26 T8KE0FF: I was lucky enought to experience this last year. You bought back some great memories. Great read, thank you.
Sponsor Message: 
From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 106 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Nov 2006, 420 posts, 
From France, joined Oct 2007, 17 posts, 
From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4915 posts, 
From India, joined Apr 2007, 1000 posts, 
, 16574 posts, 
From Thailand, joined Apr 2005, 889 posts, 
From Australia, joined Jan 2006, 142 posts, 
From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 10243 posts, 
From Singapore, joined Jul 2008, 305 posts, 
From Italy, joined Jun 2009, 493 posts, 
From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24894 posts, 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
