planesjoey From Singapore, joined Jul 2009, 32 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 years 1 month 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 19311 times:
Hi all,
This looooong-overdue trip report is about my trip from Zurich, Switzerland to Singapore in the summer of 2009. It was the end of my trip around Italy, which was in a word – amazing!
Introduction
I was in the city of Luzern (or Lucerne) that morning, a beautiful picturesque town, just an hour out of Zurich. A quick train ride on the efficient Swiss rail, brought us right into the heart of the airport.
Departure Airport
Ascending through the terminal, we walked to the SQ counters, which were located right at the far end of the terminal. As I arrived, the SQ Station Manager for Zurich was directing passengers to their various counters. She directed us to the First Class counter, which was empty. Check-in was smooth and efficient, after the online check-in the night before. Little did the check-in officer realize that a whole bunch of First Class baggage tags had mysteriously disappeared…
After a immigration, which was smooth and flawless, I proceeded to the Swiss Lounge.
The Swiss Lounge boasts the “World’s Longest Bar” and has great views over the tarmac. Zurich is Swiss’ hub and for a home “base” the lounge was rather rudimentary.
After spending about an hour in the lounge using the complimentary Wi-Fi and munching on some snacks, I left the lounge to proceed to the gate. This was my first time to Zurich airport and did not know the long arduous journey, which would include a train ride.
The train was crowded. with many flights leaving for the Far East at that time of day.
Security was a mess and lines were snaking back and forth, but I eventually got to the gate. I saw the aircraft that would take my home, the Singapore Airlines B777-300ER, 9V-SWB, one of the first in her fleet. Not before long, I was walking though the aerobridge with the familiar smell of jet fuel tingling in my nostrils. I boarded through door 2L and was greeted by the In-Flight Supervisor (IFS). Not sure why only one door was used for boarding.
The Flight
Airline: Singapore Airlines (SQ)
Route: Zurich (ZRH) - Singapore (SIN)
Flight: SQ345
ETD (ATD): 1205 (1207)
ETA (ATA): 0600+1 (0545+1)
Seat: 19K
Class: Business
I walked through the First Class cabin and the first Business Cabin until I reached my seat. I was originally seated at 20K, but I realised it did not have a window on the outbound flight, so I quickly changed it. I sat down in my seat and got comfortable.
Swiss territory
I just love the interior of the 77W Business Class. The soothing cabin lights, the elegant and natural curvature of the roof and the 45 degree overhead compartments.
Pushback occurred at 1207 and the safety video rolled on the big screen.
Legroom
Anybody knows what that is?
At around 1215, the aircraft screamed full-throttle down the Zurich runway and blasted off into the mid-day sky.
My Window on the World
At around 1 o'clock, the smell of Satay lingered in the air! I just love Satay, especially after a long trip in Europe.
For the appetizer, we had Thai style glass noodles with prawns. It was ok, I guess...
For the main course, I ordered the beef which was dry, tasteless, chewy, tasteless, dry, chewy and felt like eating paper and bubble gum at the same time.
Dessert was the only sanctuary from the abomination to the airline industry also known as inflight catering. Just a simple sorbet
After lunch, I watched a movie (The Day The Earth Stood Still) and tried to sleep. Hours later, I was woken up by the cabin lights, which were changing color to a light pinkish-purplish hue.
The starter for breakfast was simply a fruit platter.
Cereal
For the main course, I had some apple pancakes with sausages and mushrooms.
After breakfast and a couple of short shows, the captain announced we would be arriving in Singapore ahead of schedule at 0545. The cabin crew made the necessary preparations for landing and I began to feel a little sad that the SQ experience would soon be over.
On the dot at 0545, local time, SQ345 gently touched down at Changi Airport. We taxied to Terminal 3, alongside an A340-500, which had just arrived from the City of Angels.
No matter where you go, its always good to be home!
Overall Rating
Booking System & Call Centre 8/10
Check-in 8/10
Lounge (if applicable) 7/10
Boarding 10/10
Flight Punctuality 10/10
Aircraft 9/10
Product 9/10
Service 710
Food 5/10
IFE (if applicable) 9/10
-------------------------------------------------------------
Total Score 89%
AI151 From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2009, 303 posts, RR: 17 Reply 1, posted (3 years 1 month 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 18756 times:
Hi Joel nice little TR with one of my favourite airlines and aircraft as well!
Quoting planesjoey (Thread starter): Little did the check-in officer realize that a whole bunch of First Class baggage tags had mysteriously disappeared…
hhhmmmmmmm I wonder where they went to then?...LOL!
Quoting planesjoey (Thread starter): Not before long, I was walking though the aerobridge with the familiar smell of jet fuel tingling in my nostrils.
One of my favourite smells which really hits me that I'm about to step on a plane.
Business Class seat looks comfy as normal however its a shame that the food wasn't up to standards on you're sector as when I've flown in Economy, the food has been stunning.
B747forever From United States of America, joined May 2007, 16598 posts, RR: 11 Reply 3, posted (3 years 1 month 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 17733 times:
Nice TR
Seems you had a good experience on SQ which isnt really unexpected.
Quoting planesjoey (Thread starter): was in the city of Luzern (or Lucerne) that morning, a beautiful picturesque town
9MMAR From Malaysia, joined Jul 2006, 2099 posts, RR: 20 Reply 6, posted (3 years 1 month 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 13381 times:
Hi Joel,
It's always nice to read about SQ, the darling of many travellers, especially in the premium cabin. ZRH has been an interesting personal observation of mine as it is the destination where SQ excels so amazingly with (then) 12 weekly B77W service and now 'upgraded' to 7 weekly A380, whilst MH, my dear flag carrier, failed miserably with their 3 weekly B772 and subsequently pulled out entirely from Switzerland due to losses.
Hey, I saw something interesting about SQ's satay. No nasi himpit! Is this standard?
MH's satay on the other hand was served with all 4 accompaniments of (the usual) satay - cucumber, onion rings, nasi himpit and the peanut sauce.
planesjoey From Singapore, joined Jul 2009, 32 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (3 years 4 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 10873 times:
Hi everyone. Thank you for your nice comments.
Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 6): No nasi himpit! Is this standard?
9MMAR, I presume you are referring to the ketupat with the Satay. They do offer it, but I did not take it on this flight. The MAS Satay is actually much better than SQ's, but its still nice
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