Hi All !

My Simplified Trip Report covers the following flight

5-Sep-07 SYD-SIN SQ232 B747-400 9V-SPH F

5-Sep-07 SIN-BKK SQ978 B777-200 9V-SQN F

6-Sep-07 BKK-SVO SU552 IL96-300 RA-96011 Y

6-Sep-07 SVO-LED SU841 Tu-134A-3 RA-65784 Y

7-Sep-07 LED-OVB FV507 IL86 RA-86092 Y

8-Sep-07 OVB-IKT E5361 Tu-134A-3 RA-65105 Y

9-Sep-07 IKT-DME ZA678 Tu204-100 RA-64011 Y

9-Sep-07 SVO-BKK SU551 IL96-300 RA-96011 Y

11-Sep-07 BKK-SYD TG995 B747-400 HS-TGG F



5 Sept
Sydney Singapore SQ232 9V-SPH

First Class 12/12 Filled POB 272/375 FL 360/380/400

Up to 2 days ago I got a confirmed ticket on TG994 B777 2 class fligh to BKK confirmed, after consulting with Lufthansa 747 , I decided to skip that flight and book in First Class SQ to enjoy the Dom and Krug 

The other 2 flight SQ 220 and SQ 222 on the day were half empty when inquired with SQ. But my flight seems highly popular that day.

Got a choice of seat 1B and 4F at check in. Last time I didn't have a good sleeping experience in seat 1B and feeling closing in by the proxmity, so I chose 4F, a window seat with good views to the right !

Givenchy pyjama, Savatore Ferragamo amenity kit with Incanto Cologne were given! Nice class by SQ!

Meal Service Photos (7 Course)


Caviar, a timeless classic, a MUST in First Class


Pea Soup, SQ have some weird soups, I didn't like them at all.


Salad with cheese, didn't like


Indian Shrimp Curry. didn't like, returned


Replaced with Chinese BBQ Duck + rice


Ice Cream with some orange muffin like cake

I have to say SQ is still the best airline on long haul First catering because of the Caviar, good champagne, fine wine selection, while other airlines like BA and QF (From the Trip report here) just don't match in F. SQ devliers consistently and superiorly. (and this is my honest opinion, United is my favourite airline, so I am not biased in views)

During the flight, I sent my log book to the Captain, the captain is Australian , from Perth. He came downstairs while letting FO flying solo (only 2 cockpit crew) in the cockpit. We had a chat for 15 mins but due to other First Class passenger complainting we being too loud, we moved to the crew galley to chat more about SIA, A380, the Mighty 744, HK Kai Tak approach, and learning flying......Captain Smith is one hell of a nice guy. Later, he start chatting with Economy pax !


A quick flying time of 7hr 18 mins.

2nd meal serving


Spahghetti Carbonara with Chicken Fillet. Very good taste and good portion.

The famous SQ 744 seats. Wonder how A380 like.




Landed Changi at 1700 local time on Rwy20C smoothly. 45mins ahead of scheudle and my next flight is SQ632 Dep at 2035. I ran to SQ First Class to have it changed to an earlier 1800 departure on SQ978. The FA on SQ232 already Telex the ground about my request and it was gladly accepted in 2 minutes ! What a efficiency. Thanks Singapore Airlines. I still got 20 minutes spare to enjoy a glass of Piper Heidseck Champagne in F lounge. Taste rather pale and watery to the Dom.  

SQ 978
Singapore Bangkok Sept 5
First Class Seat 1F 9V-SQN 5/12 pax in F , total POB 196

Great crew onboard greeting me and take care of my bags. They regrettably informed me my booked the cook of Lobster Themidor didn't arrive due to I changed my flight at 40 mins prior. I apprecited the fact that they made an effort to try to deliver to the flight but didn't make it.

Meal Service



The Crab Tian salad starter, taste good.



Rib Eye Steak. A bit small on the meat size.



SQN touched down on Rwy 19R at 1905 Bangkok local time. Walked a long way to Thai Immigration and took a 4WD Limo to Westin Hotel spending the night ! (850THB include toll)

I like the Westin, the room is 42 Sq. ft This must be the 20th times I am staying there , the havenly bed is just so comfortable that I need to have one at home! I will stay at Westin again in Bangkok.





Can't say about the same for the Westin Executive Club Lounge, when I arrived at 830pm, it only got some scatter deseert on offer and soft drinks only. Btw, IMHO, Westin Bangkok have the BEST Buffet (Dinner) with various type of Smoke Salmon and prawns and Friednly French chef. I believe Lufthansa 747 will second that  


6 Sept 2007
Bangkok to Moscow SVO2 IL96-300 RA-96011
Aeroflot SU 552 Economy Seat 8A


After researching Aeroflot IL96 Business class, I decide it is NOT worth the USD2000 they charge so settle in Economy class. I got very excited when approach the gate seeing Moscow, Final call sign  




Huge Wing span, rather stubby body, ready to Roll on Rwy19R with Thai A346 to MUC follows.


Wow, slowly ascending over Bangkok


Russian style seat back mounted Fan


The unbeatable, and unmistakeable IL86/96 spacious cabin


Economy Class meal, cater in BKK obviously. Not bad actually, I ate everything.


Wing view. Over Kazakhstan

The flight time was 10 hrs 10 mins cruising at 9,600 metres at 870km/h according to the purser, Natalia.
Flying NW direction from Thailand over China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan into Russia. Total pax 219 (Economy 211/211)

There is NO entertainment, no music, no overhead screen, as this is the standard on most Russian flight. So bring a book to read, or bring booze, get drunk and snooze off in lala land.


My seat. Not bad , 36 " pitch leg room. Former Business Class seat.

Arrived in SVO2 with every Russian citizen clapping loud after touch down their homeland, give me a great welcome feeling. I also got to visit the IL96 cockpit, in all green color with glass screens everywhere, impressive technology. The IL96 is very quiet, much quieter than 747-400 or Airbus even ! Immediately after landing, got stuck in Immigration for 30 long minutes but managed to cut in front of the line to beat the rest. (Norm in Russia)


SU841
Moscow SVO2 to St Petersburg PVO1
Tu-134-A3 RA-65784
Dep 2320 Arr 0030

After meeting my friend from US joining me on this adventure, we took the free Aeroflot bus to SVO1 to check in our St Petersburg bound Tu134 flight in usual chaos.

2 Russian model sat down in First Class with loads of designer label (Gucci, Chanel) shopping bags. I walk past and give them a wink  


Cabin view from the back, with 3 cabin divided.


Arrival Board in PVO1. We're one of the last arrival.


Pulkovo 1 at night. Took a mafia taxi at 900Rub to the hotel in the city in drizzle rain and coldness.

Sept 7 2007

FV 507 Rossiya /Pulkovo Airlines IL86 RA-86092
St Petersburg to Novosibirsk

Dep 1520 Arr 2200

I was scared this flight might ship changed to Tu154 but it didn't and we have about 280 pax , this is a milk run to the Russian Far East of Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky via Novosibirsk and Khabarovsk with many passenger getting on and off enroute.

I flown IL86 4 times (S7, Kras Air, Ural Air) previously. Never cease to amaze me, it is old school technology and performance, but it is a Russian 747 to me! Special enough.




The Sheer size of the body


4x Nk86 Engine !!!!!!!


Almost deaf when walking past these engines to board.


Classic way of boarding, via the lower deck of IL86


Roomy cabin


Toilets compartment in the rear of the plane.


Inflight meal


Another smelly toilet



Arrived in Siberia !!!!!!!!!!!!! Flying time a total of 3hr 45mins Eastbound.


8 September 2007
Samara Airlines E5 361
Tu-134-A3 Novosibirsk to Irkutsk
Dep 0605 Arr 1040

We only got 3 hour sleeps the previous night in the infamous Hotel Sibir in town centre of Novosibirsk.


Boarding view, some guy staring at my camera.


Daybreak in Siberia. S7 A310 on ramp


Wing view





Fisheye view

This flight is not all full, so we can pick our own seats (no seat assignment) The Soloview D30 engines roar loud during takeoff to the morning sky in Siberia.

After 2 hours of flying, we started descend to Irkutsk in heavy cloudy/foggy weather, on the final approach suddently, the captain push the throttle to max as the noise increases from the engine, A GO AROUND !!!

We landed safe after 20 mins of turning and approaching on the 2nd time. Although my friend on the right hand window claim the plane was manuevering like crazy and the right wing almost scrap the ground during the landing. We later found out Irkutsk Runway ILS is malfunctioning and the Tu134 had to make a precision VOR DME approach instead. We came close to have a crash!! Infact, my tour guide in Irkutsk told me IKT have 9 accidents in last 12 years.

We want to Lake Baikal (Listvyanka) during the day. It is BIG !


9 September 2007
Irkutsk to Moscow Domodedovo
Interavia Tu204-100 RA-64011
STD 0805
ATD 1800 Flight time 6hr20mins
ATA 1920 Moscow time

We were suppose to fly to Magadan with S7 Airlines Tu154 and fly Dalavia IL62 to Moscow SVO from there but due to fog in Irkutsk, our S7 Tu5 diverted to Bratsk !!!! and never made it to Irkutsk.

We were greatly disappointed and have to buy a new ticket on Interavia (cheapest) to Moscow instead since no other links to get us in Magadan.


Chaotic crowd in S7 office requesting hotel/compensation due to 12 hr delay to Magadan from Irkutsk. I manager to score a hotel too.


Delays, Delays and Delays, they keep push the ETA later and later. Our Interavia flight from Moscow suppose to land at 1130, then 1430.....



Fog in the morning, Irkutsk has a real old terminal. The worst I've seen.



Crowded unhappy pax.



I am in this photo.



Finally boarding at 1745



Wing view of this Aviastar lesed Tu204-100


After tookoff 30 mins, I got very sick, probably due to fatigue and stress (after suffering >14 hours delay in total and lot of drama at IKT airport) my hand start to shake and I got moved to Business Class with oxygen mask on to stabilse. I got serious food posioning and was taken away by paramedics who meet the flight in Moscow Domodedovo. They inject me with something in Russian to stop Diehorrea. After 1 hour in the medical centre, I was allowed to leave and meet my friend from Moscow who took me to SVO2 in traffic (2 hrs) to meet my flight to Bangkok


9 Sept 2007

Moscow SVO2 to Bangkok
SU551 IL96-300 RA-96011
STD 2250
ATA 1155
Seat 7A Bulkhead overwing.

I arrived in SVO 2 at 2225 local time with Bangkok flight already closed. I managed to go to Aeroflot duty manager room to make a scene that I am sick and need to go home. They issue me the boarding pass and allow me board the flight. It is RA-96011 again. At this point, I got very tired and didn't take more photos and just want to rest.

After landed 45 mins late in Bangkok with a total flying time of 9hr 10 mins. I have 12 hours stopover in BKK before my Thai Airways TG 995 flight to Sydney.

I got a room in Plaza Athenee , a Royal Meridien Hotel booked using my SPG points.

This hotel is older, but got a grand looking lobby. The buffet there is average and highly priced. (Surprise my appetite came back and recovered!)


Standard Room in Plaza Athenee


11 September 2007
Bangkok to Sydney
Thai Airways 995 HS-TGG B747-400 First Class 1K

Thai First check in, is just great, the porter took all my bags and let me sit down in sofa while TG agent checks me in and a golf cart waitng me to take me to the lounge right away.

A real disappoint that a older 747 have replaced the original 744 on the Sydney flight. We have 5 pax booked out of 14 seats.

Asked about the Royal Spa Lounge for a spa or foot massage but the hostess told me it is closed at 11pm. I mean, most First Class pax depart to Europe and Australia at midnight, it just don't make sense! Not happy!

After onboard , I can see the other First Class passenger are clearly disappointed as well. A good looking hostess flawlessly perform and serve, to make passenger happy. I slept well over 7 hours so not much photo were taken. All I have in my mind is to go home (and work the next day!)


Photo from 1K, lot of legroom actually. The seat on old 747 were so soft. Good for sleeping at night.


Thai 747 HS-TGG at gate in SYD. That concludes my Russia trip 2007.


Russia is a huge, diverse country offer many sights for the adventurous traveller to see. I like the Siberia and Russian Far East part the best. Will be back in 2008 !

Sam Chui

Next trip report: SQ380 SYD SIN First Class Suite (R class) on 26 October Inaugural

[Edited 2007-09-15 16:37:55]