Hello from Singapore, where I just arrived on SQ1 from San Francisco (via Hong Kong). I just flew the Singapore Airbus 380 for the first time in Suites Class now that Singapore allows KrisFlyer redemptions at the saver level. Let me start with the negative, since there’s only one negative I could possibly come up…
Continue reading: My first flight in Singapore Suites: the bad and the amazing
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Isn't Book The Cook available on this flight? It sounds like a way to "work around" the underwhelming options, or am I missing anything?
(PS: That's a selfish question, I'll be on this flight in a couple weeks and I hope to get more than the standard fare...)
@ Pat+ -- That's a way to get a better entree, but doesn't change the lack of desserts and otherwise underwhelming menu.
No sweet desert at all???
I'm beginning to think I made a big mistake routing through SF and HKG for a chance at the suites (which I won't have as I go in May) instead of going for the LAX-SIN nonstop in business class.
Oh well, I did it through the United loophole, so I should be happy with what I got.
I know you aren't the complaining type, but this meal warrants a letter to SQ, no? For the sake of your fans who are following in your footsteps?
Hmm. I flew SQ 1 at the start of the holidays, unfortunately before the a380 switch though, and did BTC. Wasn't bad, but I do remember there being dessert. Had four SQ segments and only one had caviar, fwiw.
I think if SQ had either a bar or fancier/larger bathroom for their premium customers on the A380, there wouldn't even be a discussion on which is better, SQ or EK. I mean, take out the bling, and the useless "bar" on EK (useless because you're most likely going to order a cup with or without ice anyway from the FA, so you may as well order the whole damn thing from them to begin with), and SQ's suite is just a better overall hard product than what EK offers.
Thanks for lowering my expectations - my only reason for living the last few days is knowing that I'll be flying on SQ1 next week. I hope they have lots of extra champagne on board to help choke down that ribeye!
I was on SQ 2 last week between HKG-SFO and I just couldn't eat that much food at midnight. I "re-designed" my menu and only had the cold appetizer and soup for the first meal. I requested my entree to be served with my "breakfast" right before landing in SF and the crew saved me one of every entree options! Dim Sum I had was one of the best I had and it was almost up to par with the ones I had at Four Seasons HK.
Sorry to hear about the meal... but from your photos the double bed looks amazing! If you're in suites class sitting in one of the two middle seats (no one is sitting next to you), would the FA still make the double bed for you (or just change your seat into a bed for you and leave the adjacent seat alone?)
"Suite dreams, Mr. Lucky."
See what he did there...Suite. Because it sounds like Sweet. And he flew in Suites Class. Wait, am I the only one laughing?
is the middle console bit thats pushed down to give access to a double bed, hard or is it padded? so its comfortable to lay across the 2 beds etc?
Totally agree that the double bed is the best in the sky. I walked away from my SQ 2 flight completely blown away and wondering how I can ever fly anything else again! I've flown about 10 segments now in F on SQ and have only had two crew members that I've found to be sincere and not just going through the motions.
When did Janesis start working the A380s?
How did they create the bed? Was it a fold down board? What happened to the seat? Sorry, never done SQ-F and the pictures don't tell the whole story.
@ Maic
Search on Youtube, there are lots of videos there with the FA's showing how it's done...
@ Jorge
One benefit of SQ suites that EK doesn't have is you can dine with someone across from you. One video tr I saw had a party of 4 dining together, utilizing the two center seat...you can't do that on EK 😉
You known you're a spoiled little *$*7-2 when you say "I didn't get cavier" its a 10pm flight. dinner is long gone you're lucky you even got a meal. I'm sorry "Lucky" are you out of touch with reality? have you seen Doublewides post about lack of meal in biz on his flight from lax to icn at night? that was truely lacking. you're meal was still pretty great for 30K feet. sometimes i think you're in a world of your own. and just in case, here's the a380 review where KE barely had meal service in biz: http://upgrd.com/doublewidesfly/korean-air-trip-review-lax-icn.html
You could argue that this guy who didn't get his meal is spoilt when there are starving children in Africa. Inherently, everything is relative. It is un acceptable that tough meat and no desert was on offer for such a long flight in a premium cabin. Group up and learn how to keep things in perspective.
@ beachfan -- Only cheese or fruit. Crazy, eh?
@ BFrankley -- LOL, I'm sure you'll have a great time!
@ Joey -- It all comes down to the crew. Good crews will make the center seats regardless of where you're seated (assuming they're empty), while some may not be willing to do so. But I'd certainly ask!
@ PlatinumTraveller -- It's a harder padding. With a comforter it's perfectly cushioned.
@ puck -- Typical Singapore breakfast. There was fruit, cereal, yogurt, pastries, and a choice of a few mains. The issue is that they serve breakfast on both San Francisco to Hong Kong and Hong Kong to Singapore.
@ MEOW -- She has been working the A380 for a while, but just hasn't been Suites certified till recently.
@ Maic -- The seat is folded over and center console lowered, which is how the bed is made.
We're all airline aficionados here. Realize the specialty nature of this post. The segment flown usually costs ~ $9,000. The meal would have been fantastic if he were flying Iceland Air, but he was onboard the world's finest Asian carrier in their flagship class and the food offerings and quality were unacceptable. Lucky's expectations for catering were more than appropriate- what was served was not.
JRL
RE: Being by name
Actually, I'll add my experience in the mix - I've been addressed by name when flying SQ Suites without showing a passport or a boarding pass by handlers and FAs alike from check-in to boarding. It's amazing while simultaneously unsettling. I've always wondered how they know. Mind you, I'm rather Asian-looking appearance-wise so I don't think it's that.
@ Russ -- Not sure why I'm taking the bait, but I will.
I review premium products (partly) for a living. I don't think my reviews would be interesting if I wasn't comparing the products to other airlines. You want my reviews to be limited to saying "OMG, there was a bed and food and a TV on the plane, this is the greatest thing ever?" Cause I don't think that would be very interesting.
The fact is that Cathay Pacific and Singapore compete head-to-head on this route. You don't think it worth noting that Cathay Pacific serves caviar/Balik salmon and dessert on the flight, while Singapore doesn't?
Interesting Hong Kong layover....did someone offer to buy your shirt again? Lol
Lucky, just so that in the future people like Russ don't jump the gun, it might help to mention what other airlines on similar routes and times of departure would offer on their menus...I remember one time you flew SIN-NRT on SQ FC and you pointed out them only serving breakfast, while also mentioning TG serves a snack and breakfast. So, it wouldn't hurt to sometimes offer direct comparisons (I'm sure many people who read this site use your reviews in choosing which premium cabins to fly on).
Rib eye is supposed to be a fatty cut of beef. That's why is has much more flavor than a filet mignon.
Lucky is a critic. His job is not to review flights in a vacuum on their objective merit, but also as relative to what is advertised and to what is offered elsewhere in the industry. If Michelin refused to grant a third star to restaurant, would you similarly protest that because there are worse restaurants out there it should not be penalized? And should Roger Ebert refrain from pointing out any flaws with Zero Dark Thirty just because there are Adam Sandler movies out there?
How does the seat compare to SQs 777 seat for lounging? It looks significantly more comfortable.
@ AdamH -- I thought the one disappointing part of the seat was the lounging position. The seat only reclined very little, so wasn't much more comfortable than the 777 for lounging.
@Lucky -- would you have changed to SQ11 LAX-NRT-SIN route that departs at 3:30pm instead had you known about the dinner options given to you?
@ Brady -- If all else were equal I would have taken SQ11, but in this case SQ1 worked a lot better for my schedule so I have no regrets taking it.
OH MY GOD, NO CAVIAR?!? That sure makes a meal service "horrible." Giant eye roll.
So all being same, with the FA you had on SQ1, and with Janesis on CX....WHICH would you recommend for SFO-HKG? =D
Lucky, what are your feeling on the super early morning arrival time in SIN on SQ 11?
I'm debating SQ1 vs. SQ11 and would love to know your thoughts?
@ MEOW -- That's the thing about SQ11, the arrival time sucks. It's too late to make a hotel room worthwhile, and too early to check-in for a room the following day (I find most hotels won't let you check in before 6AM or so). I far prefer the arrival time of SQ1, which is perfect for checking into a hotel.
Very nice TR and photos. Thanks very much for posting this, as my wife and I will be flying in the double suite next month. It's her first time in SQ F, not to mention the suites, so I can't wait to surprise her with it. I'm sure we'll survive the "limited" menu.
I understand that you're posting an expanded report soon. Looking forward to it!