Review: Singapore Airlines Suites Class A380 New York To Frankfurt

On a flight that short, where some will want to sleep and some will want to eat, you gotta have enough crew to do beds and meals at the same time. Waiting 45 minutes for a drink, and taking up several hours on a 7 hour flight to do dinner isn't good.

Ben, can you explain further why you thought the crew taking a picture with someone is tacky?

"they could really use a mattress bad"
should it be a "mattress pad"?

@ Lantean -- Whoops, thanks!

@ Chris -- Because I think when most celebrities are paying big bucks for a "premium" experience they don't want to be bothered. For example, if you rent out a yacht as a celebrity you probably wouldn't want the whole crew asking to take selfies with you.

Lucky,
I've been looking into booking the reverse flight but can't find any saver availability for August 2015. When does Singapore generally release those seats?
On a side note I've found some availability for January...

@ben - what were the taxes and fees on the award ticket?

@ Kevin P -- They've been a bit stingy on the route lately, though in general open space when the schedule opens, and then again close to departure. Just not so consistent lately, unfortunately.

@ E -- I provided a breakdown in the introduction:
https://onemileatatime.com/a-suite-ride-to-frankfurt-introduction/

The roundtrip fuel surcharges are $432 (roughly half of what other airlines charge), plus taxes.

Hey Ben - inclusive of that 57,375 mile one-way price, can you tag on an intra-Europe domestic flight with the SQ award? Not sure if it changes things as you'd be connecting to LH/LX, etc.

@ UA-NYC -- Nope, you'd then have to book a Star Alliance award, which is priced from a separate award chart and doesn't allow for the 15% online booking discount.

What's the difficulty level scoring two seats on this route? Is this something that can be booked months in advance, or more of a last minute type of thing.

Do you know their reasoning for flying out of jfk rather than ewr where I would imagine there is more connections available on their partner United?

@ Mwwalk -- Interestingly back when they operated the Newark to Singapore nonstop flight it departed out of Newark. My guess is that they depart out of New York JFK because they don't rely much on connecting traffic. United and Lufthansa codeshare between the US and Europe, and have plenty of their own flights, so I doubt they'd get much additional traffic. Singapore has no problem filling the seats for passengers traveling mostly between New York and Frankfurt/Singapore, as far as I know.

Beyond that, I'm not sure if Newark is A380 ready (at least no other airline flies A380s there yet).

@ John -- It's definitely not easy, though with some planning and flexibility it's not impossible.

do they offer BTC? when it's a known breakfast route i often BTC and get them to hold that meal for breakfast, and enjoy the normal menu for lunch/dinner. nothing like a bit of beef rendang for breakfast!

@ andrew -- They do indeed, and I probably should have done that. Whoops!

sorry for a stupid question.... what's BTC?

@ Lantean -- It's "Book The Cook," whereby you can pre-order your main course prior to your flight from a much wider selection:
http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/flying-with-us/bookthecooklanding/

aha, right... sorry i am slow today...

Ben - I snagged two award seats for this same route next May for my boyfriend & me (he has no idea & thinks we're flying economy - surprise!). Is there room under the ottoman area for a full size rolling carry on (probably 21")? I really don't want to check it if I don't need to.

For the quality of champagne and usually rotating selection of very nice wines in first and business - across almost all airlines - it always disappoints me how traditional and mainstream they are with liquor and beer selections. In my opinion, champagne is ok, and I almost never drink wine, but I really enjoy beer or a good bourbon. I feel that if they can serve a $200 bottle of wine and a $200 bottle of Johnny Blue, they could also offer something a touch nicer that Jack Daniels, Bacardi, and Heineken. Maybe rotate in a Kentucky small batch or a microbrew?

For anyone that might be wondering about wait-listing a Singapore flight, I was wait listed for a SIN-JFK suite class award for 2 in February and I was cleared last month!

My wife and I know that a European vacation is in order this summer. I saw two Saver Award seats in mid July JFK--> FRA and grabbed the row 2 double, and sure enough, 9 days later, saw two Saver Award seats for their early morning flight FRA--> JFK and grabbed the row 2 double on that too. Mile High club?

Anyway, between Sheraton, Hilton Garden, or Hilton, which Frankfurt Airport hotel do you recommend?

Also, how much time to allow between connecting in FRA from the SQ flight, and presumably a Lufthansa connection to wherever we decide to go? I presume my Suites ticket will get me in to Star Alliance clubs upon arrival in FRA?

Are you allowed to keep the Bose headphones ?

@ Karen -- Yep, there's plenty of space, and if it doesn't fit then there's a big closet they can put it in.

Can I be wait listed for suites if I have already booked an award business seat?

@ LD -- Hah, awesome!

Do you have status with Starwood or Hilton? If you're booking separate tickets I'd allow at least two hours for the connection in Frankfurt. At least.

@ Sem -- Nope, they're collected again at the end of the flight.

@ Mark -- Yep, you sure can.

You almost went a whole article without a referral link... It's like actually quite disappointing that most of your posts are just referral posts rather than actual reviews.
Having a look at the weekly review, you can see that the majority of your posts during a week are usually deals and referrals rather than actual reviews (which is what I thought this blog was about).

@G. Davis - There's nothing on that wine list that's more than $150, and several are under $50. Pretty much only the champagne is over $100. I drink champagne when I'm fortunate enough to be in SQ F (or CX F) for that matter not because I prefer champagne to still wine, but because the still wines are subpar. Even more so on other airlines - I checked some of LH offerings in F and they were under $20. And that's retail.

The Cos d'Estournel is also generally retailing above $100 (but not everywhere)

@lucky
Gold with Starwood, diamond with hilton. I'd probably use points with the Sheraton or cash (appears to be great rates (about $90 for garden inn and $110 for hilton) with Hiltons. Any preference? Also, lounge on arrival?

@ Kiron -- I think you're confused on several counts:
-- I'm not sure what makes you think the blog is about reviews. It's one of the things it's about, but not the only thing.
-- Might want to double check your math. A vast majority of my posts don't offer me any sort of affiliate credit. And believe it or not, a lot of people find posts with credit cards useful. After all, in the US that's the best way to travel in premium cabins for pennies on the dollar.

So I'm sorry for having inconvenienced you so much. Maybe next time you could just skip the last section if it doesn't interest you?

@ LD -- If you're not Platinum with Starwood then I'd definitely do the Hilton. It's your best bet.

There's no arrivals lounge for Singapore Airlines passengers.

sorry if it's obvious but are the Bose headphones to use or keep?

@ michael -- You can't keep them.

"I don’t think there’s a more aspirational first class product out there than Singapore Airlines A380 Suites Class" - I could have sworn you said the same thing once about EK's A380 F.

@ Al -- Hah, correct, I think Singapore and Emirates are the two most aspirational products. I didn't say it was the single most aspirational, but rather that there's not a more aspirational product. 😀

Vijay Singh is a professional golfer. If I remember correctly he is originally from Fiji.

"Because I think when most celebrities are paying big bucks for a “premium” experience they don’t want to be bothered. For example, if you rent out a yacht as a celebrity you probably wouldn’t want the whole crew asking to take selfies with you."

They probably also don't want random strangers snapping pics of them on planes either 😉

"I think Singapore and Emirates are the two most aspirational products. I didn’t say it was the single most aspirational, but rather that there’s not a more aspirational product."

Actually, two of three. I'd say Garuda's new first class product is just as aspirational, no? If not the hard product, then certainly the way people rave about the soft product...

Not to sound too #firstworldproblems...but that breakfast menu is rather underwhelming. Yes, I know, it's a short transatlantic overnight flight, but when other airlines offer that plus yogurt and/or cereal in their business class breakfasts, Singapore kind of drops the ball.

@ wwk5d -- What they don't know can't hurt them. 😉

Garuda is aspirational for those "in the know," but I don't think it has the mainstream appeal of Emirates or Singapore.

Ben, I booked SIN-ZRH suite in March, how busy is this route? I initially chose 3A as I heard this is the best seat for flying solo, then changed my mind and tried my luck with 3C...hoping that the seat next to it remains unoccupied.....

Is this worth the risk or should I change back to 3A? I only see 2C and 2D taken so far...

Thanks! nice report as usual 🙂

@ Francisca -- Tough to say how full it will be. I'd probably go with 3A, and if you notice close to the departure date that it's still wide open, maybe take one of the center seats in row three. But several months out I wouldn't "gamble."

Thanks Ben! I guess you are right, I should probably change back to 3A....fingers crossed that I can finally get the double bed 🙂

I always keep the Bose headphones - but the plugs never fit my iPhone.

I sat next to a similar caliber athlete a few years ago on Asiana First (when the seats were all twos in the 747 nose. I did not try to converse with him during the flight, and he was able to simply relax. But I introduced myself after landing and we are Facebook buddies today!

Do people really wear cologne?

Ooo. Pretty. I do like this new look for SQ a lot more than the old. I always find your reviews the most in-depth!

Do however, have to disagree about the tackiness of the crew asking for a photo. If it's in a polite unobtrusive manner, and the other person agrees to do it, I really can't see the harm. Also, I do think a lot of these flights, no matter how much they cost, for these public figures, don't come from out of their own pocket anyhow!

Oohh... they're served Penfolds RWT! Did you had any?

@ TKK -- Nope, stuck to champagne the entire flight!

@ Lucky,

Just discovered your site and I love it! I want to let you know that your blog is an aspiration for me and my dream now is to be able to fly in that suite someday, and I really need your help. Some questions from me as a newbie (sorry if it's a bit too much but it really means a lot for me and helpful in realizing my dream to fly on one of these suites):

1. What is the stopover rule on flying one way flight in SQ? I am interested in the route SFO - NRT - SIN for this suite redemption, as I am based in SFO and would like to stop over in Japan on my way to Singapore, will they count the miles separately and I have to redeem it separately (ex: SFO - NRT for one way award seat redemption and then NRT - SIN as another one way redemption)? that would cost a lot of miles if they do.

2. How far is the award seat availability window open for this suites? For example, if today is Dec 2, 2014, then how far I can search for the award space availability? Dec 2, 2015? I want to look for 2 award seats for me and my wife.

3. Which one is better redemption to be used to book the suites, transfer the UR points to Krisflyer or using United miles? If by using UR, is the transfer instant?

@ Grace -- Welcome and thanks for reading!

1) Singapore doesn't allow stopovers on one way saver level redemptions. They do allow a stopover on a roundtrip redemption.
2) They open space 355 days out: https://onemileatatime.com/when-do-airlines-open-award-seats/
3) You can't redeem United miles for Singapore First/Suites, so KrisFlyer is your best option.

@ Lucky,

Wow thanks for the prompt and fast response! Really appreciate it.
" Singapore doesn’t allow stopovers on one way saver level redemptions."

So, with that rule, then I cannot do SFO - NRT - SIN in one redemption? they will price it separately as SFO - NRT for one way award seat redemption and then NRT - SIN as another one way redemption? I think I heard someone did this route before, they stop(or maybe long layover?) in NRT on the way from north US to Singapore, in SQ suites, is this possible?
I'm sorry for not being able to understand this quickly.....the points is I am trying to get SFO-NRT-SIN.

Thanks.

@ Grace -- That's correct, that would require two awards if you want to stop in Tokyo for more than 24 hours. Also keep in mind Singapore doesn't fly from San Francisco to Tokyo. They do fly from Los Angeles to Tokyo, however.

Ah right.... Thanks for the input... So I have to position myself in LAX.
Too bad that I cannot have stopover, but I can have layover at NRT for less than 24 hrs, right.

@ Grace -- Correct. For more info on redeeming KrisFlyer miles, see this post:
https://onemileatatime.com/singapore-krisflyer/

"Oddly the first thing I was offered after takeoff were slippers, socks, and eyeshades. In my experience those are usually offered with the amenity kits and pajamas, though I guess they were a bit rushed on the ground."

This might be fleetwide. I was on SQ 12 yesterday all the way from SIN and they did the same thing on both segments. On the first segment I had to ask for slippers.

I was also a bit disappointed about requesting for a wakeup from the flight attendants. I asked mine on the SIN-NRT leg to wake me up at 1pm so I could eat. I woke up myself at 1:30. Maybe she was on NRT time and was planning to wake me up at 2 pm SIN time?

Oh wait, nevermind about the time difference. Jet lag sucks...
I think the flight attendant just forgot to wake me up.

you can have stopovers on a saver award for US$100. need to call up but they still honour the 15%

Yes - Vijay Singh is a professional golfer who was born in Fiji but plays primarily on the American PGA Tour. Over the years, Vijay has had great success as a pro golfer and has made tons of money. I too would want a picture with him!

@ andrew / Lucky : Hey thanks for sharing! that's awesome! so I can call them up to add a stopover on one way flight for $100 additional fee? with 15% discount so it would be $85?
If you have a source link for this, I would really appreciate it!

Booked this + FRA-SIN-HKG on an impulse yesterday, leaving Wednesday. Couldn't be looking forward to it more.

@ Kris -- Awesome, enjoy!

Hi Lucky. May I know this plane's registration? Wanted to know if I am going to be lucky enough to travel on SQ's A380 with revised Suites finishing...

Are there cheaper revenue flights on suites class? In terms of cheaper origins

@ Zach -- I haven't found any especially cheap ones. Awards are the best option.

The crew took photos with Vijay Singh only upon arrival. So it rendered your argument moot. Tacky..this coming from a person that took photos of the plane from every single angle and every single page of the menu. I enjoyed your article until your final extremely judgemental comment.

By combining my Thank you points and Star points, I will have enough Krisflyer (>115,000) points for 2 first class suites tickets JFK to Frankfurt. I want to redeem my points for two suites tickets for me an my fiancee for our honeymoon in mid October 2015. What do you think the chances are that I actually get the suites? If you were me, what strategy would you use and what would you do? I really appreciate your advice. Thanks!

@ DK -- Well first I would try to find a date which actually has availability. If you're not able to find a date with availability, I'd suggest trying to waitlist. You can maximize your odds using the tricks in this post:
https://onemileatatime.com/basics-of-waitlisting-singapore-airlines-krisflyer-award-tickets/

Congrats on the honeymoon!

Thanks for the advice Lucky!

My desired departure date says "Waitlist". Because my date isn't flexible, and I am only using this flight to get to Europe (my final destination will not be Frankfurt), here's what I was planning to do:
1) Transfer points to Singapore Air to obtain enough Krisflyer points for the first class suites and waitlist for the seats on my desired date.
2) Waitlist for saver business class seats for the same flight as well (these are "waitlist" too and I need a back up)
3) Book premium economy seats for the same flight as an ultimate back up if I don't clear for first class suites or business class

The reason I need the back up seats is because my date is not flexible and I was planning on booking flights around this flight since it is not my final destination. Additionally, since I'll be transferring valuable Starpoints to Krisflyer, I want to use at least some of those points if I don't get the suites 🙂

Let me know if this sounds like a decent plan.

Thanks!

@ DK -- So I'd waitlist for Suites Class, Business Class, and then confirm Premium Economy, in your shoes.

Just wondering; did you find the 7 hour flight adequate to enjoy the A380 product?

Hi Ben,

I'm often able to find plenty of availability on Singapore Airlines' Suite Class from SIN to JFK but when I try to search for Business Class seats it seems to NEVER be available on either the A380 or the other planes they have. Do you know anything about this? We're trying to do a family trip to Hong Kong and afterwards go to Singapore in July 2016. I'll be returning home from Singapore in the Suite but my brother + 2 are trying to find availability in business and I'm finding zip.

@Lucky and anyone who's flown suites... do you find it to be just a teensy claustrophobic?

Hi Lucky!

I have sat @ 3F the last round based on the reviews I read online cos it has an extra window. But i would prefer a seat with more privacy.

Between 1F & 2F, which seat do you reckon would give more privacy?

Many thanks!

Dear Ben,
Thank you very much for your inspiring stories. I really wish to fly in suite class soon. I'm new to krisflyer member. May I ask a few questions?
1. If I have enough miles in my krisflyer account to be upgraded to higher status, namely to gold member and after that I use all of the miles on it for an award flight, will my status still be upgraded after those miles gone?
2. On flight from singapore to narita airport (japan) in daylight time, some people say that they don't get amenities and don't get their seat turn into the bed. Is it true? How about your experience to fly in suite class in daylight?
Thank you very much, I really hope that you would read my question since the date of your post already past 1 year after I post my question.

Regards,
Martin