Singapore Airlines 1 San Francisco (SFO) – Hong Kong (HKG) Tuesday, January 15 Depart: 10:50PM Arrive: 5:50AM (+2 days) Duration: 15hr Aircraft: Airbus 380 Seat: 3A (Suites Class) I don't think I can properly sum up my excitement as I boarded Suites Class for the first time. It wasn't that I was expecting anything out-of-this-world…
Continue reading: A380 Extravaganza: Singapore Airlines Suites Class San Francisco to Hong Kong
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Great report, and convinces me to do LAX-NRT on the 380 simply for the food issues. I think SQ was the first A380 operator and their whole "thing" was the special suites class. Emirates was later and one-upped them with the showers. Maybe that's why the SQ lavs are so vanilla.
Hey Ben,
Do you think the entertainment screen was positioned a bit too high? I get that impression from the photos.
@ Amol -- Agreed, though the arrival time of SQ1 is so much better than the arrival time of SQ11 that it really is a trade off.
@ Thomas T -- Interesting question. Can't say I found it to be an issue, though it certainly wouldn't have hurt if it were a bit lower.
Hi Ben,
When I experienced this on a flight back from Singapore to SFO, I thought the bed was a little too firm, since it did not use the seat padding with a mattress topper but flipped down. THere was not a lot of padding on the back side for me. I also thought the limited recline range of the seat was a hindance, although I understan why there wasn't much room for the recline angle to be greater.
Ben, great report. One of the sentence "The bad was extremely comfortable", do you mean "bed" instead? Did you take a picture of the amenity kit?
"It was literally the toughest and fattiest piece of meat"
Well, it's a ribeye, it's supposed to be fatty, but definitely not supposed to be tough.
What is the difference between Leading Stewardess and Chief Stewardess? Also, does the In-flight Service Manager work all the cabins, or just run First Class?
@ Christopher -- Thanks! Fixed the typo, it was indeed supposed to read "bed." As far as the amenity kit goes, it was the same Kiehl's kit I got on this flight:
https://onemileatatime.com/singapore-for-the-weekend-singapore-airlines-first-class-singapore-to-tokyo-narita/
great trip report, as usual. I am planning to redeem MR points for JFK-FRA-SIN. Do you know if the flight serves caviar and satay?
File this under strange questions: are the suites private enough for changing into and out of the PJs?
@ wwk5d -- Right, I realize a rib eye is supposed to be on the fatty side, and I've had many rib eyes before, though nothing like this.
As far as ranks go, on the Airbus 380 there are three leading stewards and three leading stewardesses. One leading steward and stewardess is responsible for the service in each cabin.
Chief stewardess (it's my understanding) is responsible for service in all premium cabins and wouldn't ever work coach, while a leading stewardess could very well end up working the back of the cabin.
The in-flight service manager is supposed to manage service in all cabins, though in practice spends most of their time either at their "desk" or in first class.
@ mangoceviche -- Menus vary by month, though I do believe both of those flights serve caviar at the least. Here's my trip report from SQ25 from New York to Frankfurt a couple of years ago (in the old product):
https://onemileatatime.com/beaches-and-mountains-singapore-airlines-first-class-new-york-to-frankfurt/
Also, "The leading stewardess was probably the star of the team, and reminded me very much of my favorite person in the world, Janesis."
Somewhere, Janesis is checking out the duty roster of this flight and sharpening her claws even as we speak...
I was playing with the Singapore search engine today and I notice after Apr 1st, 2013 the SQ1 SFO-HKG plane became the Boeing 777-300ER. Can you confirm this?
@ wwk5d -- LOL!
@ Travis -- The A380 on SQ1/2 is only temporary. They took the plane from SQ25/26 (New York to Singapore via Frankfurt), so after that the A380 will go back to that route. More on that here:
https://onemileatatime.com/singapore/
Thanks Lucky, that make since now. I may want to jump on the LAX - Tokyo or the New York - Frankfurt route around Dec 2013. How soon should I start looking for a Saver level suite?
Thanks!
@ Travis -- The further out the better, especially as more and more people try to redeem for Suites Class. I booked only a couple of days out, though in general I'd try to book six months out (at least) if you can. But that's not to say you won't find availability closer in.
I noticed your carry on in one of the photos. Any chance of you doing a post on your preferred luggage?
@ Jake E. -- Great idea for a future post, defiitely. Though I will say I don't feel especially strongly about my luggage right now. It does the trick but it's not something I can't live without.
Great post! Can't wait until I can save enough miles to do this!
Small typo -- ...the "bad" was extremely...
With about 12 hours to go to Hong Hong I decided to go to sleep, and slept amazingly well for almost eight hours, waking up just over Japan. The bad was extremely comfortable.
Ben, regarding your comments about the wall heights:
All the doors were closed and there was even a bottle of water and towel next to my suite, which sure comes in handy with 5.5 foot walls… I kid.
Funny! But don't forget; what you are alluding to us expressly forbidden. Plus, Singapore is not known for their leniency with regard to rules violations...
http://gizmodo.com/316264/sex-not-allowed-in-airbus-a380-double-bed-suites
@ BBTBphile -- Thanks!
@ Brad -- The article only makes mention of what couples can't do, not what you can't do alone... j/k. 😉
Lucky - how was the temp on the A380? My SQ 15 on the 777 flight was toasty, making sleeping uncomfortable
I saw the seat belts laying around when the bed was made, do they tell you to buckle up if there is turbulence or while you're sleeping?
O that's weird... Just read the comments and you already fixed the typo. Weird that I still showed it. Must be a delay in the servers.
@ Paul -- Temperature was surprisingly pleasant, actually -- one of the few times that has been the case on a foreign carrier.
@ Benny -- Yep, you're supposed to buckle up when you're sleeping or they're (technically) supposed to wake you.
@ BBTBphile -- Were you reading in Google Reader? Or were you reading the report really, really, really slowly? 😀
How much does the seat actually recline? Does it go down enough to lounge comfortably (at least a 30 degree angle)?
@ Joey -- Thanks! It seems to be a type of Chinese soup stock/broth:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_soup
Nice report, Lucky. I hope at some point down the road, they start having 2 suites available for redemption on the same flight. I always travel with my wife, and I don't think she'd be all that happy with me if I booked myself in suites class and her in business!
My favorite part: "I don’t think you get it. Everything in my life has led up to this point."
Great report, that wonton soup looks so good. Maybe the food was get better as the year progresses!
It's interesting how wide the seat bottom is; do the armrests adjust at all? It looks like there's a good 3-4 additional inches of width.
FDW
Ben, Thanks for letting us experience this exotic travel through your eyes. Your witty observations are appreciated. They're helping me get through the below zero wind chill temps this week!
Wonderful report! We are really looking forward to our SQ1 ride next month. I do have one question. Can I order the wonton soup from breakfast menu as "snack" or they only cater limited number that is not possible.
I much rather have the wonton soup than the instant soup as a snack!
@ AC -- They do only cater a limited quantity of entrees, though if the flight isn't too full and you have a good crew you shouldn't have any problem ordering it as a snack.
By the way, do you check out Korean Air that just launches their business jets? I think this will be your next goal if we can redeem Skypass miles on these.
http://bizjet.koreanair.com/flash/
(Look at the Boeing jet layout. It even has private beds!)
The A380 hard product looks heads and shoulders above the product on the 77Ws, which is no slouch by any stretch of the imagination. After another recent round of CX and SQ flights, I have to give the nod to CX in terms of food quality, though SQ has CX beat in terms of quality and selction of drinks.
Btw, any plans to try out AA's even more improved F product? The pictures I've seen look pretty damn good.
@ hsw25 -- Yep, am hoping to try out their new first and business class products very soon.
Ben,
I am curious for a man that travels as much as you do what carry-on suitcase do you use? I am in desperate need of a new one and looking for some advice.
Great trip report...look forward to the rest.
Sure Ben, great report as usual. Of course what I took out of this was the mention of Scam City Buenos Aires. I've now been neglecting my work watching that show on YouTube. Good stuff. Looks like the National Geographic crew was staying at my favorite hotel in BA. (Claridge Hotel)
@ boser -- I have a 22" Tumi T-Tech and the Tumi Alpha laptop bag, though I'll have a blog post on it soon with more details. 🙂
@ Larry -- HAH! I *really* enjoyed it as well. Especially the black widow part.
So with the crazy redemption amounts, how much did you redeem your ticket for?
Lucky,
Aside from hard product, is there supposed to be any desirable difference between "Suites Class" and "First Class" in terms of service?
JRL
P.S. You set the new bar with the double suite. Well done!
I can't get over the lack if desert. That's the ONLY thing my wife will want at 1AM. I don't have the heart to tell her. I'll be interested in seeing what happens when she says " I just want dessert for my meal".
@Ace Lucky wrote, " I realize I should have “booked the cook” so I could choose from more entrees, but I had forgotten."
@ Michael -- I cover the redemption costs in the introduction post:
https://onemileatatime.com/a380-extravaganza-introduction/
This cost 91,375 KrisFlyer miles plus taxes/fees/fuel surcharges.
Having just done this same flight yesterday, I can say all of your descriptions are spot on - right down to the dumplings. Reading your report makes me want to live it all again! I think I had your trip beat only on two counts. I Booked the Cook, and the Roasted Chilean Seabass was truly restaurant worthy delicious. And I took my wife so the double bed was more fun.
One noted difference: I found that I was able to get the seat reclined more than what you describe, but had to persist with the controls because it would stop and restart as I reclined. And the foot rest can't be extended before you recline.
I don't have anywhere close to your flying experience but it was a flight that'll be hard to top in quality. Ever. All thanks to reading your "glitch" post. Let's just say if our paths cross again, I won't be letting you pay for your own Diet Coke with lime!
Lucky, could have you had the chocolate pancakes from the breakfast menu for desert?
@ BFrankley -- So happy to hear you had a great trip!
@ beachfan -- It's Singapore so typically you can have what you want when you want. I'm sure it wouldn't have been an issue.
@ Jorge -- Hah, there may be even more to it. Stay tuned.
Ben- I'm perpexed with you obsession with Krug. Dom >> Krug (IMO). Is Krug 'cooler'?
@ David -- It's personal preference, and I far prefer the taste of Krug to Dom.
Looks great, but honestly a meal like that is very disappointing. Not only do they cut corners by offering a "supper" service, but they food they do serve isn't even good...
After reading this, I'm a lot less inclined to try SQ suites. Seems like CX or LH are superior, if less private, products to me...
@ Justin
LH may serve full meals, but as Lucky will tell you, they also serve some weird sh*t. Cauliflower mousse, anyone?
You can never have enough warm nuts but that begs the question: Can your nuts ever be to warm? :-O
Well i am mot impressed by the seats or suites compared to Emirates!!!ridiculous they not serving krug on ground just to save few box,Emirates will mot spare paying whatever it needs,the toilets are really odd and nothing more frustrating than flying first and being told your meal choice is not available!!!i feel sometime Lucky you are too much in love with singapore and lufthansa and a bit harsh with mideastern airlines!!!they could have added a minibar by your seat!!what about wifi???
The menu was indeed a disappointment. Not impressed by the wines either. Not a single wine over 50 dollars and only the Cloudy Bay is over 90 points.
You can't live on Champagne alone. Or maybe you can 😉
hi Lucky,
"Short of dropping $10,000 or a million KrisFlyer miles, there has simply been no way into Suites Class ever..."
so could you share what other ways can one get into the suite?
@ dj -- Well it's now possible to redeem KrisFlyer miles at the saver level. See these posts:
https://onemileatatime.com/singapore-airlines-now-releasing-suites-class-at-the-saver-level/
https://onemileatatime.com/singapore-airlines-now-releasing-suites-class-award-availability-to-the-us/
@mohamed b
Well, is SQ had Abu Dhabi to bail it out every time it ran into financial difficulties, I'm sure they'd serve 3 or 4 types of champagne during take-off 😉
Also, the minibar in the EK suite is, like many things related to the UAE, pretty but not very functional and pointless, all style and no substance.
@wwk5d
well i think when you pay the price for being in first class its quite dissapointment to be told this champagne wont be served on ground or your preffered meal choice is not available!!!!Emirates is a profiting airlines and for sure uf they goes into troubles its not abu dhabi (owner of competitor etihad)thats gonna bail them,and dubail being bailed out by abu dhabi dont have the means to do so.
@ Michael G
I found the 777W seats on SQ16 much too firm
@Paul
I agree about your 777W cabin temperature issues. The cabin was much too hot (it might have been OK if I could have slept in my underwear, but that would not have been appropriate for the plane nor pleasant for my fellow passengers.
Between the hard seats and the hot cabin, my partner and I arrived in SFO tired and cranky: flying in SQ First, I expected to arrive in SFO rested and refreshed, instead I arrived tired and cranky.
~~Lucky's Pajama resale shoppe~~
I don't think that will ever happen Lucky....You blog in bed too much at home and wear them out. They will be in shreds before you get rid of them.
We have flown SQ 1 in F & R class on A380 & 777 4 times in the last 12 months. We have always been offered BOTH Dom & Krug before take-off and NEVER had any dining selection limitations. We have also flown SQ (F & R) HKG-SIN, SIN-SYD, SIN-MEL, SIN-LHR & SIN-LAX(via NRT) and have enjoyed excellent dining & services. "Book The Cook" are excellent - try Shanghainese Roast Duck on MEL-SIN! SQ Suites (being on main deck) are larger than Emirates (upper deck = narrower) but Emirates & LH being on upper deck have more room for large/flashy washrooms. We've enjoyed F class on LX, LH & BA but nothing compared to SQ. Also flew LAX-SYD in F on UA - never again! BTW, UA's Global First lounges are only meant for F pax flying UA intl. & pax flying UA's P.S. service SFO-JFK & LAX-JFK.
I just flew on SIA's Business Class, Singapore to London.
Check out my trip video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9ocU6H2bWc
More pictures here:
http://guitar123foodandtravel.blogspot.sg/2013/10/singapore-airlines-sq-322-flight.html
The food seems to be very poor especially the rip. If one is flying the suites there is obsolutely no reason not to serve caviar, but very good review.thanks
Ben, what's the best seat in Suite Class in your opinion for a solo traveller? I initially chose 3A but I really wanted a chance to get a double bed so changed it to 3C. 3D is showing as unoccupied.
I keep considering going back to 3A in case someone gets to sit in 3D
Thoughts? The route is SIN-ZRH if that matters and it's in March 2015.
Thank you!
@ Francisca -- I would choose a window seat in row three, and then see how much the cabin fills up over time. If a few days before departure the cabin is still wide open I'd select a center seat in row three. Or you can just stick to a window in row three and if the center seat stays open they'll gladly make you a double bed in the middle.
I am in the fortunate position (albeit after blowing many, many miles) of now being able to choose either between Suites or new First Class (on SQ318 - generally the new variant of the product) between Melbourne and London. Have you been in the new first class product - which would you recommend?
@ Tom -- If you haven't done either then Suites Class is still hands down better. I'd definitely go with it.
I have the option of either flying from Shanghai to Zurich via Singapore on Suites or PVG-LHR via SIN. Which one would you recommend?
@ Zach -- If they're both in Suites, I'd go with whichever is more convenient. Shouldn't really be a difference.
Out of Singapore; is there any difference in catering on different routes? I believe that Zurich has one of the new refreshed suites cabin equipped A380s.