As I mentioned in the introduction post, I specifically planned our trip around this flight. In April I had the best flight of my life on Singapore Airlines from Singapore to Tokyo Narita, with a flight attendant that was simply out-of-this-world spectacular. We’ve been in touch ever since, and I asked her to keep me…
Continue reading: Bali and Berchtesgaden: Singapore Airlines First Class Moscow to Singapore
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
@ Jeff -- They're both top notch and at the very top of the industry. I think it really comes down to the route, crew on a particular day, etc. On a good day they both leave nothing to be desired.
seemed like a truly awesome flight experience, hopefully someday ill get to do it!
im gonna guess 17 years
AWESOME flight!
"Anyone know of a way to redeem miles for Transaero first class?"
Sadly, pretty sure that bmi miles can only be used for business and not first class.
In fact I do not think that Transaero's own program permits first class redemptions or upgrades!
CX F and SQ F are very different. I like the quality of food on SQ more, but CX has a better snack menu. Definitely prefer SQ champagne and amenities.
Big difference is in style of service. CX is very good but they tend to stay out of your way, you really do need to ring the call button and they are right there. Some people prefer to be let alonem and that's CX's style, although it is still excellent service.
Plane spotting in Russia isn't what it used to be. They're retiring most of the soviet-era planes so now it's starting to look like any other airport.
How is it that a medium/long-haul flight on SQ, out of DME nonetheless, do not serve caviar?
@ Brad -- Surprised me as well. Singapore to Frankfurt was the only flight with caviar.
Agree with Gary above: CX's approach is a bit more discreet (they wait for you to ask -- as simple as making eye contact or pressing the call button -- and then they'll do absolutely anything), while SQ is constantly watching you and if you twitch they'll be right over to ask if you need something! Tough to say which I prefer -- they're both absolutely fantastic.
My family lives in Ottawa, Canada, and there's often some fun planespotting there since it's where a lot of the politicians park their rides 😛
My favorites were an Antonov An-124 and a Luftwaffe Airbus A310.
Could have been the A319CJ also, which would made some sense as as Merkel was in town. Wish I'd gotten a better look. It's not as distinctive as the Antonov 😉
Transaero in fact did have first class awards/upgrades in their own program, but they are available only if you had taken paid F already. On the other hand you would have enough points for one way to/from US with only about $17k spend on their card
The problem is this - the service on SQ may be top notch but the uniforms are UGLY!
Also first class cabin design is not as modern and smart looking as Lufthansa or BA.
18 years for Ivy. I fly out of DME several times a year and no matter which airline I fly, catering service is not that impressive. I bet all the airlines are required to use the same catering company.
I agree with you on on all points, Lucky. Catering out of DME is pretty. I am curious to see how you think this crew stacks up against your other SQ crews. You know I thought they were absolutely fantastic. In my opinion, they were far more polished and proactive than the other 2 crews I had.
Your writing style is great. The part about the wacky TV show had me laughing. So bizarre!
I love dessert, so if one is really good, am I able to ask for seconds?
I'll guess 32yrs since no one has said it. A long shot I know. 🙂
She doesn't look like she could've worked for SQ for more than 20 years, unless she started working before 15. For that matter, she doesn't look like she could've worked anywhere near 20 years. I'll guess 9
Come on lucky, enough suspense! Declare me as the winner for guessing 24 years.
@ Benny -- Thanks! I find Singapore to not only be the most accommodating but actually to be the most encouraging of having seconds, trying more than one thing, etc., as long as they have enough.
But 32 years -- seriously?!? How old do you think she is? 😀
@ Rasputin -- Yep, you got it right with 24 years. How did you know?
It's funny how it came up. She said "I've been here for 24 years." I interrupted her and said "when you say hear you mean earth, right?"
Lucky, i love the blog man! Do you admit you like Janesis for more then her flight attending skills?! There is no way you plan a specific flight just to have her serve you champaign. She is cute so i cant fault you wanting a "deeper relationship". Good luck with it all Lucky 🙂
Lucky, I am good at two things with women. Guessing their age and guessing their weight accurately. Obviously did not work well with women when I was single.
I'm guessing Ivy has worked for 21 years with SIA. Ben, do you know if both Ivy and Wong Chin are Singaporean or Malaysian?
@ Mark -- Janesis/Wong Chin is Malaysian. I'm not positive about Ivy, though I *think* she is as well.
I'll say 10 years, since I'm guessing that she would have started at the earliest in her late 20s, since I'm guessing that SQ would require you to finish college with like a hospitality degree or equivalent and also have experience with the hospitality/service industry. Then to be a supervisor, well, that's more years of experience.
This flight sounds like the opposite of my experience with Air China- pretty good food, yet flight attendants never had any warmth, soul, compassion, etc with how they looked down upon you. Glad to see that my theory is being played out- good service can make up for bad hard product but good hard product backed up by poor service will ruin your experience. Look fwd to the rest of your trip report!
Pretty funny that people are still guessing when Lucky has given the answer!
Wanted to add nice job on the write-up... Probably one of the most 'pressure packed' posts you have written due to the subject and the hungry masses looking for more details like hawks. Very well balanced and strengths and deltas laid out. Extra kudos to Janesis and the whole crew for being willing to allow the picture to be posted. Hopefully everyone who reads this trip treats them as warmly as they are treated!
As much as I wanted this review to be creepy and weird, it was pretty classy and appropriate.
Janesis is definitely cute. How old is she? Note their body language. Ivy with her hands behind is like a boss. Lol
"and she said “I’ve been doing my research.”"
Yes, I'll bet she has if she plans on being the future Mrs. Ben Schlapig...hope she likes Tampa and Orange Fanta! 😉
"They tested that by dropping a bloody, dead big in a pool."
A bloody, dead big what in the pool? (Yes, I know he meant to say pig...)
One of the best times of my life was when I lived three years in Singapore while having a job with regional responsibility for Asia. I flew around Asia and to / from N.A. and Europe multiple times per month on SQ, CX, TG and others in business and first class. Living in Singapore was an excellent experience too.
Absolutely fabulous!
I had withdrawal pains for years after moving back to the U.S.
Sorry ladies. Southeast Asian women of Chinese ancestry have a very strong tendency to "age well". It is very often difficult to tell if they are early twenties or fifties from anything other than subtle clues.
I also suspect that SQ flight attendants are partially selected on the ability to project something I can only describe as solicitous elegance.
Ben, now you've done it. You did such a good job of reminding me of the the good old days that I've got to find a way to fly SQ in F again.
Regards... Jack
Here's an idea, Ben: as your next trip, why don't you fly Janesis to come meet you somewhere, and have her do a guest trip report from her perspective as an SQ FA? That way, you get: 1) your next trip MacGuffin; 2) an excuse for her to visit you -- and somewhere that better shows you off than Tampa; and 3) a fascinating bonus trip report for the blog from Janesis.
And we get all of the above, plus satisfaction for our soap-opera objectives for you!
@lucky LOL. Well I saw most of my guesses had been taken. I started low and went until I didn't see a number used. 🙂
But being Chinese, I know Asian women age very well! So I'm sure she hardly looks her age.
So, Mr. Ben, did you get to spend any more time with her after the flight or did you need to run off to the next flight? Come on, man, you need to go out on a date with her! Or at least admit she said no, which is just fine too.
I am not a trip report reader, but running across the globe to see a certain flight attendant is downright awesome in my book! Could be a movie....
Ben, thanks for the info about Wong Chin's nationality. I'm proud of my countrymen 🙂 I guess I'll see you in LAX for the FTU event. We'll chat more about Asian Airlines.
Lucky,
I've been reading your trip reports for a while and I was looking forward to seeing what your review of SQ F would be like since my wife and I just took our first trip in longhaul F on a JL 777 ORD-NRT. After reading your trip reports I feel that (for the flight we were on at least) JL's F product and service stacks up to SQ very well. The only review of yours I found was from a little while ago made you seem unimpressed with their service and product. Maybe you should give them another chance at some point? I know I wasn't disappointed.
@ snuggliestbear -- I actually flew them just a couple of months ago in their new product. The report can be found here:
https://onemileatatime.com/singapore-for-the-weekend-japan-airlines-first-class-tokyo-narita-to-new-york-jfk/
The irony of no caviar being served on SQ F flights IN AND OUT OF RUSSIA is palpable! That's long skipping congee in and out of China.
Ben, Thanks for a great trip report. It feels like a movie with a happy ending.
I'll be flying first on SQ62 in Jan 2013 (thanks to your SQ award post). One question that I have is, can you still watch TV comfortablely from bed position on this seat? Perhaps leaning on the back panel in a somewhat upright position?
@ OooO -- Absolutely, you can either lean against the back panel or ask for a couple extra pillows.
You people are clueless as to why a date would never happen. If you're a regular reader of the blog, it becomes patently obvious.
Yay for Malaysian Hospitality on Singapore Metal! (From a Malaysian working in Singapore)
Great TR, she is a bit older than you right? a bit more experience can be good sometime!
After seeing the picture, I think she may have worked a flight I was one in J, either LAX-NRT or return, can't remember which one.
I flew Singapore Air on my honeymoon to Bali. Didn't fly first class but in comparison it felt like it compared to any 'local' airlines I have flown on in the US or even Europe (though I like Austria Air).
Hi Ben, interesting post about the stewardesses. I was searching for a steward name Toon and was pleased to read your post. He could be the same person I need to thank personally. Is there a way to get in touch with him?