Review: Singapore Airlines New Suites A380 Sydney To Singapore

I assume you mean you're happy Singapore upgraded their headphones to the latest Bose model, since they've had Bose headphones in general for years now?

@ Bgriff -- You're absolutely right, I stand corrected. Not sure what I was thinking regarding the headphones.

"Singapore Airlines has some of the best service, food, and drinks, of any airline in the world. The soft product simply can’t be faulted,"

I actually do find fault with their mid-flight snacks on long haul, for what it's worth. They could do a lot more there.

Nice. The photos kill it for you.

They opened the krug on the ground? I thought airlines didn't do that.

Also krug and dom only in first.

It's a rushed product. They had massive issues with the suite design and build, particularity the bed, before launch. They didn't do enough testing with the finished product, they released it when they did because of Emirate's new first class. I do hope they fix it

You say it's a spectacular product but neither the seat nor the bed are comfortable and completely functional? Maybe we have different definitions of spectacular. Caviar is one thing. If I am spending that much money, I need a super comfy bed.

I visited their stand at London excell and wasnt impressed at all,Etihad apartment way better,the bed is way bigger,the seat more confortable.
I am flying singapore first tomorow London to Changi and i opted 777 with 4 seats.

Singapore Airlines doesn't have any cameras on any aircraft in their fleet. Something I once heard -and no idea if there's any truth to this- is that it's because they don't want people to watch a bad takeoff or landing so it's more of a face saving thing.

and @Lucky - you're entirely right. Singapore Airlines designs their cabin products from the ground up (exception being Econ class and their regional biz class), and I feel that they tend to miss out on some really glaring issues. Makes you wonder how much they focus group test the mockups before moving into production.

Even the bathroom design looks like a bad use of space. Who needs a separate vanity area when you already have one in your suite? Judging from the pictures the smallest bathroom looks nicer than the bigger one.

@ Neil S. -- You're right, the "spectacular" at the end is a bit of an overstatement. I think it's fairer to say "great." The sheer amount of personal space is special, but the shortcomings are substantial.

@ debit -- They do serve both Krug and Dom on the ground.

@ Gary Leff -- Good point, though not especially applicable on this short daytime flight. I should have probably said "the soft product on this flight simply can't be faulted."

The whole "staring at a stranger situation while having dinner" could have easily been prevented if they connected rows 1 and 2 on one side of the plane and rows 2 and 3 on the other side.

Makes you wonder who put closer thought into the design process really. From your reviews I take the previous Singapore Suites was definitely better in this aspect.

The annoying thing is that a lot of the issues mentioned can be solved fairly easily.

For the issue of dining layout a two pronged approach can be taken:

1. Alternate where the doors are. So if we split a side into six entry points a-f one would make one side open at a a,d,e and the other at b,c,f. That way you maintain two suites that can be combined and one that can't on each side but you're not staring at the person opposite during meal service.

2. Move the seat a bit further forward. There seems to be space and it would give the possibility of actually being able to use the seat facing the window. My two issues are broad shoulders and thickset legs (30-32 waist but straight legs trousers stick to me like skinny jeans) and the latter would mean I would struggle to actually fit my legs in that gap, not accounting for the comfort factor.

Offer soft mattress pads. Even if you were aiming for full coverage, that's six extra pads for the suites max, really can't increase the load by that much.

Air nozzles. I feel like this should be standard on EVERY "premium" product.

The seat and bed width issues are more complex to solve but with the above changes would probably leave this as the best hard product for many people (those of us that would take an actual soft bed over the extra privacy).

The young lady companion was probably not wearing the shortest skirt you've seen because there are no pictures. No pictures=didn't happen.

Party of 4 in F??? I could never spend that much money. This is denial of our rights! No F for us=illegal discrimination. Where's Bernie Sanders when you need him?

So nice review!

@Lucky

so from your experience would you prefer to fly in the new Singapore First Class Suites or the old version?

@ Andy -- I'd probably still choose the new version. It's much more spacious, and the old Suite has the same issue with the hard bed. It's still a great product, just not as great as it could have been.

Sounds like it kind of sucks (relatively).

The food looks incredible! And the wine list looks equally fabulous.

Lucky dod you have a chance to see the double bed in action? Is it the same as before? Or is it also more
Limited?

@ Ben O. -- It looks to me like it's roughly the same as before, though no one on my flight used it. I was hoping there would be an empty Suite and I could try it out, but alas, the cabin was full.

Say what you will, but this looks infinitely more functional than Emirate's bling and tackiness (unless virtual windows and multicoloured LEDs are your thing). I also feel like this makes Emirate's new first look somewhat claustrophobic by comparison.

@ Ewan -- To each their own, but the new Emirates first class seat is significantly more comfortable as a seat, significantly more comfortable as a bed, has multiple air nozzles, and has full privacy so you can control how light or dark your cabin is. To me there's almost no comparison.

Just flew it yesterday, the seat was fine imo, and the bed while hard, isn't as hard as you make it out to be, and I think you have a serious problem with heat, because it really wasn't that hot, even while I was in the bed. I flew from London though, so maybe they've updated some small things since your flight, since I assume your plane was the first one to get the new suites.

So we have a hard uncomfortable bed. A seat that isn't all that comfortable to recline and relax in. And a dining setup that requires you to stare awkwardly at the person across from you. Ohh and it should be mentioned if you and your wife want to dine together that's not really possible.

It sounds to me like a major fail as a hard product especially when you consider what it is and what it's supposed to represent.

I can't evaluate the total experience the way you can but from a hard product perspective it sounds like a major fail.

Wow that wine list is remarkable!

This is so disappointing to read! I'm curious to see what they'll do with the 777-9 and whether that will aim to one-up Emirates.

I completely agree with you about the bed size. It looks to the about the same width of the current SQ suites, or the Etihad apartments. Huge missed opportunity in not making the bed wider, goodness knows they had the room.

Question: In this picture, "Singapore-Airlines-New-Suites-A380-75," on the right side of the wall of the suites, there appear to be two doors next to each other, sort of closet-looking things. What are those? I thought the closet was basically *in* the suite running next to the sliding doors.

Also, where does one stow a rollaboard?

@ TravelinWilly -- Hah, very sharp eye, I didn't even notice that! My guess is that those are maybe closets for each suite's bedding. It didn't seem like it was intended for passengers. Anyone else know?

As far as rollaboards go, they fit inside the closet, though otherwise there was a closet at the front of the cabin.

真是千呼万唤始出来……（It indeed cost me hundreds of thousands of cries for this report…)

Good review. I’ve also flown this product in 1A (bigger and different design to Ben’s Suite), and also Emirates new F GVA-DXB (middle seat in row 2).

Firstly, their service is always amazing and their drinks selection impeccable. When this flight was taken they were only serving Krug 2004 on select flights, I had 5 SQ F sectors that week and the only ones I had 2004 on were this flight (SQ232, all new Suites have it) and SQ2 (SIN-HKG and on to SFO).. only flagship routes have it now.

Also, their food is always average.. that doesn’t affect this product vs old suites one way or another, but SQ food isn’t great.

Incidentally, Moet-Hennessy told me the only reason they’re serving 2004 is because M-H themselves are running very low on stock of Krug Grand Cuvee and don’t have enough for all of SQ’s needs.

Anyway, completely agree that I was WOW’d initially and skill kind of am.. however, the Suite simply isn’t designed with the flying passenger in mind. In 1A I couldn’t reach ANYTHING from my seat... not my stuff, not the controller, not anything. I fly with a laptop to watch shows/movies on as I fly so much I don’t trust IFE, this was easily the worst setup I’ve ever experienced for BYO laptop too. You can’t recline the seat if it’s facing the direction of the ledge to put our laptop on. You can only recline it if it’s facing the TV, in which case you can’t put your laptop anywhere. Totally ridiculous.

Bathrooms fab but no better than LH A380.

All in all, it’s bigger and at first glance looks better than the new EK F, and has more sophisticated service, but I’d take the new EK F any day over this one.

@ flying_foxy -- Thanks for your thoughts, always interesting to compare notes. It makes me wonder if anyone has flown both Emirates and Singapore new first class products and prefers Singapore? Among those who have flown both, there seems to be a consensus about Emirates having a better product.

Seriously Ben, you mention a young Asian lady in the shortest dress you've ever seen and you don't post pictures? You'll post pics of nuts but not an Asian in a short dress? C'mon bro!! Jesus

Sounds like a major fail on the hard product. I’ll pass.

You just confirmed my latest experience with SQ F I'm not a fan of this new product and still like their Suites in A380. It feels more privat and you have more windows. Service as well as F&B were faultless. SQ has to improve bed quality regarding the width and firmness. The gap under the door has to go. Air Nozzles has to be implemented. Prefer to have a table facing the window instead of staring to a stranger while eating. These are First World problems but if SQ wants to be on the top of the game than they have to deliver it properly and well executed. The new Emirates First Suite is the best at the moment. It gives you more privacy and control of your own experience. The only thing missing in the B777 is the shower experience, then it will be perfect. New EK Suite is my personal best F product followed by AF and EY.

WOW--now that's an airline---any wonder why american carriers were such a bad joke?

Another terrific trip report Lucky!

Sounds to me like this seat is an epic fail. Emirates all the way!!!!!

Thanks for the review - as someone who will only fly international business or first using miles, I like to know which planes don’t have decent air. Honestly, it could be the ‘best’ cabin in the world but if it’s too hot for comfort the entire flights is ruined for me, as it was on a Korean Air flight from Seoul to Sydney 5 years ago. I was sweating for 10 hours. It was inbelieavable. I’ll take a nice domestic size business class seat with some sort of air control over this any day of the week.

The most important point from viewpoint of the reader is not being addressed in this post - how did you book it? with points? If with points - what currency? a description of the booking process etc...people read this blog in order to learn and be able to book these flights also. Otherwise - whats the point?

@ Lucky

You didn't mention the portable foot rest they bring so you can put your feet on something because the one attached to the seat is too short. It then further blocks the doorway when they're trying to do food and beverage service.

The reason why it's hot in the Suite is because the Lalique pyjamas are 65% polyester.

re: the family I'm guessing "second wife" 🙂 and agree pics were in order!

It is too bad they don't have some plush mattress pads to provide those that want a softer bed, seems like a simple fix and would satisfy both those that want a hard bed (dont use the pad) and those that dont want a hard bed. Bed comfort is usually my primary want on long hauls, ok maybe its tied with good booze but its a close race!

@Brian, what portable foot rest? I also talked about the meager recline of the legrest with the purser in board. There wasn't any mentions of any leg support or something?? Regarding the warm temperature, I just asked the purser kindly to lower down the temperature and it wasn't an issue.

“There was a (much) older man, a young woman in very high heels with the shortest dress I’ve possibly ever seen, and then two women who I believe were the guy’s daughter (I’m pretty sure they were older than the other woman).” Modern Family

So dissapointing from Singapore Airlines. After so much time and being ahead of their time with the first Suite product on the A380 this seems like so much a step backwards.

While their soft product may not be surpassed (unless it’s a Supper menu) the hard product on this new Suite is a miss. Etihad’s Apartment product, Emirates new Suite Product, even Singapore original Suite is better (from a privacy aspect, and no rattling seat during turbulence with the new product).

You truly are lucky, man! 🙂

@lucky Thank you for the review. It seems that some of the issues raised are being looked at.... well from a PR point of view at least. Hopefully, it will be addressed in the future - no mention of the air nozzle.

here an extract from Aaron Wong from Milelion.com

-----------------------------

+ Those slits in the door in new Suites are deliberate- it’s so the crew can discreetly check that passengers are wearing their seatbelts during turbulence and also to improve overall air flow
+ Management is well aware of the design issues I highlighted with the new suites and are taking steps to address them.
- Where noise and light pollution are concerned, they’re actively instructing the crew to relocate as much galley equipment as they can away from the last row of seats
- The overly tight bed belt is being looked at by the manufacturer and hopefully, an alternative solution will be reached soon
- They’re working to fix the issue with the seat shuddering and sliding around during turbulence
- The awkwardness of facing the passenger across the aisle while dining has come up repeatedly and are thinking of ways to mitigate this

The old guy with a young wife.....was that Trump? And yeah you should have taken pics of the lady in short skirts

The residence is sold as a separate class above first at a different price point. How does the bed, seat and cabin compare with Etihad apartments- their standard first class cabin?

I think its a case of Singapore trying to do too much which out actually thinking as several other airlines do one feature of the suite better e.g American better at seatfacing window, Qantas has better bedding etc it seems to be a poorly designed product.

No air nozzles? That’s a rubbish “premium” product: airlines don’t specify nozzles because it cuts the purchase price of the aircraft. Then they try to distract you from their cheap-skatery with a different vintage champagne.

But, for me, no nozzles=low-cost carrier.

Now to the important question: “Leading steward Shawn, and leading stewardess Jamie”.

How do you decide when to use a gender-related diminutive? For example, would you differentiate between actor/actress, or are they all actors? We used to differentiate between a poet and a poetess, but even the oldest old fart doesn’t bother doing that any more. Similarly with doctors. What about pilot / pilotess?

So why do you differentiate stewards? I’m curious. Or is it that bloody “Singapore Girl”-thing infecting your thinking?!

For me it looks like lots of lost, empty space Why the suites have to be bigger and bigger? A perfect suite a la Emirates plus an onboard bar is the perfect mix for me.

Singapore Airlines is way more arrogant than capable.
They co-design all their seats instead of going with experts. And it shows. Their business class seats are wider than long (that’s not how the human body looks) and are uncomfortable and hard to sleep on. Their new Suites First is nice and clean but as we all just read quite frankly uncomfortable and awkward for what you’re paying for it.
But then again one needs to keep in mind who this airline is targetting.

@The nice Paul -- I believe SQ the company uses those designations, so that would explain it. But aside from that, common usage? Actor/actress are still both commonly used, whereas you note yourself no one says poetess.

@ BrooklynBoy

Speak for yourself! Actor/actress has largely disappeared from British English, only die-hard old farts (like readers of the Daily Telegraph, like US Academy Awards voters) insisting on maintaining the distinction. I can't remember the last time someone called out loud for a "stewardess" - seems wilfully archaic to me.

So other than "we say it because we say it", I guess you don't have any, you know, logic to offer?

That being the case, I do wonder why people whose first language is English would insist on continuing to use gendered words to differentiate between people doing exactly the same job. Why? Unless it's a way of reinforcing sexual stereotypes: you just have to read some of the commenters on here to know that there are lots of dumb guys who think female F/As are primarily employed for their leering gratification.

Hi Ben,
Nice trip report.
Seems that EK really crushed SQ in Straight Sets , huh....for First Class Head To Head @ Clash of the Titans i will say.

Best & Most Honest report to date!

Bed width has always been an issue for me.
I have flown primarily SQ, but with this new a380 poor products both in Suites and J. I'll take it elsewhere.

FYI: Window Bulkhead Seats in J do Not offer full ottoman anymore!

@Brian
I stand corrected..I contacted SQ about this legrest extension you have told..there is a padded stool available for use primarily as a seat for a guest dining with you in your suite. Just wondering how it looks like when this guest would be sitting approx.with his back at the door?!? or only with open door as there is no space for movement?!? How will the service look like as the guest is blocking the entrance? Hmm..really weird.

Well these seem to be over a million times better than those crap American Airlines. With bad service, Low quality food and an uncomfortable seat, it almost baffles anyone as to why anyone would want to fly on American carriers.

Good Review!!
We've booked JFK-FRA this May. What are your thoughts about suite selection?
1A+2A, or 2F+3F?
The first one shows it next to the restroom (not sure if it shares a wall or not), and the 2nd shows it next to a Galley.
Just wondering which will be quieter.
Thanks!

It's a very small cabin, so I wouldn't be too worried about noise by virtue of proximity to the lavatory. I'm pretty sure only rows 1 and 2 allow for the suites to double up (and I'm inferring that you're traveling as a couple). Row 3 does not.