Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class 787 (SIN-SGN)

Thanks for posting these flight reviews. I recently booked an SQ 787-10 flight DPS-SIN. This looks very comfortable for a 2h45m jaunt. I just might hold off eating at the lounge to make room for a "light" onboard meal.

You can pay a relatively small fee for visa fast track in Vietnam. The only time I’ve been there I had the foresight to do that and when I landed and saw the lines I was happy I did. I wouldn’t ever fly there without paying for that service

Nice tip. Is it your understanding these long lines are somewhat typical in Vietnamese airports (versus a pandemic hangover thing)?

Man, if only you had actually voice-recorded that captain’s announcement — I would have paid to hear it, not that you would charge anything though! Cabin crew and pilots who go above and beyond are what I like most about your reviews. And thanks for writing the plane registration!

Ben, your writing is less and less relevant. You need to re-invent.

@ Tim H -- Interesting comment, especially in light of your commenting history. You've commented a total of three times since 2015, and your previous comments were also to inform me that my content isn't good.

I think it says more about you than me that you've been reading my not-good content for eight years, no?

@ Ryan -- In retrospect I should have done that, good to know, thanks!

This is a great tip but I can't figure out where to go online. Is there a particular service you use for this? Just googling it I see many websites that say they help with a VIP Fastrack. Does anyone have the best website so not to get scammed?

Flew on an A350 with these seats from BKK to SIN last week, was a very pleasant trip.

Great review Ben...you captured the spirit and essence of your SQ 787-10 flight for all of us! Interesting that I recently flew KUL- SIN J class on their A350 which had their long range biz class hard product. Wi-Fi was not complimentary nor was there an amenity kit offered...but I would not expect one on a flight of that short duration (about 50mins air time). Pleasantly surprised they offered one to SGN. And I agree that the 787 seat is more comfortable (for me) vs their long range biz product. To each his own I suppose. I have flown into SGN multiple-times pre-CV and have never noticed the lines that long. I have the APEC card which usually has a dedicated lane but even with the card, I will sometimes spring for the fast-track, (per Ryan's suggestion), as it can still be worth the time *not* spent in line. Recently did this at BKK and it was very well worth the investment. Safe travels!

Is Singapore J/F the best use of *A miles out there Ben? The only thing I can think of as better is ANA first and maybe Swiss F (if comparing to Singapore J only).

I'd say ANA J is on par with Singapore's J product. Well, ok, maybe not the IFE, but in just about every other way.

Went back to my emails and found this is service I used https://www.vietnam-evisa.org/services/view/airport-concierge-and-fast-track-service.html

Only did it once, was positioning as part of that epic CX JFK F mistake fare but would use again.

@Ben, I hope the version of White Lotus Season 1 you saw wasn't edited out for the naughty parts, especially the scene with the private parts and then the "licking" scene.

"It sure is hard to go back to the United States and fly with US carriers after experiencing this kind of service."
Truer words have never been spoken. Great review, Ben.

These posts are the highlight of my day. (I'd like to say, after a hard day in court, but since I know it irritates John, I'll keep quiet about it,) 🙂 Thanks Ben!

I'm sure a lot of readers would agree, but we really hope you treated yourself to some amazing Vietnamese cuisine while you were in Vietnam. Because if you didn't, my goodness you really missed out on some amazing food! Anyway, congratulations on 15 years and counting. Huge fan and the blog has certainly helped on my travels from time to time. Keep up the good work. Love you man.

Impressive seat! For a 90 minute flight you can’t do better.

Another great review Ben. Completely agree with you that this seat is actually better than the long haul product. Flew recently on the A350 with this seat and found it to be fantastic. Have flown on all versions of their seats on B777 and A380 and this was definitely the favourite
As always Singapore service was flawless

Interesting. Jan 11-14, 2023, I flew SIN-SGN and back in business with SQ (26.5K UA miles each way) and the metal used in both directions was an A350-900, and not a B787.

As a general rule, I do not travel to a country that requires a visa without having obtained a visa ahead of time, so I did not have to deal with the line for getting a visa on arrival at SGN...

I would that that meal over any UA Polaris meal of any flight/length I have ever had or seen.

I believe this service was ended sometime during the pandemic and has not been reintroduced yet.

I flew BangKok-Singapore-Manchester in J last November and I liked the seat in the first flight much more. In fact I didn’t like the long haul product at all (I may even prefer BA old product…), especially having to ask the cabin crew to put the seat in bed mode each time I wanted to lay down. However, I didn’t receive an amenity kit in neither of the two flights. I asked the cabin crew during the second flight and they told me that I could find toothbrush in the toilet…

That looks like Beef Rendang and the sambal prawns looks more like fish than prawns. What a meal though, looks so delicious.

Do you always get to board first so you can take your pics. Is this something you have to ask at the gate so they give you some time in advance to take your pics.

This is a very detailed and good flight report.

I can't put my finger on it, but I always enjoy SQ just that little bit more. ANA crew are amazing too, but perhaps a tad more 'robotic'? Asian me says that is due to Japanese culture (manners and 'proper' etiquette rather than unfriendliness), whereas Singapore prefers the warm and friendly politeness.

As for Ben's comment on the 'light' meal: I believe the 'everyday' Singaporean customer has VERY high expectations, and anything served on one tray needs to sound much worse than it is, or they'd complain.

Surely that was in Season 2?
They really should do a season featuring the "White Lotus" private jet 😉
https://onemileatatime.com/four-seasons-private-jet/

Great review and what a great carrier - we fly SQ a lot and they are consistently good with always nice crew and very good food and wine

Being staunch advocates of Emirates, after all the hype of Singapore Airlines we decided to try them when we travelled to NZ a couple of years back. The sectors they covered were CDG-SIN return in Business. Have nothing to comment except that we were disappointed basically in every aspect. Our loyalty remains with Emirates until bettered.

SQ is without equal. Even in pandemic times they managed to maintain a level of service that was unequalled. Keep the ME3, it’s always SQ for me (SQ now send me free stuff - few nights at The Fullerton? Yes?)

Ben, did you check out “Jewel” while at SIN? Truly one of the coolest airport experiences ever…

SQ has better seats in business.

I really have a problem with the "wings" on the 787-10. I don't have particularly broad shoulders but the wings cramp my upper body so that after 4 hours it is very painful. I think the same seats are on the A350-1000. Ugh.
Everything else is, of course, SQ super.

It's definitely a first world problem, but considering how much you pay for a business class seat you still can't get away from the footwell behind you shaking or jiggling your seat. It's not common but you only need someone behind you that moves their feet around a lot for it to be somewhat annoying. Seat manufacturers need to have a look at solving this.

Hmm... I read a lot of reviews and I can be rather snarky at times but your work here is well done.

I fly SQ from NY to Bangkok and back yearly and I'm riding them up to Paris in a couple weeks.

I think SQ, like so many other businesses, has used the past couple years panic as an excuse to cut costs and service but they are still my go-to airline. I agree with your point that US based carriers are not even in the same league.

I do believe fair criticism will pressure a company to improve it's service and I do hope SQ pays attention to the points people make. After all, if customers don't make their displeasure known the companies will assume they can get away with lesser quality.

Thumbs up to your review here and thank you for the effort.

@ben - have you considered getting an APEC card? Saves many long lines @ immigration in APEC member nations. Not sure about USA pre-requisites but I’m from NZ and work in Asia, have had it for many years, and it’s an absolute game changer.