Hello from New York, as I reach the end of my review trip to Oman. I just flew Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 777-300ER business class on the eight hour flight from Frankfurt to New York. Suffice it to say that the trip ended on a high note, as Singapore Airlines was spectacular… as always.
Continue reading: Singapore Airlines 777 Business Class: A Pleasure To Fly
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Is SQ perhaps the most consistent airline in the world in terms of managing expectations with its onboard product, despite not being the flashiest or the best like Qatar Airways?
Don’t you feel that this is far above the extremes of another airline that’s all about perfection, QR: the outrageously good Qsuite on some aircraft, the outrageously bad A330 product on others? Always wanted to know, since you’ve always praised SQ and QR to the skies.
And just as an aside, what’s your favourite non-SQ East Asian airline in business class? Is it ANA’s incredible THE Room, or does your new favourite, EVA, beat it to the punch? I’d love to know!
Hey why didn't you tell me earlier that you are arriving in New York I would have loved to say hello
I was so excited to fly SQ years ago but I was really disappointed: the seat. You're either mostly upright or flat. I like to be able to recline and watch tv/sleep. Kind of a deal breaker.
It’s all good as long as they do not get into MX troubles.
I experienced a very bad service recovery after SQ 25 JFK-FRA got cancelled in April 2023.
They do a good job of making pretty pedestrian food look nice. And probably don't spend all that much.
A few shrimp, quinoa, and ingredients you find in a chinese take out main are pretty low cost to them. One small scoop of ice cream with a small slice of cake.
It's basically what AA probably spends on a transcon J flight but smaller portions that look nicer on better serving ware, and again probably not that different on the food budget.
Taking this flight on Wednesday, looking forward to it very much. Question, how early did you get to FRA? I’m already checked in on the SQ app, and I’m a few stops away by train. Not exactly thrilled to do the usual 3 hours before flight if I can avoid it. Not a morning person at all!
@ Santos -- I think arriving at the airport 90 minutes before departure would be more than enough. Lufthansa leaves from the B gates, and I find that security that early in the morning is pretty quiet.
@ R B -- Yeah, that's definitely an issue on an airline with a once daily flight. However, Singapore Airlines has a very good completion rate and on time percentage on this route, and I think you just got very unlucky. This isn't like booking JetBlue or Spirit, where it's 50/50 as to whether you'll make it to your destination.
@ nemme -- I hear you, it's certainly a unique seat. Personally I also find it quite comfortable to fully recline the seat and then sit up and put two pillows behind you. It's quite similar to Finnair's no-recline business class product at that point.
@ VT-CIE -- That's a great observation, and I think you're exactly right. Singapore Airlines is indeed probably the single most consistent airline in the world when it comes to delivering, and there's also limited variability in terms of seat quality.
In terms of EVA Air vs. ANA, that's a tough one. I'd say EVA Air for the soft product and ANA for the hard product. Which matters more on a particular day really depends, so please don't make me choose! :p
I found the same flying SFO-SIN on the A350 -- I believe it's the same seat. I couldn't get quite comfortable fully flat, but with the seat fully reclined and the bedding provided I was able to snooze without issue.
I do really like SQ, especially the food and the service most of the time. But once in a daytime flight in Y SIN-LHR, departing 12.30 at arriving 19.00 they made me close my window which I wasn’t partially happy about. Especially cause it was my first trip post Covid.
You are being too kind to their 777 seat. Not being able to put my legs up straight in front of me made 13 hrs FRA-SIN quite uncomfortable and having to curl around the centre console in bed position made sleeping nigh on impossible. The food & service were great but I got off the flight with backache.
The 787 seat is more compact but much more comfortable.
Flew Singapore Air Business between Haneda and Melbourne with connection in Singapore in one direction and stopover on return to Haneda. Had combination of Airbus A350 and 777. Liked everything about Singapore Air flights. Paid fare was about $1800 less than direct Business Class flights on Japan Air and Qantas.
Also flew Singapore Air from SEA to BKK in Business with overnight at hotel in The Jewel Mall.
Enjoyed the review.
Good point on the departure time being not ideal for connections. As amazing as the FRA-JFK option on SQ is, I can't justify paying for a hotel/spending the night at FRA. Wouldn't be too big of an issue on its own, but you also have to factor in the cost of a "positioning" flight back home from JFK if you don't live in the NYC area. All of that adds up to cost a lot more than other options (which also get you home faster).
Unless this has changed recently, Internet on the SQ A380, while free, imposes data caps.
AMERICAN AIRLINES INSTALLED EXPRESSO MACHINES ON THEIR WIDE BODY FLEET AND AIRBUS A321 transcontinental AIRCRAFT. YET WITH THEIR HORRIFIC LACK OF STAFFING THEY ARE NOT OFFERED TO PASSENGERS. ESPECIALLY THE 777-300 WHERE ONLY THREE CREW WORK THE AISLE & THE PURSER ASSISTS TIME PERMITTING. FOR 52 CUSTOMERS. IT IS A JOKE.
Absolutely true. They flew the A380 last year so took this flight originating in Mainz, which is just down the river from FRA. Live in CLE which is still UA heavy. Given the prices from JFK-CLE prices on DL vs EWR-CLE on UA, it made sense to cash a Hyatt night in the Flatiron and spend a day getting across the city. Worked out great but not the best solution for everyone.
"On the firm side" is quite the understatement. I flew SQ roundtrip EWR-SIN-EWR last week and still have hip pain from the lack of padding on the bed. As noted above, you have to contort yourself into some weird positions, too. It actually makes it a tough choice for me to either do the 17 hour direct or make it 20+ by stopping over in Doha on Qatar, which has equally good service but way better seats.
Many people say they hate the "convertible" SQ J seats. I didn't think I'd like them, but after flying around the world (5 long hauls total) on the 777, A350 and A350ULR, I'd say the bulkhead seats are at least as good as any other business class I've flown. Plenty of space, and very comfortable in both bed and seat mode. I wasn't bothered by the fact that I coulnd't recline to a very shallow angle in seat mode; when I wanted to sit, it was just right, and when I wanted to sleep, I had the FAs convert it to a bed and I slept very well. The non-bulkheads leave a bit to be desired due to the cramped footwell, but I'd happily fly around the world again in SQ J even if I couldn't get any bulkheads.
And of course the SQ service is legendary. It is a real, true pleasure to fly with such a professional staff. Just one example: I travel nowadays with a small personal fan, and use it when it's too warm on planes. When a FA saw it, she asked me, "Are you feeling warm, Mr. snic?" And a few minutes later, the cabin temperature dropped a few degrees. And then there was the time I forgot my laptop charger on one flight, only to have the FAs hand it over to me on my connecting flight, saying their colleague on the first flight found it and brought it to them. On what other airline in the world would that happen?
Sleep at an airport connected Hotel such as the Sheraton, Marriot or the Hilton family properties. Check in the night before if that is offered. I do not recommend walking up to the flight 7 minutes before boarding, I was greeted by name as I approached. They explained they only had one male outstanding pax.
Reading your review whilst sitting on Biz class SQ211 SIN to SYD. The satay is brilliant, the drinks are truly free-flow (don’t tell my wife), the seat is ginormous (well I’m 5”6 but I also flew the much smaller SQ 787 Biz).
SQ is utterly brilliant and even when we fly economy we feel like we’ve flown premium.
Booked business class to veitnam from auckland found out we are on a air new zealand business class that is absolute trash.
Love flying Singapore they ate the best but not if they code share with air new zealand
1) Espresso, not expresso.
2) WERE YOU AFRAID THAT YOU WOULDN'T GET OUR ATTENTION?