Hello from Cambodia, as I just flew Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX 8 business class on the 1hr40min flight from Singapore (SIN) to Phnom Penh (KTI), as part of my review trip. While narrow body flights usually aren’t much to get excited about, I was very much looking forward to this one, as it was my first time flying on a Singapore Airlines narrow body.
Up until a few years ago, Singapore Airlines exclusively operated wide body planes, and its SilkAir subsidiary operated narrow body planes. However, the airline decided to merge those brands, which seemed like a logical move, in terms of creating a consistent experience across flights.
While I’ll have a full trip report upon returning home, in this post I’d like to share some initial impressions, as I was very impressed by the whole experience.
In this post:
Singapore Airlines’ 737 MAX business class cabin is comfortable
Singapore Airlines’ 737 MAX business class cabin is the most intimate in the fleet, with just 10 seats.
Business class consists of staggered seats spread across three rows — the first and third row are in a 2-2 configuration, while the second row is in a 1-1 configuration. I managed to snag one of the solo “throne” seats (this could be done within 96 hours of departure).
Suffice it to say that this is just about as good as business class on a 737 will get. These 737 MAXs mostly operate short flights of under two hours, so getting a flat bed is a real treat. That being said, the airline does operate a few longer routes with the plane, with Busan (PUS) being the furthest destination.
The only slightly unpleasant part of the experience is the bathroom situation, given the typical tiny 737 MAX lavatory. At least Singapore Airlines elevates this a bit, by keeping it spotlessly clean, having proper cloth towels, and even offering some nice toiletries.
One thing is for sure — it’s great that these planes are in the mainline fleet, since they partly serve airports that can’t accommodate wide body aircraft.
Singapore Airlines’ 737 MAX entertainment & Wi-Fi are awesome
Despite the small size of the 737 MAX, Singapore Airlines offers an excellent entertainment selection onboard, with its KrisWorld entertainment system.
As you’d expect, this includes an extensive selection of movies, TV shows, live TV, audio, and games, so you should never get bored onboard!
There’s also the map feature, my favorite part of any inflight entertainment system (assuming there’s no tail camera!).
Singapore Airlines also offers free Wi-Fi for all passengers, and I could connect by just entering my last name and seat number. I found speeds to be quite good.
Singapore Airlines’ food & drinks are always good
Lunch was served on the flight that I took, and food and drinks were quite good. Menus were distributed, and warm towels and pre-departure drinks were offered on the ground. The champagne on offer was 2018 Piper-Heidsieck Brut… nice!
There was a full lunch service after takeoff, and the meal was extensive for such a short flight. The entire meal was served on one tray, and included an appetizer of crab salad with diced mango, a main course of stir-fried prawns with dried chili (there were three choices, in addition to Book the Cook), and a dessert of ondeh ondeh cake.
The taste of the meal was good (I appreciated the prawns were legitimately spicy), though admittedly the presentation of the main could’ve been a bit better. That’s the issue when meals are already heated in those casserole dishes, rather than being plated onboard, since there are limits to how nicely they can be presented.
And let’s be honest, the garlic bread is the highlight of any Singapore Airlines business class flight in terms of catering (and that’s not because the other food is bad, but instead, just because the garlic bread is really good). 😉
Bottom line
Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX business class is a great ride, especially for a short flight within Asia. Having flown Singapore Airlines many dozens of times over the years, it was such a weird experience to board the airline on such a small plane, but Singapore Airlines delivered.
The 737 MAXs have comfortable cabins with flat beds, great entertainment, and free Wi-Fi. On top of that, service was friendly, and the food and drink selection was good (though perhaps food presentation left a bit to be desired). Singapore Airlines never disappoints…
What’s your take on Singapore Airlines’ 737 MAX business class?
They are flying to china as well with these 737 ..
Singapore Airlines' Business Class meal presentation is absolutely disgusting nowadays. They should be ashamed to serve that up, it looks like vomit.
…. and your most recent experience of SQ, was Anthony?
You’ve never flown them, let alone economy
Ben's "quick" review while on the road is more complete than most writers' complete, final review. Nice work. Good explanation of the odd (if you haven't flown it yet) alternating business class rows.
I've been lucky enough to fly SQ J a handful of times, and agree the food is generally great. But to be honest I've never really remembered the garlic bread. Not to say it isn't good, just not something I really noticed.
Well, getting to fly them again in April and Oh Man I am already waiting to see if I've just been missing out.
I had to google the dessert. It’s a sweet pandan rice concoction filled with palm sugar and rolled in/sprinkled with freshly grated coconut.
I may have had a similar dessert in Thailand.
It bet it was delicious.
Kudos to the airline for showcasing less obvious local treats
Like I've said below, the creativity is much appreciated; for a country in Southeast Asia, the dessert options are endless. And desserts from that part of the world especially the rice cakes has to be some of my favorite things to eat.
And not just dessert, but even something as simple as fruit, I wish more carriers would incorporate some local delights down to fruit and vegetables.
It’s funny how the A321neo proved much more popular among full-service airlines in Northeast Asia than Southeast Asia, and many if not most of them — KE, CI, JX and likely BR in the future — have lie-flats on them, but not CX. Indeed, many airlines there operate the A321neo but not the A320 or any other Airbus narrowbody.
Yet, SQ, MH and GA preferred to stick to the 737 instead of adopting A321neos like...
It’s funny how the A321neo proved much more popular among full-service airlines in Northeast Asia than Southeast Asia, and many if not most of them — KE, CI, JX and likely BR in the future — have lie-flats on them, but not CX. Indeed, many airlines there operate the A321neo but not the A320 or any other Airbus narrowbody.
Yet, SQ, MH and GA preferred to stick to the 737 instead of adopting A321neos like KE, CI and MF — all historically 737 operators — did. And before anyone says that CX’s A321neo product is not on par with the others, just how bad is it actually?
Clearly, SQ went all-in on the 737 MAX for its narrowbody fleet, and remains one of only four Star Alliance members (along with ET, LO and CM) not to operate the A320 family. In ASEAN, PR is the only one with lie-flats on the A321neo — but not for longer, since TG will take delivery of its first A321neo soon.
Proximanova try not to start every comment with "It's funny how..." and to mention CI JX KE A321neo challenge - impossible
Mason, if you were not able to comment upon the posts of others, you would have absolutely nothing to contribute to this site. Just saying bro, try thinking outside your little box for a change, yes?
I'm confused by the first row spanning 4 windows but rows 2-3 are only 2 windows each. Also wondering why the economics are so different that US airlines can't offer these seats (outside of JetBlue Mint on very specific flights).
They could offer them, they just choose not to.
On a fundamental outside of major routes like NYC to LAX/SFO the transcon market is pretty much a monopoly or duopoly, which means airlines will provide shittier products with better unit economics because there's no alternative.
Take a generic East Coast city like PHL, ATL, CLT, etc. And pair that with a West Coast destination like SAN, PDX, etc. Chances are there's only one or two airlines on that route.
Can you expand upon why this is a logical move? "Up until a few years ago, Singapore Airlines exclusively operated wide body planes, and its SilkAir subsidiary operated narrow body planes. However, the airline decided to merge those brands, which seemed like a logical move, in terms of creating a consistent experience across flights."
Cathay Pacific did the same thing with Dragonair/Cathay Dragon and I've never fully understood it.
SQ already has an LCC brand Scoot. It did not need another brand like SilkAir. Hence, after integrating SilkAir to SQ, SQ can now serve routes only suited for narrowbodies and also capture the premium demand there.
Previously, the brands were defined inside-out, thought from the airline (planes they operate, crew qualified,..).
They had the same set up for full service (SQ/Silk) and budget (Scoot/Tiger)
Now it’s branded outside-in from the customer perspective - all full-service flights are SQ with lie-flat beds on every flight and a consistent experience every time. SQ is the only airline I can think of that can offer that level of consistency across their network,...
Previously, the brands were defined inside-out, thought from the airline (planes they operate, crew qualified,..).
They had the same set up for full service (SQ/Silk) and budget (Scoot/Tiger)
Now it’s branded outside-in from the customer perspective - all full-service flights are SQ with lie-flat beds on every flight and a consistent experience every time. SQ is the only airline I can think of that can offer that level of consistency across their network, regardless of plane and distance flown.
They also merged Scoot/Tiger, same idea, all budget flights are now Scoot.
I flew that route in 2023 (well it was PNH not KTI) also in a throne seat and had a similarly excellent experience. Your Champagne is now improved—and if memory serves, no alcohol on the ground on that route at the time I flew it.
What is the staffing like on a 737-MAX for SQ? I’m sure they staff with more that minimum crew, did you notice the difference?
I have a photo with the crew somewhere- 2 leadings(green), 4 FSSs(blue). Service has been consistently great on the 38M!
Looks dope. You ever thought about doing an article on the plans to have airships dock at the Empire State Building? Might be out of scope, but I've been going down that rabbit hole again and it is fascinating. There's also very little likelihood it could become a red vs. blue topic. Who knows - I'm stuck in an airport lounge so I should probably read this book I've been toting.
SQ gets the thumbs up …. however, on that Boeing I ain’t go in’ ….
Thank you. Less competition to snag an award seat.
You are very welcome N17017, you are welcome to “Snag an award seat”, as some of us do not need to rely upon such for our flights. Furthermore, one prefers to travel upon less controversial aircraft. Do enjoy your experience.
They could've presented the noodles in a deep, circular plate.
I can appreciate the creativity of the starter and dessert rather than the usual "seasonal" salad that consists of sad looking lettuce and a random cake.
…. and the U.S. airlines cuisine consists of, a “Cold, greasy slider served between a dry, sawdust tasting bun”/bap? …. Only quoting a review I read recently …. :-)
Because it’s a 737 - dishes sit high and plates sit low in carts and in ovens which can’t be preheated due to the space, which isn’t necessarily the case on a wide body