- Singapore for the Weekend: Introduction
- Singapore for the Weekend: Lufthansa First Class Lounge New York JFK
- Singapore for the Weekend: Lufthansa First Class New York JFK to Frankfurt
- Singapore for the Weekend: A day in the Lufthansa First Class Lounges/Terminal Frankfurt
- Singapore for the Weekend: Lufthansa First Class Frankfurt to Singapore
- Singapore for the Weekend: InterContinental Singapore
- Finally a bit of life in Singapore!
- Singapore for the Weekend: The Singapore Airlines Private Room
- Singapore for the Weekend: Singapore Airlines First Class Singapore to Tokyo Narita
- Singapore for the Weekend: Japan Airlines First Class Lounge Tokyo Narita
- Singapore for the Weekend: Japan Airlines First Class Tokyo Narita to New York JFK
After a rather colorful cab ride (the cab driver was telling me about all the things the “bloody Chinese” and “bloody Malaysians” are doing to screw up Singapore) I made it to terminal 3 at Changi Airport at around 4:30PM. My flight was only at around midnight, though I had a lot of work to catch up on so figured I’d get to the airport a bit early to get some work done.
Terminal exterior
Terminal 3 has to be the most beautiful terminals anywhere, both in terms of design and spaciousness. I realize it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, though I marvel in amazement every time I’m in it.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3
I proceeded to the first class check-in counter where there was no queue, and without exchanging any words the agent printed out my boarding pass to Tokyo Narita. Usually Singapore Airlines is pretty strict about cabin baggage sizes, so I was a bit surprised when the agent didn’t even asked if I wanted to check a bag, let alone request that my carry-ons be weighed. I high tailed it out of there before he had the chance to change his mind.
At Changi Airport security is at each individual gate which is a system I really do like for a couple of reasons. First, it means you can still take liquids (like bottled water) to the lounge. Second, and more importantly, it means you end up wasting less time. When you head to your gate it’s not like the plane is going to leave without you if you’re in the security queue for that flight.
There is however an immigration check, which took about 10 minutes to clear this time around.
Once in the terminal the SilverKris lounges are located to the right and up a level.
Terminal 3
SilverKris Lounge entrance
There’s a joint entrance for the business class lounge, first class lounge, and The Private Room. Upon presenting my boarding pass the agent said “allow me to escort you to the first class lounge.” Once in the first class lounge, the first class agent said “allow me to escort you to The Private Room.” Definitely not the most efficient system ever, though you basically go through three lounge “checks” before you end up in The Private Room. Now that’s what I call security. 😉
Singapore opened The Private Room several years back, originally allowing in only full fare first class passenger. In 2009 they relaxed the entry requirements, and they started allowing in all Singapore Airlines first class passengers.
So who uses the first class lounge? Star Alliance first class passengers and Singapore’s top tier elite members, who get first class lounge access. So Singapore has basically done the same thing that British Airways did in London, where the Concorde Room is for British Airways first class passengers, while the first class lounge is for top tier elites and partner first class passengers.
First Class lounge
First Class lounge
Anyway, The Private Room is a very elegant space, with plenty of partitioned off seating. There’s also a very nice restaurant, as well as two “private rooms.” I settled into one of them for a bit of extra privacy, and managed to get some work done.
The Private Room
The Private Room
PCs
Private room in The Private Room
The service in The Private Room really was the highlight, as the waiters were not only attentive but also polished in their delivery. Even just sitting in a private room it’s amazing the degree to which they made sure my Diet Coke was never empty.
At around 6PM one of the first class agents knocked on my door and said “Mr. Lucky, I’m so sorry to inform you that…” At this point I’m thinking “oh crap, is my flight canceled?” I only had a three hour layover and my Japan Airlines flight was on a different ticket, so that wouldn’t have been good. But the rest of the sentence was instead “your flight is delayed by 20 minutes. I’m very sorry.”
You’ve gotta love the fact that six hours before the flight they already update you about a 20 minute delay with great regret. It’s funny, because while I usually love Singapore Airlines in the air, I find their ground staff to be somewhat lackluster, and that certainly wasn’t the case in The Private Room.
Another surprising aspect of the experience was how empty The Private Room was. For the roughly seven hours I was there, I was the only passenger in the lounge for at least half of it, and the rest of the time there were a few people at most. With literally dozens of flights departing during that time period with first class products, you have to wonder whether their load factor up front is really that bad, or if people just don’t leave time to visit the lounge.
At around 6:30PM I decided to have dinner, knowing full well that my flight from Singapore to Tokyo would only feature a breakfast service. I headed over to the dining room, where a waiter quickly offered me a glass of champagne.
Dining room
Dining room
Buffet
Buffet
Buffet
In addition to the buffet, the dinner menu read as follows:
I ordered a mixed garden salad, burger, and per the suggestion of the waiter, a slice of homemade cheesecake.
The salad was simple though fresh tasting, and the dressing was especially good.
Mixed garden salad
I ordered the foie gras burger without the foie gras, which was decent. Nothing exceptional, though certainly better than the burger I had in the Swiss lounge in Zurich a month ago.
Burger with fried quail egg
The cheesecake was great, and I ordered some tea along with it.
Cheesecake
The service was attentive and the food quality was good. I’d say the dining experience is a notch below Lufthansa’s first class lounge dining experience, though other than that among the better ones out there.
I continued to work for the rest of the evening, and at around 11:15PM headed towards gate B4, my departure gate to Tokyo Narita.
Quick question: I am flying in Suites LAX to SIN, then an overnight layover for next morning BIZ SIN to BKK (F not avail to BKK). Will I be able to use the Private Room or FCL in SIN?
Really enjoy reading your blog!
I just recently had the pleasure of being escorted into the Private Room at Changi. Up to that point, I hadn't known of its existence! Thee were maybe 5 others there, and the food I ordered in the restaurant was cooked perfectly. I also used the shower there and have to say it was nicely appointed and quiet.
One last thing: I flew in the A380 Suites from SFO to SIN and will say that...
I just recently had the pleasure of being escorted into the Private Room at Changi. Up to that point, I hadn't known of its existence! Thee were maybe 5 others there, and the food I ordered in the restaurant was cooked perfectly. I also used the shower there and have to say it was nicely appointed and quiet.
One last thing: I flew in the A380 Suites from SFO to SIN and will say that I think that the Cathay Pacific suites are superior in almost every way, the exception being that the "Murphy Bed" style bed in Singapore is more comfortable that the Cathay bed. But, I believe Cathay has the edge in entertainment, food, and overall comfort. The service is about equal.
@ Freddy -- It doesn't to the best of my knowledge.
Thank you very much for your posts.
I would like to know if the FC Lounge in Singapure has a Smoking room?
Thank you againg!!!!!
@ P -- Yes, it sure is!
Is the food in the private room completely complimentary?
Lucky -- Next time your there, please order the "braised old yellow cucumber with chicken soup." I gotta see what that looks like!
@ Danny -- Can't say I'm a fan of foie gras!
@ A. S. -- Hah, in the interest of not making this portion of the review too long I did leave the story out. Figured I covered it sufficiently in the previous installment on this portion of the trip. :D
@ Duncan -- Good point, I should have done that. Issue is I only booked day of, and it needs to be reserved in advance.
Flying Singapore again and forgot to "Book your Chef" even on the Japan flight you can order whatever meal courses you like. The Private Room (based on QF Chairmans lounge) is by invitation only, not how you pay for your fare or what class you fly or what status you are with them. I call them VIP lounges after all you can buy First Class but not to the level above.
FRANK you know so...
Flying Singapore again and forgot to "Book your Chef" even on the Japan flight you can order whatever meal courses you like. The Private Room (based on QF Chairmans lounge) is by invitation only, not how you pay for your fare or what class you fly or what status you are with them. I call them VIP lounges after all you can buy First Class but not to the level above.
FRANK you know so much about gay sexual practices, I was wondering if you gave lessons? Take the doors of your closet and get an education while you are at Oh is Frank Jr your partner?
Looks like this Singapore trip did not marvel you as much!
@Lucky -- one more thing...you left out the story about you making animal sounds!! Or do I have my trips mixed up??
@Lucky -- looks like another stellar afternoon at a First Class lounge! Minor detail, though...they may have exaggerated a bit about that being a quail egg -- that thing is too huge to be quail! Either that or it was a sick quail who laid this egg and died in the process! ;) I haven't tried this burger, but I love BA's lounge burger...
How could you order the Foie Gras burger without the Foie Geas?
@ Andy -- The shower rooms actually aren't that nice. They're all part of the bathroom area so don't have the privacy/spaciousness you would get at the Lufthansa FCT, for example.
How do the shower & spa amenities rank?
Bleh, looks like I missed it. Thanks for the heads up, guys!
Yeah, you've missed using the dedicated FC check-in reception + immigration: http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/travel-information/lounge-firstclasscheckin/
Looks fun!
Also FC has its own private immigration! Note for next time ;-)
First Class Check-in counter what? There is a whole separate wing for FC with its own drive way and bell hops!