Singapore Airlines flight review

DOC Holiday reviews a medium-haul business class flight with Singapore Airlines.

Singapore Airlines business class

FLIGHT: Singapore Airlines, Singapore to Shanghai, business class.

I’m sitting next to The World’s Rudest Passenger (TWRP) on an early (very early) morning flight from Singapore to Shanghai.

When the flight attendant brings him a courtesy bottle of mineral water, he barks: “Is there a water shortage?” The demure, and diminutive, flight attendant politely replies, “no, sir.”

“Then bring me two bottles, then!” TWRP demands.

The man obviously needs some sleep, and he’s come to the right place, what with the premium leather upholstered business class seating in which we’re ensconced on this Boeing 777-200.

But how could you treat a sarong kebaya-clad Singapore Girl in such a way?

These revered flight attendants are the nearest you get in the air to angels. Fortunately, for the crew and I, TWRP seems as intent on reclining his seat for slumber as soon after take-off as possible as I am.

Set-up:

At five hours and 20 minutes this journey is classed as a “medium-haul” flight.  It’s one of four flights daily between Singapore and Shanghai, departing at 12.10am, arriving at 6.35am. The aircraft for my SQ826 overnighter is a nimble 288-seat Boeing 777-200.

This type of aircraft is fitted with a new Singapore Airlines business class seat, designed for medium-haul flights such as this one.  The seat, which features a gentle eight-degree incline, allows you to choose the most comfortable sitting or reclining position, along with a “six-way” adjustable headrest.

There are plenty of slots to stash items such as newspapers, magazines, laptops and iPads.

There’s also more privacy due to the fixed back shell and personal screens between seats, a Godsend when you’ve got TWRP seated next to you.

I have an aisle business class seat, with the cabin arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration, meaning that if TWRP has to get up he’ll have to step across me. But the seat reclines to a low-slung bed that provides ease of access.

Amenity kits:

None, but it’s not missed by this passenger. If you can afford to fly business you can surely afford your own comb, toothbrush and eau de toilette.

Socks and eye-masks, as well as noise-cancelling headphones, are provided and there’s a selection of the requisite quality scents and various toiletries in the bathroom.

Inflight entertainment:

Unfortunately, the airline’s next generation KrisWorld entertainment system is not included on the B777-200 aircraft but at this hour I hardly mind since all that is on my mind is some shut-eye before the early-morning arrival in Shanghai.

Of course, I’ve flown with Singapore Airlines on enough occasions to know that it has, as you would expect, a high-class entertainment system. For the night-owls, the menu offers a broad range of on-demand, television programs, CDs and games. There’s also both international and local e-magazines.

Food: 

Being a late evening, overnight flight the menu is sensibly abbreviated to allow passengers “a longer period of undisturbed rest”.

There’s the welcome option of having your meal served soon after take-off or served about two hours prior to arrival. Keen on getting some sleep on this relatively short flight, I opt for the latter choice, as does TWRP.

Mains - Ciabatta bread with baby shrimp and cucumber dill and yoghurt salad; braised noodles with soya chicken and Chinese greens; dim sum, featuring a parcel of glutinous rice in lotus leaf with pork, har kow, pork siew mai and vegetarian roll; American breakfast consisting of yoghurt, cheese omelette with veal sausage, roma tomato mushrooms and potato, bread selection with preserves; continental breakfast with assorted bread and preserves.

Drink:

Wines - Two Australian and German whites (2010 D’Arenberg Olive Grove Chardonnay McLaren Vale and 2009 Balthasar Ress Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus Riesling Kabinett Rehingau Germany); three Argentine, Italian and French reds (Gestos Malbec 2008 Finca Flichman, 2008 Barbera D’Alba DOC GD Vajra Piedmont and 2007 Chateau La Garde Pessac-Leognan Bordeaux); Champagne (Bollinger Special Cuvee) and Port (Fonseca Unfiltered Late Bottled Vintage  2005)

Bar - A range of aperitifs, beers, cocktails spirits and liqueurs are also available, including the classic Singapore Sling cocktail and the Singapore Airlines’ own take, the Silver Kris Sling.

Beverages - Gourmet coffees and a selection of fine teas

Lounge:

Since there’s such a short interval between my flight arriving from Sydney and my next leg departing Singapore I sadly only have a brief opportunity to visit the plush Silver Kris Lounge, located in a quiet location above Terminal 3, from which all Singapore Airlines flights depart.

Inside there are the usual amenities such as internet PCs, WiFi, showers and food and drinks, that you expect from a carrier of Singapore Airlines’ quality.

Value for money:

If you can afford it, a business class seat like this one is bliss for a relatively short hop between two major Asian cities when any quality sleep you can snatch is a bonus.

And, of course, the famed Singapore Airlines cabin service is as friendly and attentive as we’ve come to expect. In fact, they didn’t flinch once at the demands of TWRP, who, like me, slept like a baby until feeding time.

A business class seat one-way between Singapore and Shanghai costs from $2380.

The writer was a guest of Singapore Airlines