Airline review: The enhancements keep on coming in this premium economy

The flight

Singapore Airlines, SQ212, Sydney Kingsford Smith to Changi Singapore

Singapore Airlines’ premium economy.

Frequency

Four flights daily

Aircraft

Boeing 777-300ER

A Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 – revamps under way for premium economy.

Class

Premium economy, seat 31K, a window and extra legroom seat.

Duration

An 8.55am departure, with a scheduled flight time of eight hours, 15 minutes, for a convenient mid-afternoon arrival in Singapore.

Checking in

Singapore Airlines passengers flying premium economy enjoy a dedicated check-in line at departures but save even more time by checking in online which also allows access to pre-booked services such as meal selection (see below). Flying this class also allows for priority boarding after business passengers.

Baggage

Premium passengers receive priority baggage handling (surely a moot point at most airports these days) and are entitled to a generous 35 kilograms of checked baggage – 10 kilograms more than economy – along with seven kilograms of carry-on.

Loyalty scheme

KrisFlyer, which incorporates Star Alliance member flights. Singapore Airlines last year expanded Kris+, its “lifestyle reward” app for Australian members. The app offers dining, retail and entertainment discounts while earning miles.

The seat

One of the less highlighted benefits of flying premium economy is the reduced cabin capacity it affords. On this flight there are 28 seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration (compared with 184 in economy in a 3-3-3 configuration). Those two pairs of premium seats are the most desirable, and I’ve been fortunate to have snared a front-row window seat allowing maximum ease of access and even more legroom. Seat pitch is an economy-eclipsing 38 inches (97cm) with a width of 19.5 inches (50cm). There are two USB power sockets, a universal power point, footrests and welcome double armrests to avoid elbow bumps in the night, or in this case, the day.

Entertainment + tech

Singapore Airlines’ premium seats have 13.3-inch (34cm) high-definition touchscreens and its KrisWorld entertainment system features more than 1800 viewing options. Premium passengers receive quality noise-cancelling headphones with KrisFlyer members entitled to free access to the virtually seamless onboard Wi-Fi system.

Service

Since Singapore Airlines economy class is already among the more tolerable in the clouds, the aim for the premium economy crew is to deliver a level of service somewhere between economy and business, and this is achieved with the carrier’s signature aplomb.

Food + wine

The menu has been updated and double armrests eliminate the elbow struggle.

Since your reviewer’s flight, Singapore Airlines has introduced several enhancements to its premium offering, with passengers now being offered a glass of champagne shortly after take-off. Meals, which can be ordered from a smarter new card, are served on custom porcelain crockery and include a seasonal appetiser, main course, bread, dessert, and cheese and crackers. New appetisers vary from garlic roasted prawns with smoked aioli to variations of Japanese cold noodles with soba sauce, while main course choices range from Thai-style crab curry to beef bourguignon. The online “book the cook” pre-flight meal reservation service, available from 24 hours before departure, has also been expanded.

Carbon emissions

Singapore Airlines’ own carbon offsets calculated the carbon emission for this one-way premium economy flight to be 778.06 kilograms for a single passenger with an offset fee of $SGD10.11 ($11.50).

One more thing

The premium class enhancements keep on coming, with a new sustainable amenity kit including eyeshades and slippers made from recycled PET material and a lip balm packaged in biodegradable material.

The price

From $2543, one way.*

The verdict

Singapore Airlines’ recent revamp of what was an already decent premium economy offering, including meals served, is the first in almost 10 years. With the increasing competition in this profitable class of travel, a whole new and updated seat in this category can’t be too far away. While we’re waiting, the ageing, though hard to fault, version will do rather nicely, especially on overnight flights when the additional seat comforts over economy are most evident.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The writer travelled as a guest of Singapore Airlines

*Fares are based on those available three months from the time of publication and are subject to change.

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