You won’t get any arguments about reclining in this economy seat

Airline: Singapore Airlines

• Route Singapore to Melbourne, flight SQ237
• Frequency 35 flights a week
• Aircraft Boeing 777-300ER
• Class Economy; 47H (aisle)
• Flight time 6 hours, 48 minutes. We depart 25 minutes late but arrive on time.

Singapore Airlines flies between Melbourne and Singapore 35 times a week.

Checking in

I check in online before going to the airport, which means I already have my boarding pass on my phone when I arrive. Most of the kiosks for bag tags are out of order, but there’s no queue to use the working ones. In fact, it’s so quiet I don’t even have to attach my own bag tag – a staff member comes over and does it for me. I’m on my way in just a couple of minutes. My passport isn’t checked until just before the immigration smartgates (which Australian passport holders can use).

Baggage

Up to 25 kilograms of checked luggage for the cheapest economy fares and up to 30 kilograms if flying on a flexi or standard fare. One cabin bag up to 7 kilograms plus an additional personal item (handbag, laptop etc).

Loyalty scheme

KrisFlyer, part of the Star Alliance. Members of Virgin Australia’s Velocity program can also earn points with Singapore Airlines.

The seat

The economy class cabin on a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER.

It’s a full flight, and by the time I’m selecting my seat online, there are few options left, but I manage to get one of just two remaining aisle seats. Seat pitch is 32 inches (81cm), which is about the best you can expect on international flights these days, with a width of 18 inches (46cm). The cabin is in a 3-3-3 configuration. One aspect of this particular seat that I like is that the next row, the last one in this cabin, is a 2-3-2 layout, so there’s no seat directly behind me. That means no fear of sparking seat rage when I fully recline my seat, which I feel comfortable doing for the entire flight (except when it’s not allowed). I typically can’t sleep sitting up but do manage a few hours during the night. Economy passengers each get a decent blanket and pillow for use during the flight.

Entertainment + tech

There are plenty of entertainment options on board.

The 11-inch (28cm) touchscreen is sharp and responsive and there is more than enough entertainment for a flight this long, with 401 movies including 51 recent Hollywood releases along with 179 “Hollywood favourites” (older films), plus 34 full TV seasons and Japanese, Korean and Indian films. There’s power in the seat for charging and Wi-Fi is free in for KrisFlyer members (non-members can access it for a fee). I have some trouble getting it to recognise my details logging in but eventually get it working. Games are accessed through your own device via the on-board Wi-Fi. You can control options via the touchscreen or there’s a controller, also with a touchscreen, that can be removed from the seatback.

Service

Professional, polite and efficient, as you’d expect from Singapore. Hot towels are still delivered in economy before take-off and landing, just like in the olden days. My neighbour is having trouble with his entertainment screen, but an attendant has it reset and running before take-off. The late meal – about 2am Singapore time – is served quickly and cleaned up even quicker, so the cabin lights are off again within half an hour. Shortly after, they ensure all the window shades are closed, knowing the time difference will mean sunrise in just a couple of hours. Unfortunately, the lights come on and the breakfast service starts when we’re still a few hours away from Melbourne, meaning the opportunity for sleep is quite limited.

Food

The flight departs after midnight so it’s not a full meal service. We’re offered a basil pesto or four- cheese pizza with no accompaniment other than a drink, which is fine for this time of night. The pizza is tasty, if a little doughy. Breakfast is a choice of omelette with veal sausage or nasi lemak (“chicken with coconut rice” as the flight attendant helpfully explains, perhaps thinking I might not know what the dish is otherwise). It comes with a bottle of water, bread roll, raspberry yoghurt and a small fruit salad. I opt for nasi lemak – quite tasty.

Sustainability

The airline offers an offset program (which can be done at any time before or after the flight) and has committed to net zero emissions by 2050. It is also signed up the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and produces an annual sustainability report.*

One more thing

While Changi remains, arguably, the world’s best airport, there’s no reason to hang around landside if your flight is late at night. I take a short walk to the Jewel complex and, while the Rain Vortex waterfall is still flowing (and changing colour thanks to light projections) almost everything in the centre is closed or closing. However, most shops and restaurants remain open airside.

The price

From about $860 return for economy.**

The verdict

The red-eye from Singapore is always a difficult flight – too long to stay awake the whole time, too short to get much sleep - but this is about as good as you can hope from a modern economy class experience. Seat 47H, with its empty space behind, is one of the best economy seats you’ll find without paying for extra legroom.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The writer flew as a guest of Singapore Airlines. See singaporeair.com

*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org

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