Singapore (SQ) new first and business class, plus a medley of 12 F & C SQ flights

[Kiwi Flyer]

SUMMARY of NEW PRODUCT 77W

My thoughts on the new products are that the new first class is disappointing. Yes it is very nice, but not a big change from the existing skysuite. Some features I don’t like or thought could have been done better (eg storage of carry-ons, having a more comfortable seat mode). The IFE problem I experienced is likely just teething problem with the new system – I don’t expect it to be any less reliable than Wisemen 3000.

The new business class is very nice and a good step up from the existing spacebed. But, I’ll withhold judgement until I try out a non-bulkhead seat as I think the experience in those could be quite different to the bulkhead seat.

SQ has introduced significant increases in costs on 77W flights (eg surcharges on the specific flights for *A and other RTW products, double Kris Flyer mileage for awards and upgrades) and restricted availability of discounted paid booking classes and awards. Clearly they feel the products are so much better than the competition that they can do this. I am not so sure, and while I still have a choice (ie while the 77W roll out is still in early stages) it won’t be an automatic decision on my part to take the 77W flights.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

SINGAPORE to JAKARTA in Business Class on SQ A345

On disembarking I rush to the lounge for I have a shortish connection, the first of several short connections today, and lots to do. First I check my account to see if it is already too late to switch earning to another FFP – it is.

Then I get checked in for my onward flights and manage to get all 5 boarding passes – yay that makes the other transits much easier. Now a shower and freshen up. By now it is time to rush off to the gate to beat the 10 minutes before departure deadline. Phew now I can relax a bit more.

When I reach the gate I see boarding hasn’t yet commenced, but there is only a short wait. I make a mental note of how long the delay is, for as I mentioned already I have some tight onward connections.

The aircraft is full and the flight uneventful.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Singapore to Jakarta SQ154 Business Class Menu December 2006


BREAKFAST menu

To Start With

A choice of apple, tomato, freshly squeezed orange juice or soya bean milk

Fruit

Fresh fruit

Wholesome Beginnings

Bami goring
Indonesian fried noodles with chicken and prawns

Egg-vegetable frittata with chicken sausage, roasted tomato and gratin potato

Baked eggs served with veal sausages, roasted tomato and hash brown potato

From the Bakery

Assorted breakfast rolls
Butter – Fruit preserve

Hot Beverages

Coffee – Tea

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

JAKARTA to SINGAPORE in Business Class on SQ A345

The same drill as before, to transfer, the only differences being this time the transit security station is manned but they don’t ask me to put my carry on through xray. Perhaps they remembered me from previous transits?

The load on the return flight is lower thus the turnaround is cut short and very little time in the lounge. Back through security to the gate, pay my departure tax and take the same seat I just left some 25 minutes prior. We’ve made up the earlier small delay and are back on time.

Another uneventful flight apart from the usual circle around Singapore to land from the north and a long taxi to the end of pier E. It always amazes me how often the runway direction changes while I do a Jakarta turnaround – take off from Singapore to the north, ie the long way and by the time we get back we land from the north, ie the long way. Regulars of this flight will know what arriving at the gate at the end of pier E means – yup security check on arrival, which gets announced as a random check but is mainly for Jakarta flights (and rarely also for Bangkok). So my short transit has been further reduced.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Jakarta to Singapore SQ165 Business Class Menu December 2006

Main Courses

Braised salmon in hot bean sauce with seasonal vegetables and egg noodles

Beef rending
Indonesian style braised beef with vegetables in coconut gravy and steamed rice

Spaghetti pasta with stewed prawns, olives and capsicum in tomato sauce

Dessert

Gratin of fruits

Hot Beverages

Coffee – Tea

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

SINGAPORE to BANGKOK in Business Class on SQ 773

Nonetheless I decide to run to the lounge for a quick shower as I know from experience the later transit opportunity for a shower often ends up too short to actually get a shower. I flash my card as I dash into the lounge, quickly shower and clean up and minutes later I am on my way, checking the monitor by the escalator as I go for the departure gate. Dang F58 – a long way. Still I am glad my knowledge of Changi has enabled me to have the shower, if I was less experienced I might not have thought it possible in the under 30 minutes available from arrival to departure gate closing.

I made it onboard and kicked back. Business class and economy class were full but first class had a light load. I think I was still very tired as the flight went by in a blur even though I didn’t sleep.

We arrived in Suvarnabhumi on time, which meant an easy transfer. No need to rush down the long corridors.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Singapore to Bangkok SQ64 Business Class Menu December 2006


LUNCH menu

A Savoury Note

Yam somo
Thai style pomelo with prawn salad

The Main Event

Salmon fillet with crushed green peas and pea veloute, carrot and new potatoes

Nasi Lemak
Malay style coconut rice with spicy prawns, peanuts, grilled fish cake and egg omelette

Ba mee rad nar
Thai style braised egg noodles with scallops, prawns, fish and leafy greens

A Sweet Note

Fresh fruit selection

A Connoisseur’s Choice

Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea


BEVERAGES menu

special coughtail

Orange Cooler

coughtails

Singapore Sling
Silver Kris Sling
Gin Fizz
Cloud Nine
Screwdriver
Bloody Mary
Daiquiri
Red or White Wine Cooler

aperitifs

Campari
Dry Vermouth

non-alcoholic coughtails

Citrus Royale
Tropical Sparkle
Golden Spice
Fruit Spritzer
Sunrise Surprise

spirits

Cognac XO Otard
Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
Gordon’s Dry Gin
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka
Bacardi Carta Blanca

liqueurs

Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream

beer

International Selection

stout

Guinness Stout

champagne

Piper Heidsieck 1999

white wines

2004 Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus Riesling Kabinett Balthasar Ress.
Montagny 1er Cru 2004

red wines

Chateau Cissac 1998 Cru Bourgeois Haut Medoc
Chateau Beau-site 2000 Saint-Estephe
Serrata Belgvardo 2003 Igt Maremma Toscana

port

Dow 2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port

tea selection

Pure Ceylon Tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Camomile
Decaffeinated Tea
Japanese Green Tea
Chinese Jasmine Tea
Chinese Oolong Tea

gourmet coffees

Brazil Santos Bourbon
Colombian Supremo
Kenyan AA Kilimanjaro

specialty coffees

Brewed Coffee
Café Royal
Espresso
Cappuccino
Decaffeinated Coffee
Mocha

other beverages

Chocolate
Milo

mineral water

Sparkling mineral water
Non-sparkling mineral water

fruit juices

Apple, Orange, Pineapple and Tomato

soft drinks

Bitter Lemon, Coke, Coke Light, Ginger Ale and Seven-Up

iced drinks

Iced Tea
Iced Coffee
Iced Mocha
Iced Chocolate
Iced Milo

milk

Full Cream or Low Fat

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

BANGKOK to SINGAPORE in Business Class on SQ 773

Again I swept past the transit counters and up to the business class lounge. I took the opportunity to check emails for the first time in days, which kept me busy until it was time to leave for the gate.

Even though my boarding pass was on Raffles Class stock I knew I had a first class seat so I was wondering whether I had gotten an op-up or whether I had gotten a first seat with business service due to no first class passengers on the flight. In my experience the latter is fairly rare on SQ (as indeed is an op-up), slightly more common is to have a 3-class aircraft assigned to a 2-class flight. However this flight is normally sold as 3-class.

I found out on boarding that there were no first class passengers and so the first class seats were assigned to some high status passengers instead, with business class meal and drink. The business class cabin was full but in the first class cabin we had plenty of spare seats.

We left on time and since we weren’t getting first class food or drink I decided to make the most of the comfy seat and space and get some more sleep. We arrived on time, which means just enough time to visit the lounge and get a Dom Perignon on the way to another gate for the last flight of this trip.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Bangkok to Singapore SQ67 Business Class Menu December 2006


LIGHT MEAL menu

A Savoury Note

Marinated prawns with nicoise salad
Caesar dressing

The Main Event

Seared beef fillet in red wine sauce, roasted vegetables and sautéed potatoes with capers

Pan fried seabass in tarragon sauce with sautéed vegetables and linguine pasta

Thai style pandan chicken, braised beancurd with vegetable and fried pineapple rice

A Sweet Note

Fresh fruit selection

A Connoisseur’s Choice

Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea


BEVERAGES menu

special coughtail

Orange Cooler

coughtails

Singapore Sling
Silver Kris Sling
Gin Fizz
Cloud Nine
Screwdriver
Bloody Mary
Daiquiri
Red or White Wine Cooler

aperitifs

Campari
Dry Vermouth

non-alcoholic coughtails

Citrus Royale
Tropical Sparkle
Golden Spice
Fruit Spritzer
Sunrise Surprise

spirits

Cognac XO Otard
Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
Gordon’s Dry Gin
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka
Bacardi Carta Blanca

liqueurs

Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream

beer

International Selection

stout

Guinness Stout

champagne

Piper Heidsieck 1999

white wines

2004 Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus Riesling Kabinett Balthasar Ress.
Montagny 1er Cru 2004

red wines

Chateau Cissac 1998 Cru Bourgeois Haut Medoc
Chateau Beau-site 2000 Saint-Estephe
Serrata Belgvardo 2003 Igt Maremma Toscana

port

Dow 2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port

tea selection

Pure Ceylon Tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Camomile
Decaffeinated Tea
Japanese Green Tea
Chinese Jasmine Tea
Chinese Oolong Tea

gourmet coffees

Brazil Santos Bourbon
Colombian Supremo
Kenyan AA Kilimanjaro

specialty coffees

Brewed Coffee
Café Royal
Espresso
Cappuccino
Decaffeinated Coffee
Mocha

other beverages

Chocolate
Milo

mineral water

Sparkling mineral water
Non-sparkling mineral water

fruit juices

Apple, Orange, Pineapple and Tomato

soft drinks

Bitter Lemon, Coke, Coke Light, Ginger Ale and Seven-Up

iced drinks

Iced Tea
Iced Coffee
Iced Mocha
Iced Chocolate
Iced Milo

milk

Full Cream or Low Fat

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

SINGAPORE to AUCKLAND in Business Class on SQ 747

By the time I reach the gate boarding is well underway. Boarding always starts well before departure on flights to New Zealand. I take my preferred exit row seat (well preferred apart from first class of course). Surprisingly the flight is not full.

For about the fifth time this year on an SQ aircraft the aircon isn’t working properly and the cabin is very hot. Fortunately I don’t have long to wait until we pushback and the aircon then comes on, but it takes nearly an hour for the cabin temperature to be comfortable.

After dinner I fall asleep once more. I usually switch the monitor to flight path before I go to sleep so that if I wake I can easily tell how much longer we have – whether to wake up or go back to sleep. Yet, as usual, while I was asleep an FA turned off my screen so that I wouldn’t be woken by the glare.

I get woken up about an hour out of Auckland for breakfast. We have made good time with a very strong jetstream tailwind – ground speed is currently 1150 km/h or more than 700 mph. So breakfast is a rush but I don’t mind – I needed the sleep more.

We come straight in to land and have beaten some other Asian flights. I am surprised to see no queues at the upstairs immigration desk for Australian and New Zealand residents. However I do end up being delayed. The agent takes an age muttering about how the computer won’t accept the entry, all the while I am wondering if it is real or a delay tactic to get an officer into position downstairs. Eventually he calls his supervisor who advises him to reboot, but let me through first.

Then I head across town to work. Thus ends my quick trip on SQ. I hope you enjoyed the report.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Singapore to Auckland SQ285 Business Class Menu Christmas 2006


DINNER menu

A Savoury Note

Smoked salmon with apple salad

The Main Event

Roast Christmas turkey with chestnut stuffing and gravy, carrot, Brussel sprouts and candied sweet potatoes

Roasted beef fillet served with red wine sauce, sautéed mushrooms, buttered vegetables and roasted potato

Thai style minced fish with coconut cream, pumpkin fried egg and steamed rice

Grilled marinated lamb chops served with black peppercorn sauce, buttered vegetables and mashed potato

A Sweet Note

Roasted pumpkin crème brulee for the festive season

The Cheese Board

Gourmet cheese with garnishes

Fruit

A selection of fresh fruit

A Connoisseur’s Choice

Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea
and pralines


SNACK menu

Fancy a snack? Take your pick from our range of delectable snacks and make your selection known to our cabin crew.

Noodles

Fish ball broth with kway teow or bee hoon noodles

Vegetarian and non-vegetarian instant noodles

Sandwiches

Oriental vegetarian ciabatta

Smoked ham in focaccia bun

Smoked tuna in onion ciabatta

Snacks

Roasted mixed nuts

Chocolate bar

Biscuits

Potato chips

Kjeldsens cookies

Bananas


BEFORE TOUCH-DOWN menu

A Fresh Start

A choice of apple, tomato or freshly squeezed orange juice

Fresh fruit

A Healthy Note

Choice of cereals or yoghurt
Cornflakes with milk or Birchermuesli
Plain or fruit yoghurt

The Main Event

Selection of dim sum
Steamed rice roll with chicken, Shanghainese pork dumpling and shrimp dumpling

Grilled beef fillet and veal sausage, vegetables frittata, tomato, asparagus and roesti potato

Asparagus omelette served with chicken sausage, roasted tomato, sautéed mushroom and hash brown potato

From the Bakery

Assorted breakfast rolls
Butter – Fruit preserve

A Connoisseur’s Choice
Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea

Your Breakfast Choice

This convenient breakfast option lets you enjoy all the sleep you want, uninterrupted. Please inform our crew of your choice before lights out – if they do not receive your selection, you will be awakened in time for The Complete Breakfast.

The Complete Breakfast*

Take your pick of the Main Event from our scrumptious selections.
Served earliest 2.5 hours prior to arrival

Continental Breakfast*

Delight in this simple yet wholesome meal.
Served earliest 1.5 hours prior to arrival

* Kindly refer to the breakfast menu found above


BEVERAGES menu

special coughtail

Orange Cooler

coughtails

Singapore Sling
Silver Kris Sling
Gin Fizz
Cloud Nine
Screwdriver
Bloody Mary
Daiquiri
Red or White Wine Cooler

aperitifs

Campari
Dry Vermouth

non-alcoholic coughtails

Citrus Royale
Tropical Sparkle
Golden Spice
Fruit Spritzer
Sunrise Surprise

spirits

Cognac XO Otard
Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
Gordon’s Dry Gin
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka
Bacardi Carta Blanca

liqueurs

Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream

beer

International Selection

stout

Guinness Stout

champagne

Piper Heidsieck 1999

white wines

2005 Mount Nelson Sauvignon Blanc
2004 Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus Riesling Kabinett Balthasar Ress.

red wines

Chateau Cissac 1998 Cru Bourgeois Haut Medoc
Chateau Beau-site 2000 Saint-Estephe
Churton Marlborough 2003 Pinot Noir

port

Dow 2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port

tea selection

Pure Ceylon Tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Camomile
Decaffeinated Tea
Japanese Green Tea
Chinese Jasmine Tea
Chinese Oolong Tea

gourmet coffees

Brazil Santos Bourbon
Colombian Supremo
Kenyan AA Kilimanjaro

specialty coffees

Brewed Coffee
Café Royal
Espresso
Cappuccino
Decaffeinated Coffee
Mocha

other beverages

Chocolate
Milo

mineral water

Sparkling mineral water
Non-sparkling mineral water

fruit juices

Apple, Orange, Pineapple and Tomato

soft drinks

Bitter Lemon, Coke, Coke Light, Ginger Ale and Seven-Up

iced drinks

Iced Tea
Iced Coffee
Iced Mocha
Iced Chocolate
Iced Milo

milk

Full Cream or Low Fat

 

[ioki]

SINGAPORE to AUCKLAND in Business Class on SQ 747
<SNIP>
Thus ends my quick trip on SQ. I hope you enjoyed the report.

sure did kiwi flyer! thx a million for the very detailed report!

 

[NM]

So was there a purpose to this adventure other than testing out the new SQ F and J products and a mileage run?

 

[simongr]

Interesting reading KF - a real shame that the new product is not the radical improvement that the pictures seem to be - mayve this is a case of over-design or too much focus on one aspect....

 

[Tooner]

So was there a purpose to this adventure other than testing out the new SQ F and J products and a mileage run?

I was wondering the same thing while digesting the tasty morsel!

 

[JohnK]

Then I head across town to work. Thus ends my quick trip on SQ. I hope you enjoyed the report.

Good trip report.

I am amazed! That is a real interesting hobby. I would call it torture.

You leave work in the afternoon for 3-4 days of continuous travel, sleeping on aircraft, showering in airline lounges, travelled Singapore to Paris and returned after a 5 hour transit, then some quick trips in SE Asia and returned to AKL and headed straight to work. Wow!

 

[serfty]

Yep, Kiwi Flyer's handle says it all; he comes from TLOTLWC and he Flys. I'd call it a hobby, but that's best left to him.

He's by no means alone there, there's many who regularly post on FT who do the same or even more.

I do it a bit myself, mainly to maximize SC earning. Until the 25May05 changes, I'd alway try to fly MEL-SYD-BNE rather than direct when I needed to go to BNE to get the extra 10 SC's.

In a similar vein, last year I flew ANC-DFW-JFK-YVR-HKG; I really could not have done it without lounge access (oh, travelling in F & J helped ) still, by the time I got to HKG. I was stuffed.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

So was there a purpose to this adventure other than testing out the new SQ F and J products and a mileage run?

What NM said + some bits of unused tickets to use up. I didn't have enough time for proper trip but just enough to squeeze this in.

 

[Tooner]

What NM said + some bits of unused tickets to use up. I didn't have enough time for proper trip but just enough to squeeze this in.

That makes it a bit more clear! Thanks again for doing us all the service of testing the new SQ F & J. I have to say that on seeing the adverts for the F offering, I was wondering why they made the seats so wide?

 

[cssaus]

What NM said + some bits of unused tickets to use up. I didn't have enough time for proper trip but just enough to squeeze this in.

What was the FFP you were dumping all the miles in?