NinnyPoo
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- Feb 21, 2011
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Background
This wont be a detailed report or include any photos, but observations from my two sector UL Business class flight.
In January SQ economy direct flights to Rome for September were approx SGD$2000 return. Cheaper options included Thai and the middle east carriers, but of course all in economy.
From a tip on Australian Frequent Flyer I managed to secure return business class tickets for us from Singapore to Rome for SGD$2100 each. Soon after booking the flights increased in price.
Leg One
Our first flight (UL309) left at 19-50 from the newer Changi Terminal 3. Online check in was good and only a bag drop was required (and new boarding passes collected). The lounge was the SATS lounge, which is functional with very basic food.
The flight itself was on an Airbus A320. The Business Class seats are spacious for a smaller plane, but of course don't recline fully. Dinner service was good, but included a Thai Green Curry rather than a Sri Lankan curry. Champagne was also served. The staff were very polite and always available. There were 5 rows of Business seats in a 2 x 2 format. Business class was only half full. Economy was packed.
As Colombo airport is in the process of upgrading, a bus was used to take us to the main terminal. The Sri Lankan lounge was then 50 metres away. As the flight was early we had nearly four hours to spend in the lounge. It is nicer than the lounge used in Singapore.
Leg two
At a very blurry eyed 0125 am we left Colombo to Rome. This was on the Airbus A330-200. It is in a 2x2x2 layout. The newer A330-300 is in a 1-2-1 layout. I eschewed any food and went straight to sleep. Given the bed is not fully flat I slept really well. This flight was busier, with both Italian tourists returning and local Sri Lankans.
A very nice touch was the boy like charms of the captain, telling us to check our Mecca on the way and describing the beautiful countryside around Rome.
Breakfast was a mix of western and local flavours. As usual the tea was superb. Arriving at 8am, Rome airport was very busy with Asian and US flights all landing. Immigration for non Europeans took approx 30 minutes.
Overall
For the price, this was amazing value. The connection times are good from Singapore (esp on the return leg) and this was a real business class on the longer flight. Food and drinks are good. Entertainment is not up to SQ,CX,EK but having laptops and ipads means I can choose my own entertainment.
For travelers from Australia a cheaper economy return to Singapore would make this a very cheap option to Europe. (UL also fly to Paris, London and Frankfurt). Ideally the planes would be the Airbus A330 for both legs, but given Singapore is sub four hours I understand why it is a narrow body route.
One small quirk on all four legs there seemed to be a male senior flight attendant who would bark orders and then sleep in a spare business class seat. The lovely Sri Lankan female attendants actually did the real work.
I would recommend this route, even for a higher price as a cheap business class to Europe. All flights also accrued Qantas Status Credits (320 in total) and points.
This wont be a detailed report or include any photos, but observations from my two sector UL Business class flight.
In January SQ economy direct flights to Rome for September were approx SGD$2000 return. Cheaper options included Thai and the middle east carriers, but of course all in economy.
From a tip on Australian Frequent Flyer I managed to secure return business class tickets for us from Singapore to Rome for SGD$2100 each. Soon after booking the flights increased in price.
Leg One
Our first flight (UL309) left at 19-50 from the newer Changi Terminal 3. Online check in was good and only a bag drop was required (and new boarding passes collected). The lounge was the SATS lounge, which is functional with very basic food.
The flight itself was on an Airbus A320. The Business Class seats are spacious for a smaller plane, but of course don't recline fully. Dinner service was good, but included a Thai Green Curry rather than a Sri Lankan curry. Champagne was also served. The staff were very polite and always available. There were 5 rows of Business seats in a 2 x 2 format. Business class was only half full. Economy was packed.
As Colombo airport is in the process of upgrading, a bus was used to take us to the main terminal. The Sri Lankan lounge was then 50 metres away. As the flight was early we had nearly four hours to spend in the lounge. It is nicer than the lounge used in Singapore.
Leg two
At a very blurry eyed 0125 am we left Colombo to Rome. This was on the Airbus A330-200. It is in a 2x2x2 layout. The newer A330-300 is in a 1-2-1 layout. I eschewed any food and went straight to sleep. Given the bed is not fully flat I slept really well. This flight was busier, with both Italian tourists returning and local Sri Lankans.
A very nice touch was the boy like charms of the captain, telling us to check our Mecca on the way and describing the beautiful countryside around Rome.
Breakfast was a mix of western and local flavours. As usual the tea was superb. Arriving at 8am, Rome airport was very busy with Asian and US flights all landing. Immigration for non Europeans took approx 30 minutes.
Overall
For the price, this was amazing value. The connection times are good from Singapore (esp on the return leg) and this was a real business class on the longer flight. Food and drinks are good. Entertainment is not up to SQ,CX,EK but having laptops and ipads means I can choose my own entertainment.
For travelers from Australia a cheaper economy return to Singapore would make this a very cheap option to Europe. (UL also fly to Paris, London and Frankfurt). Ideally the planes would be the Airbus A330 for both legs, but given Singapore is sub four hours I understand why it is a narrow body route.
One small quirk on all four legs there seemed to be a male senior flight attendant who would bark orders and then sleep in a spare business class seat. The lovely Sri Lankan female attendants actually did the real work.
I would recommend this route, even for a higher price as a cheap business class to Europe. All flights also accrued Qantas Status Credits (320 in total) and points.
