There and Back on QF/SQ/SK/LX: Starring the SQ A380

[Keith009]

So I thought I'd burn some cash+miles and spend some time away in wintery Europe (Stockholm and Amsterdam) to escape the summer heat in Melbourne, as well as fit in another stay at the W Hong Kong.

To come:

Flights

Melbourne to Hong Kong, Qantas, Business
Hong Kong to Singapore, Singapore Airlines, First (Regional)
Singapore to London, Singapore Airlines, Suites
London to Stockholm, SAS, Business
Stockholm to Amsterdam, SAS, Economy
Amsterdam to Zurich, SWISS, Business
Zurich to Hong Kong, SWISS, Business
Hong Kong to Singapore, Singapore Airlines, First (Regional)
Singapore to Melbourne, Singapore Airlines, First (Regional)

Hotels

Sheraton Stockholm
Hotel V Frederiksplein, Amsterdam
W Hong Kong

Next: MEL-HKG QF29 J

 

[somebol]

It would be interesting to know the breakdown of awards used for your flights..

 

[Keith009]

MEL-HKG: Return segment of an ex-HKG 70k miles aaward i commenced in September.

HKG-xSIN-xLHR-ARN: z8-2 bmi dc 25 000 miles + GBP170 + tax/YQ

ARN-AMS: revenue ticket, approx USD90 all in.

AMS-xZRH-HKG-xSIN-MEL: z1-9 bmi dc 37 500 miles + GBP255 + tax/YQ

 

[Keith009]

Sector - MEL-HKG
Flight number - QF29
Class - Business
Equipment - B747-400
Seat - 17J

Checked in at the QF FCL check in lounge at MEL, use of which is also extended to QF WPs and OW EMDs. Very nice and tranquil area compared to the madhouse outside. The only check in agent there was occupied with another pax and I was invited to wait on the couches. A porter took my travel documents away whilst I filled out the departure card. In no time I was given my bp with my bag interlined and checked through to SIN.

I was warmly welcomed at the Flounge by the Flounge Concierge whom tried to get me into the emex row 16 as the flight was oversold and some lucky WPs/CLs (for whom row 16 is blocked for) might be upgraded to FCL. Declined the eagerly proferred spa treatments in favour of a 3 course dinner of asparagus, schnitzel and cheese platter. All yummy. I enjoyed a wide variety of tipples, including the most delicious Yering Station pinot noir which is quite a favourite of mine. I'm disappointed though that bubble-wise with the exception of the Devaux Blanc des Noir, Qantas went for the easy option and served heavily marketed coughpy champers rather than quality stuff like the BA Flounges; made a note of this in the comment card.

I was served by the lovely Larisa who was extremely attentive and ensured that my glass was never empty. Fortunately (for me) the rather annoying retro departure board wasn't working so no flickering noise. *dons flameproof suit*

 

[Keith009]

Boarding was soon called and we were escorted to the gate by the Concierge.

Will be brief about the flight as I've written to death about this very sector in J by now. Service was good but more business-like than memorable. The FA serving my part of the cabin was extremely efficient and served with precision for the most part but v robotic. The CSM who personally introduced himself to every pax and the other FA were a lot better.

Watched a bit of IFE prior to bed, they had my favourite episode of Summer Heights High.

I felt v full after the v delicious supper (had chook again), and thus only ordered a rather small brekky and even then only managed a nibble of the muffin along with the juice and coffee which did wonders for my horrid inflight hangover.

The robot had accidentally tipped over my wine glass at one stage whilst attempting to serve my seat mate and I was immediately cleaned up by a 'rescue party' comprised of herself, the CSM and the other FA who all profusely apologised. I had a napkin and blanket on me so my PJs were un-scathed, and my blanket was replaced with a v nice one from FCL. I was offered a bottle of champers to take off the plane but as I was transitting in HKG i declined due to the LAG restrictions.

Despite an early departure we arrived in HKG 30 mins late due to a lenghtier flying time caused by the need to avoid a volcano.

Menu for this flight here.

Next: Lounge hopping in HKG and SQ863 HKG-SIN F

 

[docjames]

Despite an early departure we arrived in HKG 30 mins late due to a lenghtier flying time caused by the need to avoid a volcano.

Was it not there until recently ??

 

[Keith009]

Was it not there until recently ??

As in one that was erupting.

 

[Travel Guru]

Great TR Keith, keep it coming.

TG

 

[docjames]

I think my humour is misunderstood.

Great TR as always Keith.

 

[NM]

As in one that was erupting.

So one could say that the volcano was disrupting the flight path :shock:.

 

[Keith009]

Lounge hopping in HKG

Collected my bp off the SQ check in agent at the transfer desk. I had 6 hours and then some till my next flight. I'd deliberately scheduled a long connection to avoid misconnects as I was traveling on award tix. The check in agent seemed v surprised that I was at the airport that early and encouraged me to spend some time downtown, but I'd wanted to simply relax in the airport. I also obtained my bp for SIN-LHR since that was technically a connection, but could not get the bp for LHR-ARN - was told to try again at SIN or LHR.

First stop - the SQ Silver Kris Lounge. Now I know this isn't the best lounge in HKG but it was right in front of me when I emerged from security and I'd just needed to plant myself and vegetate in a couch for a few hours. So the SKL fitted the bill at that point. The lounge agent was similarly surprised that I was there that early for my flight. I'd read that the lounge had been recently refurbished, however of all 3 lounges I visted that day I liked the SKL least. There was a comparatively poor selection of hot food and beverages, and Haagen-Dazs. The lack of natural lighting and the enclosed space made the place rather dingy. I met kluau88 of FT in the lounge who was on his way to SIN on SQ1. I relaxed for a bit and surfed the web whilst I tried to decide if the schlep over to the other lounges was worth it.

After hmming and hawing for a bit, the lack of natural lighting got to me and I finally decided to make the move and head over to the concourse where the other *A lounges and the VS Club House are located. Thanks to an idiot-proof pictorial guide by simongr, for I have a dreadful sense of direction, I managed to locate serftymobile, or AFF speak for the train that runs to gates 33-80 from where I was.

 

[Keith009]

Next - the Thai Royal Orchid Lounge. The lounge agent photocopied my SQ bp and let me in without any fuss. I was ushered to the F area which is basically a cordoned off section. I was given a cold wipe and served a glass of white by the v nice lounge agent. Had a bit of dim sum from the breakfast buffet. Certainly a much better place to spend time in than the SKL; I like the light and airy feel of the place, like the rest of HKIA. The lunch menu which was cook to order commenced at 11am however by that time the VS Club House had opened and so given it has a great bar I made the move across the corridor.

 

[Keith009]

My final stop of the day was the VS Club House. SQ's relationship with VS meant that flying SQ C or F entitles access to the VSCH. My flight details were copied down by the clipboard wielding lounge dragon. The VSCH in HKG pales into insiginificance when compared to its sibling at LHR T3 of course, but I liked this lounge best of all of the *A options. A pity that BR has ceased using the VSCH and so it's open only around VS departures; luckily for me there was a VS flight to LHR which departed 45 mins after my flight. It also featured plenty of natural lighting like the TG lounge, and a rather modern decor characterised by hip furniture as is signature of VSCHs. And more importantly a v well-resourced bar. There was a rather wide selection of items on the menu which was cook to order, I contended myself with an entree as I had a huge SQ F meal to look forward to. I had a few concoctions from the bar, including a v nice champagne coughtail. The choice of bubbles at the VSCH was the v quaffable Taittinger NV. The service was prompt, and I was even advised of my departure gate when that information became available despite the fact that I was departing on a different airline. Certainly the best lounge of the 3 I visited. Heaps of brownie points for the nice bar of course.

 

[Keith009]

Sector - HKG-SIN
Flight number - SQ863
Class - First
Equipment - B777-300
Seat - 1C

Boarding time eventually rolled around, and much to my relief I was boarding at gate 25 which was only a rather short walk from the VSCH (the people mover is 1 way only). I was met at the entry to the aircraft by an LSS and her male colleague (can't remember the colour of his tie; it's easy to miss the rank of male FAs these days due to the new uniform). The LSS led me to my seat and helped me put my bags into the overhead lockers. She also presented me with a wide variety of reading materials and the leather enclosed FCL menu. Another 4 pax joined me in FCL. I ended up with the seat next to me empty. The male FA then served me my choice of pre take off drinks, champers for me of course - Dom Perignon 2000 was opened for pre take off fiz that morning. DP 2000 is a much improved vintage over the 1999 and 1998, but was still a bit too sweet for my palate. I'd much rather enjoy the toasty and yeasty aromas of Krug but I hadn't the heart to make him return to the galley to open a fresh bottle; it was my own fault for not specifying exactly which champers I wanted anyway as I'd for a moment forgotten that HKG also had Krug unlike most other regionals. I was also handed an extremely hot towel which I'd almost dropped in pain, as well as a little brown bag containing sockettes.

Christmas decoration

Managed another glass of DP before departure was underway. I fell asleep during taxi/take off, possibly the most uneventful part of any flight along with landing. The flight was rather turbulent as we reached cruising altitude but the seatbelt signs were eliminated anyway. Had the Krug when the bar service commenced. And the lunch service soon began. Menu for this flight here.

I informed the LSS that I'd be skipping the soup as it contained shellfish but she pointed out that the contents of the soup were put together separately so I could still have the soup sans abalone. She'd also confirmed that the broth was duck stock.

I'd BTCed the braised chilean sea bass, however there was a similar dish on the menu - I'd preferred the sound of the one on the menu as it came with better accompaniments than the BTC option, but though it's entirely possible to decline the BTC meal and have the onboard option instead I didn't feel good doing it and hence stuck to the BTCed seabass with rice. Overrall a pretty good meal delivered with the usual SQ precision and efficiency. The sea bass was rather tender and yummy, though the sides tasted a little funny.

 

[Keith009]

I had to decline the rest of the meal as I was feeling rather stuffed, opting instead to sup on Krug for the rest of the flight. The male FA (green tie, ie LS i think but can't exactly remember) seemed disappointed that I was leaving the dinner party, "Huh? Finish already, ah?" and joked that a FCL ticket was wasted on me. I responded that I was doing a steady job with the bubbles which IMO is almost the point of flying at the pointy end, which was undoubtedly assisted by the crew who ensured it was never left empty.

Landed into T2 right on schedule. T2 felt a bit like a ghost town with the migration of most SQ flights over to T3. It was also one of the rare times at SIN that I beat the bags to baggage reclaim, but my suitcase emerged in no time at all. Approximately 20 mins after deplaning i was on my way to the New Majestic hotel. Praise be to the mecca of airports that's Changi.

Next: More of the New Majestic Hotel; SQ318 SIN-LHR R

 

[Keith009]

Pics of The New Majestic Hotel, Singapore posted here.

Next: SQ318 SIN-LHR R

 

[Keith009]

Sector - SIN-LHR
Flight number - SQ318
Class - Suites
Equipment - A380
Seat - 2F

After some brekky at the New Majestic, I hopped into a taxi and cruised into the SQ FCL check in lounge at T3. Was met by no less than 3 ushers and a porter at the entry to the lounge, and led to a sit-down check in area. My bp for this segment had been issued the day before in HKG but they'd decided to print me a new one which contains information about my departure gate. I was also checked in for my onward segment from LHR to ARN on SK, with my suitcase tagged through to ARN. I was then informed that I was eligible to use the SKL.

I flowed through the totally deserted dedicated immigraton channel for FCL pax, and soon found my way to the SKL. The escalators to the SKL are located almost directly in front of the FCL immigration chanel. The v nice lounge agent examined my bp, and warmly welcomed me to the Flounge. I was then led to a rather secluded part of the Flounge where I was invited to partake in some Flounge dining. I declined as I'd wanted to have room for my lunch onboard, and simply sipped on the bubbly.

Having been warned that my boarding gate B5 was "far away" from the Flounge, I decided to make my way to the gate earlier than I normally would. Ok I lie, it's an excuse to leave the Mis En Cave for the Krug. Boarding had already commenced when I got to the gate, and I simply made my way down the aerobridge and turned left to the dedicated jetway leading to the Suites cabin. I must say that whilst I've always known that the A380 was the biggest commercial airliner blah blah blah, it looks a whole lot bigger in real life than what I'd imagined it to be, especially when I was up close.

At the entry to the aircraft I was welcome by the v cheerful crew who exclaimed that I had the pick of the entire cabin as I was the only pax traveling in R that day! I was originally assigned 3F. I can't remember why I picked the seat except vaguely remembering comments somewhere indicating that it's a favourite seat of some. I was urged to move to 2F as it's further from the galley and hence there'd be less galley noise; given the A380 is supposed to be a rather quiet aircraft I thought this was quite a wise suggestion so duly moved myself to 2F. I like how I can store my things in the Suite with me instead of having to reach into the overhead lockers.

My coat was also hung up in the closet - each Suite had their own. The LS served the Krug, whilst the LSS did the pre-departure amenity kit/PJs/menu/newspapers/mags dance. I'd picked out The Economist but the LSS insisted that I also had the copy of Men's Health as she deemed it "very interesting." Looking at the v nice pics in there, I reckon she must have read me v well.

 

[Keith009]

Seeing my enthusiastic photo taking, the LSS offerred to take some pics of me in the cabin.

Suite 2F

The Suite was well-appointed with rather thoughtful touches like handy nooks and crannies and ample space to store various things, and buttons within easy reach. Despite the Suite being far more enclosed than I'd have liked - there was still sufficient room for it to feel airy. That said I did leave the door to the Suite open the entire flight in order to get a greater sense of space.

 

[Keith009]

Take off was quieter than many other a/c, as has been noted in existing TRs on the A380. During cruise the plane simply purred along.

The lunch service quickly began after take off, suitably accompanied by the tipples on offer including Krug and a lovely shiraz by Ben Riggs, from McLaren Vale where I'd just spent the weekend before wine tasting with AFFers. I was pleased to see Antipodean offerings on the wine list; the other being the Cloudy Bay sauv blanc. Unfortunately the vodka on offer was Absolut; I do not normally get into the spirits but had to have some vodka with the caviar.

Canapes for the day was some lovely satay. Once again, despite what's said on the menu for the dip isn't spicy at all, and satay tastes so much better with the dip. Some lovely garlic bread was proferred. This was followed by the appetiser of caviar. Asked for seconds of the caviar but alas only 1 serving was loaded; the crew were most apologetic and noted that the catering department had erred in only loading a single serve of caviar and that usually this was not the case. The Oriental chicken soup was foul as the LSS had already warned but I couldn't have the other option since it had shellfish. Salad was next, quickly followed by the main designed by Georges Blanc - chicken was yummy but rice was crunchy. Dessert followed. I was ready to throw in the towel after dessert despite the yummy sounding cheese plate for I was simply stuffed, but the LSS encouraged me to plough on and have a taste of everything. Some lovely cheeses on offer there, but I only had a tiny bite of the cheeses as I was so full.

Table ceremonially laid out for the meal

 

[Keith009]

I'm sure I'd also taken a pic of the cheese plate but it's somehow vanished for I can't find it...

I changed into my PJs after lunch and asked for the bed to be made. Converting from seat to bed mode was a rather complex operation which required an FA's intervention and was all manual, and hence you couldn't easily switch between bed and seat mode. I thought it'd be simply more comfy to lounge about in bed mode.