Nathan's Insights

Singapore Airlines
Date: 07 June 2023
Gate: D9
Seat: 15A (Business Class Seat)
Plane: Airbus A350-900
Boarded: 12:45
Pushback: 13:31 (Scheduled 13:30)
Arrived: 05:10 (Scheduled 05:00)
Duration: 10 hour 40 minutes
Distance: 8,680 kms

This flight was from Istanbul International Airport (Türkiye) to Changi (Singapore) Airport.

Check In / Bag Drop

I checked in my bag and was issued my boarding pass at 10:56 at the Singapore Airlines Business Class counters. Surprisingly the economy counters moved faster than the business counters but getting a Fast-path through Customs was a big bonus.

As I’m on my way home I wasn’t as concerned about a delay to my checked bag which meant I didn’t pack as much in my carry on daypack.

Security and customs clearance was very quick and easy in the Fast-path lanes.

Lounges

As I was travelling in Business Class on Singapore Airlines I had access to Turkish Airline Business Class Lounge (see review here) as they are a Star Alliance partner.

Having Lounge access before a long international flight is a huge bonus. As you have access to free food, free internet (usually fast) and normally a shower, but unfortunately no showers this time.

Turkish Airlines also has a Miles and Smiles Lounge which is available to frequent flyers with high status.

Boarding

We boarded from Gate D9 using priority boarding. As a Business Class I passenger I was placed with other Business Class passengers in a separate area and then given the first opportunity to board.

Note: This is the reverse flight that I travelled on from Singapore to Istanbul on Sunday 30 April (see review here). That flight was entirely at night whereas this flight starts in the daylight before transiting to a night flight.

The Seat

As per my 30 April 2023 flight these Singapore Airlines A350-900 Business Class seats are set up in 1-2-1 rows, meaning A and K seats mostly have windows (there are some exceptions). There are 12 rows in business class with 4 seats in each row equalling 48 business class seats.

The seat is covered by quilt and Scottish leather encased by polished copper for an elegant look. The seats recline into a nice and comfortable 78 inch sleeping pod with padded duvets. Seats are equipped with 100V power outlet to charge devices, and 18 inch HD screen for entertainment.

I found the seat 15A to be huge and very comfortable. While a flight attendant turned the seat into a bed I believe I could have done it (after watching the video demonstration). The bed is very welcome and comfortable. You can’t lie totally straight as the leg area was off to the left but it was still better than trying to sleep in a seat upright.

Amenity Kit

The amenity kit included associated facial creams. On request I was also given slippers and a facial mask to aid sleeping.

Meals and Drinks

You are provided with pre-departure drink options. I choose an orange juice.

During this scheduled 10 hour 30 minute flight we had a Lunch and a Breakfast service.

The Lunch service commenced one hour after departure. I had used the Book the Cook service and selected the Seared chicken breast with natural jus. Served before this meal was a Singapore Chicken Satay (canape) and Smoked Salmon (appetiser). After the seared chicken for dessert I had the Mango Ice Cream, unfortunately it was so frozen I had to wait 20 minutes before I could eat the ice cream.

Drink Options

• Champagne – Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve
• White – Pikes Riesling Traditionale, Clare Valley
• White – 2021 Chartron and Trebuchet Poulily-Fuisse 
• Red – 2016 Chateau Livran, Medoc
• Red – 2016 Chateau Pey La Tour Reserve
• Red – 2019 Dandelion “Lioness of McLaren” Shiraz
• Fortified wine – Kopke 10 years
• Cocktail – Singapore Sling
• Cocktail – SilverKris Sling
• Cocktail – Cuba Libre
• Cocktail – Screwdriver
• Cocktail – Grand Pineapple Daiquiri
• Cocktail – Alspritzer (sparkling vodka)
• Cocktail – Jubilee Lining
• Cocktail – Rumba (rum with pineapple juice and 7 Up)
• Cocktail – Bloody Mary
• Cocktail – Bellini
• Aperitif – Campari
• Spirit – Courvoisier XO Cognac
• Spirit – Glen Deveron 16 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
• Spirit – Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky
• Spirit – Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whisky
• Spirit – Suntory Chita Single Grain Japenese Whisky
• Spirit – Bombay Sapphire Gin
• Spirit – Grey Goose Vodka
• Spirit – Bacardi Carta Blanc Superior White Rum
• Spirit – Junmai Ginjo Sake
• Liqueurs – Baileys Original Irish Cream
• Liqueurs – Cointreau Organge Liqueur
• Liqueurs – Choya Umesha
• Beers – Tiger and Heineken
• Mocktails – Midsummer Breeze, Royal Sparkle, Citrus Delight, Apple Bliss
• Mineral Water – Sparkling or Still
• Fruit Juices – Apple, Orange, Pineapple, Tomato
• Soft Drinks – Coke, Coke Zero, Coke Light, Tonic Water, Soda Water, Ginger Ale, Bitter Lemon, Sprite
• Other – Low Fat Milk, Full Cream Milk, Milo, Chocolate (hot or with ice)

During the flight I went for non-alocholic drinks in sprite and orange juice.

The Breakfast service commenced 2 hours 30 minutes before the scheduled landing. I had used the Book the Cook service and selected the Turkish style scrambled eggs with tomato. Served before this meal was sliced fresh fruit.

Service

The service was very attentive for this flight which is consistent with past experiences. My orange juice drinks and later Spirite drinks were filled up regularly. A flight attendant volunteered to turn my seat into a bed without me asking which was appreciated.

Entertainment System

The KrisWorld entertainment system was massive and you could take hours reviewing the options alone. I watched several episodes of Young Sheldon and after some sleep watched Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.

The Flight

This was a mostly smooth flight but we experience multiple minor air turbulence which meant seat belt sign went on often.

The cabin was on the warm side but it was still okay. The toilets on this A350-900 are on the small sided before still good. The noise was low enough to sleep.

Arrival

We arrived 10 minutes late. As my next flight is on Malaysia Airlines I had to clear customs in Singapore. As one of the first off the flight I caught a Skytrain to the arrivals area with very few people. I had to complete a Singapore Arrival electronic card but after this was done I only had to scan my passport and get finger printed and I was though. A number of countries have the option of using the eGate system including Australia.

Somehow my bag was waiting for me after clearing immigration. Singapore Airline is the most efficient airport I’ve ever experienced.

Summary

Singapore Airlines is a top tier airline and this flight confirmed this well earned reputation. I’ve only travelled on Singapore Airlines in Business and First Class using points and I’d happily redeem them again for long haul travel if the opportunity arises.