At the Airport
Check-in
Singapore Airlines departs from both Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 with dedicated check-in counters in both terminals. Terminal 3 mainly serves longer routes, and our 2-hour flight, which is classified as a regional flight, departs from Terminal 2. The check-in counters are spread across Rows 3, 5 and 6, with Row 3 serving Business Class and Star Alliance Gold members and Rows 5 and 6 serving Economy Class passengers. Economy Class passengers who hold KrisFlyer Elite Silver status can use the dedicated check-in counter in Row 6. Passengers who want to use the self-check-in kiosks can use the many kiosks located in Row 5. We used the check-in counters in Row 3, with the nearest door being Door 2. There was a small queue at the check-in counter during our arrival, but we did not have to wait for too long for our turn to be checked in, as Singapore Airlines had all four counters manned. Check-in was a breeze, and the ground staff performed our check-in with much efficiency. Before long, we had all four luggage checked in, and the ground staff gave us the usual information on our boarding gate and the time of boarding.
Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge (Terminal 2)
Singapore Changi Airport, being Singapore Airlines’ home port, has two SilverKris Lounges, the larger flagship in Terminal 3 and the more intimate in Terminal 2. As our flight departed from Terminal 2, we headed to the recently renovated SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 2. We were approached at the entrance by the ground staff and welcomed to the lounge after scanning our boarding passes. SilverKris Lounge is decked in earthy colours exuding a relaxing vibe, coupled with the light classical music playing in the background, the lounge felt polished. A T-shaped corridor extended from the entrance to the toilet at the end and also links to a corridor that leads to the main part of the lounge. The part of the lounge that is closer to the entrance is designed to be a lounging area and is furnished with armchairs that extend from the entrance to this part of the lounge. The back part of the lounge is designated as the buffet area, where Singapore Airlines treats passengers with local cuisine and some Western options. There is a small counter opening that serves made-to-order noodles and the Singapore Airlines’ signature laksa. Sitting between the buffet and lounging areas is the main dining area, decked out in dining tables for two. Other than this main dining area, dining tables that can accommodate four to six passengers are also spotted along the wall from the entrance and the side lounge area.
There is another larger lounging area at the side of the buffet and dining area. Here is where we found more lounging armchairs for passengers to relax while waiting for their flight. Some high-back chairs were found sitting against the wall at the back of this lounging area, great for passengers who wanted to find a quiet place to work. The lighting and colour scheme at this part of the lounge created a conducive ambience for relaxing. The SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 2 is fitted with 10 shower rooms, near the lounge’s entrance. Each of these shower rooms, decked in light grey tiles and bright lights, is fitted with a toilet and a walk-in shower. I like that the shower room has a dedicated space for us to stow our carry-on.
The Aircraft
Singapore Airlines operates three daily flights using its A350-900, both Medium Haul and Long Haul variants, as well as its B787-10 aircraft between Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City. For this leg, Singapore Airlines deployed its A350-900 Medium Haul aircraft featuring Stelia Aerospace Symphony Business Class seat.
Cabin
Singapore Airlines A350-900 Medium Haul Business Class cabin retains the familiar earthy palette, mainly decked in brown on cream and warm neutral colours seen in their A380 and A350 Long Haul products. However, these palettes felt more streamlined with lighter colours used, such as mocha and orange, exuding a relaxing and yet premium vibe. The earthy colour schemes are the main colour used in its seats, from the mocha inner seat shell to the light brown leathered seats and the seat trimmings, while terracotta colour fills the inner shells of the side cabinet and the pillow. The light grey used in the side cabinet door and the side table matches the cream colour used in the seat shell very well. The overall colour scheme used in this cabin screams of coherence and harmony, very well suited for a regional daytime flight. The cabin ambience is further enhanced by the light tint of lilac lighting used during boarding, giving off a relaxing and airy sensation. The spaciousness of the cabin is further accentuated by the spreading out of the 40 Business Class seats into two cabins instead of cramming all 40 seats in one single cabin, which can look busy. The larger forward cabin houses 28 seats, giving off a spacious vibe, while the rear cabin houses 12 seats, feeling more intimate, but no less cramped.
Like its long-haul variant, Singapore Airlines A350-900 Medium Haul Business Class is served by three lavatories, one upfront just a little shy of the cockpit and the other two between the two Business Class cabins. The premium vibe also flowed into these Business Class lavatories, seen in the dark brown wooden laminate used in the sink cabinet and marble-looking laminate used in its floor. The brown backsplash at the sink enhances the premium look. Singapore Airlines stocked its Business Class lavatories with Payot amenities such as lotion, eau de toilette and facial mist. The standard amenities like the dental kits and shavers are more premium than those found in Economy Class lavatories.
Seat Features
Singapore Airlines A350-900 Medium Haul Business Class seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring passengers get direct aisle access. With a pitch of 60”, the Singapore Airlines regional Business Class seats provided a good amount of leg room. However, compared to its long haul cousin, the seat width of 20” (expandable to 22” with armrests lowered) felt a little tight. For passengers sitting next to the window or in one of their “honeymoon” seats might find the entrance to their seat a little narrow with a gap of only 9” having to navigate past the side table. However, when settled into the seats, the soft leather and the thick cushioning made these seats feel very comfortable even in the default take-off/landing mode. Singapore Airlines promises a lie-flat Business Class seat in all of its aircraft. True to their promise, Singapore Airlines Medium Haul Business Class seats are capable of reclining 180°, turning the seat into a flat bed, which I find comfortable for short or even longer naps. Despite the lack of a sliding door, these Business Class seats provide a good amount of privacy in bed mode due to the high shell back adopted. The soft velvet inner linings of the seat shell felt comfortable and premium. I find a good amount of space for my feet in the footwell, but passengers with larger feet might find it a little cramped. I find the in-between “Lounge” mode to be the most comfortable. Other than the preset angle with a touch of the seat control button, I was able to customise the angle of the seat back recline to find the most comfortable position, while propping up my feet into the footwell. This is the best mode for dining and movie bingeing.
Singapore Airlines’ regional Business Class seats rival its long-haul variant in terms of storage. Passengers would appreciate the small cabinet above the side table, which is great for storing the smaller items that we wanna keep in reach for the duration of the flight. Although a little tight, I was still able to fit in my 11” iPad and loose small items like my passport and charging cables. The sliding door fitted in this small cabinet also meant we were allowed to use this cabinet even during take-offs, landings and taxi. Other than the side cabinet, I was also able to use the space under the footwell to stow my carry-on instead of placing it in the overhead bin. I find the seat pocket a little hard to reach, being positioned near the floor at the entrance to the seat. However, this seat pocket can also be potentially an alternative storage space for slimmer items like a tablet or a magazine. When it comes to power supply, I was able to use the two USB-A power outlets and the international power outlet, which are conveniently fitted into the side cabinet, to have my devices juiced up and ready to use when I deplane. However, I find the charging speed on the USB-A ports a little slow.
Singapore Airlines Business Class seats onboard their A350-900 Medium Haul aircraft are fitted with a sizeable and sturdy table. Deploying the seat table was a breeze with the lifting of a lever under the table. The bifold table is stowed under the personal TV and is folded in half when in storage. When fully deployed, the seat table is large enough for passengers to work on their laptops or dine. Apart from the overhead reading light, Singapore Airlines’ regional Business Class seats are also installed with a set of three reading lights on top of the inner seat shell to correspond to the three seat modes.
Inflight Entertainment
Singapore Airlines A350-900 Medium Haul Business Class seat is fitted with an 18″ HD touch screen personal TV. The picture quality on these TVs is sharp and crisp, making watching movies on them enjoyable. With the tilt function built into the TV, the picture quality remains sharp even when watching it in bed mode. Singapore Airlines provides its Business Class passengers with noise-cancelling headphones, which are very effective in blocking out ambient noises. In fact, it is so effective that I had to remove my headphones when conversing with the cabin crew. The soft padding in the ear muffs made it comfortable to wear for a prolonged period of time. Each Business Class seat is fitted with a touchscreen IFE controller that resembles a mobile phone. The interface on these IFE controllers is very well designed, enabling a shallow learning curve for their usage. When it comes to entertainment, KrisWorld is decked with hundreds of entertainment options from movies to TV shows to games. The flight time felt short when we were spoilt for entertainment options. Singapore Airlines provides complimentary Wi-Fi to all its Business Class and loyalty club passengers. However, the internet speed is only capable of supporting social media and chatting functions; one would find it frustrating when streaming videos on YouTube.
Meal Services
The three main course options for this flight out of Singapore were Seafood Phad Thai, Omelette with Potatoes and Beef Hor Fun. On top of these three mains, we were offered six additional options from their “Book the Cook” service. The “Book the Cook” service is an additional meal options that the airlines offers for flights above 1½ hours and from selected departure airports. Of the six additional options, three are Singaporean dishes, and the other three are Western cuisine. I opted for the Singaporean Nasi Lemak from the “Book the Cook” menu. Meal services commenced about 30 minutes after take-off. The Nasi Lemak is delicious and full of flavour. The Sambal Chilli was delicious and flavourful with a generous amount. Other than the fried chicken drumstick, an egg and two pieces of Otah, I also found three prawns swimming in the Sambal Chilli that came with the rice dish. As this was a short flight, all the courses were served in a single tray with fruits as dessert and yoghurt as an appetiser.
Service
The service we received on board was nothing short of impeccable. We were given the usual welcome by the cabin crew at the door during boarding, directing us to the correct aisle for our seats. The crew on board were very friendly and welcoming. I was taken care of by Eunice, who was responsible for my aisle. As soon as I was settled into my seat, Eunice appeared with a tray of welcome drinks, followed by confirmation of the “Book the Cook” meal that I had pre-booked online. Throughout our interactions, Eunice was always wearing a smile and came across as sincere. She addressed me by my first name whenever we met. Despite the short flight time, Eunice was seen patrolling the cabin, jumping into action to clear the tray when she spotted that the passengers were done having their meal. The other cabin crew working in this part of the plane were also very friendly and observant. One would come around with a basket of bread with the widest smile in the sky, while another male cabin crew member jumped into action the moment he saw me having difficulty in retrieving my carry-on from the overhead bin.
Afterthought
Singapore Airlines A350-900 (Medium Haul) was a solid product. The seat was very comfortable for a short two-hour hop from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City, though a little narrow. I was able to get a short nap after take off and before the meal, reclining the seat into flat bed mode. In lounge mode, the seat is most comfortable and further customising the degree of recline of the seat made it more comfortable. There were sufficient entertainment options on KrisWorld that made the flight time whizz past quickly. The meal from the “Book the Cook” was flavourful and came in a generous portion. The cabin crew were both professional and welcoming. They were seen wearing their smiles and patrolling the cabin throughout the flight. I had an enjoyable flight with Singapore Airlines.