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.

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

Check-in

Singapore Airlines check-in counters in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport are found near the end of Row K, in the centre of the departure hall, with Door 5 being the closest door to it. Singapore Airlines has three queues for checking in, catering to Economy Class, Business Class, and KrisFlyer elite members. Of the seven counters, three serve Economy Class passengers, one is dedicated to KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Elite Silver members, while two are designated for Business Class passengers. The airlines also operate one additional service counter for passengers with flight-related issues. However, this counter also serves Business Class passengers when the other two counters are busy. The ground staff was friendly and worked with great efficiency, processing our check-in in under 5 minutes. Before sending us off to immigration, the ground staff provided us with information on our boarding gate and departure time. He also recommended that we use the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge as it is diagonally opposite our boarding gate. Business Class passengers, regardless of airlines, can use one of two Fast Track immigration lanes, located at either end of the terminal building. I appreciate this service at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, as it meant we didn’t have to queue and were through immigration almost immediately when we arrived at the counters.

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge

As we used the Fast Track lane near the Thai Airways Business Class check-in counter in Row A, the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge in Concourse D is accessible via an escalator from the immigration counters. There are two lounges at the reception; we were directed to the refurbished lounge on the right of the reception. Passing through the entrance of the lounge, a bar counter welcomed passengers to the lounge. Behind the bar is the main lounge, where we saw several green walls installed in the seating area. The lounge still bears the signature colours of Thai Airways, decked in purple and yellow armchairs with dark brown. These green walls are a refreshing touch to the otherwise old, dark, and gloomy Thai Airways lounge that I used to visit. The main lounge is furnished with armchairs for passengers to relax and enjoy a quiet time.

A dining area, decked with round tables catering for two and a couple of bar tables, sits not far from the bar counter. This is where the buffet line is located, serving up signature Thai food. Despite not having a large variety, I find the food served at the lounge to be delicious and was constantly topped up. I like how the beverage fridges are being co-located in the same area as the buffet line, which makes it convenient for passengers to grab a drink. The shower facilities in the lounge are located in the centre of the lounge, in the same area as the toilet. Since there was no queue for shower rooms at the time of my visit, I decided to check it out. The shower room was quite sizeable, fitted with a toilet and a walk-in shower cubicle. The dark grey tiles in the shower room gave it a refreshed and elegant look. I like the open shelves in the shower room, where I find it practical to stow my carry-on backpack. As Thai Airways is celebrating 65 years of operation, there is a made-to-order counter serving up Japanese food near the other entrance to the lounge. Due to its design and layout, I find the Thai Airways Lounge to be peaceful and not crowded, as passengers are spread across the lounge area.

SilverKris Lounge

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is one of the few airports where Singapore Airlines operates its outstation SilverKris Lounge. The lounge is located diagonally opposite Gate D7, which is a stone’s throw from our departure gate of D6, making coming here an ideal choice while waiting for our boarding. The SilverKris Lounge in Bangkok Airport has a rectangular layout. Right past the entrance to the lounge, we spotted a small lounging area, decked with limited armchairs. Most of the SilverKris Lounge is decked with dining-style seating, occupying the space after the bar counter in the middle of the lounge and by the walls. There are some seating areas by the frosted floor-to-ceiling window, perfect for solo travellers or passengers who want to get some work done. Food is served in a buffet style at the SilverKris Lounge, tucked at the end of the lounge. Other than the Singaporean desserts and small finger food, most of the food available in this lounge features Thai cuisine. Compared to the Thai Airways Lounge, I thought the menu here was smaller with similar taste. SilverKris Lounge does not come fitted with any shower facilities, and even the toilet is a tad small. Due to the size and the layout, plus the number of passengers waiting here for our flight, the SilverKris Lounge felt busy.

The Aircraft

Singapore Airlines mainly operates the A350-900 medium-haul variant and the B787-10 between Singapore and Bangkok. The aircraft assigned for this flight was the B787-10.

The Cabin

Singapore Airlines’ B787-10 has one single Business Class cabin housing all 36 seats. This arrangement made the cabin look busy and cramped. However, the colour choice for the Business Class cabin onboard their B787-10 aircraft gave it a relaxing and elegant vibe. Using earthy tones in their seats and interior seat shell, and dark blue carpet, this colour theme resonates with the main colour theme of Singapore Airlines. The white walls and cream seat shell gave the cabin a clean look.

The only two Business Class lavatories are situated in front of the Business Class cabin. Unlike those in the A350-900 version, the Business Class lavatory looks nothing premium. Plastered in white and grey, these Business Class lavatories look exactly like those in the Economy Class. One would mistake this for Economy Class if not for the additional Payot hand cream, facial mist and eau de toilette sitting in the bracket on the sink. The lavatories felt a little on the small side, but the bright white lighting and the usage of mirrors gave the illusion of being bigger than they are. I applaud Singapore Airlines for being one of the few airlines in the world that provides amenities such as dental kits and shavers in their lavatory, even for this short 2-hour flight.

The Seat

Singapore Airlines mainly deploys its B787-10 aircraft for regional routes, featuring its regional Business Class seats. Singapore Airlines was one of the first few airlines to offer lie-flat seats for regional routes. The Business Class seats on Singapore Airlines B787-10 are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving passengers direct aisle access. The high shell-back design ensures a certain amount of privacy for its Business Class passengers, especially in flatbed mode. Each Singapore Airlines regional Business Class seat has a pitch of 60” and measures 28” wide, and is capable of reclining 180°, turning it into a true flatbed. These seats are very comfortable to sit on due to their thick cushion padding and soft leather. Singapore Airlines’ regional Business Class seat comes with three standard positions: upright for take-off and landings, flatbed for passengers to catch a snooze, and the in-between position (I called this the lounge mode), which is somewhere between the upright and flatbed mode that offers passengers an angled position for better comfort during cruising. These seat modes can be adjusted via the preset seat controls located under the side table. Out of the three seat modes, I find the lounge mode to be the most comfortable, as I was able to configure the recline angle according to my preference.

When it comes to storage, Singapore Airlines B787-10 Business Class seats offer passengers some compartments to store small items. The side cabinet fitted on top of the side table allows us to store smaller items like mobile phones, passports or even an 11” tablet. I like how the airlines designed this cabinet to be enclosed, meaning we can use this storage space even for take-offs and landings. Apart from this small cabinet, we could also use the seat pocket as a storage space for flat items such as books and magazines. However, I find the placement of this seat pocket a little inconvenient and difficult to reach from the seat with our seat belts on. The cubby hole under the footrest provided us with an alternate storage space for our carry-ons, other than the dedicated overhead bin. Singapore Airlines B787-10 Business Class seats have a fairly large seat table stored under the personal TV. The bi-fold table is sturdy and large enough for passengers to work on their 15” laptops. But due to the design, these tables do not come with a swivel function, which means they have to be put away for passengers to get in and out of their seats. Found inside the side cabinet is an international power outlet and two USB-A charging ports to keep our mobile devices juiced up before we land. On top of the overhead reading light, Singapore Airlines regional Business Class seats are installed with another set of reading lights at the top of the seat shell that caters to all three standard seat modes.

Inflight Entertainment

Singapore Airlines B787-10 Business Class seats are fitted with an 18.1″ touchscreen personal TV. The picture quality of the TV was sharp, and the colours were vibrant. A tilt-down feature has been incorporated into the screen’s design, allowing passengers to watch TV while in the flat bed mode of the seat without compromising picture quality. The IFE controller features a pseudo-smartphone design, where movie selections are made via the responsive touchscreen on the controller. Singapore Airlines provides its Business Class passengers with noise-cancelling headphones that are very effective in blocking out ambient noises. In fact, the noise-cancelling function was so effective that I had to remove my headphones when communicating with the cabin crew. KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines’ in-flight entertainment system, offers an extensive library of entertainment options, including movies, TV series, games, and destination guides. I had no issues finding something to keep me entertained from the huge menu of Hollywood and international movies for this short flight. I like how KrisWorld has this function that allows me to save the movies I’m watching to my KrisFlyer account, where I can log in and continue from where I left off. Singapore Airlines also provides complimentary in-flight wifi to all Business Class passengers. However, the speed only allows us to browse social media and does not support streaming videos from YouTube.

Meal

Singapore Airlines does not offer its “Book-the-Cook” service for flights out of Bangkok (possibly because it is a turnaround flight). To celebrate Singapore’s upcoming 60th birthday, the airlines offer a Singaporean dish as one of the three options on top of the Western and Thai options. Business Class passengers can pre-select the food option from the Singapore Airlines app and website. I pre-selected the Singapore Hokkien Mee after reading rave reviews of this dish. Due to the short flight time, meals were served in one tray instead of course-by-course as with their longer-haul Business Class products. While the salmon in the salad tasted fresh, I thought the noodles came across as a tad dry (those we had in Singapore came bathed in a small pool of broth), but the prawns were fresh, and the pork was very tasty. I like the sambal that came with the noodles, which is mildly spicy and sweet. I wished they were more generous with the sambal chilli sauce. The meal was finished off with a delicious Banana cake dessert, which was soft and fluffy with a harmonious taste of vanilla and banana.

Service

The service in Business Class on board the flight was good, but not memorable. We were warmly greeted at the door during boarding and directed to the correct aisle for our seat. At the aisle, another cabin crew member was on standby to help passengers locate their seats. The cabin crew sprang into action, serving the pre-departure drinks like clockwork as we settled into our seats. The crew who was working on my aisle came by to introduce themselves and confirm my pre-selected meal option. Throughout the flight, the cabin crew addressed us by our first name and patrolled the cabin frequently, ensuring we were comfortable. Meal service began shortly after the aircraft reached cruising altitude. I was surprised that despite my favourite mocktail, Midsummer Breeze, not being on the menu, the cabin crew was still happy to concoct the drink. Upon seeing that I was done with the meal, the eagle-eyed cabin crew quickly cleared my meal tray and returned with some packeted nuts to check if I wanted some to go with the movie I was watching and at the same time, checking if I wanted more drinks. Despite the short 2-hour flight, I could see that the cabin crew were standing on their feet the whole time, ensuring that we were well taken care of. Service was always done with a smile.

Afterthought

I had a great flight flying with Singapore Airlines in their regional Business Class. The seat was comfortable, and I appreciated the flatbed mode that came with it, allowing us to catch a power nap. The entertainment was abundant, making the 2-hour flight whiz past. The service was good on board, with the cabin crew being friendly and sincere.

Singapore Changi Airport

Check-in

Singapore Airlines operates out of Singapore Changi Airport’s Terminals 2 and 3, with regional flights departing from Terminal 2. As a home port, Singapore Airlines operates several rows of check-in counters in Rows 3, 5 and 6 in Terminal 2. Passengers flying in Business and Premium Economy Class, as well as Star Alliance Elite Gold members, check in at the counters in Row 3. Only one counter for Business Class was operational for this early morning flight, resulting in a short wait of about 10 minutes for our check-in to be processed, with three other groups of passengers ahead of us in the queue. The ground staff was warm and friendly. She was efficient in checking us in, and we were done in under 5 minutes. Before sending us to immigration, the ground staff provided us with directions to the SilverKris Lounge and also reminded us to allow extra time to reach our boarding gate, as it is located in Terminal 1.

SilverKris Lounge @ Terminal 2

Singapore Airlines has two SilverKris Lounges in Changi Airport, the new and larger lounge in Terminal 3 and the older one in Terminal 2. We used the lounge in Terminal 2 as our flight departed from the terminal. SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 2 features an earthy theme, with the entire lounge decked in earthy brown colours, exuding a relaxing vibe. The low noise level in the lounge also contributes to the relaxing atmosphere. The lounge is mainly furnished with single-seat armchairs. Apart from a small number of seats at the entrance, most of the seats are housed in the area to the right of the lounge. There were plenty of seats to go around, and the lounge wasn’t too crowded at the time of our visit; we had no issues finding a seat. There are charging outlets in each seat, allowing passengers to keep their lifestyle devices fully juiced up before our flights. Food is served in a buffet line found on the left side of the lounge, featuring primarily local dishes with a small selection of Western options. There is a food cart at the end of the food area, serving made-to-order noodles, where the famous Singapore Airlines Laksa is also available. There are several dining tables available in the buffet area, primarily catering to larger groups. As there are limited tables available, we were unable to find any empty tables here. The shower facilities in SilverKris Lounge, located in Terminal 2, are situated inside the toilets. There are no counters to register for the use of these shower suites; passengers can just walk into any empty room to use the shower. All the shower rooms in the male toilet are available at the time of my visit.

The Aircraft

Singapore Airlines operates B787-10 and A350-900 between Singapore and Bangkok. The airline has three different configurations for its A350-900, and typically operates its A350-900 medium-haul variant on regional routes, such as the one between Singapore and Bangkok.

The Cabin

The Singapore Airlines A350-900 medium-haul variant’s Business Class cabin features an earthy tone, predominantly used in shades of brown in its seats and seat shells, which exudes a relaxing vibe. The dark brown carpet and the orange lighting used during boarding made the Business Class cabin look elegant. The Singapore Airlines A350-900 medium-haul variant’s Business Class cabin is divided into two sections: a larger section with 28 seats and a smaller rear cabin accommodating 12 seats. Such a layout made the cabin look intimate and cosy, which complemented the earthy vibe very well.

There are four lavatories, two in front of the Business Class cabin and another two between the two Business Class sections, serving all 40 Business Class passengers. The earthy tone seen in the cabin also extends to the lavatory, as evident in the brown backsplash at the sink and the dark brown sink cabinets. The use of plaster marble flooring further enhances the premium feel in the lavatory. Aside from the necessities in the lavatory, Singapore Airlines is one of the few airlines in the world that fully stocks its lavatories with amenities such as dental kits and shavers for a 2-hour short hop between Singapore and Bangkok. In addition to these amenities, the airline also stocked its lavatories with hand cream, facial mist, and eau de toilette. I noticed there is a brand change from Penhaligon’s to Payot in these additional amenities.

The Seat

Singapore Airlines A350-900 medium-haul Business Class seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. Each of the 40 seats has a pitch of 60″ and measures 28″ wide, capable of reclining 180° into a flat bed. I find these seats very comfortable, thanks to the luxurious leather used and the thick cushion padding designed into the seats. However, I thought the design of the seats makes moving in and out a little challenging due to the narrow access to the seats. Each of these seats comes in three modes: the upright mode for take-off and landings, the flat bed mode for sleeping and the in-between lounge mode for relaxing. The three preset seat modes can be activated with the touch of the haptic seat control buttons located on the inside of the seat armrest. In the bed mode, despite not being fitted with a door, privacy is ensured by the high seat shell design. However, I find the angle a tad too low when the seat is fully reclined, and it doesn’t help when the pillows provided by the airlines are too soft for my liking. I liked the lounge mode the best when I am not resting in the bed mode. The lounge mode allows me to relax and watch movies from the IFE. I like how the seat angle can be further customised according to my preference in lounge mode.

When it comes to storage, I appreciate the small cabinet installed at the side table by Singapore Airlines in its regional Business Class seats, allowing passengers to stow small items and the tablets they bring along with them. In addition to the side cabinet, the space beneath the footwell can also be used to store carry-on luggage, which is generous enough for me to place my backpack. The seat pocket in Singapore Airlines’ regional Business Class seats, though technically can be used to store items, is positioned in a way that makes accessing it challenging, which discouraged me from placing anything inside.

The Business Class seat table onboard Singapore Airlines A350-900 medium-haul variant is stored under the personal TV and can be released with a push of a lever. The bi-fold design of the seat table meant I did not have to fully deploy the table when I just wanted to use it to place small items. When fully deployed, the seat table is sizeable for one to work on their laptop. In addition to this seat table, the airline also designed a side table by the cabinet, which provided me with additional space to place my belongings. Singapore Airlines’ A350-900 medium-haul Business Class seats are equipped with one power outlet and two USB-A outlets inside the side cabinet for passengers to charge their electronic devices. In addition to the overhead reading lights, the seats are equipped with side lights located inside the seat shell, catering to all three modes of the seat setting.

Inflight Entertainment

Each Business Class seat is installed with an 18.1″ personal TV with touchscreen function. The picture quality on the IFE screen is crisp and sharp, and I appreciate that the screen can be tilted down, ensuring picture quality is not compromised even when passengers are watching movies in bed mode. The IFE controller resembles a smartphone, where operations are performed on the touchscreen panel on the controller. I find the IFE controller very intuitive to use, thanks to its clear and straightforward design layout. Singapore Airlines provides its Business Class passengers with noise-cancelling headphones, which are very effective in blocking ambient cabin noises. These headphones are so effective in blocking out sounds that I have to remove them when conversing with the cabin crew. Singapore Airlines’ In-flight Entertainment, KrisWorld, is stocked with a vast library of entertainment options, ranging from Hollywood Blockbusters to classic movies of yesteryear and even short TV sitcoms. There is even a section of games to keep the young and the young at heart entertained. Singapore Airlines offers complimentary wifi to its Business Class passengers, and we can connect up to three devices at one time (Singapore Airlines also offers complimentary wifi to KrisFlyer members flying in Economy Class, but they can only connect one device at a time). As with most airlines, the internet connection was only suitable for web browsing and social media browsing, but not for streaming videos.

Meal

Singapore Airlines offers a “Book-the-Cook” service for its Business Class passengers on flights operating out of Singapore and selected airports, allowing passengers to select meal choices that are not part of the regular menu served onboard. However, the “Book-the-Cook” menu offered to us appears to be a watered-down version, with only six choices, perhaps due to the time of the flight and the flight time. I opted for the Singapore Nasi Lemak from the “Book-the-Cook” menu. The cabin crew confirmed our food choice before departure, and we were promptly served once the seatbelt sign was turned off. The coconut-flavoured rice was fragrant, and the sambal chilli was flavourful. However, I find the fried chicken a little on the dry side. As part of celebrating Singapore’s 60th Birthday, Singapore Airlines included one Singaporean dish in its regular menu. In addition to the Scrambled Eggs and Indonesian Beef Fried Noodles, we also found Singapore Fried Carrot Cake on the regular menu.

Service

The service on this flight between Singapore and Bangkok was top-notch. It was a great departure from my last experience with Singapore Airlines in March. The cabin crew came across as friendly and welcoming, despite being on an early morning flight. Other than the mandatory greeting at the door during boarding, we were escorted to our seats by another cabin crew upon entering the cabin. Not long after settling into my seat, the cabin crew member working at my aisle, Poppy, came over to introduce herself to me, while confirming my pre-ordered meal. Poppy was constantly seen patrolling the cabin, despite working on the turnaround flight, and was very cheerful. Farid was the other leading steward working in my aisle with Poppy. When my meal was served, Farid noticed that I hadn’t had any drinks and quickly checked with me to see if I needed any. He was very prompt in serving my drink after taking my request. When I was heading to the bathroom, Farid hurried in to ensure it was clean for me to use. Farid was always seen with a smile. The other cabin crew, Cassi, was working on the aisle where my friend was seated. When we pointed out my friend’s seat issue (there were some mechanical issues that required an engineer to fix) while on the ground, Cassi was constantly updating us on the engineer’s whereabouts while we waited for him to board. She was also seen constantly checking in on my friend to ensure he is comfortable during the flight.

Afterthought

We had a great flight with Singapore Airlines for this short 2-hour flight from Singapore to Bangkok. Despite being a short flight, the Business Class seat was able to turn into a flat bed for passengers who prefer to catch some snooze during the flight. The seat was comfortable, thanks to its luxurious leather and thick padding. The cabin crew were cheerful and friendly, despite being on an early morning flight and working a turnaround flight (I can imagine how early each of them had to wake up and how tiring it must be for them, as they would be returning to Singapore on the same flight). These friendly crew seem to take pride in their work, and their cheerfulness exudes a happy vibe that makes the flight enjoyable.

At the Airport

Singapore Changi Airport

Check-in

Our Singapore Airlines flight to Seoul departs from Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2. However, despite its refurbishment in 2022, this SilverKris Lounge still feels outdated. We checked in at Terminal 3, where Singapore Airlines also operates several rows of counters, since we prefer to use the flagship SilverKris Lounge in that terminal. Singapore Airlines dedicated the whole of Row 6, in the centre of the terminal, to its premium passengers to check in. Seven of the nine counters serve Business Class passengers, and one serves First and Suites Class passengers. Our check-in experience left much to be desired, where the ground staff at the counter took her time to check us in. We were made to wait for 10 minutes while she took her time casually punching our details into her computer without any explanation of what took her so long. She ignored our questions when asked what the issue was, and this time she hastened our check-in. The whole check-in process took us 20 minutes. After check-in, the ground staff only told us that our flight departed from Terminal 2 and did not provide information on the lounge or the boarding time.

SilverKris Lounge (Terminal 3)

The escalator to the SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 3 is about a 2-minute walk from the immigration checkpoints. One floor above the immigration, SilverKris Lounge, Singapore Airlines’ flagship lounge, is at the end of the corridor. Another escalator opposite Bacha brought us directly to the lounge’s entrance. The SilverKris Lounge exudes a relaxing vibe with its use of earthy themes, while the use of marble throughout the lounge gives it a luxurious vibe. The expansive four sections of the lounge ensured passengers would find a spot to relax while waiting for their flight. The section immediately to the right of the entrance mainly consists of lounging furniture and some bar tables. A bar counter is next to the entrance, where passengers can grab drinks. There is a buffet table after the bar where the limited choices of food and a fridge of beverages provide convenience for passengers utilising this part of the lounge.

The main and larger part of the lounge sits to the left of the entrance. The main dining area is dominated by a large number of dining chairs and tables stretching to the window with a view of the apron. A few lounging chairs before the main dining area provide limited seating for passengers who prefer to lounge near the food area. This area is also where the toilets and shower facilities are located. Food in the SilverKris lounge is mainly served in a buffet line that includes Chinese, Malay, and Indian cuisines. A small section at both ends of the buffet line serves made-to-order food. I like the Laksa served in the made-to-order section, and always order this dish whenever I visit the SilverKris Lounge.

There is another section opposite the main buffet line, furnished with a mix of high-back lounge chairs and single-seater sofas for passengers to relax. This area was previously temporarily used as the First Class Lounge when it was closed for renovations. The high-back lounge chairs provide passengers with some privacy, which is great for those who want to do some work. There are 14 semi-enclosed sleeping pods in the SilverKris Lounge at Terminal 3, housed in a room at the back of the dining area. These pods are available on a first-come, first-served basis. These pods are furnished with rather comfortable leather lounge chairs (which the angles cannot be adjusted) and a small table for passengers to rest while waiting for their flight. Blankets and pillows can be obtained from the cabinet by the entrance of the sleeping room.

Seoul Incheon Airport

Check-in

Singapore Airlines flies out of Seoul Incheon Airport Terminal 1. The airline operates check-in counters D27-D34 at the end of Row D, located on the left of the terminal. The nearest door to these counters is Door 4. Singapore Airlines dedicated two counters to Business Class passengers, one to Krisflyer Elite Gold and Elite Silver status passengers, and four to Economy Class passengers. The check-in experience at Incheon Airport was very pleasant, a huge difference from our experience at Singapore Changi Airport. The ground staff welcomed us with a warm smile and efficiently processed our check-in. She also provided detailed directions to the SilverKris Lounge and where to go for our tax refund. She even gave us an estimation of the time it would take us to walk from the SilverKris Lounge to our boarding gate.

Asiana Lounge West

Seoul Incheon Airport is one of the handful of overseas airports where Singapore Airlines operates its SilverKris Lounge. Since we had previously been to the SilverKris Lounge at Incheon Airport and thought the lounge would be crowded, we opted to use the Asiana Lounge. Asiana operates several lounges in Seoul Incheon Airport, and the West Lounge, opposite Gate 29, was the nearest to our boarding gate. We thought the Asiana Lounge might be less crowded, and the queue for showers might be shorter. However, we spent about 1½ hours waiting for the shower room here. Asiana Lounge West adopted an earthy theme with the large use of dark brown wood on the flooring and the walls in the lounge. Right after the lounge entrance, opposite the toilet and shower rooms, are some bar tables with charging outlets, which seem to be designed as a work station for passengers.

Asiana Lounge West is segregated into the forward lounging section and the back dining area. The first thing that greeted us was a bar right after the entryway into the lounge, where passengers can help themselves to alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The lounging area was furnished with armchairs that were oddly arranged to face the bar and entrance, providing little privacy. However, a limited number of cubicle pods are lined up at the side of the lounge. The last two of these pods are fitted with massage chairs. Due to their limited numbers and passengers tend to hog these pods, we could not find any available during our 2-hour stay at the lounge. The area at the back of the lounging area is furnished with armchairs and coffee tables, which cater to passengers who want a drink with a few friends.

A feature wall separates the lounging and dining area in the lounge. Seats in the dining area are arranged in a 2 chairs to 1 table format, placed next to the buffet table. These seats are packed very close to each other, making assessing them a tad difficult. The food offering at Asiana Lounge West is rather disappointing. Being in their home port, I thought the lounge would be stocked with many food options. However, to my disappointment, we only found one meat, two vegetables and a pasta served in the hot food section. Perhaps the most Korean cuisine in the lounge was the cup noodles found at the beverage station. The salad section occupies the other end of the buffet table, and a selection of bread is in the centre. I thought the food offering at Asiana Lounge West was underwhelming for an airline in its home port.

The Aircraft

We flew on the Singapore A350-900, fitted with a medium-haul Business Class product for both legs of the flight.

The Cabin

Singapore Airlines A350-900 has a total of 303 seats, with 40 seats in Business Class and 263 in Economy Class. The Business Class cabin comprises two sections, the larger forward cabin housing 28 seats and a smaller aft cabin with 12 seats. Singapore Airlines Regional Business Class A350-900 is decked in cream and brown colour, together with the lilac lighting used during boarding, exudes a relaxing vibe. The dark brown colour is apparent from the Business Class seats from the shell’s interior to the cabin’s carpet. The design of the cabin’s overhead compartment provides a small footprint that makes the cabin look airy and spacious.

Three lavatories serve the 40 passengers in Business Class, one in the front of the aircraft and two more between the two Business Class cabins. The lavatories felt small, and the use of white lights and mirrors did not make them feel any larger. The dark brown backsplash and grey marble patterned plaster flooring gave it a luxurious feel. Other than the dental kits and shavers which can be found in the drawers, Singapore Airlines also stocked its Business Class lavatories with Penhaligon’s eau de toilette, facial mist and hand lotion, which seem to be out of league with their newly launched Le Labo amenities kit.

The Seat

Singapore Airlines introduced its Regional Business Class seats in 2018. These Business Class seats are arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring all passengers get direct aisle access. These seats next to the window provide more privacy compared to the aisle side seats, but the high-back shell design in the seats enhances privacy for passengers in the aisle side seats. Singapore Airlines’s Regional Business Class seats have a pitch of 60″ and measure 28″ wide. These seats have armrests that can be lowered when the seat is in bed mode to increase the seat width slightly. Like all Business Class lie-flat seats, Singapore Airlines Regional Business Class seats come with three standard modes: Upright, Lounging, and Flatbed modes, that can be adjusted using the touchscreen seat control buttons at the side table. The padding on these leather seats is sufficiently thick to provide comfort for passengers even in the Upright mode. The seat can also recline 180° with a touch of a button, turning the seat into a true flat bed. However, I find the headrest a little too low for my preference in flatbed mode, requiring me to use two pillows or tilt slightly upwards. I had a great 4 hours of sleep on both legs of the flight in flatbed mode. My favourite of all three modes is the Lounging mode, somewhere between the most upright and fully flat mode, where the seat is adjusted to an angle where I was able to dine and watch movies. I like how the seat angle can be further adjusted using the additional control buttons for passengers to customise to an angle of their preference.

Each Singapore Airlines Regional Business Class seat is fitted with a cabinet with a sliding door by the side, above the side table. This cabinet was already full with headphones, a bottle of water, and the in-flight menu during boarding. Although the storage capacity of the cabinet was small, I welcomed this cabinet as it provided me with easy access to my 11″ iPad and power cables that I would use in-flight. The side table, mainly used as a cocktail table, can also be used to stow some items during cruising. The seat pocket is found near the floor at the exit of the seat. Apart from the storage cabinet, the space under the footrest can also be used to store carry-ons.

The Regional Business Class seat table is stowed under the IFE screen and can be deployed with the pull of a lever. It expands to a rather sizeable and sturdy table when fully deployed. However, due to its design, the seat table must be stowed away when getting in and out of the seat. Singapore Airlines Regional Business Class seats are equipped with one international power outlet and two USB-A charging outlets inside the side storage cabinet. Due to the requirement to keep the cabinet door open when charging, the airlines purposefully placed the charging outlets so that the cabinet door cannot be closed when charging from the power outlet or the USB-A outlets. On top of the overhead lighting, Singapore Airlines Business Class seats are fitted with three additional reading lights on the headboard of the seat to provide illumination in all three seat positions.

Inflight Entertainment

Singapore Airlines fitted a large 18″ touchscreen TV in every one of their Regional Business Class seats. The picture quality of these screens was great without much reflection. The TV can be tilted downwards to allow passengers to watch movies from the KrisWorld while lying down. The IFE controller comes in the form of a phone-like device with a large, easy-to-use touchscreen. It also has this air mouse mode, which I never got used to using. Fortunately, the distance from the IFE screen still allowed me to use the responsive touchscreen function to select the movies I wanted to watch. Singapore Airlines supplies noise-cancelling headphones to all its Business Class passengers, which are very effective in blocking out the ambient noise. KrisWorld is Singapore Airlines’ entertainment system with a huge library of movies organised into an easy-to-navigate menu. The KrisWorld is loaded with numerous entertainment options, from the latest Hollywood movies to yesteryear movies to TV serials. There is even a games section in KrisWorld to keep young passengers and the young-at-heart entertained. Singapore Airlines also provides free in-flight Wi-Fi to its Business Class passengers and KrisFlyer members travelling in Economy Class. While the Wi-Fi speed does not allow streaming, it is good enough for communicating via chats and posting on social media.

Meal

Back in 2019, when we flew on Singapore Airlines between Singapore and Seoul, we were served two meals for redeye flights. For this trip, we were only served one meal, which we had to choose to be served after take-off or before landing.

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We opted to have our meals before landing to maximise snoozing time on this redeye flight. The cabin crew woke us up about 2 hours before landing to serve us our meals. Due to the short meal service time, we were only served mains and fruits as desserts in one setting. Flying out of Singapore, the airline has an extensive Book-the-Cook menu, giving us many more meal options. I heard good reviews on the Singapore Chicken Rice and pre-ordered this dish from the Book-the-Cook menu. The chicken rice portion was big and was as good as the reviews I read online. The rice was fragrant, and the chicken remained tender and moist. It went very well with the provided condiments, like the chicken rice, chilli sauce, and minced garlic. However, I was disappointed that Singapore Airlines did not serve its famous garlic bread during this redeye flight.

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Singapore Airlines also provided a limited choice of the Book-the-Cook menu for flights out of Seoul. I chose the Stir-Fried Pork Belly from the Book-the-Cook menu and opted for the meal to be served before landing to maximise my sleeping time on this redeye flight. Unlike our outbound leg, where the cabin crew would wake us up for meals 2 hours before landing, the cabin crew did not wake us up. It was about 1½ hours before landing when I woke up and had to request my meal. The meal service started with the main course, which I found the pork to be flavourful but a little tough. Fruits were presented as dessert after the cabin crew cleared my main. Like my outbound flight, garlic bread was unavailable during this redeye flight.

Service

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For this leg, we were warmly welcomed by the cabin crew at the door and pointed to the aisle where we would find our seats. The cabin crew came across as professional and welcoming throughout the flight, and requests were promptly acted upon. Like clockwork, a cabin crew came by shortly after we were settled into our seats to confirm our meals and check our preference for meal timing, while another crew came by with welcome drinks. Cabin crew were seen patrolling the cabin and serving drinks for those of us who were still awake. I like how the cabin crew gently wake us up about 2 hours before landing, giving us sufficient time to enjoy our meal and wash up. The lavatories were kept clean, and amenity kits were topped up. In terms of amenities, only slippers were found on our seats. Amenity kits were not present at the seat during boarding, we had to request the recently updated Le Labo amenity kits from the cabin crew. These amenity kits are only available for flights longer than 6 hours.

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Similar to my outbound flight, we were warmly welcomed by the cabin crew and directed to the aisle where my seat is located. During boarding, one of the cabin crew was so engrossed with confirming meals with another passenger that she was unaware that passengers were waiting for her to complete her task to access their seats. However, this cabin crew was observed to be friendly and diligent. Another male cabin crew member, Eric, was attentive and responsive. When Eric saw me still waking after take off, he took the initiative to ask if I wanted any drinks or any snacks and promptly brought my requests. Eric also took note of my preference for the mocktail and asked if I wanted another after spotting my empty glass. I couldn’t say the same level of service provided by another male flight attendant (a Leading Steward), who came across as rather rude. He was serving bread during our meal time, and instead of asking for our preference for bread, he just shoved the bread basket in front of our faces without uttering a word. This behaviour was observed to be constant when he served me or other passengers. Cabin crew did not seem to bother to top up the additional amenities such as dental kits and shavers in the lavatories.

Afterthought

Singapore Airlines’ Regional Business Class was a good product. The seats were comfortable, and the varied seating positions allowed all passengers to find an angle they deemed comfortable. In flatbed mode, the seat was so comfortable that I was able to get a few hours of sleep. The food was tasty and flavourful. The cabin crew (except for one of them) were generally welcoming and warm. However, there was some inconsistency on both legs when waking up for meals and the amenities at the seat.

At the Airport

Check-in

Singapore Airlines operates eight check-in counters in Row L at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, located on the right side of the airport terminal. Three counters are set aside for Business Class passengers, while four are dedicated to Economy Class passengers. Singapore Airlines dedicated one separate queue for KrisFlyer Elite Gold or Star Alliance Gold members. The check-in was smooth, and the friendly ground staff warmly welcomed us. Our check-in was processed efficiently, and the ground staff invited us to the lounge while waiting for our flight. The ground staff recommended the lounge closest to our boarding gate, but since we had time and based on our previous experience in the Plaza Premium First Lounge, we told the staff we wanted to use the Plaza Premium Lounge. The ground staff thoughtfully provided the estimated time from the main terminal to our departure gate at the satellite terminal.

Plaza Premium Lounge

Singapore Airlines used to operate the SilverKris Lounge at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, but the lounge closed down during COVID and never reopened. Singapore Airlines uses the contracted lounge – Plaza Premium Lounge- as a replacement. Located on Level 2 near Gate G of the main building of KLIA, the Plaza Premium Lounge serves several airlines and is also open to holders of Priority Pass, a paid lounge access membership programme. Plaza Premium Lounge uses a natural wood furnishing interior and wooden partitions to create small sections of the seating area. The use of yellow and ample lighting gave the lounge a spacious and contemporary look. The lounge mainly has dining tables and chairs, simultaneously catering to passengers’ dining and working needs. Plaza Premium Lounge cordoned off a small section near its entrance for airlines’ premium passengers, and a lounge staff guards this section diligently to prevent non-airline guests from using it. There are more seating options in this reserved section of the lounge. Other than the dining tables, in the centre of this section, we also spotted armchairs furnished by the walls for relaxation. A fairly huge selection of food is served in the lounge: buffet and à la minute food. The buffet food is mainly located opposite the bar counter and at the à la minute counter. There is also a chiller with fruits and vegetables for passengers. The food served in the lounge is delicious, mostly Malaysian Cuisine. In the reserved section, there is a small buffet table consisting of pastries for the convenience of premium passengers.

Plaza Premium Lounge in Kuala Lumpur International Airport has two shower rooms in the far corner of the lounge. Despite the crowd in the lounge, we were in the front of the queue for the shower room. Shower room booking must be done via a QR code displayed in the shower facilities area. The shower rooms are rather small but serve the purpose of providing lounge guests with a good shower. There were no ledges in the shower room to place my carry-on, and I had to leave my backpack on the floor. The sink countertop space is also rather tight. Plaza Premium Lounge provides guests with good-quality shower amenities, including a dental kit and shaver. The shower rooms are fitted with a toilet and a walk-in shower. Despite only having a regular shower head, the water pressure is very good.

The Aircraft

Singapore Airlines flies several different aircraft on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route. For this trip, we took the A350-900 Medium Haul Variant.

The Cabin

Singapore Airlines A350-900 Economy Class cabin is segregated into two sections, with 126 seats in the forward section and 137 in the rear. The cabin looks cheerful, with light blue and grey seats. The navy blue carpeting is a great choice as it makes the cabin look clean and reinforces Singapore Airlines’ branding, as this blue is also painted on their aircraft livery. The choice of lilac mood lighting used during boarding exudes a calming effect, while the white lighting used during the cruising made the sardine class feel more spacious. Due to the short flight and the passenger sleeping beside me, I did not have the opportunity to visit the lavatory.

The Seat

The Economy Class seats in Singapore Airlines A350-900 on both long haul and medium haul variants did not differ. Each of the 263 Economy Class seats has a seat pitch of 32″ and is 18″ wide, capable of a maximum recline of 6″ via the seat recline button on the armrest. The seats are very comfortable despite their thin-looking padding, which is also suitable for long-distance flying. The legroom is also very generous, with a wide berth from my knee to the seat in front, and I could even stretch out my legs. The airline is very thoughtful in fitting not one but two power charging options in these Economy Class seats. The more convenient power outlet comes in the form of a USB-A power outlet under the TV screen, while the other is an international power outlet installed in front of the seats nearer to the floor. However, I find the charging speed on these USB-A charging ports a tad slow.

Singapore Airlines A350-900 Economy Class has a bi-fold tray table that comes with a small vanity mirror, which is especially useful for passengers flying for longer flights. The bi-fold table unfolds into a relatively large tray table, sufficient for passengers to place their laptops on. I like the compartmentalised design of the seat pocket, which increases the storage capacity tremendously. On top of the main seat pocket, there are two additional smaller pockets designed in front of the main pocket, which is great for storing smaller items like passports and power cables. The large main seat pocket also allowed me to stow some items despite being filled with inflight literature. Unlike other airlines where the overhead reading light and attendant call buttons are activated from the IFE controller, the overhead lighting on Singapore Airlines A350-900 Economy Class is activated from the touchscreen personal TV as the airline had eliminated the IFE controller.

Inflight Entertainment

Singapore Airlines A350-900 Medium Haul Variant is fitted with an 11.1″ personal TV in every Economy Class seat. I was glad that the KrisWorld was operational despite the short flight time. However, earplugs were not being distributed due to the short flight time. Armed with the reusable earplugs I had gotten from my previous flights with Singapore Airlines, I was able to enjoy KrisWorld’s in-flight entertainment system. Singapore Airlines had eliminated the IFE controller, which I thought was a good move as everything else was accessible via the responsive touchscreen function on the IFE screen. Singapore Airlines KrisWorld has a myriad of entertainment, from up-to-date movies, TV shows, and games, which are well organised in an intuitive menu layout that will keep passengers for hours. Singapore Airlines A350-900 is equipped with Wi-Fi facilities, which are free for passengers travelling in Business Class and KrisFlyer members flying in Economy Class. However, the Wi-Fi was not turned on during this short flight.

Refreshment

Due to the short flight time, no meals were being distributed to passengers in Economy Class. Flight attendants quickly sprung into action, distributing a small cup of apple juice to all Economy Class passengers as soon as the seat belt sign was turned off.

Service

Despite the short flight time and the very limited time for the cabin crew to distribute the drinks, the professional flight attendants still served with a smile. We also saw cabin crews helping passengers look for empty overhead bins to stow their carry-ons.

Afterthought

The Singapore Airlines A350-900 Economy Class seats were very comfortable for this short flight, and there was a good amount of legroom. The inflight entertainment was stocked with movies and TV shows to entertain passengers who brought along their own audio devices. Despite having a full flight of passengers to serve in a short time, the cabin crew still does their job with a smile.

At the Airport

Check-in

Our Singapore Airlines flight operated out of Changi Airport Terminal 2, where the airline has check-in counters from Rows 3 to 6, catering to different groups of passengers. The airport encourages Economy Class passengers to use the self-check-in kiosks and baggage drop-off in Row 5. There are a few manned counters in Row 4 serving Economy Class passengers. As a KrisFlyer Elite Gold member, I was able to use Row 3, which primarily serves Business Class passengers and Star Alliance Gold members. Ms Lynn Teo assisted our check-in and was very cheerful despite the early hours of the day. She even volunteered to help us check through our luggage to Vienna when learning that our final destination was Vienna (we will be taking EVA Air, another Star Alliance member airline). The extra work Lynn volunteered to help us meant we did not have to clear customs in Kuala Lumpur and saved us a lot of time during our transit. Before sending us off with our boarding pass, Lynn even reminded us of our boarding gate and the time it would take us to walk from the Lounge to the gate.

KrisFlyer Gold Lounge

Being a KrisFlyer Gold member, I was able to use the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, a lounge dedicated to Gold members. This lounge is not to be confused with the SilverKris Lounge next door, which serves passengers flying in Business Class on Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance Airlines. The KrisFlyer Gold Lounge has an earthy tone, which feels classy and relaxing. The bulk of the lounge real estate is furnished with rows and rows of armchairs with a small side table, catering for passengers who want to relax. The presence of table lamps with warm lighting enhances the relaxing vibe in the lounge. However, I find consuming food from the buffet on these seats a tad uncomfortable. I did not see any dining tables in the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge. There is a small business centre (if one can call that), comprising a work desk with two seats at the far end of the lounge, that caters to passengers who want to get some work done. The buffet section serves up a small selection of local food. Unlike the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge in Terminal 3, which comes with toilet and shower facilities, there are no toilet facilities or showers in the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge in Terminal 2. Passengers using the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge in Terminal 2 would have to exit the lounge and use the public toilet outside the lounge. Comparing to the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge in Terminal 3, the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge in Terminal 2 feels like a scaled-down version.

The Aircraft

Singapore Airlines operates a myriad of aircraft, ranging from the wide-body A350-900 to the narrow-body B737-Max 8, between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. We flew in the older and soon-to-be-phased-out B737-800NG, a hand-me-down from its sister airline, SilkAir, when the two airlines merged.

The Cabin

Singapore Airlines B737-800NG Economy Class cabin looked bright and airy, owing to the white coloured bulkhead, bright lights, and large windows in the cabin. The pilots switched on blue mood lighting in the middle of the flight, which gave the cabin an updated look and concealed the aircraft’s age very well. The choice of alternating bright blue and light grey for its seats also contributed to the refreshing look of the aircraft.

There are three lavatories onboard Singapore Airlines B737-800NG aircraft. One serves the 12 Business Class passengers at the front of the aircraft, while the other two serve all 150 Economy Class passengers at the back of the aircraft. The space in the lavatories felt a little tight despite the airline’s attempt to use mirrors to give the illusion of a larger space. The Economy Class lavatories looked a little dated, with the greyish/cream colour used in the sink.

The Seat

Singapore Airlines B737-800NG has 150 Economy Class seats arranged in a 3-3 configuration. Each seat has a seat pitch of 30″ and is 17″ wide with a small recline of 3″ via the seat recline button on the armrest. I find the seats comfortable for an old aircraft for this short flight. The padding used for the cushioning and the thick adjustable headrest contributed to the comfort on the seat. The legroom for this flight is decent, but it can feel a little tight for passengers with longer legs. Besides the seat recline button, the reading light switch and flight attendant call buttons are on the ceiling above each seat, alongside individual air nozzles.

Being an Economy Class seat, the storage is limited to the seat pocket in front of the seat. Singapore Airlines B737-800NG has a single large seat pocket (unlike their wide-body aircraft, which have compartmentalised seat pocket design), which means the storage capacity in these seats is somewhat limited. There is another seat pocket on top of the seat in front of us, but the hard moulded plastic made it difficult to access the contents. Storing anything does not seem possible with the holes at the bottom of the pocket. For Economy Class seats, I thought the tray table was rather sizeable. Besides using it to place whatever was served during this short flight, the tray table is large enough for passengers to place their laptops and iPads.

Inflight Entertainment

As this is an older aircraft, the B737-800NG was not fitted with a personal TV in the seats. The only form of entertainment is the in-flight magazines in the seat pocket. Given that this is such a short flight, I am not bothered by the lack of entertainment onboard. I found an old-school audio control on the armrest of the seat. I could not test whether these channels worked because there were no earphones for this short flight.

Refreshment

Due to the short flight time of around 45 minutes, Singapore Airlines did not serve meals onboard. Instead, each passenger was given a choice of apple juice, water, or coffee/tea.

Service

For a short flight, I thought the service rendered by the cabin crew was fantastic. We were warmly welcomed by the Leading Stewardess at the door, who gave us a very warm smile despite an early flight. The cabin crew taking care of us at the back of the aircraft were equally friendly and warm. However, given the short flight time and the numerous passengers who made their way to the lavatory in the middle of a very short service time, we were almost not served with refreshments. This was certainly not the fault of the cabin crew, who were seen trying to ensure every Economy Class passenger was served with a refreshment. The cabin crew were cheerful and made the short flight very pleasant. Despite not being part of their job, the cabin crew helped us stow our carry-on in the overhead bin.

Afterthought

We had a pleasant flight despite the ageing aircraft, the short flight time, and the absence of in-flight entertainment. The seats felt comfortable, and there was a good amount of recline for the short 45-minute flight from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. The crew were very friendly and did their best to ensure all Economy Class passengers were served a refreshment drink. I had a pleasant short flight with Singapore Airlines.

At the Airport

Check-in

Singapore Airlines check-in counters are located in Row K in the centre of Suvarnabhumi Airport Terminal, with the nearest entrance being Door 5. Singapore Airlines operates 10 check-in counters, from K11 to K21, near the immigration gates. Of the 10 counters, only seven are manned. Singapore Airlines dedicated three counters to Economy Class passengers, one to KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Silver members, and another three to Business Class passengers. The check-in experience was very pleasant at this offshore check-in counter. We were welcomed by the ground staff, who gave us the warmest smile one can ask for. She was polite, professional, and patient with our requests, efficiently processing our check-in. She invited us to the SilverKris Lounge and gave us instructions on the gate, boarding time, the location of the lounge and directions to the fast check-in counters. One of the perks of flying out of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Business Class was the access to Fast Track immigration lines, where we could clear immigration in less than 3 minutes as there were no queues at the immigration counters. There are two Fast Track immigration counters located at both extreme ends of the terminal. We used the Fast Track Immigration counter at Row A, next to the Thai Airways check-in counters.

Lounges

We did a little lounge hopping during our short stay at the Suvarnabhumi Airport. As Singapore Airlines belongs to the Star Alliance network, there are eight lounges that we can use. Five are Thai Airways Lounges, while the rest belong to Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, and Turkish Airlines. Due to the limited time, we only used the Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge in Concourse D and the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge in Concourse D.

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge

The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge is the most conveniently located of all the Thai Airways Lounge. The lounge is just one escalator down from the Fast Track immigration counters. The lounge staff warmly welcomed us at the time of our arrival. As there are two parts of the lounge from the entrance by the escalator, the lounge staff recommended we use the lounge on the right of the counter, stating that this lounge is the newer of the two lounges. The first thing that greeted us in this newer Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge was a cocktail bar, which we returned later for a drink. The lounge felt spacious as it was not filled with furniture cluttering it. Thai Airways freed up a lot of space for walking by placing the armchairs near the green walls and pillars. Speaking of armchairs, there are quite a number of them decked in purple and light brown, the choice of seat colours on Thai Airways aircraft, and they are well placed throughout the lounge. The planted green walls in the lounge not only act to decorate the lounge but also exude a relaxing vibe. A dining area is carved out in the lounge next to the buffet area, filled with four-seater tables and chairs and long black tables to cater for larger groups. Shower facilities are co-located with the toilets further into the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge.

The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge serves food buffet style. I find the food selection in the lounge a little small but sufficient for us to fill our stomachs until our flight. Besides the warm food, the lounge also served up a variety of pastries that seemed so inviting. Cold food is in a corner of the lounge, where ice cream is also on the menu. The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge is very well stocked with a variety of beverages that ensure passengers don’t go thirsty. We tried out the cocktail from the bar. The only two mocktails on the menu are Pina Colada and Mojito. I tried the Pina Colada and found it to be very refreshing. My friends tried their signature Rak Khun Tao Fah, mixed with their butterfly pea drink onboard and found it delicious.

Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge

The Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge is on the same concourse (D) as the Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge we visited earlier, between Gatres D7 and D8. The Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge feels much brighter owing to the brighter lighting and the choice of white marble tiles on the flooring. The lounge has distinct lounging and dining areas, cleverly demarcated by the use of carpet for the former and marble tiles for the latter. The lounging area, mainly furnished with armchairs, is found right by the entrance to the lounge. Individual booths also serve as an area for passengers to do some work placed by the walls in the lounge area. A huge Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge area is marked out to the dining area. There are proper dining tables and chairs, mainly for parties of two, in the dining area.

Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge also has a cocktail bar, with seats at the cocktail table in the middle of the lounge, serving alcoholic drinks (I am sure they also serve Singapore Sling here). Food is served in a buffet style at the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge. The food counters are found at the end of the lounge, next to the dining area. There is a good spread of Thai, Singaporean and Western cuisine at the kitchen table in the buffet area. There is even a snack and dessert corner serving up Singaporean food. I find it refreshing for the lounge to offer young coconut drinks in the fridge on top of the usual soft drinks.

The Aircraft

We flew on Singapore Airlines B787-10 for this leg of the flight, which is configured for medium-haul routes.

The Cabin

Singapore Airlines B787-10 has a single Business Class cabin housing all 36 passengers. The cabin feels luxurious, with earthy tones in the seat and cream-coloured seat shell. The choice of brown carpeting was coherent with the cabin’s colour scheme and exuded a sense of calmness and sophistication. The use of orange mood lighting during meal service enhances the luxurious vibe seen in the cabin.

The two lavatories serving all 36 Business Class passengers are found in the front of the aircraft. The white interior lavatory offers passengers a good amount of space. However, unlike the A350-900 lavatories, the plasticky lavatory does not emit any luxurious vibe. I wouldn’t be able to differentiate the Business Class and Economy Class lavatories if not for the added Penhaligon’s amenities and cloth handkerchiefs. I also find the sink a tad small in the B787-10 lavatories, which can result in water splashes while washing one’s hands. On top of the luxurious Penhaligon’s amenities, Singapore Airlines also stocks its lavatories with amenities such as dental kits and shavers.

The Seat

Singapore Airlines B787-10 Business Class is fitted with regional seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, with a pitch of 60″ and measures 20″ wide. Singapore Airlines B787-10 Business Class seats are wrapped in dark light brown leather, which is comfortable to sit on. The leather feels soft, and the thick padding on the seat and the headrest provide passengers with great comfort. These seats are configured with three modes, adjustable with the touch of the preset seat control buttons found on the inside of the aisle-side armrest. The Upright mode for take-off, landings, and dining saw the seat being adjusted to the most upright and stiffest position. Fortunately, the soft leather made sitting in this mode comfortable. These seats can also recline to a flatbed, allowing passengers to catch a nap in flight. The high shell design in the seat provides passengers with much privacy in the flatbed mode. Despite the thick pillow provided to its Business Class passengers, I thought reclining 180° was a tad uncomfortable as I felt my head was too low. I usually tilt the upper part of the seat up a little for a better rest. In between the Upright and the Flatbed mode is what I called the “Lounge mode”. I find this mode perfect for lazing on the seat while watching movies on the entertainment system. The Lounge mode allows the seat to be adjusted to an angle that provides better comfort while supporting our lumbar. The ability to allow passengers to configure the seat to the angle according to their preference further enhances comfort while sitting in this mode.

Singapore Airlines B787-10 Business Class seats are fitted with a small cabinet at the side console for passengers to stow items, where the airline placed a bottle of water and noise-cancelling headphones welcoming passengers upon boarding. The cabinet, which comes with a small sliding door, is only large enough to fit a tablet, a book and some smaller items. Inside the cabinet are the power outlets, such as two USB-A ports and an international power outlet. One point to note is that the cabinet door has to be kept open when plugging in for charging, which I thought made sense since we are not allowed to charge anything during take-off and landing. Besides the cabinet, passengers in Business Class can use the cubby hole under the footrest to put away their carry-on, although this space was designed for passengers to place their shoes in. The seat pocket, while able to function as an alternate storage space, was a little too out of place for storage. The slim-designed seat pocket, located near the floor and at the entrance of the seat, is only accessible when passengers move off their seats.

Singapore Airlines B787-10 Business Class is fitted with a large, sturdy table, stowed under the personal TV when not used. The bi-fold solid wooden table can be folded in halves when passengers do not require the entire surface. The table is large enough for passengers to work on their laptops while not using it for dining. However, due to the design of the narrow entrance to the seat, there is no space catered for a swivel function to be added to this table. This means passengers must put away the table when getting in and out of their seats. Other than the dining table, Singapore Airlines B787-10 Business Class seats also come with a side table next to the cabinet that passengers can use to stow small items when the aircraft is at cruising altitude. This side table also functions as a cocktail table where the cabin crew would place the drinks passengers requested. Other than the overhead reading lights, a panel of three reading lights are fitted inside the seat shell, each catering to the three seat modes.

Inflight Entertainment

All Business Class seats are fitted with an 18″ HD touchscreen personal TV, offering its passengers sharp and excellent quality pictures. The screen can be tilted downwards for optimal viewing when the seat is adjusted to different modes. The entertainment options can be selected via the TV’s responsive touchscreen function or through the IFE controller, which resembles a mobile phone. It is this resemblance that was made using the IFE initiative. Business Class passengers are provided with noise-cancelling headphones that effectively remove ambient noises. In fact, the noise-cancelling function was so good that I had to remove my headphones when speaking to the cabin crew. KrisWorld is Singapore Airlines’ entertainment system, loaded with thousands of movies, TV shows and games. The KrisWorld menu was very well-designed and easy to use. The entertainment options were well catalogued, which made navigating through them very easy.

Meal

As this is a short 2-hour flight between Bangkok and Singapore, meals are served in one setting. Singapore Airlines does not offer the “Book-the-cook” service for flights out of Bangkok. Nonetheless, all three choices for dinner tonight, namely Seared Chilean Seabass, Braised Pork in Sour Plum Sauce, and Gaeng Garee Gai, tasted great. I opted for the Braised Pork, which was well presented on the porcelain plate and tasted tender and flavourful. My friend opted for the Seabass, which tasted fresh. My other friend opted for the Gaeng Garee Gai (yellow curry Thai chicken) and commented that the dish tasted flavourful and that the spice was not overpowering. The prawns in the prawn ceasar salad tasted fresh, and the vegetables were crunchy. However, I am not a fan of the Raspberry Bavarois dessert, which I thought tasted a little too sour for my liking. For drinks, Business Class passengers are given the option of cocktails and mocktails on top of the usual soft drinks and beer. I am a fan of the mocktail – Midsummer Breeze, introduced to me on my flight from Maldives last year, which was refreshing.

Service

The service I experienced on this flight was heaven and earth compared to my experience on the same airline three months ago. We received impeccable service in Business Class on this flight. Despite working a shift from Singapore to Bangkok leg and the one-hour-plus delay at the gate due to heavy rain, the cabin crew were still energetic and warm. Our great service experience started with the cabin crew welcoming all passengers onboard at the door. The airline only uses the front door for embarkation, so inflight service begins when all passengers are boarded. This was when the cabin crew came around to serve all Business Class passengers welcome drinks.

Jasmine came around to introduce herself and confirm my order for dinner. Jasmine came across as warm, sincere and attentive. We briefly spoke about my favourite mocktail, Midsummer Breeze, during meal confirmation. Jasmine took note of my preference and would always come by with the drink. During meal service, I was pleasantly surprised that she already had the drink prepared in her cart (this drink requires time to prepare) and popped it out like magic without having me ask for it. She would always come over to my seat with a glass of Midsummer Breeze whenever she noticed my glass was empty. When I mentioned to her that I needed to visit the lavatory to apply hand lotion (due to my dry skin), Jasmine later popped by and gave me a bottle of hand lotion to save me the effort of walking to the lavatory. Jasmine was observant, personable and cheerful. I was lucky to have her working on the aisle where I sat.

The service provided by Coral, who was working on the other aisle where my friend was sitting, was also remarkable. I witnessed her acknowledging my friend’s status with the airline and welcoming my friend back to flying with the airline. She also took note of my friend’s allergy and volunteered to remove the prawns from the appetiser. This attention to detail is what Singapore Airlines’ World Class stands for. Carol was also observed working hard during the flight, busy serving meals and ensuring passengers under her charge were well cared for. The cabin crew onboard this flight were observed to patrol the cabin very often, ensuring passengers were comfortable.

Afterthought

We had a great time onboard this flight with Singapore Airlines. The seat was comfortable and well-maintained. The entertainment option on KrisWorld made the flight (and waiting time at the gate) whizz past without us noticing. Despite the good hardware, what I liked the most was the warm and personal service offered by the cabin crew, especially Jasmine and Carol. The cabin crew remained energetic and warm despite working an earlier shift and overtime due to the delay.