- Joined
- May 16, 2012
- Posts
- 301
Hello All,
I had the pleasure of my first Suites experience today and thought you may appreciate this report.
Many of you will already have read much about these or have travelled them, but hopefully I can add a little bit to what's gone before.
I'll add some photos when I have time to compress them a little.
I flew Singapore Airlines SQ232 - A380 in Suites from SYD to SIN on 7th October 2013
Before the Flight
Checkin at Sydney was via a dedicated Suites queue, right down at aisle K, which at 2.5 hours before takeoff was empty. The check-in angels were efficient and very pleasant. As I was to find out later, the personal attention and excellent service began right at check-in.
To provide a nice contrast to the luxury that was to come, my children decided that a bacon and egg muffin from Hungry Jacks was an appropriate farewell meal, and once done we spent a few minutes watching the comings and goings from the food court area.
Express Pass in hand, and the always heartrending goodbyes to wife and kids done, I breezed through customs and security to the terminal.
Singapore Airlines' lounge is currently undergoing renovation (much needed if you read these forums), so access is provided to the ANZ lounge, with which I'm familiar from other flights. It's no Qantas First lounge, but it's pleasant enough and there's enough food and drink to satisfy most people. That is, unless you are a fine champagne lover. I know that many AFFers value a good drop of bubbly more highly than a clean blood transfusion, and while it's not a bad drop, the "Te Hank" cuvee can't hope to compete with the Dom and Krug on the flight.
All that said, the Koru lounge is still better than the terminal proper and has reasonably good facilities roughly the equivalent of a domestic QP and, importantly for me, has plenty of device charging options.
I left the lounge a little before the flight was called (I kind of like being among the first to board - habit from Aust Domestic flying) and as I approached Sydney's gate 61 the lady at the gate greeted me by name without reference to a boarding pass or any other document. I was impressed, and can only assume she overheard it from an adjacent check-in counter.
Boarding was smooth and I was greeted at the door of the aircraft again by name (this time assisted by a boarding pass) by a lady with one of the most beautiful faces I've seen on an aircraft (including Virgin's halcyon days! - Apologies to the lady readers, but it's true). My carry-on luggage was taken from me and I followed along the surprisingly curvy aisle to seat 3D, which I selected on the advice of this forum, but more on that later.
The seat
Suites are roomy, very roomy. A very broad tan leather seat awaits with padded leather armrests that can be raised if desired. I found the seat very comfortable for 8 hours. Opposite your seat is a footrest cough guest seat, also in the same rich tan leather. At 6 feet tall I can just manage to use it as a foot rest with the seat upright. A large LCD screen (about 24" I'd say) is positioned well for either seated or reclined viewing, and my was clear and bright. There's plenty of storage for knickknacks, a spectacles receptacle and a slot for the provided Bose noise cancelling headset. The side of the suite (in my case the left) protrudes into a good sized sidetable for a magazine or other materials, and there is a recess for the glass of Dom or Krug you're offered soon after getting settled.
For meals a large table pulls out and unfolds into what for me was a very comfortable position for eating. Power and connectivity is supplied in a panel next to your seat and includes AV, what looks like a RJ-45 network port, 2 USB ports and a universal power socket. Light controls by the door near the recessed IFE controller and seat controls on the armrest complete the environment.
For comport there is a regular pillow, a cylindrical pillow - does anybody actually find those things comfortable? - and a Givenchy blanket. Givenchy pyjamas are offered, as is a Sothys amenities kit with unisex cosmetics (Light hydrating cream, Hydra-nourishing body lotion, Softening emulsion (??) and intense lip care - all very nice and all very unopened by me). There's more available in the spacious lavatory, such as shaving and tooth care items, and a nice touch in the toilet is the adjustable water temp from the tap.
Meals
I don't drink very much, and I'm by no means a champagne connoisseur, but out of respect for cove and a few others on here I did sample a glass of the 2004 Dom, which was very nice.
A smooth takeoff - I'd forgotten how quiet the engines seem on takeoff in a 380 as compared to other jets - from runway 16R and a climb out over the outskirts of Sydney left me pondering the menu.
Lunch was a five course job, starting with a light entree of cauliflower pannacotta with prosciutto which I found surprisingly nice, although a bit light on the cauli. Second course for me was a sweetcorn and crabmeat soup, spoiled a little for me by a bit of shell, but overall the soup was tasty. The salad was accompanied by a mustard cream dressing which worked well, and my main was a very tasty couple of lamb chops with tabbouleh. I finished off with Chocolate marquise (like a firm dark chocolate ganache) garnished with salted caramel peanuts and teamed with a nice orange sorbet that was very refreshing. I nice close to the meal, which overall I gave a about a 7 out of 10, partly due to the shell in the soup and partly because of the dryness of the main course. It's not enough to complain about - and no comparison to the usual fare you'd get in Y, but I rated it more a business class meal than something from first class.
The snack before arrival was gnocchi with pork belly which again failed to impress me because the excellent flavour was overshadowed by the dryness of the pork.
Two highlights of the food and beverage service were the warm cashews and walnuts served prior to the lunch and the delicious raspberry chocolate (I had 3 - yum) that was served with the excellent single-origin Brazilian coffee I had after lunch.
Flight Experience
The flight was mostly smooth, and although I did pop on the PJs, I chose to stay mostly awake, just catching 40 winks midways through the flight, with my time spent on the excellent IFE system. I dozed very comfortably with the seat in a partly reclined position, which is rare for me. Kudos for the seat. I'll try the bed on my return flight, as it is the red-eye.
A brief hold over Singapore highlighted a downside for me. No IFE during takeoff and landing. Luckily I had this report to jot down.
Service was overwhelmingly wonderful, with the gorgeous face of my personal Singapore girl frequently popping in to check on me. Another crew member dropped by for a chat towards the end of the flight and stayed for 20 minutes discussing common interests. I felt very well looked after and that nothing would have been too much trouble for them.
Verdict
In a nutshell - it's great. The sheer space and feeling of being special made the trip an experience rather than a chore. The slight disappointment over the meals was overshadowed by the great seat, and the impeccable service. I can't wait to try the Private Room before departure from Changi, and testing the bed during my next flight. If you have the opportunity to try Singapore Airlines Suites I recommend it, especially if you can get them on a saver fare.
Hope you enjoyed reading and I am happy to accept any criticisms or suggestions for how to improve my reporting.
Regards,
Peter
I had the pleasure of my first Suites experience today and thought you may appreciate this report.
Many of you will already have read much about these or have travelled them, but hopefully I can add a little bit to what's gone before.
I'll add some photos when I have time to compress them a little.
I flew Singapore Airlines SQ232 - A380 in Suites from SYD to SIN on 7th October 2013
Before the Flight
Checkin at Sydney was via a dedicated Suites queue, right down at aisle K, which at 2.5 hours before takeoff was empty. The check-in angels were efficient and very pleasant. As I was to find out later, the personal attention and excellent service began right at check-in.
To provide a nice contrast to the luxury that was to come, my children decided that a bacon and egg muffin from Hungry Jacks was an appropriate farewell meal, and once done we spent a few minutes watching the comings and goings from the food court area.
Express Pass in hand, and the always heartrending goodbyes to wife and kids done, I breezed through customs and security to the terminal.
Singapore Airlines' lounge is currently undergoing renovation (much needed if you read these forums), so access is provided to the ANZ lounge, with which I'm familiar from other flights. It's no Qantas First lounge, but it's pleasant enough and there's enough food and drink to satisfy most people. That is, unless you are a fine champagne lover. I know that many AFFers value a good drop of bubbly more highly than a clean blood transfusion, and while it's not a bad drop, the "Te Hank" cuvee can't hope to compete with the Dom and Krug on the flight.
All that said, the Koru lounge is still better than the terminal proper and has reasonably good facilities roughly the equivalent of a domestic QP and, importantly for me, has plenty of device charging options.
I left the lounge a little before the flight was called (I kind of like being among the first to board - habit from Aust Domestic flying) and as I approached Sydney's gate 61 the lady at the gate greeted me by name without reference to a boarding pass or any other document. I was impressed, and can only assume she overheard it from an adjacent check-in counter.
Boarding was smooth and I was greeted at the door of the aircraft again by name (this time assisted by a boarding pass) by a lady with one of the most beautiful faces I've seen on an aircraft (including Virgin's halcyon days! - Apologies to the lady readers, but it's true). My carry-on luggage was taken from me and I followed along the surprisingly curvy aisle to seat 3D, which I selected on the advice of this forum, but more on that later.
The seat
Suites are roomy, very roomy. A very broad tan leather seat awaits with padded leather armrests that can be raised if desired. I found the seat very comfortable for 8 hours. Opposite your seat is a footrest cough guest seat, also in the same rich tan leather. At 6 feet tall I can just manage to use it as a foot rest with the seat upright. A large LCD screen (about 24" I'd say) is positioned well for either seated or reclined viewing, and my was clear and bright. There's plenty of storage for knickknacks, a spectacles receptacle and a slot for the provided Bose noise cancelling headset. The side of the suite (in my case the left) protrudes into a good sized sidetable for a magazine or other materials, and there is a recess for the glass of Dom or Krug you're offered soon after getting settled.
For meals a large table pulls out and unfolds into what for me was a very comfortable position for eating. Power and connectivity is supplied in a panel next to your seat and includes AV, what looks like a RJ-45 network port, 2 USB ports and a universal power socket. Light controls by the door near the recessed IFE controller and seat controls on the armrest complete the environment.
For comport there is a regular pillow, a cylindrical pillow - does anybody actually find those things comfortable? - and a Givenchy blanket. Givenchy pyjamas are offered, as is a Sothys amenities kit with unisex cosmetics (Light hydrating cream, Hydra-nourishing body lotion, Softening emulsion (??) and intense lip care - all very nice and all very unopened by me). There's more available in the spacious lavatory, such as shaving and tooth care items, and a nice touch in the toilet is the adjustable water temp from the tap.
Meals
I don't drink very much, and I'm by no means a champagne connoisseur, but out of respect for cove and a few others on here I did sample a glass of the 2004 Dom, which was very nice.
A smooth takeoff - I'd forgotten how quiet the engines seem on takeoff in a 380 as compared to other jets - from runway 16R and a climb out over the outskirts of Sydney left me pondering the menu.
Lunch was a five course job, starting with a light entree of cauliflower pannacotta with prosciutto which I found surprisingly nice, although a bit light on the cauli. Second course for me was a sweetcorn and crabmeat soup, spoiled a little for me by a bit of shell, but overall the soup was tasty. The salad was accompanied by a mustard cream dressing which worked well, and my main was a very tasty couple of lamb chops with tabbouleh. I finished off with Chocolate marquise (like a firm dark chocolate ganache) garnished with salted caramel peanuts and teamed with a nice orange sorbet that was very refreshing. I nice close to the meal, which overall I gave a about a 7 out of 10, partly due to the shell in the soup and partly because of the dryness of the main course. It's not enough to complain about - and no comparison to the usual fare you'd get in Y, but I rated it more a business class meal than something from first class.
The snack before arrival was gnocchi with pork belly which again failed to impress me because the excellent flavour was overshadowed by the dryness of the pork.
Two highlights of the food and beverage service were the warm cashews and walnuts served prior to the lunch and the delicious raspberry chocolate (I had 3 - yum) that was served with the excellent single-origin Brazilian coffee I had after lunch.
Flight Experience
The flight was mostly smooth, and although I did pop on the PJs, I chose to stay mostly awake, just catching 40 winks midways through the flight, with my time spent on the excellent IFE system. I dozed very comfortably with the seat in a partly reclined position, which is rare for me. Kudos for the seat. I'll try the bed on my return flight, as it is the red-eye.
A brief hold over Singapore highlighted a downside for me. No IFE during takeoff and landing. Luckily I had this report to jot down.
Service was overwhelmingly wonderful, with the gorgeous face of my personal Singapore girl frequently popping in to check on me. Another crew member dropped by for a chat towards the end of the flight and stayed for 20 minutes discussing common interests. I felt very well looked after and that nothing would have been too much trouble for them.
Verdict
In a nutshell - it's great. The sheer space and feeling of being special made the trip an experience rather than a chore. The slight disappointment over the meals was overshadowed by the great seat, and the impeccable service. I can't wait to try the Private Room before departure from Changi, and testing the bed during my next flight. If you have the opportunity to try Singapore Airlines Suites I recommend it, especially if you can get them on a saver fare.
Hope you enjoyed reading and I am happy to accept any criticisms or suggestions for how to improve my reporting.
Regards,
Peter
