01/04/24 | SQ221 | SIN to SYD
Somehow managed to find a J Reward seat through VA over the Easter long weekend and couldn't say no to that! This was my first ever experience of Singapore Airlines Business Class.
After some shopping at Jewel I made my way to the T3 SilverKris lounge. Not sure if my expectations were too high but to be honest I found it underwhelming. Food was mediocre, the two young guys behind the bar seemed to be on their first shift and were basically training one another whilst making a mess, all the drinks in the fridge were room temperature and lots of staff were coughing and sniffling behind their masks... hopefully not the experience others have!
Left the lounge early, or so I thought. When I reached the gate boarding had already commenced. Soon had a glass of Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve in hand but it was warm, a bit of a tragedy for such a nice champagne. Thankfully the experience improved from here!
My "Book The Cook" Lobster Thermidor (what else does one order on their first ever SQ J flight?
) was confirmed on the ground as was my initial drink choice of a Singapore Sling. The sling was fine but I much preferred the original I had at the Raffles Long Bar the day before, although admittedly this one doesn't come with Raffles' eye-watering AUD $53 price tag.
The Satay was delicious.
The appetiser was marinated smoked salmon with capers, doesn't look particularly impressive but it tasted great.
Got some garlic bread and cheese bread from the bread basket, I would say the cheese bread was the best.
And then the famous thermidor served with a glass of the 2019 Bodegas Lleiroso Crianza, which I was told was the first day they were serving this wine. The lobster was excellent and I really liked the wine as well.
After the mains the dessert trolley was brought around and I selected the fruit tart. "How about some cheese and fresh fruits as well?" Well since you offered...
both were excellent.
A quick Courvoisier XO cognac before bed....
We were asked if we wanted to be woken up for the breakfast service at about 5.15am Sydney time, but I didn't sleep well and was up anyway. I chose the Balinese-style Bakmi Goreng dengan Satay Lilit and a vanilla bourbon TWG tea. The noodles were ok but nothing special and I was still full from dinner so just kind of pecked at it. The tea however was a winner.
Service from the crew was exceptional with special mention to Yuki who looked after my section of the cabin. Slippers, socks and eyemasks were at our seats as we boarded, with amenity kits from Penhaligons available on request. Bathrooms were kept clean throughout the flight. One peculiarity was a flight attendant who passed through the cabin and closed everyone's windows. I have no idea why they decided to do this, it's a red-eye flight and it was dark the whole way through, even when landing in Sydney!
All in all still a great flight and I would be keen to get back in J on SQ again, however I think I might retire from these short red-eye flights. I get nowhere near enough sleep on them and feel terrible the next day!
