SQ Tips, Trips and Tales

[dajop]

Still offering that weird option of porridge as the evening refreshment on the day flight, I see...

That’s just in the name of efficiency - streamlined catering and cost cutting. Typical SQ in 2025 who at times seem to have no appreciation of the tastes of some of their key non-Singaporean markets (same dynamic that sees taller people struggle with the regular J seats).

SQ 217 has identical menu to the earlier SQ 207 but the order is swapped and refreshment served first, which actually makes sense - an oatmeal sweet porridge for breakfast. Corresponding SYD and BNE flights at same times have the same menu too.

Singaporean rice based savoury porridge would make sense for the evening refreshment but not western sweet oatmeal porridge. Maybe someone in catering doesn't quite understand the difference - or they just don't care.

That refreshment is actually fraught with two culturally confusing dishes Porridge and Carrot Cake are savoury dishes in SG and sweet dishes in Australia and the UK.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Still offering that weird option of porridge as the evening refreshment on the day flight, I see...

I cannot believe that - I expressed my displeasure in strongest terms possible IFM - he said he would include in his Flight report and I will definitely be sending feedback - it's just a joke

 

[stm1sydney]

That’s just in the name of efficiency - streamlined catering and cost cutting. Typical SQ in 2025 who at times seem to have no appreciation of the tastes of some of their key non-Singaporean markets

That refreshment is actually fraught with two culturally confusing dishes Porridge and Carrot Cake are savoury dishes in SG and sweet dishes in Australia and the UK.

These flights are ex-SIN (their home base), so the efficiency dividend from an identical menu must be miniscule. Wouldn't be costly to cater a gourmet pie or maybe those curry puffs for which Singapore is famous. Fortunately, I do love Singapore carrot cake (it is eaten there from lunchtime to the evening as a light meal, but ironically not usually at breakfast time). But I agree with both you and CE that it is an absolute joke to have porridge as the other option.

 

[dajop]

These flights are ex-SIN (their home base), so the efficiency dividend from an identical menu must be miniscule

Don't underestimate how petty and small minded management can get. There must be some reason all 6 flights to east coast Australia departing between 7 and 11am have identical menus. And porridge is a cheap item, which is consistent with their overall cheapening of their catering in recent years. You see it in their rapid expansion of cheap hawker food in the business class and even first class menus. Its popular, tasty, but probably also very cheap to produce.

I totally agree it is not an appropriate menu item for an late afternoon/early evening refreshment. Given the connections to the flight, maybe it's for the European origin travellers, as it is served at 8am, based time of origin.

 

[I love to travel]

Don't underestimate how petty and small minded management can get. There must be some reason all 6 flights to east coast Australia departing between 7 and 11am have identical menus. And porridge is a cheap item, which is consistent with their overall cheapening of their catering in recent years. You see it in their rapid expansion of cheap hawker food in the business class and even first class menus. Its popular, tasty, but probably also very cheap to produce.

I totally agree it is not an appropriate menu item for an late afternoon/early evening refreshment. Given the connections to the flight, maybe it's for the European origin travellers, as it is served at 8am, based time of origin.

Are SQ trying though to be a/the leading airline in the world anymore? Doesn't seem so, hence their comfort with the changes

 

[dajop]

I cannot believe that - I expressed my displeasure in strongest terms possible IFM - he said he would include in his Flight report and I will definitely be sending feedback - it's just a joke

It could be worse. You could be travelling into SYD on the similarly timed SQ 211, in the F cabin. Which is has exactly the same choice for the prelanding refreshment.

Oh well, the plebs up the back, for that meal, have a choice between a "Margherita Pizza Bar" and a "Mozzarella, Tomato and Pesto Pizza Bar".