What it was like flying Singapore Airlines Suites – the world’s best first class

By Michael Dixon

Having amassed around 25,000,000 frequent flyer points through mainly credit card spend, I’m very fortunate to be able to fly at the pointy end of the plane on most flights, including in first class.

Like everything when flying, not all first classes are created equal. And the best first class today may not be the best first class tomorrow.

When I flew Emirates First Class on their A380 many years ago, it was the best first class points could buy.

Michael Dixon on singapore airlines first class
Michael Dixon has amassed around 25,000,000 frequent flyer points over the years. (Supplied)

It featured a luxurious suite with privacy doors, an onboard shower spa and a walk-up lounge bar. They also had a Chauffeur service to pick you up from home and take you to your hotel at the other end.

Then along came Etihad Airways First Class on their A380. No showers or bar, but a considerably larger luxurious suite with privacy doors and a separate bed, and a chef onboard.

1. Cathay Pacific

These are the world’s cleanest airlines for 2024

They also had complimentary spa treatments in their Abu Dhabi first class lounge. And like Emirates, they had a Chauffeur service that even took me to the plane on the tarmac, when others needed to take the bus.

And then I heard about Singapore Airlines new first class suites on their A380s. Then I saw the photos. Then I knew that first class had been reinvented, once again. And I needed to try it.

singapore airlines suites
Singapore Airlines first class suites on their A380s. (Singapore Airlines)

Using points, there is only one way you can book Singapore Airlines first class, and that is through their loyalty program, KrisFlyer. And if you think booking business class using points is difficult, try booking one of only six first class suites, or in my case, try booking two.

And try booking them all the way from Sydney to Frankfurt, which was my mission when I decided to take my mother away for her 85th birthday, and to give her an extra special, once-in-a-lifetime treat in the process.

I had a feeling this was going to be something special, and I was not mistaken.

Normally you would pay around $30,000 for these seats for return flights for two, so you can’t blame Singapore Airlines if they decided to make it difficult to use your points instead.

However, it turns out that if you know what you’re doing it is not so difficult after all, and with 25 years of experience booking flights such as these I managed to pull it off. I knew that Singapore Airlines opened bookings 355 days in advance.

Michael Dixon on singapore airlines first class
I decided to take my mother away for her 85th birthday, (Supplied)

I also knew that on that day they would release two first class points seats on each flight, which would be quickly taken. So, as soon as bookings opened for my flight, I logged onto Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, found the two seats, and booked them!

For sure these were not cheap flights – 282,000 points per person each way, compared to business class of around 150,000 points. But I had a feeling this was going to be something special, and I was not mistaken.

Check-in was swift, which was expected seeing as only six people needed to check-in at the Singapore Airlines First Class check-in. We then proceeded through immigration and security to the Singapore Airlines First Class lounge. The lounge was excellent with an a la carte menu, champagne and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks all included.

But it was when we commenced boarding that the fun really started. Each first class suite was enormous, far larger than both the Emirates and Etihad first class suites that I had previously experienced.

There's an option to convert some of Singapore Airlines' new first class suites to a double suite with a double bed.
There’s an option to convert some of Singapore Airlines’ new first class suites to a double suite. (Singapore Airlines)

They featured a stand-alone full-leather reclining lounge chair, a separate bed, large TV screen, too many compartments and storage spaces to fill. It was so large that next time I would take a pilates mat (if I actually did pilates).

We had two interconnecting suites, which made our suites feel even more spacious, and which allowed our two single beds to be converted into one double bed in the middle.

Since I was travelling with my mother, unfortunately I didn’t get to experience this.

Of course, that’s all well and good but how about the food and drinks? Well, sometimes having only one champagne is not enough. So how about a choice of 3, all vintage, including Vintage Krug valued at around $700. And of course, what’s champagne without caviar?

As expected, the food and wine that followed throughout were outstanding, including lobster thermidor served on fine china.

Michael Dixon on singapore airlines first class
The huge bathroom onboard. (Supplied)

After our meals we changed into our Singapore Airlines Lalique pyjamas, in the most luxurious airline bathroom imaginable, and made full use of our separate beds, waking up fully refreshed and ready for our next flight – to do it all over again!

As expected with Singapore Airlines, the service was exceptional from start to finish. Now if they could just add a shower ….

Michael Dixon is the Founder of Pointrs a new travel loyalty website that is aimed at helping Australian travellers earn more points and miles and spend less.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *