After completing a short leg from Siem Reap to Singapore, I was prepared for my 16-hour flight to Los Angeles. As a loyal Oneworld customer, I felt a bit disloyal being eager to finally experience the renowned service and cuisine that Singapore Airlines Business Class is known for.
This trip would be operated on the Airbus A350-900 Ultra Long Range, the same airplane used on the longest flight in the world: Singapore to New York-JFK. And I was hopeful that forfeiting my highly cherished Oneworld miles and corresponding status boost would be worth it.
Check-In
The Airbus A350-900ULR is used for most U.S. routes / Photo: Courtesy of Singapore Airlines
During my 4.5-hour layover in Singapore, I headed to the SilverKris Lounge. Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed, checked in, and directed to the Business Class section. The lounge featured a long bar, a variety of comfortable seating options, and large displays of hot food. I started with a made-to-order bowl of steaming hot and delicious char kway teow from the soup station. An hour later, I enjoyed a plate of dim sum and beef curry with rice.
I arrived at my gate 30 minutes before boarding and underwent a secondary security screening before proceeding down the jet bridge.
Boarding
Upon reaching my seat at 22K, I was warmly welcomed by a friendly flight attendant who inquired about how she should address me (I opted for my first name). As I settled in, I was offered a choice of predeparture drink—champagne, water or a Bellini cocktail. Opting for the latter, I found it the perfect start to my journey. With the Business Class booklet in hand, I discovered that I could request various in-flight amenities, so I asked for an amenity kit, hairbrush and comb, earplugs, eyeshades, socks and slippers. Equipped with Bang & Olufsen noise-canceling headphones, I delved into the selection of movies to enjoy during the flight.
The Seat
The Business Class cabin provides all passengers with aisle access / Photo: Courtesy of Singapore Airlines
I selected a single seat in the aircraft’s 1-2-1 seating arrangement, located in the second section of the cabin. The seat was quite spacious and featured ample storage options, a sizable mirror and a large screen at the front. Additionally, there were two USB ports and a power outlet conveniently located beside the seat.
The leather seat was wide and could be converted into a fully flat bed with linen, a duvet and pillows. I initially struggled with the controls to adjust the seat, but the flight attendant was happy to assist me. Despite being unable to sleep well on flights, I dozed off for more than six hours. I attribute this to the amenity kit, the comfortable seat and bedding, and a satisfying meal.
Meal Service
Japanese cuisine is offered in Business Class / Photo: Courtesy of Singapore Airlines
Shortly after takeoff, dinner was served, but due to turbulence, the service was interrupted multiple times. Despite the delays, the Singapore chicken satay was an absolute delight, easily the best airplane food I’ve ever had. The seared tuna loin appetizer was incredibly fresh, but the chicken entrée was underwhelming. The assortment of desserts was a pleasant surprise, although the green-tea and red-bean mooncake pudding didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I had planned to explore the light bites and snacks menu, but I slept longer than I anticipated. When I woke up, I enjoyed some salted caramel popcorn to hold me over. For lunch, I enjoyed a flavorful marinated prawn salad, an outstanding Singapore-style prawn noodle soup I had preordered, and a delightful pistachio and almond bavarois with sour cherry compote.
Best For
First and Business Class ultra-long-haul itineraries between the United States and Southeast Asia, as well as for Star Alliance frequent flyers looking to maximize miles earned on a single trip.
Verdict
My experience with Singapore Airlines surpassed all my expectations. From the warm and attentive crew to the exceptionally comfortable and private seating, every detail was meticulously thought out. The abundance of storage space meant I never had to struggle with the overhead bins, and the immaculate bathrooms were stocked with toothbrushes, lotion and face mist, providing a refreshing in-flight experience. The catering was truly outstanding, leaving me eager to repeat this enjoyable flight in the future.
singaporeair.com