There and Back on QF/SQ/SK/LX: Starring the SQ A380

[KeithMEL]

J
Also for clarification who asks me via PMs, VS Clubhouse is not a Star Alliance Lounge. VS is not a member of StarAlliance.

Ah, clumsy wording on my part. I meant to say of all the lounges that I had access to at HKIA with an SQ F bp, rather than *A options. Rectified to avoid confusion.

Can't wait for the rest: Bring on the 318 report! I can look on with envy !

All in good time. I will try to put up the 318 installment by the end of today (STO time).

[KeithMEL]

More pics of The New Majestic Hotel, Singapore here.

Next: SQ318 SIN-LHR R

[KeithMEL]

Sector - SIN-LHR
Flight number - SQ318
Class - Suites
Equipment - A380
Seat - 2F

After some brekky at the New Majestic, I hopped into a taxi and cruised into the SQ FCL check in lounge at T3. Was met by no less than 3 ushers and a porter at the entry to the lounge, and led to a sit-down check in area. My bp for this segment had been issued the day before in HKG but they'd decided to print me a new one which contains information about my departure gate. I was also checked in for my onward segment from LHR to ARN on SK, with my suitcase tagged through to ARN. I was then informed that I was eligible to use the SKL.



I flowed through the totally deserted dedicated immigraton channel for FCL pax, and soon found my way to the SKL. The escalators to the SKL are located almost directly in front of the FCL immigration chanel. The v nice lounge agent examined my bp, and warmly welcomed me to the Flounge. I was then led to a rather secluded part of the Flounge where I was invited to partake in some Flounge dining. I declined as I'd wanted to have room for my lunch onboard, and simply sipped on the bubbly.

Having been warned that my boarding gate B5 was "far away" from the Flounge, I decided to make my way to the gate earlier than I normally would. Ok I lie, it's an excuse to leave the Mis En Cave for the Krug. Boarding had already commenced when I got to the gate, and I simply made my way down the aerobridge and turned left to the dedicated jetway leading to the Suites cabin. I must say that whilst I've always known that the A380 was the biggest commercial airliner blah blah blah, it looks a whole lot bigger in real life than what I'd imagined it to be, especially when I was up close.



At the entry to the aircraft I was welcome by the v cheerful crew who exclaimed that I had the pick of the entire cabin as I was the only pax traveling in R that day! I was originally assigned 3F. I can't remember why I picked the seat except vaguely remembering comments somewhere indicating that it's a favourite seat of some. I was urged to move to 2F as it's further from the galley and hence there'd be less galley noise; given the A380 is supposed to be a rather quiet aircraft I thought this was quite a wise suggestion so duly moved myself to 2F. I like how I can store my things in the Suite with me instead of having to reach into the overhead lockers.



My coat was also hung up in the closet - each Suite had their own. The LS served the Krug, whilst the LSS did the pre-departure amenity kit/PJs/menu/newspapers/mags dance. I'd picked out The Economist but the LSS insisted that I also had the copy of Men's Health as she deemed it "very interesting." Looking at the v nice pics in there, I reckon she must have read me v well.







Seeing my enthusiastic photo taking, the LSS offerred to take some pics of me in the cabin.


Suite 2F



The Suite was well-appointed with rather thoughtful touches like handy nooks and crannies and ample space to store various things, and buttons within easy reach. Despite the Suite being far more enclosed than I'd have liked - there was still sufficient room for it to feel airy. That said I did leave the door to the Suite open the entire flight in order to get a greater sense of space.

[KeithMEL]

Take off was quieter than many other a/c, as has been noted in existing TRs on the A380. During cruise the plane simply purred along.

The lunch service quickly began after take off, suitably accompanied by the tipples on offer including Krug and a lovely shiraz by Ben Riggs, from McLaren Vale where I'd just spent the weekend before wine tasting with AFFers. I was pleased to see Antipodean offerings on the wine list; the other being the Cloudy Bay sauv blanc. Unfortunately the vodka on offer was Absolut; I do not normally get into the spirits but had to have some vodka with the caviar.

Canapes for the day was some lovely satay. Once again, despite what's said on the menu for the dip isn't spicy at all, and satay tastes so much better with the dip. Some lovely garlic bread was proferred. This was followed by the appetiser of caviar. Asked for seconds of the caviar but alas only 1 serving was loaded; the crew were most apologetic and noted that the catering department had erred in only loading a single serve of caviar and that usually this was not the case. The Oriental chicken soup was foul as the LSS had already warned but I couldn't have the other option since it had shellfish. Salad was next, quickly followed by the main designed by Georges Blanc - chicken was yummy but rice was crunchy. Dessert followed. I was ready to throw in the towel after dessert despite the yummy sounding cheese plate for I was simply stuffed, but the LSS encouraged me to plough on and have a taste of everything. Some lovely cheeses on offer there, but I only had a tiny bite of the cheeses as I was so full.




Table ceremonially laid out for the meal













I'm sure I'd also taken a pic of the cheese plate but it's somehow vanished for I can't find it...

I changed into my PJs after lunch and asked for the bed to be made. Converting from seat to bed mode was a rather complex operation which required an FA's intervention and was all manual, and hence you couldn't easily switch between bed and seat mode. I thought it'd be simply more comfy to lounge about in bed mode.





I didn't get to sleep much since this was a day flight. I did lay down for a bit to check out the bed - it was adequately comfy and an improvement over 744 pod beds, and was also a rather good couch. So i simply lazed around watching the IFE; some good choices on offer including a few movies I'd not seen and several of my favourite tv shows like Gossip Girl and Summer Heights High. TV in bed was a rather pleasant experience. Apart from ensuring that my glass of Krug was efficient topped up ([aside]you really do realise how quiet the A380 cabin is when the sound of the Krug bottle being popped open can be heard v clearly when standing around row 1[/aside]) the LSS had on her own initiative brought me a bedside platter of fruits and juice, which was handy for rehydration alongside all that bubbles.


bedside snacks

[KeithMEL]

Watching Gossip Girl, season 1 - the episode after Blair's Kiss on the Lips party


Ambient lighting in every suite

The service was fantastic throughout, both the LS and LSS worked tirelessly to ensure that my champagne flute was never empty. There was also a casual and relaxed atmosphere onboard, with a rather informal approach to the service which is v much just how I like things as on Qantas flights. The crew members including the ISM were always rather forthcoming with convo. and had a great sense of fun. I've always believed that regardless of the strength of the hard product, catering, IFE etc - nothing influences my experience onboard more than the crew themselves. The service does make or break a flight, or in the case of top shelve airlines such as SQ - determines whether the flight remains merely good, or tips over to the realm of spectacular and memorable. All too often in J and whY the SQ service has on the whole been formal and business-like; I guess in F crew are just more experienced and thus comfortable with pax. The LSS did mention that A380 crew were picked on both experience and merit and so that could also have been a factor. I was shocked when the LSS told me that she's been with the airline for 20 years, her youthful looks clearly belie her age.

I was encouraged to snack throughout the flight and so I'd asked for the tuna mayo sandwich. Unfortunately the caterers had failed to load it. It wasn't that big a deal to me but the crew were exasperated at 2 catering-related incidents on a single flight and once again profuse apologies were offered - the LSS informed me that they were going to file a report. I had the beef option instead; the snack did well to tide me over between meals.

Shortly before landing a light meal was served. I'd read that it used to be a full meal before and can only wonder how people manage to fit 2 full meals in F AND even snack. A nice duck foie gras terrine was had as an appetiser, followed by the very delicious beef pastrami which was a lot bigger and tastier than the one i had for my snack and came with a bowl of tomato soup. Dessert was a wine jelly thingy which tasted a little bland but for the fruits it came with.







The LSS had excitedly urged me to check out the views of the city beneath us (i think we were flying over The Netherlands at that point) on the A side of the cabin. She'd also suggested that I sat there for the landing for nice views of London, though I didn't really see anything much apart from some water prior to landing - I later learnt from SQTalk that I was meant to have sat on the F side instead. Being an aisle seat person normally I was clearly none the wiser.

And soon enough my A380 experience had concluded as we made a prompt landing at LHR and docked at T3.

Overall a truly marvelous and memorable experience, with great service by a cheerful, approachable and attentive lot. The hard product is commendable and does lends its name to the "Beyond First" product that SQ boasts of, because otherwise the catering and wine list are the same as regular SQ F. The large screen does heighten the enjoyment of the IFE. Food was fairly average on the whole though but caviar is always a plus. And Absolut (and the alternative according to an FTer was Smirnoff Red) vodka does not belong in First, let alone a "Beyond First" service. I also wish SQ varies the champagne list a little for there are so many other great drops out there. Not that I'm complaining about Krug of course, but it wouldn't hurt to go beyond just the most popular labels.

But as I've said before and will say again - so much of the flight is about service. In my case I had great crew which made the flight a v enjoyable 14 hours, heightened by the fact that I was the only pax in R.

edited to add: Menu for this flight here.

Next: SK534 LHR-ARN C; Sheraton Stockholm; Stockholm: Land of pickled herring and overpriced booze

[SQ All The Way]

Great trip report KeithMEL. Very well written and pictures are superb, wow you are one lucky person to fly solo on SQ A380 in R! Congratulations!

Cheers.

[VC10 Boy]

I'm enjoying these Keith - keep them coming.

And you even managed to write up the SIN LHR leg before the Nickbots - way to go.

[SQFM]

Keith, glad to know you enjoyed your flight.

Your approach was from the west side of the airport passed Windsor castle. Did you wave to the Queen?

[N_Architect]

A very well written indeed report on SQ318 and the A380, especially on 'technical' details (such crew attendance, menus, cabin outfitting, etc.). A report that went well beyond the ordinary. Well done and many thanks, Keith.

[KeithMEL]

I've edited my previous update to include a link to the menu for SQ318. As always, the feedback is appreciated.

Sector - LHR-ARN
Flight number - SK534
Class - Business
Equipment - MD82
Seat - 1C

Transfer security was relatively tranquil by LHR standards. SAS also departed from T3 and so there was no bus transfer to contend with. As I've got my bp for the onward segment, I simply waltzed to the rather stylish London Lounge used by SAS and many *A carriers. A pity I can't use the fab VSCH as it's not a *A lounge and one would have to depart on VS or SQ (any others?) to use it. The London Lounge was pretty adequate though, with adequate snacks and beverages, free wifi, ample Mac terminals (sorry, taipeiflyer), comfy couches and a clean line design.







Pics are of the ground level only - there are lots of nice couches on the upper level

The boarding call was made rather close to actual departure time. So don't flaff around like I did. I ended up being the last person to board (sans 2 pax who disappeared) and the gate agents mentioned that they were just about to locate my bags, ready to offload it if I failed to show up - yikes.

Crew seemed rather frosty when I boarded, zero smiles and the barest of acknowledgements. Maybe it's because I was the last pax and hence holding up the plane? I was there well ahead of the advertised gate closing time though.

Made the mistake of selecting the bulkhead again - there was actually less room than the other rows as you couldn't slide your legs under the seat in front. I'd recommend 1D on the SAS MD82 where there's more legroom since that seat isn't constrained by the bulkhead. There was no one next to me and everyone had an entire row to themselves.


1D and F


Legroom in 1C



Can't really remember much of the flight as I slept through it. The day finally caught up with me and I'd fallen asleep during the taxi for take off and only woke up just prior to landing - in time to grab a few Lindts from the FA. Intra Europe C is indeed a bit jarring after the superb RCL experience.

Next: Sheraton Stockholm; Stockholm: Land of pickled herring and overpriced booze

[kapitan]

Nice reading......

I only wish airlines would use less plastic....



Waiting anxiously for your Stockholm report, where I would visit at least twice a year to be at Head office.....

[StarG]

I only wish airlines would use less plastic....

Actually I noticed they removed the plastic wrap on the F toothbrush kits and replaced it with simpler seals instead.

[Kiwi]

Nice trip and great report KeithMEL. I am envious.

Shortly before landing a light meal was served. I'd read that it used to be a full meal before and can only wonder how people manage to fit 2 full meals in F AND even snack.

Back when NZ used to fly AKL-SIN (daylight flight), there were 3 full meals (on an 11 hour flight).

[planemad]

You lucky dawg KeithMel! All alone on Suites on SQ318. Looks like you were cosseted and pampered silly. Thanks for that superb and detailed report. Looking forward to reading more.

[DeltaFlyingProf]

Actually I noticed they removed the plastic wrap on the F toothbrush kits and replaced it with simpler seals instead.

Yes, I like it a lot better. It used to be a painstaking job to remove that plastic wrap! Also the toothbrush is now of a better quality as well.