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

[KeithMEL]

I'd decided to call it a night after dinner as I hadn't had much sleep the night before. Changed into my QF J PJs, which were rather fetching when not worn on QF as Skippy was proudly emblazoned on my torso. This of course led to some conversations with the crew about home and how much they'd love to visit. One of them had backpacked through Australia before, and to my disgrace he's seen more of my own backyard than I have (I've never been to the NT or much of FNQ for instance). It was quite fun to socialise with the LH crew and I was also eagerly welcomed to relieve the galley of its bubbles and wines. The crew I met were all rather articulate, witty and had a great sense of fun - I don't know where all the stereotypes about soulless and dour LH FAs come from.

Sleep deprived from partying the night before in Amsterdam, and drowsy from the free flowing drops of Jacquart, riesling and cabernet, I was fast asleep after settling down into the fairly comfy angled flat bed.

I woke up just as brekky was served, and the FA nearest to me handed me a hot towel. I probably should have gone for the more interesting sounding cold option but I'm a creature of habit - cooked egg and ham are almost compulsory in the morning. Washed down with more bubbles of course. The LH C brekky was rather anemic however.



Menu for this flight here.

We made a punctual landing at HKIA, where once again there's a neverending queue for immigration as I'd procrastinated too much in applying for the HK Frequent Traveller Card.

A rather pleasant experience on LH C on the whole. Great set of crew, never too much trouble for any of them. Pretty good selections on the wine list despite lacking in Antipodean vintages. Catering was fair. Though of course nothing like the delights of flying QF J, I'd quite enjoyed LH C and would consider it a viable option amongst the *A carriers.

Next: WoWness at the West KoWloon Wonderland (aka my Marvellous Suite at the W Hong Kong)

[KeithMEL]

Hip and happening places?

Remember, they have to be "trendy" as well!

Why bother otherwise?

[KeithMEL]

Review of the W Hong Kong posted here.

Next: SQ863 HKG-SIN F; SQ211 SIN-MEL F

[jhm]

PS: I think at least two SQTalkers here would be happy to know that you are in TPR. I know for sure these two SQTalkers who would start the year with a bang - flying in R class - due to a change from O-class. Hope you guys will have more pictures of TPR! The more the merrier.

No go with TPR.

Our BPs printed the welcome to the SKL and that's where we were shown when entering the SKL. On asking, phaleesy was told that the TPR is for "full fare" pax.

(Our BPs were printed on F (rather than R) ticket stock as we checked-in at a Y counter (they were all empty and nearest where we entered T3) and the check-in agent had to go and get non-Y ticket stock and presumably grabbed the wrong ones.)

We were the only two in R. As both of us had BTC for both meals on SQ318, phaleesy was told by the LSS that only the BTCs were loaded, i.e. the menu choices were not available.

[StarG]

(Our BPs were printed on F (rather than R) ticket stock as we checked-in at a Y counter (they were all empty and nearest where we entered T3) and the check-in agent had to go and get non-Y ticket stock and presumably grabbed the wrong ones.)

We were the only two in R. As both of us had BTC for both meals on SQ318, phaleesy was told by the LSS that only the BTCs were loaded, i.e. the menu choices were not available.

That happened to me once on a commercial R booking as well.
Check-in agent was quite indifferent and printed F BP instead of R BP.
Not that it meant the whole world to have the R BP, but it is not a nice thing to happen since they try to make it a point to differentiate Suites from First.

Interesting that SQ no longer load the regular meal choices if all pax onboard BTCed. On one hand, it may be wasteful to load them, but on the other hand, First/Suites is about luxury - IMHO this should include the luxury of changing their minds if they don't like the BTC they ordered.
Again - just my opinion.
Understandably, I am sure some of you may be of a different opinion.

[SQ LPP]

(Our BPs were printed on F (rather than R) ticket stock as we checked-in at a Y counter (they were all empty and nearest where we entered T3) and the check-in agent had to go and get non-Y ticket stock and presumably grabbed the wrong ones.)

I am curious why you guys did not use the First Class Check-In Lounge. The taxi from your hotel would have asked you where you guys would be dropped off at T3.

[jhm]

I am curious why you guys did not use the First Class Check-In Lounge. The taxi from your hotel would have asked you where you guys would be dropped off at T3.

Nope, the taxi driver didn't ask other than to ascertain whether we're flying SQ from T2 or T3 (he had a chart showing the destinations). Perhaps we don't look like F pax ?

From where he dropped us off, the Y check-in row was almost directly in front of us and, as mentioned, no pax queueing so why not ?

[SQ LPP]

And you did not say anything to the driver that you are in R class?
Now I wonder whether you guys went to the fast track or not.

[jhm]

And you did not say anything to the driver that you are in R class?
Now I wonder whether you guys went to the fast track or not.

Too embarrassed to tell the Uncle taxi driver specifically to drop us off at the F area! We did chat about everything else such as his kids, crime in Malaysia (most Singapore taxi drivers seem to think the same!) etc.

What fast track ?!? After check-in at the Y counter, we went to the normal immigration channels. And were one of the last to board so the normal security line (no wait). And no need to go through fast track immigration at LHR (phaleesy used IRIS and I made my usual dash for immigration).

[SQ LPP]

Hmm I thought you guys reading my posts here and there in SQTalk!
Nickbot's trip report (if I am not mistaken) shows the immigration fast track after the F Check-In Lounge. An I think I posted my pictures somewhere here as well...

[jhm]

Ah, that fast track! We never went into the F Check-In Lounge so didn't use the fast track.

Even though we used the normal Y check-in and security, it really was a F experience when comparing Changi to other airports - everyone (including the SKL staff ) was friendly and nice.

Unlike my experience last week at TPE (for a flight to HKG) where I queued up for the Y check-in (I couldn't see the one for J or F) and the agent was initially quite sour faced when I asked whether I could check my bag through to SIN ... and was then magically all sugar and smiles when she saw my class of travel!

[HUGE AL]

We were the only two in R. As both of us had BTC for both meals on SQ318, phaleesy was told by the LSS that only the BTCs were loaded, i.e. the menu choices were not available.

I'm with StarG on this one. That totally sucks! Having the option is what makes SQ SQ!

[KeithMEL]

Sector - HKG-SIN
Flight number - SQ863
Class - First
Equipment - B777-300
Seat - 3C

Did ITCI at Kowloon Airport Express station. What was meant to be a straightforward process turned into 30 mins of waiting with lots of phoning, keyboard tapping, and a passive aggressive check in agent. I had a long overnight transit in SIN due to lack of award availability and hence wanted to be checked in only to SIN. I was told that I needed to be checked all the way to MEL as I was ticketed as a transit pax via SIN, and that the system wouldn't allow her to check my suitcase or I only to SIN. I pointed out that this was rubbish as I'd done so many times before and had only checked in identically, at the same airport no less, barely 2 weeks ago. When she couldn't get hold of a supervisor, the SQ contract agent (Jardine Air Services) gave in and offered to check me in to SIN as a 'one time exception', but warned that I'd be up for extra airport taxes at SIN. Knowing that was complete nonsense and getting hungrier by the minute, I hastily agreed and finally got checked in. SQ needs a fresh tender for ground services in HKG...

Enjoyed some yum cha with a friend at a nice yum cha resto at Elements Mall, and got to the airport a tad late. I pretty much ran to the gate upon arriving air side as my flight was boarding. Sank into my seat sweaty and out of breath, and gratefully accepted a glass of Krug from the LS.

The cabin crew on this flight was probably the best I've experienced on this trip. A rather charming and engaged IFS, backed up by his spirited and enthusiastic colleagues, an LS and a LSS. All were also down to earth class acts and made a great team. Great people to fly with - the kind that make you wish a flight was longer. Hopes that the LS would be serving me again the following morning to MEL were dashed when we realised that he's on SQ217 whilst I was on SQ211 which left an hour later. The only other pax in FCL was either fast asleep for much of the flight or drank only water or juice, and I was told that it was my duty to deplete the supply of bubbles onboard or they'd have to tip it down the sink. Naturally i rose to the challenge.

I'd last flown this exact same flight 2 weeks before in the same month so naturally the menu was identical. I asked about the missing "shi quan shi mei" meal (special multi course Chinese meal SQ serves in FCL on routes to/from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong SAR) as a sharp eyed SQTalker had noted its absence when I'd posted the menu, and the LSS responded that she hadn't seen it on several HKG flights she's served recently apart from the SFO through flight.

As I've had lunch, I simply skipped ahead to cheese and dessert. Washed down with plenty of Krug of course. The cheese platter was generously portioned, and the chocolate pudding was simply out of this world - recommended the latter to the LSS when she came soliciting my opinion on what to have for her own lunch.







I'd finished 'my' bottle of Krug and asked for more, only to discover that only 1 bottle of Krug was loaded on regionals. I wasn't really enamoured with the wines on offer, and hence proceeded to move on to the DP 2000. Though I do not like DP as much as Krug, it's still a fairly good drop in its own right. Drinking it after Krug is probably a good idea as it numbs the sweetness in the DP somewhat.

All too soon we'd made a punctual landing at Changi Airport and it was a quick walk through the ghost town that T2 has become.

Next: SQ211 SIN-MEL F

[SQ LPP]

Interesting that SQ no longer load the regular meal choices if all pax onboard BTCed. On one hand, it may be wasteful to load them, but on the other hand, First/Suites is about luxury - IMHO this should include the luxury of changing their minds if they don't like the BTC they ordered.
Again - just my opinion.
Understandably, I am sure some of you may be of a different opinion.

It sounds like a service discrepancy here. Normal menu meals shouyld have been uploaded.

[StarG]

It sounds like a service discrepancy here. Normal menu meals shouyld have been uploaded.

I certainly hope it was - SQ R/F should be better than that.