Tweet
Following 9V-SWP’s fabulous trip report about SQ862 on Christmas Day, I thought I’d write about a few general observations (not a trip report) about the SQ section of my journey home the same day.
I took SQ861 HKG-SIN (seat 2A) departing 16:00 on 25 December as part of PVG-HKG-SIN-BKK-HEL-LHR (about 30 hours from start to end). I had only taken SQ F once before (NRT-LAX) so can only compare to that:
1 Based on StarG’s experience, I made the long trek to the HKG VS CH rather than visit the SKL by taking the train there and then walking back (only about 15-20 minutes). I was greeted with surprise by the attendant at the VS CH who had to ask her colleague what to do but was eventually let in. There were only a few other pax around and the staff were very attentive asking several times for any food and drink orders - even whilst sat accessing the Internet. A quick bowl of hot wonton (from the EVA menu) and a drink and I was off.
2 As for the new 77W cabin itself, everyone has already said everything I want to say. I’d only like to agree with the sentiments about the lack of overhead storage with my rollaboard stowed underneath in front getting in the way of my feet and I’m not even a tall person! The seat does seem like a refined SkySuite without some of the enhancements of the new Raffles seat, e.g. no headphone hook.
Only a blanket and one pillow was offered – two would have been nicer but for such a short flight, I didn’t bother asking. The new F slippers are nicer (better construction) than the old ones but unlike before, now only come in a clear disposable plastic bag.
As my use of the IFE system even on long haul flights usually only consists of the flight path (rather than movies etc), I love the new hi-resolution maps on the 77W. What would make it superb IMO would be the addition of a webcam view looking out of the front of the plane (as found on AY short haul for example) which projected on the large F screen would be I think awesome.
3 Despite what the menu says, I wasn’t asked when I wanted to dine and the dinner service started for everyone shortly after takeoff. There was an insert mentioning a Christmas Menu but it didn’t give details so I opted for the normal meal.
The F menu inserts now appear to be designed specifically for insertion into the folder so sadly the cover is only blank. Further evidence of (I assume) cost cutting is the combination of the food and beverage menu into the same insert. Unlike the F menus I’ve seen before, this one (like other airlines) actually listed out the cheeses on offer rather than referring to a selection.
I was surprised to be offered an amuse bouche before the main course itself – a cocktail shot glass with a large prawn (or langoustine ?) and some garnish together with a teaspoon. Is this a normal part of the new F meal service ?
I enjoyed the goose liver starter (much tastier than caviar IMO), my BTC roast goose (which was an acceptable substitute for not having time to visit Yung Kee) and was looking forward to the warm chocolate tart choice on the meal but was told that (unfortunately IMO) it had been substitued by a cold Yuletide log (chocolate covered ice cream).
4 No Christmas gift on SQ unlike AY J (they don’t have F) BKK-HEL where we were offered a Christmas present from Finnair consisting of a box containing two shot glasses (typical for Finland I suppose!) and (weirdly) a pack of Christmas disposable napkins.
5 On arrival in SIN, I proceeded to the transfer counter at terminal 1 to check-in for my AY flights. I handed over my travel documents and was asked to sit down and wait to be called as their system is slow. A few minutes later, a policewoman (I think - she was dressed in a green uniform and later on, was to be found at the gate checking everyone’s passport) wandered over and asked me a few minutes of friendly questions – probably alerted by my slightly unusual itinerary and also the lack of any entry/exit stamps for this trip in my passport (I’d entered HK and China using my HKID and huixiangzhen). After answering her questions (e.g. “I like flying!”) and showing her my boarding pass stubs from previous flights, she was happy.
6 After that, it was a dash back to the SKL J in terminal 2 for a quick shower, drink, check of e-mail and a Christmas phone call to a SIN based friend before leaving for my AY flights. I was very happy to be recognised and given a warm welcome by the SKL J shower attendant (despite only ever having visited once before in August) and we spent a few minutes chatting.
I took SQ861 HKG-SIN (seat 2A) departing 16:00 on 25 December as part of PVG-HKG-SIN-BKK-HEL-LHR (about 30 hours from start to end). I had only taken SQ F once before (NRT-LAX) so can only compare to that:
1 Based on StarG’s experience, I made the long trek to the HKG VS CH rather than visit the SKL by taking the train there and then walking back (only about 15-20 minutes). I was greeted with surprise by the attendant at the VS CH who had to ask her colleague what to do but was eventually let in. There were only a few other pax around and the staff were very attentive asking several times for any food and drink orders - even whilst sat accessing the Internet. A quick bowl of hot wonton (from the EVA menu) and a drink and I was off.
2 As for the new 77W cabin itself, everyone has already said everything I want to say. I’d only like to agree with the sentiments about the lack of overhead storage with my rollaboard stowed underneath in front getting in the way of my feet and I’m not even a tall person! The seat does seem like a refined SkySuite without some of the enhancements of the new Raffles seat, e.g. no headphone hook.
Only a blanket and one pillow was offered – two would have been nicer but for such a short flight, I didn’t bother asking. The new F slippers are nicer (better construction) than the old ones but unlike before, now only come in a clear disposable plastic bag.
As my use of the IFE system even on long haul flights usually only consists of the flight path (rather than movies etc), I love the new hi-resolution maps on the 77W. What would make it superb IMO would be the addition of a webcam view looking out of the front of the plane (as found on AY short haul for example) which projected on the large F screen would be I think awesome.
3 Despite what the menu says, I wasn’t asked when I wanted to dine and the dinner service started for everyone shortly after takeoff. There was an insert mentioning a Christmas Menu but it didn’t give details so I opted for the normal meal.
The F menu inserts now appear to be designed specifically for insertion into the folder so sadly the cover is only blank. Further evidence of (I assume) cost cutting is the combination of the food and beverage menu into the same insert. Unlike the F menus I’ve seen before, this one (like other airlines) actually listed out the cheeses on offer rather than referring to a selection.
I was surprised to be offered an amuse bouche before the main course itself – a cocktail shot glass with a large prawn (or langoustine ?) and some garnish together with a teaspoon. Is this a normal part of the new F meal service ?
I enjoyed the goose liver starter (much tastier than caviar IMO), my BTC roast goose (which was an acceptable substitute for not having time to visit Yung Kee) and was looking forward to the warm chocolate tart choice on the meal but was told that (unfortunately IMO) it had been substitued by a cold Yuletide log (chocolate covered ice cream).
4 No Christmas gift on SQ unlike AY J (they don’t have F) BKK-HEL where we were offered a Christmas present from Finnair consisting of a box containing two shot glasses (typical for Finland I suppose!) and (weirdly) a pack of Christmas disposable napkins.
5 On arrival in SIN, I proceeded to the transfer counter at terminal 1 to check-in for my AY flights. I handed over my travel documents and was asked to sit down and wait to be called as their system is slow. A few minutes later, a policewoman (I think - she was dressed in a green uniform and later on, was to be found at the gate checking everyone’s passport) wandered over and asked me a few minutes of friendly questions – probably alerted by my slightly unusual itinerary and also the lack of any entry/exit stamps for this trip in my passport (I’d entered HK and China using my HKID and huixiangzhen). After answering her questions (e.g. “I like flying!”) and showing her my boarding pass stubs from previous flights, she was happy.
6 After that, it was a dash back to the SKL J in terminal 2 for a quick shower, drink, check of e-mail and a Christmas phone call to a SIN based friend before leaving for my AY flights. I was very happy to be recognised and given a warm welcome by the SKL J shower attendant (despite only ever having visited once before in August) and we spent a few minutes chatting.
Comment