Singapore to Melbourne and Back with the Queen Of The Skies

[B777rocks]

I do apologise for the quality of some of the images as I am new to DSLR photography and am currently still learning. Thanks!

Introduction
I'm not a very travelled person, given my age,
and as a student, it is not really possible to go around flying
every month. Hence when my Dad booked a flight to Melbourne
for around 2 weeks, i was thrilled!

We were originally booked on SQ227, but after the A380 issue
involving Rolls Royce and QF, our flight had an equipment
change from an A380 to a B773. It was perfectly fine until
SQ transferred my family and I onto a supplementary flight, SQ263.
SQ263 goes to Melbourne Via Sydney and the later departure time
from Singapore with the transit time added on would cause us
to miss several appointments we had made prior to the flight.

Finally after a few emails, SQ eventually put us on SQ237 leaving at
2345, with an arrival time of 1010, it would enable my family and I
to meet those appointments. Furthermore, it was operated by the Good ol'
B744!

Day of Departure
10 December 2010

We left the house almost 7 Hours before departure time as my
parents wanted to do some duty free shopping and I wanted to feed
my hunger for plane spotting! Numerous days spent at Changi beach
and Changi's viewing malls can't beat spotting from inside the transit
area!

A short 20 minute car ride later, we reached Changi Airport and a friendly
check in agent checked us in for the flight. We then proceeded through
immigration and we were in the transit mall!









I then hopped over to Terminal 2 to try to get some shots.





And over to Terminal 1

9M-AFM



and back to Terminal 3





9V-SWB, will operate SQ285 to AKL later in the night

[B777rocks]

Gate A16, would be changed to A14 later on.



Soon it got dark and all of out the window were just reflections, so I
just walked around the Terminal, soaking in the relaxing atmosphere








A bad picture, taken from outside the holding area. Would find out that
the bird carrying me to MEL would be 9V-SPQ



The gate soon opened and we were allowed into the holding area. A long queue formed as there was only 1 security officer on duty checking our
passports and boarding passes before entering the holding room.

[B777rocks]

Friday, 10 December 2010
Singapore Airlines SQ237
Singapore(SIN) - Melbourne(MEL)

2345-1010(+1)
Flight time: 07H25M
Economy Class Seat 45K

Boeing 747-412 (MSN28025)
9V-SPQ
Delivered 31/10/2001

We boarded via door 2L and was greeted by the IFS and given
directions to my seat which was on the right of the aircraft.


The 744 beside us, 9V-SMU, the 1000th 747 built, would be leaving
to JFK via FRA as SQ26

The doors were closed few minutes past midnight and the flight
attendents handed out the amenity kits for the overnight flight.



Menus were handed out shortly after. Today's flight consisted of
a Supper service and breakfast service.


Supper Menu


Breakfast Menu

After a brief taxi from Gate A14, we held short of 02L for an SQ A330 departing ahead of us. Soon after the 4 mighty PW4056 engines powered us down 02L and off into the night sky.

Soon after the FA's came around with the drinks service. I would settle for
a packet of peanuts with a cup of OJ.


What i did not really like about the 744's was that the PTV screen is
way below current standards and that the system tend to get unresponsive
every now and then and would take ages to load a page. Other than that,
9V-SPQ was in tip top conditions! The cabin was clean and the seats
as well as the seat pitch was sufficient for the 7hours flight over to MEL.


Christmas decorations

Around 1 and a half hours after takeoff, Supper service began. I went
with the chicken.









I didnt really like the chicken, as it was too bland for my taste.
The Potato and walnut salad was a whole different story.
I loved it! The taste was there and it was just what I needed
just to soothe my stomach.

[B777rocks]

I played around with the PTV for awhile before drifting into a short
nap.


After i woke up I went for the mandatory toilet visit!







I got back to my seat and took some shots out of the window
the sun rised.



About 2 hours before our scheduled arrival, the FA's commenced
breakfast service.











For me, i was utterly disappointed by the breakfast. The bun was
solid and cold and the muffins werent any hotter either. I found
comfort in the fruits though. I am the kind that eat the most for
breakfast, not too much for lunch, and the least for dinner.

[j.lin]

For me, i was utterly disappointed by the breakfast. The bun was
solid and cold and the muffins werent any hotter either. I found
comfort in the fruits though. I am the kind that eat the most for
breakfast, not too much for lunch, and the least for dinner.

Thank you for the slimming tip

[B777rocks]

Cabin after the meal service

After an uneventful flight, we began descending into Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. The approach was very bumpy and strong winds were pushing
9V-SPQ all around the place! Shortly after, 9V-SPQ touched down on
Runway 34 , followed by a short taxi to gate D10




9V-SPA, came in before us as SQ227. Weird as it was
scheduled to be a B773.








One last look at 9V-SPQ


QF94, VH-OEE from LAX


B-2831, operated MU737 from PVG





All in all, i did enjoy the flight. Although the meals did not really
amaze me, the crews onboard the flight were so ever hardworking.
They came around the cabin several times with trays of drinks and
always wore a smile on their faces as they served passengers.
As for the aircraft, the 744 is still very capable and it would really
be sad to see them go. In terms of seat quality, it definately is
sufficient for long haul flights. As for the PTV, I can't quite say
that it would be 'enough' for passengers on long haul flights(SQ26/25/12/11).

Alright, Thanks for reading! Comments/feedbacks would be greatly
appreciated. Will come up with the return flight, SQ228 soon.

Happy Belated Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you here
on SQT!

[B777rocks]

Thank you for the slimming tip

Oh you are most welcome!!

[SQ218]

Great pics.

Thanks for the TR.

[sqdazz]

Great report. Exactly what I would expect on this flight in y. The breakfasts are always like that , if they heated the bakery it would be better. They should serve it 90 mins before landing imo. Great pics too.

[sealalula]

Great TR !
Looking forward to see your return flight's report

[FN-GM]

Thanks for your efforts in this report. I enjoyed reading it

[Pinkfloyd]

Cheers for the TR!

[sumitsan]

Great TR and great pics. Altho' I love SQ 744s, I will agree that the PTVs are little aged compared to the other aircraft in the fleet. But lately, I've been flying UA 744s quite a bit with no PTVs, so compared to that, these PTVs are a bit of a luxury. But I love the soft seats in SQ 744s: they are the only Y seats that I can sleep for a couple hours in upright position without waking up at all.

Btw, this is also the first time I can remember of witnessing 2 SQ pax 747s at MEL at the same time.

[B777rocks]

Great pics.

Thanks for the TR.

Great report. Exactly what I would expect on this flight in y. The breakfasts are always like that , if they heated the bakery it would be better. They should serve it 90 mins before landing imo. Great pics too.

Great TR !
Looking forward to see your return flight's report

Thanks for your efforts in this report. I enjoyed reading it

Cheers for the TR!

Great TR and great pics. Altho' I love SQ 744s, I will agree that the PTVs are little aged compared to the other aircraft in the fleet. But lately, I've been flying UA 744s quite a bit with no PTVs, so compared to that, these PTVs are a bit of a luxury. But I love the soft seats in SQ 744s: they are the only Y seats that I can sleep for a couple hours in upright position without waking up at all.

Btw, this is also the first time I can remember of witnessing 2 SQ pax 747s at MEL at the same time.

Thanks for the reply guys! Return trip should be up soon

[SQflyergirl]

Btw, this is also the first time I can remember of witnessing 2 SQ pax 747s at MEL at the same time.

Used to happen in the past lots of times, when 227/228/237/238 were all 744's. There also used to be the odd swap also in that it afforded SQ some flexibility as the 227 bird would sit in MEL at a remote stand till late in the evening, whilst the 237 bird would do a quick hour turnaround. Having the 227 bird around would mean the 238 bird usually got away on time regardless. It bought time for any tech issues to get fixed and then reassigned to 228.




Anyway to the OP - Nice TR Not sure I wanna intentionally spend 7 hours in an airport (changi or otherwise), but horses for courses. These days the less time the better!