Review of Singapore Airlines flight Singapore Auckland in Economy

Airline Singapore Airlines
Flight SQ285
Class Economy
Seat 36K
Aircraft Boeing 777-300ER
Flight time 09:55
Take-off 22 Feb 14, 21:15
Arrival at 23 Feb 14, 12:10
SQ   #3 out of 96 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings. 696 reviews
anthonytahiti
Published on 16th April 2014
Hello !

We live in Tahiti, French Polynesia, and we fly to France 1 or 2 times a year, with Air France via LAX. I’m tired to always fly with the same companie, the same plane, always transiting in LAX.

Here are the Flight Reports of my first round-the-world trip, with my family (2 adults and 1 child 3 years old), in Economy class.

Routing is PPT – LAX – CDG – TLS – FRA – SIN – AKL – PPT
Companies will be Air France, Lufthansa Cityline, Singapore Airlines and Air Tahiti Nui

    1ST PART : From Tahiti to France : I did it my way Papeete [PPT] - Los Angeles [LAX], Air France AF77, B772, Economy, January 26, 2014 CLICK HERE Los Angeles [LAX] - Paris [CDG], Air France AF77, B772, Economy, January 26, 2014 CLICK HERE Paris [CDG] - Toulouse [TLS], Air France AF7788, A320, Economy, January 27, 2014 CLICK HERE 2ND PART : Going East : New Horizons Toulouse [TLS] - Frankfurt [FRA], Lufthansa Cityline LH1099, CR7, Economy, February 17, 2014 CLICK HERE Frankfurt [FRA] - Singapore [SIN], Singapore Airlines SQ325, B77W, Economy, February 17, 2014 CLICK HERE 3RD PART : Back to Tahiti : Full Circle Singapore [SIN] - Auckland [AKL], Singapore Airlines SQ285, B77W, Economy, February 22, 2014
    YOU ARE HERE
    Auckland [AKL] - Papeete [PPT], Air Tahiti Nui TN102, A343, Economy, February 23, 2014 CLICK HERE



It’s now time to go home after 4 days in Singapore. For touristic bonus, please see the end of PREVIOUS REPORT.

We arrive well in advance at Changi airport. Flights to Oceania depart from Terminal 3. Here we go

photo FR102 SIN AKL (1)

The registration hall is huge, bright and pleasant

photo FR102 SIN AKL (2)photo FR102 SIN AKL (3)

For our flight, check-in zone 3

photo FR102 SIN AKL (4)

There are few people and therefore no waiting time

photo FR102 SIN AKL (5)photo FR102 SIN AKL (6)

The check-in hostess will be very friendly, and tag our luggage to the final destination, with little difficulty, PPT is a destination she discovers on that occasion, but it was impossible to issue boarding passes for the next flight in the absence of agreement between the companies (different PNR).

Here is my pass for the next segment of this trip

photo FR102 SIN AKL (7)

Passport control is quickly crossed

photo FR102 SIN AKL (8)

I discovered the airside area beautifully decorated and ornate

photo FR102 SIN AKL (9)

Currently at Terminal 3 is the Leaning Tower of Pisa

photo FR102 SIN AKL (10)photo FR102 SIN AKL (11)

And pervasive orchids

photo FR102 SIN AKL (12)

Eating trendy

photo FR102 SIN AKL (13)

Singapore is the country of prohibition. In your opinion, which one didn't we respect with the trolley ?

photo FR102 SIN AKL (14)

Transporting child on trolley of course ;)

photo FR102 SIN AKL (15)

We have a walk in the terminal

photo FR102 SIN AKL (16)photo FR102 SIN AKL (17)

A playground for children

photo FR102 SIN AKL (18)

Sofas seem pleasant to sleep

photo FR102 SIN AKL (19)

M & M's Store

photo FR102 SIN AKL (20)

Hidden eye’s blink (Hello Durian)

photo FR102 SIN AKL (21)

A332 Singapore

photo FR102 SIN AKL (22)photo FR102 SIN AKL (23)

We leave to the other side to gates A

photo FR102 SIN AKL (24)

Because different lounges are there (on the first floor)

photo FR102 SIN AKL (25)

As you already know (or not), SQ provides 2 lounges, SilverKris lounge reserved to its own Business and First class passengers, and KrisFlyer Gold Lounge for StarAlliance Gold passengers traveling in economy class. This will be the 2nd choice for us

photo FR102 SIN AKL (26)

photo FR102 SIN AKL (27)

A first inner space

photo FR102 SIN AKL (28)photo FR102 SIN AKL (29)

Then a second open space, mezzanine over the terminal

photo FR102 SIN AKL (30)photo FR102 SIN AKL (31)

Overlooking a quiet area

photo FR102 SIN AKL (32)

Press

photo FR102 SIN AKL (33)

Soft drinks

photo FR102 SIN AKL (34)

Shotty beer out of order :-(

photo FR102 SIN AKL (35)

Spirits’ choice

photo FR102 SIN AKL (36)

Red and white wines

photo FR102 SIN AKL (37)

Eating :
Some mini sandwiches

photo FR102 SIN AKL (38)

And some hot dishes



Kid’s selection (no need for a sophisticated choice)

photo FR102 SIN AKL (43)

Finally, this lounge is nice compared to the ones I knew, but we regret the absence of toilets inside

When boarding time is near, I see that the gate of our flight has changed from side A to side B of the terminal

photo FR102 SIN AKL (44)

So let’s go for a walk

photo FR102 SIN AKL (45)photo FR102 SIN AKL (46)

We arrive at the gate just before the start of the pre-boarding security controls

photo FR102 SIN AKL (47)

We find ourselves in a room whose main interest is to wait sitting

photo FR102 SIN AKL (48)photo FR102 SIN AKL (49)

Some SQ Girls are going to prepare our plane

photo FR102 SIN AKL (50)

An internet station allows me to let Flight-Report.com as homepage

photo FR102 SIN AKL (51)

But the main advantage of this waiting area is to see my B77W with livery Staralliance (9V-SWI, a bird that would celebrate its seven years of flight a few days later )



Pre-boarding room is now busy

photo FR102 SIN AKL (59)

Boarding starts with a little delay

photo FR102 SIN AKL (60)

Through the Business cabin

photo FR102 SIN AKL (61)

Then arrived in the economy cabin

photo FR102 SIN AKL (62)

Our 3 seats, on the right side of the cabin

photo FR102 SIN AKL (63)

Cushion, blanket and headphones ahead

photo FR102 SIN AKL (64)

Pitch 32

photo FR102 SIN AKL (65)

IFE with good size screen (notice how I'm teasing with the reflection of my T-shirt in the screen ;))

photo FR102 SIN AKL (66)

Safety card

photo FR102 SIN AKL (67)photo FR102 SIN AKL (68)

In-flight magazines have not changed since 4 days

photo FR102 SIN AKL (69)

A small digression with the sale on board of Tahitian pearls

photo FR102 SIN AKL (70)

View from my seat during boarding

photo FR102 SIN AKL (71)

Oshibori

photo FR102 SIN AKL (72)

Then the gift for the kid (Angry Birds is honored)

photo FR102 SIN AKL (73)

We push back at the theoretical departure time, and we should turn off the phone

photo FR102 SIN AKL (74)

Taxiing is particularly long, 30 minutes

photo FR102 SIN AKL (75)

We finally take off

photo FR102 SIN AKL (76)

Let’s go to the night and the Pacific

photo FR102 SIN AKL (77)photo FR102 SIN AKL (78)photo FR102 SIN AKL (79)

Distribution of amenity kit (which contains only toothbrush and socks) with headphone and remote for IFE

photo FR102 SIN AKL (80)

The choice of movies is almost infinite

photo FR102 SIN AKL (81)

I select a blockbuster

photo FR102 SIN AKL (82)photo FR102 SIN AKL (83)

Menus are distributed

photo FR102 SIN AKL (84)

Appetizers and drinks

photo FR102 SIN AKL (85)

2 choices of hot dishes for the first service

photo FR102 SIN AKL (86)

Snacks during the flight

photo FR102 SIN AKL (87)

And 2 choices for the second service

photo FR102 SIN AKL (88)

Appetizer is served within 30 minutes after takeoff : Singapore Sling for me (very good)

photo FR102 SIN AKL (89)

Then comes the Childmeal tray, still plentiful

photo FR102 SIN AKL (90)

The adult tray arrives 40 minutes after the appetizer

photo FR102 SIN AKL (91)

As starter, potato salad and smoked chicken is not bad (a little less successful than the same potato salad and hot-smoked salmon in the first flight)

photo FR102 SIN AKL (92)

For main course I choose the deep fried pork fried with oriental coffee sauce, which was good

photo FR102 SIN AKL (93)photo FR102 SIN AKL (94)

Distribution of ice cream as dessert

photo FR102 SIN AKL (95)

We are over Indonesia when we finished our dinner

photo FR102 SIN AKL (96)photo FR102 SIN AKL (97)

It is almost midnight and cabin lights will turn off soon

photo FR102 SIN AKL (98)

The opportunity to highlight another small detail well designed for pax comfort : the viewing angle of the screen. Just in front it can be clearly seen, but once you move away from the axis of vision, brightness decrease significantly, thus you are not bothered by the screen of your neighbor who wants to watch movies all night when you want to sleep

Pic to illustrate, with cabin lights on

photo FR102 SIN AKL (99)

and lights off

photo FR102 SIN AKL (100)

So it is time to sleep, and I dozed less than 5 hours when the mood lighting starts almost 2 hours and 30 minutes before landing

photo FR102 SIN AKL (101)

We are flying over the east coast of Australia

photo FR102 SIN AKL (102)

I just missed Sydney

photo FR102 SIN AKL (103)

Indeed, except the wingtip, nothing to see out of the window

photo FR102 SIN AKL (104)

Oshibori

photo FR102 SIN AKL (105)

I still have time to see another movie, Gravity (in English, no French version available)

photo FR102 SIN AKL (106)photo FR102 SIN AKL (107)

Distribution of breakfast trays
Childmeal first

photo FR102 SIN AKL (108)

With an unidentified dish (I did not tasted), probably lasagna

photo FR102 SIN AKL (109)

Asian choice : stierfried rice vermicelli, with sliced chicken and vegetables

photo FR102 SIN AKL (110)photo FR102 SIN AKL (111)

And western choice : omelette with mixed herbs, veal sausage , tomato and potatoes

photo FR102 SIN AKL (112)photo FR102 SIN AKL (113)

Adults trays were both considered pretty good but not great

Now is the time to worry about immigration forms in New Zealand

photo FR102 SIN AKL (114)

We are now approaching NZ coasts



Final approach

photo FR102 SIN AKL (119)

We land just before noon

photo FR102 SIN AKL (120)

Welcome to Auckland

photo FR102 SIN AKL (121)

3 different liveries of Air New Zealand, side by side at the domestic terminal : in the foreground, the historic blue livery, amidst, the ephemeral black livery, and finally the latest livery, silver fern on a black background, inspired by the All Black plane

photo FR102 SIN AKL (122)

B738 Virgin Samoa (Ex Fly Pacific Blue)

photo FR102 SIN AKL (123)

We are at our parking stand 5 minutes after, disembarking through the Business class cabin

photo FR102 SIN AKL (124)

Then the First class cabin

photo FR102 SIN AKL (125)photo FR102 SIN AKL (126)

Last pic of our bird

photo FR102 SIN AKL (127)

Let’sgo to the terminal

photo FR102 SIN AKL (128)photo FR102 SIN AKL (129)

The welcome sign is still there

photo FR102 SIN AKL (130)

Just on the right is the security checkpoint for international transit and return directly airside within a few minutes (as for my travels from Tahiti to Australia, for example)

photo FR102 SIN AKL (131)

But … There’s no agreement between Singapore Airlines and the next companies (Ticket Air New Zealand, operated by Air Tahiti Nui). We don’t have boarding passes for the next flight. We must therefore follow the whole process of entry into the NZ territory.
We pass under the famous Maori door

photo FR102 SIN AKL (132)

B77E Air New Zealand

photo FR102 SIN AKL (133)

Crossing the duty free zone

photo FR102 SIN AKL (134)

Passport control

photo FR102 SIN AKL (135)

Carousel

photo FR102 SIN AKL (136)

We only passed our way, our luggage are registered to PPT

photo FR102 SIN AKL (137)

But we have to queue like everyone else for customs controls

photo FR102 SIN AKL (138)

We are finally on the NZ territory 30 minutes after landing, It’s not very long for that kind of procedure (entry in a foreign country), but we have not finished with our troubles …


One more step to go home, to be continued …

See more

Verdict

Singapore Airlines

9.1/10
Cabin9.0
Cabin crew10.0
Entertainment/wifi9.0
Meal/catering8.5

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge

8.0/10
Comfort8.0
Meal/catering8.0
Entertainment/wifi8.0
Services8.0

Singapore - SIN

10.0/10
Efficiency10.0
Access10.0
Services10.0
Cleanliness10.0

Auckland - AKL

8.0/10
Efficiency6.0
Access6.0
Services10.0
Cleanliness10.0

Conclusion

Singapore Airlines
Once again for the second flight with SQ, I have not been disappointed.
Comfort: The seat confirms the impression I had on the first flight. The 3-3-3 configuration with wider seats brings a real plus. Always the same small criticism of the seat that goes forward while the backrest reclines reducing the legroom, can be uncomfortable for tall people, but in my case, I was not really bothered
Catering was a tiny notch below the first flight, but still good and especially plentiful. Again the second service came a little early on this red-eye flight (this is therefore the SQ protocol) and could be delayed by half an hour or an hour to save time to sleep
Entertainment: The IFE is high quality with a huge selection of movies . Many are offered in French (even if this flight does not operate between francophone countries) but not all.
Crew are still perfect
Punctuality : theoretical flight time (overestimated) incorporates a sufficient margin to catch up on takeoff and arrive on time.

Salon KrisFlyer Gold Lounge Terminal 3
SQ provides a different lounge for Staralliance Gold passengers and his own Business passengers. So for us it was the *A Gold lounge which was described to me as a discounted lounge (especially compared to the lounge Silver Krys I guess) . If I could lament the lack of toilets inside, or pression beer off, I still found it enjoyable, with a range of very decent food compared to what I have known before. For example it is superior to AF lounge 2E gates K and L, lounge at PPT, and not talking about the AF lounge at LAX T2. My best experience remains the Qantas business lounge at SYD (international)

SIN airport
A real pleasure ! The registration lobby is large and bright, the departure lounge is well stocked, well decorated, well flowered, very pleasant to stroll. Few people, no waiting for the formalities, and security checks at the gate are not annoying.

AKL airport
This airport is usually very nice for quick transits. But this time it wasn’t, because of the absence of agreement between SQ and TN/NZ. The boarding pass can not be issued in SIN forcing us to follow all immigration procedures, then the check in and boarding procedures. What a pity ...

Information on the route Singapore (SIN) Auckland (AKL)

Les contributeurs de Flight-Report ont posté 12 avis concernant 3 compagnies sur la ligne Singapore (SIN) → Auckland (AKL).


Useful

La compagnie qui obtient la meilleure moyenne est Singapore Airlines avec 8.7/10.

La durée moyenne des vols est de 9 heures et 40 minutes.

  More information

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