Review of Singapore Airlines flight from New Delhi to Singapore in Business

SQ403 Delhi Indira Gandhi DEL - Singapore Changi Terminal 2 SIN
STD-STA: 2150-0600
Actual: 2254-0623
Boeing 777-300 9V-SYG
Gate 1 Seat 15K
Managed to exit Delhi immigration and headed to the SQ check-in desks with some time to spare. A speedy check-in with no checked luggage allowed me to get a refund for my Jet Airways flight that was delayed and I had to cancel last week. There was a long wait at the Jet Airways counter as the lone staff dealing with misconnections and refunds was overwhelmed while his 3 colleagues watched on chit-chatting. A Japanese guy was waiting behind me as he just missed the last flight to Mumbai and now had to spend the night in Delhi as none of the 3 guys even bothered to help. Little wonder Jet Airways is not doing well.

New Delhi International airport
Once I got my refund, I passed through the empty security and immigration which meant I was airside within minutes and off I went searching for the Silver Kris lounge. I initially thought SIA would use the Plaza Premium lounge since the receptionist at check-in did not mention directions to me.

Immigration at Delhi
Turns out the Silver Kris lounge is accessible via the elevators in the other side and have shared toilets with the Lufthansa lounge so you could actually access the Lufthansa lounge from the back door coming out of the toilets.

Inside the Silver Kris lounge at Delhi

Lufthansa lounge at Delhi
There was a couple of hot dishes, pastries, soups and snacks inside the Silver Kris lounge and I thought it was quite good for an outstation. There was also ample seating along with good variety of magazines and newspapers. Announcement was made inside the lounge with regards to the delay allowing passengers to just remain in the lounge. I believe the late arrival of the aircraft due to the fog in Delhi was one of the problem.

Corner buffet counter
Boarding was another waiting game in Delhi, like my Malaysian Airlines flight since the gate agents in Delhi was just quite unfriendly at all. Once onboard, the SIA service was as usual, with the crew going around with newspapers, magazines and handing out welcome drinks and hot towels. The ambience of boarding a SIA flight can be said to be unsurpassed.

Business class on SQ 777-300
The purser for the flight came by and introduced herself as well and the smile and this welcome made for a better impression.

Menu and newspaper
After the passengers have boarded the plane, the crew took meal orders and the menu which was already placed in the seat magazine pocket read as follows:
Supper Menu | Delhi to Singapore
Starter
Antipasto plate
Marinated prawns and bocconcini with grilled vegetables and basil pesto
Main
Gosht kalia. kastoori aloo, dal kabila and mughlai tarkari pulao
Lamb in nut gravy, baby potatoes, tempered dal and vegetables pilaf
Seafood noodles soup
Rice vermicelli with prawn, fish and vegetables in broth
Panfried chicken piccata with toasted oregano sauce, vegetable medley and herb roasted potatoes
Paneer reshmi, kastoori aloo, dal kabila and mughlai tarkari pulao
Cottage cheese in onion gravy, baby potatoes, tempered dal and vegetables pilaf
Finale
Fresh fruits in season
Gourmet coffee & selection of fine teas
After take-off, the cabin crew came around to pass the business class ‘amenity kits’ which consists of a pair of socks and eyeshades. I remember getting these in long-haul economy class onboard SQ a few years back. This has got to be SQ’s weakest point in the premium offering amongst airlines. There was also a pre-dinner snack pack of almond and cashews along with another beverage and I picked plain old apple juice.

Amenities, peanuts and apple juice

Antipasto plate
For dinner I had the Indian lamb dish and it was good but not anything special that I would compare to Indian food on the ground. The appetizer dish was also not too bad as the prawns are juicy while the vegetables are crunchy and flavourful.

Main course with papadum
Perhaps it was designated as a supper service, satays were absent from the meal service and the dessert was abbreviated to a selection of fruits. Though the flight has a very good drinks menu and I always enjoy the non-alcoholic mixes, which is why I got the ‘Apple Bliss’ on this flight.

Orange and grape
The drinks selection are as follows:
Champagnes and Wines
Champagne
Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve
White
2011 Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
2012 Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany
Red
2009 Château Labadie Medoc Cru Bourgeois, France
2011 Dandelion Vineyards 'Lionheart of the Barossa' Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia
Port
Taylor's 10-Year-Old Tawny Port, Portugal
Cocktails and Aperitifs
Singapore Airlines' Unique Creations
Silver Kris Sling
One of Singapore Airlines' special touches, this cocktail is a delicious mix of gin, Cointreau, orange juice and pineapple juice, topped with Champagne
Alspritzier
A sparkling mix of vodka shaken with apple juice and 7-Up
Solitaire Dreams
A cool concoction of rum, pineapple juice, Sling mix with ginger ale
Sunrise Breezer
A refreshing blend of sake and bitter lemon
Sweetness in Darkness
A unique mix of red wine and a splash of Coke
Vodka Flush
A tantalising drink of vodka, apple juice and bitter lemon, topped with 7-Up.
All-Time Favourites
Singapore Sling
Synonymous with the Lion City since the early 1900s, this classic cocktail is made with dry gin, DOM Benedictine, Cointreau, cherry brandy Angostura bitters and Grenadine, mixed with lime & pineapple juice
Screwdriver
A classic concoction vodka and orange juice
Dry Martini
A classic mix of gin and dry vermouth stirred over ice, garnished with olive
Aperitifs
Campari
Dry Vermouth
Spirits and Beers
Spirits
Courvoisier XO Fine Champagne
Abolut Vodka
Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
Bacardi Superior
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Bombay Sapphire Gin
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey
Japanese Sake
Highland Park 12-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky
Liqueurs
Cointreau
Bailey's Original Irish Cream
Beer
International Selection
Stout
Guinness Stout
Non-alcoholic Beverages
Featured mix
Tropical Sparkle
A refreshing-yet-fruity blend of lime cordial and 7-Up, with orange & tomato juice
Singapore Airlines' Unique Creations
Awaiting the Golden Dawn
A healthy, refreshing mix of pineapple, tomato and orange juice
Apple Bliss
A tantalising refreshment of apple juice and bitter lemon mixed with 7-Up
Tropical Fizz
An invigorating concoction of pineapple juice and bitter lemon
All-Time Favourites
Fruit Spritzer
A simple yet delightfully refreshing mix of apple juice and 7-Up
Orange Cooler
A light tangy drink created from orange juice and ginger ale with a touch of lime cordial
Mineral Water
Still
Sparkling
Fruit Juice
Orange
Apple
Pineapple
Tomato
Soft Drinks
Bitter Lemon
Ginger Ale
Coke
Soda Water
Coke Light/Coke Zero
Tonic Water
7-Up
Milk
Full Cream
Low Fat
Other Beverages*
Chocolate
Milo
Lassi
*Available hot or with ice
Singapore Airlines has a very extensive selection of menu featuring cocktails and includes very good coffee and tea from illy and TWG respectively. For a regional premium class offering, I find them nearly unbeatable!

Seat controls
After the meal, I was tired and skipped the entertainment since the re-fitted 777-300 features the older entertainment system and was cumbersome to navigate compared to the newer user interfaces on board SQ's 777-300ERs, A330s and A380s. The seats onboard this flight were similar to the 777-200s that also serve many regional destinations. I find them to have one of the most comfortable and widest regional business class seats. The colour scheme is also probably one of the better ones.

Regional Business class seat
I had a pretty good night's sleep, only waking up due to the pilot's announcement on the plane's descent into Changi Airport. The delay did result in the plane arriving nearly half an hour late, which was fine for me since I have an afternoon connection and planned to meet some friends for brunch. For a red-eye flight, the services on this flight was more comprehensive compared to Malaysia Airlines with SQ's crew performing better. Even the seats were more comfortable compared to the slightly firm Recaro seats onboard MH.

SQ Business class
Silver Kris Lounge at Changi Airport
I have had the pleasure to visit the Silver Kris lounge at Changi Airport multiple times and I would have to say I really enjoy the transit experience. The Silver Kris lounge, also known colloquially as SKL, is Singapore Airlines' main business class lounge and it has a separate lounge for Star Alliance Gold members (which supposedly has lesser food and beverage amenities). Anyway as far as airline lounges go, SKL is pretty high in my list. Since Changi Airport has a total of 3 terminals and Singapore Airlines flights depart from both Terminal 2 and 3, they operate 2 Silver Kris lounges, one being in Terminal 2 and another in Terminal 3.

Inside the T2 Silver Kris lounge
Gaining Entry

Silver Kris lounge entrance
The Silver Kris lounge which admits all business class passengers holding a valid boarding pass including passengers travelling on Star Alliance flights in the business class cabin. In addition, the Silver Kris lounge also admits Singapore Airlines PPS Club members. This means for passengers who spend S$25,000 or above with Singapore Airlines annually. When we consider these facts, the SKL is kind of a more prestigious lounge compared to the common airline lounges since it does not admit one just by owning a particular credit card or by purchasing an airline lounge pass for about US$500 (which can be done for US-based airlines). Thus expectations amongst passengers have to be high and deservedly so. In addition to the Silver Kris lounges, there are First Class sections of the lounges along with a really special 'The Private Room'.

Busy day at the lounge
Lounge Food and Beverages
As far as business class airline lounges go, Silver Kris lounge has one of the widest variety of lounge foods that are some of the highest in terms of quality as well. In addition to Singaporean classic dishes like fried noodles, chicken rice and carrot cake for breakfast, there was a good selection of vegetarian cuisines, western dishes, pastas, Chinese stir-fried classics or Indian curries. For cold dishes, there are smoked salmon, cured meats, and sushis. They do some good desserts too like sea coconut and longan in syrup along with some special dishes during the Chinese New Year like fried rice cakes. The food offerings in this lounge does not lose out to some hotel buffets and needless to say it is not likely one will go hungry here.

Food at Silver Kris lounge

Congee for breakfast
As for beverages, the lounge also provides a variety of drinks from the common soft drinks and juices to espresso machines and a range of alcoholic beverages like wines and beers. They even have a Tiger beer tap! One of my favourite though has got to be the wide selection of TWG teas. These tea bags are really wonderful for a warm drink before any flight!

Bar area in the SKL

TWG tea in the lounge
The lounge also features dining areas that are separated from the seating areas thus giving more space for guests and limiting cutlery clatter in the lounge area.

Silver Kris lounge dining area at T3

Dining table in the lounge at T2
Lounge Amenities
Both the lounge in T2 and T3 have adequate seating and features a luxurious ambience that has adequate lighting and while it does not have any special furniture that adds privacy, there are enough seats spaced with side tables that it has some kind of privacy for guests. In addition, the lounges usually have a quiet corner for those seeking to work on their laptops or just seeking some peace while travelling.

Quiet section of the Silver Kris lounge in T3
Wifi signals in the lounge is also easy to access and provide reasonably fast speeds that is useful even for online video conversations through Facetime or Skype. This is in addition to the airport wide wifi provided for all passengers on a complimentary basis.
The lounge also had one of the widest selection of magazines and newspapers. Besides the local newspapers, they also stocked up on German language newspapers (most probably due to Lufthansa being a Star Alliance partner) and regional selections too!

Newspaper stand
Shower Facilities

Shower stall
The lounge has adequate shower facilities with enclosed private rooms for passengers. And Singapore Airlines did make it look nice and comfortable such that it is easy for passengers to place their hand carried items to avoid it getting wet. There was also ample amenities like mouthwash, toothbrush and towels inside the shower room.

Shower room at Silver Kris lounge
One fault I find is that the soap and shampoo compartment attached to the wall is not very friendly to use. It definitely works better than the ‘swivelling’ soap dish at Malaysia Airline’s Golden Lounge but it could be improved upon.
Closing Remarks

Seating area of the Silver Kris lounge at T3
Amongst airlines, Singapore Airlines might have one of the most reputed cabins, but in terms of airline lounges it is perhaps in the upper scale but nowhere near the top. However the Silver Kris lounge in Changi Airport are definitely a nice place to spend the time in, and better than Malaysia Airlines' lounges at KLIA.