Review of Singapore Airlines flight Copenhagen → Singapore in Economy

Background

This flight report covers a recent flight from Copenhagen to Singapore with Singapore Airlines. It is worth noting that SQ's tickets for this flight were among some of the cheapest on offer when this flight was booked, at around SGD550 one-way if memory serves me right. I found this to be quite unusual given that 1) direct flights are usually more expensive than flights with a connecting stop, and 2) SQ has never really been the kind of airline to scrape the bottom of the barrel when it comes to pricing. Naturally, the opportunity was too good to pass up.

Singapore Airlines has been serving Copenhagen since at least the 1990s, with Airbus A340-300s and Boeing 777-200ERs among some of the equipment used in the past. For some time, Copenhagen filled an important role as SQ's sole gateway to Scandinavia and to codeshare flights with SAS, until the inauguration of their flights to Stockholm this May. Nevertheless, the SIN-CPH-SIN rotation remains the only non-stop route connecting Singapore to Scandinavia, given that the Stockholm flight stops in Moscow.

Pre-flight

At the time of this flight, SQ was just three weeks into the operation of the Boeing 777-300ER on this route – a significant upgrade from the previous 2000s-era 777-200ERs. For passengers, that meant the introduction of Premium Economy and First Class to the route, as well as vastly improved Business and Economy products. This upgrade also breaks a recent trend of the A350 replacing the 777-300ER on SQ's European routes, as not only was the A350 not chosen for this route, the 777-300ER was the replacing type instead of the type being replaced.

This change was immediately apparent when I turned up at the check-in counter, with banners proudly advertising over-the-counter upgrades to Premium Economy.


Check-in was quick and smooth, and I was soon off to take in the sights of the airport. Copenhagen Airport is, for a European airport, among some of the nicest I've ever seen, apart from perhaps the Queen's Terminal in LHR. There is one unfortunate caveat, though. I'm not going to mince anything: the bathrooms in CPH are among some of the nastiest I've ever seen in an airport, and really leave much to be desired in this otherwise beautiful airport.


FIDS, showing our flight would be departing at 12:30 PM as scheduled.


Duty-free section. CPH is one of those unfortunate revenue-hungry airports that is arranged in such a way that you're forced to pass through their duty-free section, in the hopes that you'll splurge on something.


The high and bright ceilings give this airport an airy feel, which really does wonders to stave off claustrophobia. (ahem CDG ahem)


Passing by a SAS A340-300 on my way to the gate. It's a shame to see these beautiful birds slowly being retired from the skies.

The Flight

Singapore Airlines
SQ351
Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH) - Singapore Changi (SIN)
Boeing 777-300ER
9V-SWP
August 25, 2017

The star of today's performance would be 9V-SWP, a 9-year-old Boeing 777-300ER. Originally delivered with the 2006-era cabin products found on SQ's A330s and A380s, she now carries the new cabin products courtesy of a 2016 upgrade.


I've always had a thing for the aesthetics of the new seats: sharp, slim, and clean. They make the older 2006 products look clunky by comparison.


Boarding was completed ahead of schedule, and we were down the runway by 12:40PM…


…and liftoff over the fields of Kastrup!


Passing the Øresund Bridge as we head east past Sweden – a marvel of civil engineering if I ever saw one.


And a nice eyeful of Malmö in Sweden as we head toward Singapore.


Another view of the beautiful afternoon skies over Scandinavia. Today's puddle-jump over Eurasia would take 11 hours 30 minutes, give or take.


In-flight map as we make headway toward Eastern Europe – the Voyager 3D maps are admittedly a lot of fun to play around with!


Another map angle, giving an idea of the journey still to come.


Meal services started slightly less than an hour after takeoff, which appeared to be timed so that they would be served just after most of the passengers had settled in comfortably. Per standard procedure, special meals were served first, followed by the other choices.

I chose a dish of fish and spinach with pasta and chocolate cake on the side. I found it to be tasty and well-cooked, but not exceptionally filling. In fact, I found the portion size was almost comparable to that of United Airlines, which is in my opinion among some of the most miserable airlines out there when it comes to feeding their passengers.


The bathroom was clean and well-maintained.


Mouthwash, hand lotion, and eau de toilette were also provided. The toiletry offering isn't as generous as on SQ's A380s, which provide toothbrushes and shaving kits among other things, but this was still better than what you might find on plenty of other flag-carriers.


Cabin shot two hours after departure…


…and the in-flight map.


Day eventually gave way to night as we crossed Central Asia.


With nothing left to see as we entered night, I took the chance to properly check out the new IFE. Needless to say, I was very impressed. The IFE was very responsive to input, and the ability to navigate both by touchscreen and remote made it very smooth and intuitive to use. The IFE on SQ's 2006 seats, by comparison, results in a fair amount of mildly cumbersome button-mashing when trying to get through their wide selection of media offerings.


Crossing Afghanistan, just under six hours into the flight.


Midnight snacks were offered in-flight, which included a salmon sandwich. It was satisfying, but not exceptional (taking into consideration that Scandinavian salmon is among some of the best I've tasted).


The second meal followed just under two hours before landing. This time, I took a dish of potatoes with bacon, eggs, and spinach, with yoghurt and fruits to start the day with. This time, my experience was the reverse of earlier's lunch: the meal was much more filling, but the quality left more to be desired. In particular, the eggs, arguably the main attraction in this dish, were leathery and tasteless.


Approaching Melaka shortly before landing, with our huge Boeing 777-300ER looming over half of the Malaysian peninsula.


IFE remote shot before landing. During the flight, I recalled hearing about the ability to display the in-flight map on the remote and a movie on the main screen, though I didn't succeed in this instance. Perhaps the option just wasn't there to begin with?


Flying across the Singapore Strait in preparation for a southbound approach on Changi's Runway 20R.


Moments before touchdown, with the buildings of Changi visible in the early morning darkness. Touchdown was smooth, and we went straight to the terminal.


Changi's Terminal 3 in the early morning after passing immigration. Terminal 3 is by far and large the terminal of choice for SQ's European flights.