Review of SilkAir flight Manado-Celebes Singapore in Business

Airline SilkAir
Flight MI273
Class Business
Seat 3A
Aircraft Boeing 737-800
Flight time 03:10
Take-off 18 Apr 18, 14:05
Arrival at 18 Apr 18, 17:15
MI 59 reviews
Arq
By 1080
Published on 8th May 2018
Hello all,

Welcome to the third episode of flight report for my Diving trip in Lembeh Strait, Manado, Indonesia

Report of previous flights in this trip can be found here
Sector 1 : Bangkok - Singapore on SQ 981
Sector 2 : Singapore - Manado on MI 274
Sector 3 : Manado - Singapore on MI 273 (Current Review)
Sector 4 : Singapore - Bangkok on SQ 976

For my journey back home, SilkAir flight to Singapore will depart Manado Sam Ratulangi International Airport at 14.00. In order to do so, we need to depart our dive resort at 10.00, be at airport before 12.00. There is a security X-ray for everyone before entering terminal building, which only allow passenger access.

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Manado Airport is much larger than I have imagined (This is the 2nd visit of mine, previous visit was during its renovation period and some area is block off). The majority of flight serve Indonesian Domestic Route. Our flight seemed to be the only International service of that afternoon.

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I have completed online check in 48 hours in advance with inflight catering reservation as a main objective, and only need to drop all of my huge baggage. Business class check in is empty and I got all document sorted out in no time.
Please note that, while internet check in is possible, e-boarding pass is not accepted at Manado airport as of now.

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Then I head to the lounge. To my pleasant surprise, SilkAir’s lounge has changed from uninspiring Bunaken Lounge to Concordia Lounge on 3rd floor. This lounge is new, clean, with view overlooking Runway and outdoor observation area, and good selection of catering.

Note to Administrator – Concordia Lounge is not yet listed in website system. The system offer me a choice of Garuda and Batik Air lounge (in flight information section), but not Condordia. I believe it is recently opened and nobody have review it yet. I left it blank for now.




Food selection. Indonesian snake fruit is the best I have tasted.




Outdoor area and I can spot arrival of our aircraft




Then it’s almost time for boarding. I left the lounge slightly before boarding time and suddenly realized that, the lounge is in DOMESTIC area, I have not pass through immigration yet!

Time to run!

Flight information
Flight : MI 273
From : Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC/ WAMM)
To : Singapore Changi Airport (SIN/VSSS)
Date : 18 April 2018
Departure Gate : 4
Boarding Time : 13.30 hrs.
Departure Time : 14.00 hrs.
Actual Departure Time : 14.01 hrs.
Flight Duration : 3.18 hrs.
Arrival Time : 17.17 hrs.
Arrival Gate : E11
Aircraft : B737-800
Registration : 9V-MGP
Name : -
Class : Business
Seat : 3A

photo screenshot 2018-05-08 08.58.01


I pass through empty immigration quickly, and walk straight into Gate waiting area. Boarding for Business class has already commenced and I join the queue

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View from my seat, there are only 4 passengers in Business Class cabin. Seats and amenities are identical to the incoming flight

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Cabin crew come with a tray of welcome drink, Orange juice for me, please.

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Then the newspaper service

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A pillow and a blanket provided on each seat. I am welcome to use extra pillow from any unoccupied seat, anyway I like

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Only think I found unpleasant is the dust on the ceiling.

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Seat function and legroom
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At 13.52, jetbridge is retracted and safety demonstration video played on ceiling mounted screen

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Take off clip




Ascending along Celebes Seacoast

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When fasten seatbelt sign is turned off, iPad is handed to everyone.



Followed by first round of drink and nuts or potato chips. I chose Champagne and nuts

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Then the appetizer is brought in, the table is set

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It’s potato salad, which is nice

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My pre-order of Nasi Goreng with Satay from “All-time favourite menu” is again rewarding. It is as nice as Nasi Lemak from the other flight.

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Dessert of Pandan chiffon cake, a bit boring in my opinion

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Then chocolate truffle with offer of coffee or tea.

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After the crew clean up utensils from meal service, all window shades are closed, TV on the ceiling is retracted, cabin light is dimmed for passenger’ sleep (if they choose to).

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I occasionally take a peek behind the shades to check the view below, which is full of rainforest. I tried not to imagine how long will it take to walk to the nearest civilization if we have to land around here in emergency. The forest are so untouched and unpolluted.

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A visit to the toilet, which is dry and clean




Descending to Singapore

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Passing over an airport, which I am still trying to figure out what airport is it. Any help would be appreciated.

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Landing clip





Taxi toward Terminal 2



Dock at Gate E11, adjacent to SQ’s newest 78X with service to Bangkok on a flight just an hour before my flight. (Imagine how do I stare longingly at her)
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We are directed to walk along a dedicated walkway, with barricade separate us from the main corridor and need to undergo additional (presumably post-flight X-ray and security). This is the first time I have to do this. It is not a normal Singapore’s pre-boarding security check, but really a post-flight activity. Not sure why but not really a problem except a few minutes of connecting time less (not an ideal situation when the screen said our gate is now opened)

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I would like to conclude the report of this flight here, and will continue with the next one on Singapore Airlines back to Bangkok, the last flight in this journey.
See more

Verdict

SilkAir

8.1/10
Cabin7.0
Cabin crew9.5
Entertainment/wifi6.0
Meal/catering10.0

Manado-Celebes - MDC

6.8/10
Efficiency8.0
Access5.0
Services7.0
Cleanliness7.0

Singapore - SIN

7.5/10
Efficiency8.0
Access6.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness8.0

Conclusion

A very impressive flight, very good all around, especially those friendly and attentive crew and the meal. A bit of minus point for aircraft comfort and cleanliness. But that is pretty minor

Related

4 Comments

If you liked this review or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to post a comment below !
  • Comment 444075 by
    JW19 120 Comments
    The airport in one of your last photo is Batam Hang Nadim international.
  • Comment 444376 by
    socalnow 976 Comments
    Thanks for another great report Arq. SilkaAir looks really nicle. Perhaps we can call them SQ junior? Great photos departing from MDC, what a tropical paradise.

    The lounge looks quite nice. An outdoor area is a special treat.

    "My pre-order of Nasi Goreng with Satay from “All-time favourite menu” is again rewarding."
    -Looks quite good. They present lovely Indonesian dishes.

    Thanks again and happy flying.
    • Comment 444636 by
      Arq AUTHOR 43 Comments
      Perhaps we can call them SQ junior?

      I would not hesitate to say so. Their people are great, as great as SQ in every aspect. The food are very good too. I think they tried to match the same experience with narrow body aircraft and been very successful so far

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