After a few days in HKG it was time to continue to SIN. I waited for this trip with great anticipation since I will be flying on SQ's new A350.
Routing
SFO - TPE on BR PEY - Boeing 777ER - CLICK HERE
TPE - HKG on BR Y - Boeing 787 - CLICK HERE
HKG - SIN on SQ Y - Airbus 350 - YOU ARE HERE
SIN - HKG on SQ Y - Boeing 777-200 - coming up
HKG - TPE on BR Y - Airbus 321 - coming up
TPE - SFO on BR PEY - Boeing 777ER - coming up
We took the HK Airport Express from Kowloon station where we checked in and arrived at HKG in less than 30 min. The airport was already decorated in a festive way.
Counters were nearly empty. We were seated in the rear cabin and I asked the agent if she would assign us better seats. She confirmed that the bulkhead row was available and we switched to our new seats.
My boarding pass. Unfortunately SQ has decided to use the generic looking white cardboard type to replace the old ones that had more character.
After going through security and Immigration, we paid a visit to the SQ SilverKris Lounge.
SQ SilverKris @ HKG
The lounge was crowded but we were able to find seats together. I noticed that the WC's were closed for renovation so we had to use the ones located outside of the lounge.
Buffet.
Fried snacks.
Sandwiches.
I ordered a Wonton Noodle soup that was delivered after a few minutes.
Some hot stuff.
Dessert.
The ice cream refrigerator was empty for a while so I asked one of the attendants if they were out of ice cream. She checked and replenished them quickly. Only one flavor available though.
UA Club @ HKG
Since I had some extra time I also ventured into the UA Club.
Unusual artwork for a club.
Drinks.
Cold dishes.
Hot dishes.
My snack.
I then returned to the SQ lounge in order to wait for a wheelchair that was requested. I was informed by an agent that the flight was delayed and eventually the wheelchair showed up a few minutes later. During this time I decided to use the WC and had to use the ones outside of the lounge since the SQ ones were closed for renovation.
Plane spotting - I love the old livery from KA
Aboard SQ A350
Plane at the gate
Arriving at the gate we were given priority to board. I love the glass jet bridges in HKG.
There were 2 FA's at the door greeting pax. A third FA thoughtfully escorted my mom to her seat and carried her purse.
The cabin.
Wall separating PEY from Y.
There was a pillow and blanket on each seat.
Ceiling without air vents.
Sockets for your electronics under the seat.
Screens.
My aisle seat protruded a little bit into the aisle.
FA assisting PEY pax with his coat.
Distribution of hot towels for every pax.
Followed by printed menus.
The door closed and we were ready to taxi to the runway for dept. The captain welcomed us aboard and apologized for the delay which was due to thunderstorms in SIN.
Minutes after take off beverages were served.
Then the meal cart came around. I chose the Asian meal and it was delicious.
Appetizer - Asian slaw with baby squid.
Main dish - Fried pork with Mandarin peel sauce.
Dessert - Haagen Dasz chocolate ice cream and hot tea. By the way SQ policy prohibits FA's from serving hot drinks when the seat belt sign is on.
A walk to the back of the cabin after the meal service.
We were on a holding pattern due to thunderstorms in SIN. This lasted around 20 min. and then the captain advised the FA's to prepare for landing.
Plane at the gate.
After our arrival we were met by a hotel representative at the gate who escorted us through Immigration and Custom and dropped us at the car provided by the hotel. The IC SIN proved to be one of the best hotel stays that I ever had since we got a double upgrade to an Ambassador suite. The other time when I received such an upgrade was at the IC Le Grand Paris during my first visit at that hotel many years ago.
Hotel exterior.
Upon arrival at the hotel a Club representative was waiting outside to welcome us and took us directly to the room to check in.
Lobby.
Room - Foyer, Living Room and Dining Room.
Office.
Bedroom.
WC.
Just like at the IC HK, we had the option to have breakfast either at the Club or the restaurant. At the IC SIN this was the "Ash & Elm" with its theatrical settings.
For the first day we decided to visit the Club and it was a peaceful retreat. I love the Peranakan style ambiance and chinaware used. The buffet consisted of self serve stations or a la carte dining. We ordered some local dishes from the menu like nasi lemak which was delicious.
Entrance.
Reception.
Peranakan chinawre
Interior.
Breakfast buffet.
Local specialties.
IC SIN Pool
Thanks for this FR.
For the lounge part, the SQ one is largely better than the United Club even though it's an upgraded version compared to what you'd find in the US.
Great service onboard, SQ could have done away with blankets and menus on this regional flight but they chose not too and their product really shows superior.
"For the lounge part, the SQ one is largely better than the United Club"
- Catering is definitely better but the SQ lounge tends to get very crowded. There is more space at the UA Club and I don't ever recall seeing that lounge being full.
"SQ could have done away with blankets and menus on this regional flight"
- I didn't expect the printed menus to last but to my surprise they still distribute them. SQ has to be the only airline that still offers this on intra-Asian flights in Y and the hot towel before dept. really sets them apart.
Thanks for your comments Etienne.
It happens that we took the same flight but you flew Economy. Good reason among other good ones to come and read your report.
I'm not surprised to read that SKL is crowded as there are no other Star Gold lounges nearby. TG and UA lounges are way too far.
" I noticed that the WC's were closed for renovation so we had to use the ones located outside of the lounge. "=> they were closed when I came last august. What takes them so much time?
The hot meal you chose looks so yummy. And I trust your judgement when you write that it was delicious ;-)
Very nice hotel room in Singapore. Are you sure it wasn't Raffles Hotel? (LOL)
Thank you for sharing, Adan
Salut Bernard,
"but you flew Economy"
- Still a "first class" experience . ;)
"TG and UA lounges are way too far."
- It seems a bit disproportionate doesn't it?
"What takes them so much time?"
- That long! So uncharacteristic of SQ.
"And I trust your judgement when you write that it was delicious ;-)"
- You flatter me. I've found some new places around when you stop by next time. ;)
"Are you sure it wasn't Raffles Hotel? (LOL)"
- It felt like it for sure.
Thanks for visiting my friend.
Hey Adan, thanks for sharing this next leg in your adventure! A beautiful report as always and nice bonus.
The food selection in the SQ lounge seems really good for an outstation, but then again, that's to be expected... it is SQ after all. I'm a fan of the cabin interior design. The colours look really pretty and the seats look comfortable, though visually not as comfortable as the CX A350.
Takeoff drinks served on a tray in Y...Fancy! Only on SQ. The Asian meal looks tasty. At first I thought it looked like Orange chicken or General Tso's (like there would even be such a thing outside the US haha).
All these A350 reports lately are taunting me after I've missed 2 opportunities this year to fly one (IB and CX), haha.
Hey Kevin,
"The food selection in the SQ lounge seems really good for an outstation, but then again, that's to be expected... it is SQ after all."
- I will be happy with just the "laksa" and "wonton noodle" soups. And Movenpick ice cream. ;)
" I'm a fan of the cabin interior design."
- I kind of like the color combinations.
"At first I thought it looked like Orange chicken or General Tso's "
- I happen to like those "bastardized" versions of Chinese food. :P
"... I've missed 2 opportunities this year to fly one (IB and CX),"
- Don't forget AY also has them.
Thank you for your kind words as always.
Thanks for sharing Adan. a really enjoyable read as always.
Teh lounges look great. It almost looks as if the UA Club has more options? I think I prefer the open air spaciousness of the UA Club to the sort of claustrophobic Silverkris Lounge.
"Ceiling without air vents."
-Missed opportunity SQ!
"There was a pillow and blanket on each seat."
-Impressive for regional Y.
The meal looks not only appetizing but generous in portion size. Maybe just small plates, lol?
Wow, wow, wow on the IC Singapore! I've stayed there but it was nothing like your experience. The decor is stunning and your suite is unbelievable. I can see why you would not eat out much with access to that lounge and breakfast, it's truly luxurious.
Thank you again for sharing and happy flying.
Hey Christian,
"I think I prefer the open air spaciousness of the UA Club to the sort of claustrophobic Silverkris Lounge."
- The Silverkris lounge is enclosed and feels like a dungeon sometimes. The only thing going for it is the nice catering.
"I can see why you would not eat out much with access to that lounge and breakfast, it's truly luxurious."
- Pretty much what ended up happening. Besides I arrived to SIN on a weekend and a lot of the hawker stands were closed.
It's always a pleasure to see your comments. Thanks.