Review of Singapore Airlines flight Singapore Seoul in Economy

Airline Singapore Airlines
Flight SQ 608
Class Economy
Seat 41J
Aircraft Boeing 787-10
Flight time 05:56
Take-off 05 Jun 19, 00:32
Arrival at 05 Jun 19, 07:28
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
TerryYong
By 3484
Published on 17th June 2019
Since my last trip to Seoul 1.5yrs ago in winter, I decided to pay a visit again over the recent holidays, just before the searing heat of summer hits Seoul. Flight up was on SQ economy, and back on TG and SQ Business Classes via Bangkok.

Checked in at Terminal 3 self check-in kiosks and boarding pass printed.

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Paid a visit to the brand new Marhaba Lounge at Terminal 3. The lounge has replaced the old Dnata Lounge (which is currently closed), and is used by some airlines as well as available for Priority Pass and other lounge cards holders.

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As expected, the lounge facilities are very new and clean. It was not busy as well, with plenty of seating available. Toilets, equipped with showers, look beautiful too.

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There is a rather substantial buffet setup as well, which puts many airline-specific lounges to shame.

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A couple of the more interesting selection included the Taiwanese Braised Minced Chicken with rice.

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And the satays!

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Some of our late supper from the buffet.

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Headed to the gate which is at the far-end of the terminal at A17.

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Boarding had already commenced and judging by the length of the queue to board, it looked like it was gonna be a full flight.

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05 June 2019
Singapore Airlines
SQ 608
Singapore (SIN) - Seoul Incheon (ICN)
B787-10
9V-SCF
Economy Class
Flight Time: 5H56M



Boarding the rather new B787-10.

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Will by flying in economy on this red-eye, though I guess I already scored one of the better seats in the house, being a bulkhead at the first row, though in the middles 41J seat. On each seat was a pillow and blanket. Expecting the seat width to be less than other SQ aircraft (this being a 3-3-3 configured 787 afterall), the seat width at the bulkheads were further reduced due to the tray tables and IFE controllers in the armrests. Really felt squeezed in while seated in the seat.

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Legroom was no problem of course. J/K seats IFE monitors were on the bulkhead while H seat's was at the armrest (no IFE controller for H seats and normal seats where IFE monitor is within touching distance).

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View towards Business Class.

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Rolls-Royce (problematic) engine view from the window. A SkyTeam liveried MU A330 parked beside.

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Reading materials in the magazine pocket.

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As boarding was completed, hot towels and menus were offered.

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Tuned in to the flight info.

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Doors closed slightly behind schedule, safety video played and we pushed back.

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Taxied to Rwy20C. Passing a TG B773 parked for the night.

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Took off from Rwy20C, capturing the Singapore night view on climbout.

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After seatbelt signs were turned off, amenity kits were given out. Kits consisted of a toothbrush set and a pair of socks.

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Visit to the lavatory just ahead, where some cost-cutting is evident. No more extra toothbrushes and combs in the amenity drawer. To confirm my findings, other lavatories did not have the items as well. However, the mouthwash and nice-smelling stuff were still stocked.

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A round of peas and crackers, and drinks from trays were offered, then it was lights off for the night. Though there were quite a few passengers requesting for instant noodles upon realising only breakfast would be served before landing.

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Got a bit of disturbed sleep over the next 3 hours until cabin lights were turned back on 2.5 hrs before arrival and hot towels offered. Felt that it was a bit early but guess that is the SOP for SQ.

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Taking a look at the menu. Breakfast choices were a Vegetable frittata or Korean-style fish with rice.

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Menu for the return ICN-SIN sector.

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Breakfast tray, which included fruits, warm roll with butter and preserve, coffee and a juice. I went for the fish with rice. More cost-cutting noted. No more salt/pepper/sugar sachets in the cutlery pack. These were only provided on demand from the meal cart, and the crew did not proactively offer them as well, so no sugar with my coffee….Guess SQ crew are still not used to offering sugar with hot beverages in economy….

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To be honest, the fish with rice was bad… Just some tasteless fried fish covered with a hint-of-spice sauce, along with tasteless vegetables nad steamed rice. Only something which I would eat if I am on the verge of starvation. Very poor! Should have went for the frittata instead as it looked better than this.

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My friend pre-ordered the Hindu meal, which is much more substantial and delicious. It was a pratha bread with minced mutton. At least there was an additional yoghurt as well.

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Sun started rising.

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Caught some IFE.

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View of the cabin. The aisles were really narrow in economy. Moving down the aisle, one would repeatedly bump into passengers' elbows, arms or shoulders.

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Soon we started our descent into Seoul.

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Clouds were very low, and we were still above the clouds when gears were lowered.

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Broke through the clouds and landed on Rwy33R ahead of schedule.



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Pretty long taxi to the gate, passing the new Terminal 2 and the midfield terminal.

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Some plane spotting on the way to the gate, including OZ A333, Jin Air B772 and others.

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A look at the seat before disembarkation.

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Disembarking into the terminal.

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Caught a sight of an OZ B744 while on the way to immigration.

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A bit of wait to clear immigration due to the morning peak arrivals and we were into the arrival hall after baggage was claimed.

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Verdict

Singapore Airlines

7.5/10
Cabin7.0
Cabin crew8.0
Entertainment/wifi9.0
Meal/catering6.0

Singapore - SIN

9.3/10
Efficiency9.5
Access9.0
Services9.5
Cleanliness9.0

Seoul - ICN

8.6/10
Efficiency8.0
Access8.5
Services9.0
Cleanliness9.0

Conclusion

I will have to say that I am not a very big fan of the SQ B787-10 economy seats. Even though the seat has all the bells and whistles, it is compromised in seat width due to the narrower cabin with 3-3-3 configuration, though I cannot fault SQ as almost all other airlines have configured their B787s similarly. Did not sit at the normal rows so could not comment. Service was fine as per SQ, but catering was quite woeful, easily one of the worst inflight meals I have had on any full-service carrier. Not only the quantity was lacking, the quality was poor as well, at least for the choice I had. No wonder I noticed there were plenty more orders for instant noodles by other passengers after the breakfast service.

Information on the route Singapore (SIN) Seoul (ICN)

Les contributeurs de Flight-Report ont posté 9 avis concernant 2 compagnies sur la ligne Singapore (SIN) → Seoul (ICN).


Useful

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

La durée moyenne des vols est de 6 heures et 33 minutes.

  More information

2 Comments

If you liked this review or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to post a comment below !
  • Comment 507535 by
    ThomasDutch SILVER 633 Comments
    it is compromised in seat width due to the narrower cabin with 3-3-3 configuration, though I cannot fault SQ as almost all other airlines have configured their B787s similarly. Did not sit at the normal rows so could not comment.

    In terms of passenger comfort, the 3-3-3 configuration on a 787 is absolutely abysmal. Those configurations are simply too tight for such an aircraft. A front row seat may have better legroom indeed, however you will lose an extra few inches in terms of width compared to a standard seat. So I always try to stay clear of those seats when I am booked on a 787 flight.
    -
    thanks for your report.
  • Comment 507919 by
    KL651 TEAM 4534 Comments
    Thanks for this FR.
    Both the cabin and the meals look good, too bad the comfort and taste weren't there.
    The bad meal is surprising as it is a really classic Asian dish, sourced from their own base.
    The seats do look stiff.
    Seems you enjoyed some much better food in Seoul.

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