As mentioned earlier, I had initially redeemed economy tickets for the flight back on SQ. But recently with the 50% off redemption miles applicable for my flight, we cancelled our economy tickets and booked on business class instead for almost the same number of miles! It would be my first SQ business class experience, even though it would be on the old regional business class seat (if I had returned 1 day early, I would have scored a spacebed as SQ sent a B744 to MNL on SQ910/917 the day before due to the high loads in economy).
On the day of departure, we took a cab to NAIA T1, the crappiest terminal of NAIA (imagine going back to the 70s) and as expected, was stuck in a slight jam. We arrived 2hrs before departure time and proceeded to check-in after security checks at the entrance.
NAIA T1 Check-in hall
SQ's check-in counters were located at a corner. First and Business queues were non-existent but Economy was long (not seen in photo). There were about 8 check-in counters opened for the flight.
My first ever SQ Business Class boarding pass!
After check-in, all pax have to pay a 750pesos terminal fee (why does the crappy T1 charges the same as the much newer T2 or T3?) followed by security and departure immigration. Through that, I proceeded to the Silver Kris Lounge located beside Gate 7.
Singapore Girl welcoming us to the lounge.
The lounge has 2 sections, First and Business, but was quite small, however with a reasonable selection of food and drinks. No shower facilities too but there was free wifi and a work area. The lounge filled up with quite a number of passengers.
Hot food selection
Sandwiches and cakes.
Some of the food I had.
Coffee after refreshments.
As the lounge faces the active runway, it offers a great view for plane-spotting!
Cathay B744 parked just beside the lounge.
TG A333 arrived from BKK
KE B773 taxi for takeoff to ICN
SV B744 landing.
CX B744 push back. This aircraft is an ex-SQ plane! (PW4056 engines)
PR B744 landing
JL B763 arrived.
Arrival of 9V-SQC. 3rd oldest B777 in SQ's fleet. Almost 14yrs old!!
Of course, there were also lots of other local airlines (5J, 2P etc) departing and arriving.
About half hour before departure time, we left the lounge for our aircraft at Gate 9.
Shops in the terminal building. Felt like a shopping center in the 80s.
At the gate.
Gatehold room. The flight was pretty full! I was so glad to have upgraded to Business Class! Found out that the load is 3F/31J/222Y. Chock-a-block in economy today!
SQC still being refueled.
03 May 2011 Singapore Airlines SQ 917 Manila (MNL) - Singapore (SIN) B777-200 9V-SQC Business Class
Boarding started quite late at about 1400hrs for a 1410hrs departure. No reasons given for the late boarding though. I was welcomed aboard (but not greeted by name at the door, opposite of my last 4 SQ flights where I was greeted by name even though I was flying economy). Proceeded to my seat at the first row of the aft business cabin. A big pillow and a blanket were already on the seat. Menu and headphones were preset in the magazine rack at the seat.
Boarding in progress.
At the gate.
Legroom at Row 15. Nice! Newspapers were also offered but not magazines.
Following that, hot towels and welcome drinks were offered. What better way to start my first Business Class experience than a Bollinger Special Cuvee champagne!
Boarding was completed quickly and we started our pushback 10min late. Flight time was estimated to be 3hrs.
Safety video was shown and we had a short taxi to Rwy06.
There was no queue for takeoff! Unlike an hour ago when I saw a long queue of planes waiting for takeoff, some even waited for almost half hour! Takeoff from Rwy06. Downtown Makati can be seen!
Office towers in Makati can be seen!
Making a right turn towards Singapore.
Climbing
After seatbelt signs were off, the crew came around with the Business class amenity kit of sockettes and eyeshades.
Noise-cancellation headphones.
All the inflight mags and menu.
Lets take a look at the beverages available:
Champagne and Wines
More Wines and Port
Cocktails and Spirits
Coffees and Teas. The selection is mind boggling!
Of course, juices and soft drinks (similar to economy) are also available.
Now for the food menu! Light meal would be served on this flight.
The crew then came around with post-takeoff drinks and a packet of nuts. I had ordered a Silver Kris Sling earlier on. Choices of main meals were also taken.
More champagne!
I made a quick visit to the lavatory. Similar to economy, just better L'occitan amenities.
Cruising
Meal service starts! Firstly the meal tray with starter was handed out.
Hot smoked salmon with pear slaw Oven smoked salmon served with pear coleslaw, mixed salad, salmon roes and lemon It was not bad!
A selection of bread was offered. I had the garlic bread and a soft roll.
After the starter was cleared, crew handed out main courses from the galley.
Rellenong manok Filipino style chicken stuffed with pork, sauteed green beans, carrots and steamed rice I had this dish. It was good. Presentation was also great.
Seared pork fillet and confit pork belly, apple chutney, savoy cabbage, fondant potato Exclusively created by Gordon Ramsay, London I also tried some of my friend's pork. It was delicious! But the pork belly may not appeal to some.
New York Cheesecake (It was a bit rich for my liking though)
To round off the meal, I had a Colombian Supremo coffee.
Crew clearing the meals.
We flew into some rough weather, but the turbulence was not too bad.
After the heavy light meal, I just relaxed in my seat. Even though the seat is a regional business class seat, it was still rather comfortable with great legroom and descent recline (maybe i was too used to economy). I am sure the new business class seats would be much better! However inflight entertainment was crap on this non AVOD equipped aircraft. Screen quality was fuzzy and choices of films limited. Even the audio channel I wanted to listen to was not working! So I just switched on the flight map for entertainment.
Also had a TWG Singapore Breakfast Tea with honey.
All too soon, the flight came to an end as we started our descend into Singapore.
Approaching Bintan. The crew handed out bottles of water to each passenger and secured the cabin for landing.
We flew around in circles as it was arrival peak at Changi. Sunset over Indonesian islands.
Final approach into Changi Rwy02L.
Landing into Changi. QF A380 landed just before us!
Touched down about 10min late. After landing, we had a long taxi to Terminal 2 Gate F37.
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Verdict
Singapore Airlines
7.4/10
Cabin7.5
Cabin crew8.0
Entertainment/wifi5.0
Meal/catering9.0
Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge
6.8/10
Comfort6.0
Meal/catering7.0
Entertainment/wifi6.0
Services8.0
Manila - MNL
5.8/10
Efficiency6.0
Access6.5
Services5.5
Cleanliness5.0
Singapore - SIN
8.6/10
Efficiency9.0
Access8.5
Services8.0
Cleanliness9.0
Conclusion
It was a good experience on SQ Business Class. As I am mainly an economy flyer, I could not compare to any previous biz experience, but it is definitely better than any economy flight! Hopefully I can get the chance to fly on business class again in the near future, be it SQ or any other airline!
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Thanks for this report. Pretty nice flight with SQ. The regional business class cabine looks old but comfortable for day flight. Nice catering too even if i'm not a big fan of pork belly :-)
Thanks for the report Terry ! I am surprised to see that there was Bollinger already in 2011 while I just saw this earlier this year... although you got the old cabin, that was still an upgrade ;-) Has there been more J flights since them so you can compare the cabins ?
Thanks for the TR. Love the pics of Makati from the air. I just returned from MNL. Was stuck in traffic on the way to the airport, but still had 2 hours waiting after check-in. Travelling Y on MH I had no lounge access, so I was wondering round and round in time warped 1970s shopping center airport. NAIA 1 is the pits! Why do international airlines still use this horrid terminal when there are newer terminals in MNL?
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8 Comments
Drinking Bollinger is a great way to fly ;)
Nice experience except for the IFE
Nice catering too even if i'm not a big fan of pork belly :-)
I just returned from MNL. Was stuck in traffic on the way to the airport, but still had 2 hours waiting after check-in. Travelling Y on MH I had no lounge access, so I was wondering round and round in time warped 1970s shopping center airport. NAIA 1 is the pits! Why do international airlines still use this horrid terminal when there are newer terminals in MNL?
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