Trip Report: Singapore Airlines SQ421 Mumbai to Singapore
Flight details:
Airlines: Singapore Airlines
Flight: SQ 421 BOM-SIN
Reg : 9V-SHE
Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
Departure Mumbai Terminal 2 Gate 73 : 11.45 AM
Arriving Singapore Terminal 3 : 07.50 PM
Flight time : 5 hours, 35 minutes
Distance : 2436 miles / 3920 kilometers
VIDEO: Singapore Airlines SQ421 Mumbai to Singapore
Introduction
This trip report is from July 2022. I would be returning to Sydney.
Pre-Departure Information
Flight details
I had set automatic check-in of the flight. Singapore Airlines [SQ] notified me by email before the flight. I completed the Australian Departure Passenger Declaration after receiving the email.
At booking time, I had selected seat for this flight.
I checked the aircraft details on day of departure. Singapore Airlines SQ421 would be operated by Airbus A350-900, registration - 9V-SHE.
Aircraft operating SQ421 during the week.
Aircraft flight history. Aircraft had operated earlier flight to Sydney.
I checked the flight location and then booked taxi.
Taxi arrived on time. Traffic was as usual heavy on road. View of Bandra- Kurla Complex, Mumbai's suburban CBD from taxi.
I was not happy with the taxi driver as he insisted me to edit the booking destination. I had selected CSIA, he said it must be Terminal 2. I told him, I don't have booking phone. I can't edit. He called my family and then asked to edit. I told the driver, person is old. Won't be able edit. Just continue, you are getting paid. I usually tip but on this trip, after alighting from taxi. I gave him exact change in cash.
Arriving at Airport
Arrived at airport in 40 minutes on time. Passport and ticket information was checked and information was noted by security. Bag was scanned.
Check-in
Reached check-in counter and joined the internet check-in queue.
Ground staff checked vaccination status, Last dose date was noted on the form. Passport checked and handed pink form as seen below. Check-in staff collected the form. I had luggage checked till Sydney. Received the boarding card for flights. Gate and boarding time was explained.
Security and Immigration
Passengers queue for check-in
After completing immigration, walked towards security check.
Departure schedule
Mumbai airport has introduced boarding card scanning machine to enter security checking area. Security had long queue. It seemed that the passenger numbers are returning back to pre-covid times.
My bag was pulled for checking as the keys looked like Swiss knife. After completing security, have to scan boarding pass again to enter immigration.
Immigration was not busy, I was 4 in queue. Took about 10 mins. Lady immigration officer asked when I had arrived, checked passport, took photo, stamped passport and let me go.
Departure Area
Completed immigration and entered departure area with duty free shops.
Due to my previous experience on SQ, ensure that I was full before boarding. Queued at eatery, ordered Masala uttapam with chai. Staff said there would be 15 min wait, I had enough time.
Airside view while waiting. Watched Singapore Airlines land, check video above.
Food court was not busy, mostly SQ passengers.
PlaneSpotting
Chose a quiet spot to watch the airside action. Day time as mostly domestic movements.
Air India special livery.
Food was ready. See below, freshly cooked with warm chai. As seen below, plates are paper-based, cutlery is compressed wood.
It was almost 11a.m. Departure was nearing.
Walk towards the departure gate.
Departure pier towards gate.
Escalator down
Flight schedule in Hindi
Virgin Atlantic arrived from London.
Retired Air India Boeing 747-400 VT-ESO in special livery.
International departure flight schedule.
SQ 421 boarding gate 73
Catering loading on Singapore Airlines
Boarding
Boarding was called on time for the rescheduled departure. Family with children and infants called to board first.
Remaining passengers called by group.
Passport and boarding pass checked.
Aerobridge for boarding
On Board
Crew was waiting at gate, checking boarding card and directing passengers. Reached seat and organised self. View of another retired Air India Boeing 747-400. Seating was 3-3-3. Middle seat was empty in my row. Otherwise the flight was full.
Pushback, Taxi and Departure
Passengers board and door closed. Safety demonstration displayed on personal screen.
Flight was departing 15 minutes late from Mumbai due to late arrival.
Slow taxi towards runway. Aircraft was 5th or 6th in queue.
British Airways Boeing 787 arrived at gate. Received heavy shower while in taxi.
Departure was from runway 27, flying towards the West then turning South East. Being monsoon, can see the cloud formation at cruising altitude.
Seat Pocket Material
Seat pocket contained only safety card, Earphones picked at the entrance.
SQ Airbus A350-900 regional safety card
Laptop charging socket under seat.
Flight Information
Flight information on personal screen.
Flying South towards East over Maharashtra.
Road construction from air
Map of flight location
Time passed and soon aircraft was close to coast of Andhra Pradesh
View of the coastline under the clouds
Flight path
Cabin Service
Almost 2 hours passed, crew started distributing special meals.
Crew had marked passengers with special meal order.
After special order, other passengers were served.
Food option was - Indian selection - veg or non-veg and International non-veg.
Lunch presentation. This time, I decided against asking for any special drinks. Chose Beer, crew asked if ok with Tiger. I agreed. As you may notice this meal, bottle of water was supplied. Unlike the previous flight.
Indian non-veg selection - Butter chicken with rice and veggies.
Guess the missing cutlery. Food was good, no issues.
Inflight
I didn't drink the water as I had beer. Cabin was darkened and most passengers resting.
As is usually over the sea, turbulence occurred. Seat belt sign was switched on.
Flying through turbulence.
A quiet flight with very little activity.
Time passed as I browsed the IFE offering.
Connecting flight information was displayed 2 hours before landing.
Gate information displayed flight would arrive in Terminal 1.
Flying over Malacca Strait.
Sunset in the West as aircraft flew close to Malaysian coast.
View of Kuala Lumpur
Descend
Pilot announced flight would be descending soon. Crew cleared and checked the cabin . Window shades up, seat upright and things stowed for landing.
Reminders to collect personal belongings.
Flight path
Outside view as aircraft flew Eastwards over Johor Bahru.
Landing in Singapore
Aircraft location on approach.
Landed and then exited the runway. As aircraft was taxing, Pilot announced the Terminal 1 gate was occupied by another aircraft. After wait of few minutes of wait. Pilot announced that aircraft would be deboarding at Terminal 3.
Aircraft turned from the next taxiway and then arrived at Terminal 3. This terminal change must have taken atleast 20 mins.
Parked at Terminal 3 gate.
Disembarkation
Disembarkation was orderly.
Even though the flight was delayed by 40 mins, I had enough transit time. Exited the aircraft leisurely.
Aerobridge connected to aircraft for deboarding.
You can see the Terminal 3 sticker with view of parked aircraft.
After entering the terminal, checked the departure gate. Australia bound SQ flight depart terminal 3. Gate was not assigned.
Headed towards food court for Makkan.
Hope you enjoyed the trip. Thanks for reading.
End of Trip
:)
