Review of Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore to Shanghai in Economy

This would be my 1st TR of 2014 on my last trip in 2013, to Shanghai over the Xmas holidays on SQ. This was a incredible promotional fare of S$380 all-in when SQ launched its A380 flights to PVG, and we grabbed it shortly after the launch of the promo. However, with the return flight being an ungodly red-eyed flight, we topped up $60 each to fly on the better timed evening flight on the return. Departure day was on Xmas eve, with online check-in done prior. No hassles with luggage drop and immigration at this hour in the afternoon as it is the lull period at T3. Premium loads were poor on this flight, with 0/12 in Suites, about 10/60 in Business, and around 75% full in Economy.
Visited the Ambassador Transit T3 Lounge, compliments of our credit card / priority pass. Conclusion, not worth paying for to use it.
Seating area

Buffet, with only mediocre food selection.

Boarding pass.

9V-SKF would be flying us to Shanghai this evening.

Departure was from gate B2.

Boarding had just started shortly after we cleared security.

24 December 2013
Singapore Airlines
SQ 836
Singapore (SIN) - Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
A380
9V-SKF
Economy Class
Up the airbridge towards the upper deck of the whale.

First, passing the almost empty Business Class cabin.

And into Upper Deck Economy, where S$380 payers belong.

Xmas decorations in the cabin. Guess these were recycled year after year?

At the gate.

Surprisingly, Jan 2014 inflight mags and IFE were already loaded, even though it was still 7 days to 2014.

Inflight connectivity available on this plane.

Had special Xmas menus as well!

It would only be a very short 4H25M flight to Shanghai this evening. Hot towels distributed and doors closed about 5min prior to STD. One thing to note, SQ has enabled gate-to-gate IFE, with Krisworld already available upon boarding the plane. Headsets were also pre-set on the seats, instead of being distributed after takeoff. A step forward for SQ here!

Pushback.

Safety video played.

Flaps out and starting our long taxi to Rwy 02C.

Passing Garuda and T3's latest member, Lionair.

Crossing the bridge.

Takeoff from Rwy02C.

Climbing.

Seat belt signs switched off and service started. Due to the premium cabins being almost empty, an additional crew was sent down to our economy cabin to assist. Guess more were also sent to the economy cabins on the main deck.
First up, bar service. I had a Singapore Sling to go with the mixed nuts.

Cloudy skies during early part of the flight.

Dinner is served!

We had both the Xmas international selection as well as the Oriental selection. My Xmas selection tray of Turkey with stuffing, which came with cheese and crackers. Tasted ok but needed a bit of salt and pepper. Also, bread rolls were served cold, which I understand could be a new service procedure to prevent the rolls from hardening towards the end of the meal service.

Oriental selection, which came with a different starter and Chinese snack of pineapple pastry. I actually preferred the oriental selection.

Pineapple pastry that came with the oriental tray.

Ice cream was distributed after serving of meals.

Sunset.

Enjoying my dessert at sunset.

More Chinese tea to end the meal.

Continuing with my movie The Millers. How I wish SQ could remove those footrests so that I could stretch my legs under the seat in front.

View of upper deck economy

Almost 2hrs to go after my first movie. Settled into a second Chinese comedy. Crew came round a couple of times offering drinks.

While I was almost done with my second movie, descend had commenced. Headsets were collected but you would be free to use your own all the way till landing as the IFE system was not switched off.
Almost there.

Landing on Rwy35L more than half hour early!

We has a rather long taxi to Terminal 2 after landing, and also had to wait on the taxiway as our gate was not readied yet. So much for landing early.

Parked beside Mahan Air A340.

My seat for last 4.5hrs.

Disembarking

Surprisingly, a chief stewardess was standing at the aircraft door with a basket filled with chocolates and snack bars, offering to disembarking passengers while wishing all a Merry Xmas! Really nice and unexpected gesture!
Last views of the whale.

Aircraft beside.

Immigration queues were almost non-existent as we were the only flight that landed at that time, and being at the upper deck, we were one of the first to get off the plane. Bags were retrieved rather fat and we were out of the terminal within 15min after stepping out of the aircraft!
We booked our hotel stay at SSAW Hotel Shanghai, with a lovely room at very reasonable rates, and a very convenient location (a couple of minutes walk from Yuyuan MRT) too.

Some Shanghai scenes and food.