Review of Singapore Airlines flight from Sydney to Singapore in Economy

Singapore Airlines SQ220 Sydney - Singapore

Flight Details:
Airlines: Singapore Airlines
Flight :SQ 220 SYD-SIN
Reg : 9V-SMZ
Aircraft: Boeing 747-412
Departure - SYD : 8.05
Arrival - SIN : 14.25
Flight time : 7 hours, 50 minutes
Distance : 6,305 kilometers or 3,404 nautical miles.

Introduction

Having flown numerous times before with Air India, Gulf Air, Cathay Pacific, Egypt Air to be precise.

Almost all the aircraft types of AI International fleet [AI] ( A300, A310, B747), Gulf Air [GF] (Lockheed L1011, B737, B767, A320 except 340) during 80~90's, never thought of taking any photos. 😶

Wish had a digital camera then…😢.

A little history below.

Singapore Airlines Mumbai - Singapore - Sydney

I had always travelled with family. Anyways, this was first time I was on my own. Start of a new adventure of life. 

My first Singapore Airlines flight to Sydney was on 18th Feb 1998.. I had travelled on the midnight departure from Mumbai.

Singapore Airlines operated the Boeing 747-400 for the Manchester - Mumbai - Singapore route.

Most of the passengers on board had arrived from Manchester. Few boarded at Mumbai.The flight was full.

This flight connected with the 9.05 am departure from Singapore to Sydney. Had 45 mins - 1 hr transit in Singapore. Had no time to explore Singapore Airport.

Took only one photo over Alice spring from film camera.

Check-in

I had originally planned to travel to Doha as my other family members were in India, I flew to Mumbai. My friend had dropped me at the airport, Behind is the Qantas Boeing 767-300ER VH-OGT. As seen below. Sydney airport had a food cafe, with view of the tarmac.

Immigration and security

I checked bag at the airport, In those days, Singapore Airlines had 30Kg bag allowance from Sydney.

I received boarding pass and departure form at check-in.

Immigration was conducted separately for the two wings of Sydney airport. Security was usual- x-ray handbag. It used to be busy in the morning as flight departure were close to each other.

Boarding

On boarding flight, cold towels were handed to passengers followed by juice or water. Menu was provided.

Inflight Entertainment

Inflight Entertainment was personal screen with choice of movies and games. Inflight magazine - Krisflyer and duty free magazine was available in the seat pocket. I have posted a trip report from 2007, read here - Sydney - Singapore on Singapore Airlines

Cabin Service

Cabin service started 30mins after departure, breakfast was served after departure. Towel was provided before lunch service.  Steel cutlery was provided with Singapore Airlines logo. 
Lunch was served 2hours before arrival while flying over Indonesia.

Arriving in Singapore

Captain announced landing would commence shortly, Crew conduced safety checks.

It was a cloudy day in Singapore.

Aircraft approached runway over Changi Beach.  Airbus 310-300 and Boeing 747-400 - View of the dominant aircraft's of the time.

Aircraft arrived at Terminal 2. In those days, Terminal 1 was used to be for other airlines and Terminal 2 was used by Singapore Airlines.

Transit

It's tiring to fly over 5hrs even though the seat used to be comfortable.
I booked the ticket through travel agent with a break the journey in Singapore to avail opportunity to leave airport. I had a 8 hrs transit in Singapore.

2nd trip to Singapore


This was my 2nd trip to Singapore. I had visited Singapore in 1989 with my family. In those days, Air India offered Singapore ticket on discount when booking Doha - Mumbai flights. I had travelled on Air India A310 from Mumbai to Singapore.

Terminal 1 in Aug 1989

Exiting the Airport

Singapore Airlines offered a Visit Singapore tour for travellers with transit time over 7 hrs. Passengers wishing to avail the service were grouped. Passport had to be submitted to the immigration before exiting the airport. Bus picked passengers from the arrival car park.

View from bus

Getting closer to city

I got the opportunity to visit the Singapore River which included a short boat ride around the Merlion.

Trip time was approx.: 2 - 3 hrs.

Singapore Sport Stadium and Kallang river on return journey.

Returning to airport

Departure area

After returning to airport, received passport from immigration and returned the paper document. 

My onward flight would be departing from Terminal 2.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400 Parked next to the Malaysian Airlines B737

Singapore Airlines Singapore - Mumbai

On way to Mumbai flew on SQ Airbus A310, didn't take any photos.  I was seated next to a women coming from US, with lot of luggage.

In those days, Singapore was a cheap travel destination for Indian traveller.

Since the flight used to arrive around mid-night, I remember the announcement made not to sleep in the aisle. Since then haven't heard that type of announcement again on any trip to Mumbai.

Service on board was monotonous as this late flight meant the crew had to keep awake past mid-night.

On arrival in Mumbai, there was a long queue at the immigration counter. Custom queue was long as I wasn't carrying any dutiable item was able to pass through the Green channel.

Overall the flight was perfect connection for me as I was able to reach home on the same day.

Got picked at the airport by family and took a taxi home.

End of Trip

Hope you enjoyed the trip, Thanks for reading.

:)