Is Singapore Airways premium economic system value it on the Airbus A350?

Listed here are the ranges of airfare and award redemptions I may discover in all three cabins on this route over the following yr.

Fortunately, KrisFlyer miles are straightforward to earn and redeem. Singapore Airways would not supply a cobranded bank card within the U.S. Nonetheless, the airline companions with a number of main transferable rewards packages, together with American Specific Membership Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Chase Final Rewards, all at a 1:1 switch ratio.

The next playing cards all presently supply sturdy welcome bonuses that you might simply convert to KrisFlyer miles:

Checking into premium economic system on Singapore Airways

A premium economic system ticket on Singapore Airways (whether or not booked with money or KrisFlyer miles) contains free seat choice and — for flights to and from North America — two checked luggage weighing as much as 50 kilos every. For flights to different locations, premium economic system fares embrace one checked bag that may weigh as much as 77 kilos.

As you would possibly anticipate, the airline has an enormous check-in space at its house hub in Terminal 3. There are many self-service kiosks and manned counters; premium economic system passengers have devoted check-in areas.

I anticipated the precedence check-in space to be straightforward to seek out and grand just like the one Emirates gives at Dubai Worldwide Airport (DXB). Nonetheless, all premium economic system passengers have been relegated to only two check-in counters in row 9 — the identical quantity given to cabin crew checking baggage earlier than signing on. Whereas there was no line to test in, I used to be stunned at how low-key this precedence check-in space was provided that the airline operates premium economic system on most long-haul routes and pitches it as an elevated expertise.

It is easy to see why SIN is constantly awarded because the world’s finest airport. It feels extra like a luxurious shopping center than an airport terminal because of its noise-reducing carpeting, quite a few shiny boutiques and plentiful actions to entertain kids and adults. It even features a butterfly backyard and a free 24-hour movie show.

Regardless of being busy with a financial institution of European flights all leaving round midnight, the terminal felt spacious and peaceable — not phrases I’d normally use to explain an airport.

SIN’s Terminal 3 is exclusive as a result of passengers clear safety on the gate moderately than simply after check-in. In my case, gates A1 via A8 shared a single, giant safety checkpoint.

Whereas premium economic system passengers weren’t provided a precedence safety queue, the method was clean, calm and environment friendly.

Just a few flights have been departing from the big eight-gate house at this late hour, so tons of of seats (full with charging factors) have been out there for passengers ready to board.

Employees referred to as boarding by group numbers and instructed passengers to stay seated till their group was referred to as.

Premium economic system passengers boarded via the identical lane as economic system however have been referred to as to board with Group 3 (together with KrisFlyer Gold and Star Alliance Gold members). Common economic system passengers boarded afterward in Group 4.

With a 13-hour in a single day flight forward of us, no one appeared in an enormous rush to board and begin sitting, which made for an orderly course of.

How comfy was premium economic system on Singapore Airways?

The premium economic system cabin was surprisingly small, with simply 24 seats unfold throughout three rows immediately behind the second luxurious business-class cabin.

The entrance row seats in row 31 have just a little further legroom because of the bulkhead in entrance; they’re an particularly good selection if touring as a pair — though you will not be capable of stow a private merchandise in entrance of you.

At 6 ft tall, I discovered the legroom in row 32 beneficiant, and I had a bit extra private house than in economic system.

The small measurement of the cabin had each positives and negatives.

Whereas intimate and unique, it additionally felt just a little cramped, with partitions at the back and front. For instance, there was no strategy to transfer throughout from one aisle to the opposite with out going midway again via the economic system cabin behind.

The best aspect armrest had buttons to manually recline the seatback and come out the legrest.

Relatively than a footrest folding out from the underside of the legrest, the footrest got here down from the seat within the entrance. The seatback in entrance was additionally outfitted with a big and durable literature pocket together with a water bottle holder; this was already stocked with a bottle of water for every premium economic system passenger.

There was a common energy outlet for every seat within the heart armrest, a USB-A port subsequent to the inflight leisure display and one other subsequent to the headphone jack between the seats.

A tray desk that popped out of the armrest was giant and durable sufficient for a full-size MacBook.

I additionally favored the adjustable studying mild subsequent to the headrest; it was useful for studying the menu with out disturbing passengers attempting to relaxation on this in a single day flight.

Facilities in Singapore Airways premium economic system

A pillow and a blanket wrapped in plastic have been ready on every seat when passengers boarded.

Each gadgets have been plush and bigger than you’d anticipate to obtain in economic system.

The service additionally offered respectable over-ear noise-canceling headphones — one other luxurious perk that made this long-haul flight extra comfy.

Extra spectacular was the big, crisp seatback touchscreen.

It was stuffed with 43 new releases, together with “Kung Fu Panda 4”, “Arthur the King” and “Dune: Half Two.” I loved watching “Ricky Stanicky” — a foolish however humorous strategy to go the time to London.

If I hadn’t needed to lean ahead to faucet the display, I may use the hand-held distant that popped out of the middle armrest console to regulate the display.

There was limitless Wi-Fi at no cost for KrisFlyer members in all cabins. Whereas this initially appeared like an opulent perk, my varied checks of the speeds all through the flight by no means registered greater than a poor 2 Mbps obtain or 1 Mbps add. I shortly gave up on utilizing it.

Given the small cabin — simply three rows — it wasn’t stunning that there have been no devoted bogs for premium economic system passengers. Nonetheless, it was just a little disappointing. As an alternative, 5 bogs have been shared with the economic system cabin behind, and there have been common traces to make use of them.

They have been saved clear however have been tight to maneuver round in.

How was the meals in Singapore Airways premium economic system?

I used to be stunned that I didn’t obtain a welcome drink through the boarding course of, as that is widespread in premium economic system on different carriers — particularly ones as effectively thought to be Singapore Airways.

I used to be provided a sizzling towel that I gladly accepted after the sticky tropical warmth of Singapore.

Shortly after takeoff, the crew distributed printed menus and commenced serving dinner.

Whereas E-book the Prepare dinner is an superior perk out there to passengers in premium economic system and above, I made a decision to stay with the common menu to attempt what most different passengers can be consuming.

Given how lengthy the flight was, I had anticipated the primary service to be extended a bit; I imagined I’d obtain a spherical of drinks or maybe a drink with some combined nuts earlier than dinner. Nonetheless, the employees served the principle meal shortly after takeoff. I assume due to the late departure hour, this methodology allowed company to eat shortly after which get some relaxation.

I used to be excited to attempt the lately enhanced eating choices, and there have been some hits and misses. I used to be pleasantly stunned to see Charles de Cazanove Brunt NV Champagne, which retails for round $38 per bottle on the bottom. Correct Champagne in premium economic system, versus glowing wine, was an actual deal with; nonetheless, I want that they had served it in glassware moderately than a plastic tumbler.

For dinner, there was a smoked salmon salad appetizer together with simply two entree course choices:

• Pork fricassee with lentils, lyonnaise potatoes, blanched broccolini and roast carrots
• Kuay teow neua (Thai braised beef noodles with beef meatballs and braised beef)

Dinner got here with cheese, crackers and garlic bread on the aspect, and dessert was a chocolate orange cake with raspberry compote.

The meal was served on a single tray, and every part appeared fairly effectively introduced. Nonetheless, I want they eliminated the plastic and foil covers earlier than handing the trays to the passengers.

I used to be anticipating a 3rd essential entree choice — maybe vegetarian or one thing with out pork or pink meat (which some prospects keep away from).

I selected the meat noodles, they usually have been glorious. The meat was juicy, and the noodles have been correctly cooked with out sticking collectively.

The attractive ceramic crockery was an actual step above economic system class, and steel cutlery is all the time welcome.

Your complete dinner service was quick: It was absolutely cleared inside 90 minutes of departure. This gave passengers loads of time to relaxation on the way in which to London.

Snacks — together with sandwiches, contemporary fruit, muffins, nuts and chips — have been out there from the rear galley between meal providers. I slept for many of the flight, so I did not do this out.

Because of a current turbulence incident, Singapore Airways is taking an additional cautious strategy to meal service. Meals should not served anyplace alongside the flight path the place pilots see a possible for turbulence, so breakfast occurred lots ahead of regular. It was served three hours earlier than arriving in London, with some bumpier climate anticipated a bit nearer to touchdown.

Breakfast included strawberry yogurt with contemporary fruit, a croissant and a selection of tea, espresso or juice with two entree choices:

• Vegetarian omelet with grilled mushroom, baked tomato, garlic and wilted greens
• Chai tow kueh (a savory fried carrot cake with prawns and preserved turnips)

Once more, I used to be stunned to not see a 3rd choice on the menu. The meal was all served on one tray.

Based mostly on the flight attendant’s suggestion, I selected the Singaporean carrot cake entree. I wasn’t fairly certain what to anticipate, but it surely was scrumptious. It was a hearty seafood-forward dish with a scrumptious spicy sauce that crammed me up for the remaining three hours of the flight.

I do want the juice and sizzling drink had been served in correct glassware or ceramic mugs moderately than plastic and paper cups. That is a straightforward strategy to make a premium economic system expertise really feel extra elegant.

Identical to on each different Singapore Airways flight I’ve taken, the crew on my premium economic system flight to London was polished, skilled and welcoming. Their rigorous coaching was evident. No request was an excessive amount of hassle, and every part was delivered graciously with a heat smile.

The hospitality is extra formal; the crew members most likely will not crack many jokes or have interaction in a lot frivolous small speak. However that mentioned, it is unlikely you may discover a unhealthy crew member in your subsequent Singapore Airways flight.

Was Singapore Airways premium economic system value it?

This class of service is a noticeable step up from Singapore Airways economic system class, which is already a world-class coach product.

The seats are wider, and there is extra legroom. Seats recline greater than in economic system, and the legrest makes the flight extra comfy. Plus, receiving Champagne in premium economic system was an actual deal with, as was the steel cutlery.

Nonetheless, Singapore’s premium economic system has some room for enchancment. The shortage of devoted crew and bathrooms makes this extra of an “economic system plus” expertise moderately than “enterprise lite.” The shortage of correct glassware and predeparture drinks was disappointing. The airline may add a 3rd choice to the entrees for dinner and breakfast, although subsequent time, I’d use the incredible E-book The Prepare dinner service.

Because it tends to be at the very least twice the value of an already glorious economic system product, I’d most likely be joyful to stay with economic system class on my subsequent flight to Singapore. Nonetheless, if yow will discover a barely cheaper upcharge over economic system — both with money or miles — you then will be assured it is a comfy strategy to journey on one of many world’s finest airways.