Singapore Airlines offers one of the most luxurious first-class products of any airline. On their double-decker Airbus A380, this product is known as suites. It is famed for offering a double bed (until Etihad introduced their Residence, the only double bed on a commercial airliner). In addition to the superb hard product, Singapore Airlines is renowned for its excellent service and in-flight catering. Those in the know will be impressed with the choice of free-flow Krug or Dom Perignon.
We had long wanted to fly SQ Suites, so we were delighted and excited when two seats opened up for an award flight just a few days before our departure (tip – phone the KrisFlyer team in Singapore and ask for the upgrade request to be resent).
Arriving at Zürich airport, we skipped the uninspiring Panorama lounge in favor of duty-free shopping and soon walked down the jet bridge with mounting anticipation. Our first interaction with the crew was outstanding – we were greeted by name while still on the jet bridge, and our hand luggage was taken from us while we were shown to our seats.
A French luxury yacht designer designed Singapore Airlines’s Suites, making the feeling very high-end and chic. We had reserved two middle seats (2C and 2D) to enjoy the famous double-bed at night, although we needn’t worry as only two other seats (out of 12) were taken.
These seats are deeply upholstered with chocolate brown Italian leather and very spacious (although not as wide as Cathay’s First class seat). Storage is plentiful despite the lack of overhead bins. There is room for a suitcase and handbag under the ottoman.
As the sliding doors to the suites can be closed during flight, it feels extremely private, with a 1.5-meter-high wall. We found the suites felt more open and airy than Emirates’ suites, partly thanks to the windows with blinds on the sides. We were able to be very comfortable in the upright or reclined position.
Review: Food & Drink On Singapore Airlines
As we were settling in and familiarizing ourselves with controls, our flight attendant came to offer a pre-departure drink. We chose the Krug first, saving the vintage Dom Perignon for dinner. Moments later, the bottle arrived on a tray with champagne glass and warmed cashew nuts.
Behind the bottle was a small glass containing water and dry ice to create a smoke effect. We had never before seen this and were astonished that so much effort would go into serving in flight. The drink choices were excellent, including Blue Mountain coffee and some delicious Sencha green tea. There are good wines and a great choice of whiskeys for after dinner, too. The food was very good, considering we were at 40,000 feet, and we appreciate SQ’s Book the Cook service, allowing you to pre-order from a vast array of meals online. However, the choice from Zürich was a little limited. We started with a generous portion of caviar before I had the duck breast in red curry, and my wife chose the seafood green Thai curry. Both were tasty but not special or authentically Asian. However, there was something on the menu to suit most tastes, such as dinner, snacks on-demand, and breakfast.
Once we had finished dinner and a few after-dinner drinks, an FA quietly informed us that they had made up a double bed in row 3 as it was not occupied on this flight. So we virtually had a two-room suite to ourselves. On an eleven-hour flight, that’s luxury. The double bed is unique in first class and perhaps our favorite aspect of the flight. It was a pity that there was a ridge down the middle and the bed was a little hard, but lying on top of a duvet solved both issues. All too soon, it was time to wake and freshen up before the breakfast service. It’s a good sign when you wish a flight this long could go on longer.
Review: Singapore Airlines (SIA) Private Room at Singapore Changi
As we connected at Singapore Changi to an onward flight to Hanoi, we were invited to use the Private Room while checking in at Zürich. On arrival at Changi, we found our way to the Singapore lounges (surprisingly not easy, we eventually asked at the information desk).
Showing our lounge passes, we were soon escorted through the business class area, then through the first class lounge, and finally into the Private Room. This lounge, available only for guests flying in first class on Singapore Airlines, is a luxurious space offering a range of seating options and a small restaurant area (see pictures of the Singapore first class lounge at Changi below). The ambiance and decor are similar to that onboard in Suites – this is high-end, understated luxury, not Middle Eastern bling. Service was excellent, and our hot green tea was delivered promptly, along with a cool towel. Showers were clean but nothing special, although much better than in BA’s London Concorde Room. The lounge was a relaxing, quiet place but not on a par with Lufthansa’s First Class terminal at Frankfurt or Thai’s Bangkok lounge, where complimentary massages are included.
Overall, the service was a step up from other airlines we have flown in first class – nothing was too much trouble, and everything was done with a smile. Attention to detail is so important to the luxury experience, and SQ has perfected the art – our favorite touch was that white fog, creating such a sense of occasion and anticipation when serving the Champagne. The food was a little disappointing but only because our expectations were so high and we chose Thai-style dishes that were a bit Westernised for our tastes. Pajamas were provided and were pretty good – the right weight and soft to wear. The amenity kit also included a 30 ml bottle of Salvatore Ferragamo perfume. In-flight service was superb, but there could be improvements in the ground service at both airports – the lounge at Zürich is pretty poor for first class, and on arrival in Changi, it would have been helpful to have been escorted to the lounge. However, we loved flying Singapore Suites and will look out for the opportunity to do so again.
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