Review:
Singapore Airlines Business Class Boeing 777-200ER BKK to SIN
AIRPORT TRANSFER
We made
our way to the airport the same way we arrived by means of the airport express.
Connecting in BKK
We
connected through the local BTS system. Our hotel was one stop away from the
interchange with the airport express and we got on our way to the airport
around half-an-hour from when we left the hotel.
Commuting in BKK
I thought
the views on the train ride to the airport were rather interesting. The
landscapes varied and got less and less metropolitan and increasingly rural as
we sped closer to the airport.
Using
flightradar24, I managed to confirm that 9V-SVN would be operating our return
journey to Singapore.
We
arrived at the airport station around 4pm local time.
Commuting in BKK
Signage
and wayfinding in Suvarnabhumi was clear and we had no problems making our way
to the departure hall to drop off our baggage and check-in for our flight.
CHECK-IN
The
airport was crowded then, with the departure hall closer to the Thai Airways
counters packed full with a mix of travellers from Asian and European countries
– who just like us, were the reason for the notorious evening peak traffic in
Suvarnabhumi.
The
Singapore Airlines check-in counter is located in row K in Suvanabhumi – which
is easy to locate once you make it past the horde of travellers flying on Thai
Airways. Check-in for our flight had just opened when we arrived and there were
no queues for both Business Class and Economy Class check-in.
Singapore Airlines check-in BKK
We were
processed quickly by the check-in agent, who very kindly informed us of the new
location of the SilverKris Lounge in Bangkok. The SilverKris in Bangkok
featured the airline’s new ‘Home Away
From Home’ concept, and formed the bulk of my excitement for the inbound
journey home.
Singapore Airlines check-in BKK
Singapore Airlines check-in BKK
We were
also issued Fast Track cards, which I appreciated greatly as we managed to
bypass the snaking queues for immigration and customs checks.
BKK fast track check-in card
BKK airside
Airside, the area past security and immigration, was much less crowded than the
departure hall. Stepping out after immigration was a really useful sign
directing passengers to the numerous lounges in Bangkok.
BKK airside
I counted
more than ten different lounges operated by various airlines, including EVA
Air, Oman Air, Qatar Airways and even Air France.
I bade my
parents farewell and made my way to the EVA Air lounge, while they headed for
the SilverKris Lounge. The EVA Air lounge was located in concourse F, which was
a five minute journey by foot from immigration and security.
Level 4
is where the bulk of the airport’s duty-free shopping in located. King Power is
the dominant operator here, and they sold pretty much everything you would
expect from duty-free shops – from hard liquor, perfume, cosmetics, to even a
dedicated Leicester City Football Club merchandise shop. King of Duty Free is their slogan, and I honestly did not expect
anything less.
BKK airside
BKK airside
It was
not all King Power goods, thankfully.
BKK airside
BKK airside
All
lounges in Suvarnabhumi were located on level 3, which was a much quieter
level. It was also a quicker way to navigate through the airport if you’re not
a fan of duty-free shopping or crowds.
BKK airside
I made a
slight detour to have a go at my own
SuvarnabhumiShot.
BKK airside
As
mentioned, the lounge was one level down.
BKK airside
BKK airside
EVA AIR LOUNGE BANGKOK
Name: EVA
Air Lounge Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Location:
Level 3, Concourse F
Access
for: EVA Air Business Class passengers, Star Alliance First
Class, Business Class passengers, Star Alliance Gold passengers on Star
Alliance flights, EVA Air-American Express co-brand credit card
holders on EVA Air flights
Alliances
served: Star Alliance
Opening
Hours: 6am - 3am
EVA Air Lounge BKK
EVA Air Lounge BKK
I was
greeted by one of the lounge attendants as I walked past the psychedelically-furnished
entrance, who were clad in the standard EVA Air pine green shade. My boarding
pass was processed and I was directed to the lounge on the right.
The path
from the front desk would require one to walk through a backlight path – a
runway of sorts.
EVA Air Lounge BKK
The décor
and furnishing, in particular the use of bright, neon colours, resembled the
airline’s own flagship lounge in Taipei – The Infinity Lounge.
The
lounge was smallish. I figured it had
a capacity of around a hundred passengers, though it would not be a big issue
considering the well-staggered schedule of EVA Air’s flights and how each
flight carried no more than 30-40 passengers in their business class cabins.
The seating
area was divided into three general sections, along with a small business
centre and a buffet section.
It was
not dinnertime when I visited, and the lounge did not look too packed despite
an EVA Air flight leaving for Taipei in the next hour. Still, the buffet
boasted a good selection of Thai dishes such as tom yam soup and green curry.
EVA Air Lounge BKK buffet
There was
also a healthy selection of pastries.
EVA Air Lounge BKK buffet
Towards
the end of the buffet line was a coffee machine and a small selection of
alcohol.
EVA Air Lounge BKK drinks
I made
myself a cup of latte and settled down at one of the armchairs in the corner of
the lounge further away from the windows.
EVA Air Lounge BKK seating
The
armchairs overlooked the main seating sections, so I indulged in a bit of
people-watching while I worked.
EVA Air Lounge BKK seating
Wi-Fi
access was provided in this lounge. I thought that the speed was generally
stable and quick. I had a problem connecting to the Wi-Fi through my laptop,
however, so I worked offline for a bit.
EVA Air Lounge seating
I must
confess that I have grown so dependent on the internet that I became annoyed
with the lack of internet connection after a few minutes.
I decided
to pack up and head to the SilverKris Lounge, but before that, I explored the
other seating areas.
EVA Air Lounge BKK
EVA Air Lounge BKK
EVA Air Lounge BKK
CONCLUSION
I did not
carry high expectations of the EVA Air lounge in BKK, as it was neither the hub
nor focus city of the airline. I thought that the lounge was functional despite
its relative size when compared with other airline-operated lounges in BKK
(less Thai Airways’).
The
lounge impressed me as it had a good enough, though limited, selection of hot
buffet choices and beverages. The coffee was bearable, though not fantastic.
Power
ports are only found in the working area of the lounge, and I must add that there
were no USB ports available. One might require the use of an adaptor should you
wish to charge your devices while working in the lounge.
The Wi-Fi
in the lounge was quick too, though I’ve read other trip reports suggesting otherwise.
All
things considered, the EVA Air Lounge in BKK could be a good alternative to the
other Star Alliance lounges which are more prone to overcrowding during peak
hours.
Review:
The Continent Hotel Bangkok by Compass Hospitality
Review:
EVA Air Lounge BKK
Review:
Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge BKK
Review:
Singapore Airlines Business Class Boeing 777-200ER BKK to SIN
FLIGHT DETAILS
Flight
route: Singapore Changi Airport (SIN/WSSS) to Bangkok Survanabhumi
International Airport (BKK/VTBS)
Flight: SQ
982
Aircraft
type: Boeing 787-10
Aircraft
registration: 9V-SCH
Gate at
origin: F42
Gate at
destination: 121
Cabin:
Business
Seat: 17K
Cabin
Load Factor: 75%
Scheduled
flight duration: 2:25
Actual
flight duration: 2:14
Credits to their respective owners (:
*9V-SCH spent more than a year as the prototype 787-10 aircraft, completing numerous tests necessary for certification during its time with Boeing before delivery to Singapore Airlines in December 2018.
BOARDING
I boarded the aircraft through door 1L and was greeted at the door by
In-Flight Manager (IFM) Yvonne and Leading Stewardess (LS) Hazel. The
aircraft’s youth was evident during boarding as there was the unique “new
plane” scent. The interior also looked notably fresh and modern with futuristic
knobs, buttons and levers in and around the galley.
The 787-10 features SIA’s 2018-edition Regional Business Class product
and the 2017 Economy Class in the back. As mentioned in the introduction, the
2018 Business Class product is the highlight of the trip for me as I was
excited to try out this product within a year from its launch.
Business class occupies the forward-most cabin, while economy takes up
the middle and aft cabins. The business class cabin has a total of 36 seats,
spread across nine rows in a 1-2-1 staggered formation.
On the 787-10, the seats running down the middle alternate between the
“couple” and (for the lack of a better word) “divorced” options.
SQ 787-10 business class seat
“Couple” seats
are quite literally positioned next to each other, with the storage console
closer to the aisle. “Divorced” seats, on the other hand, place the passenger
right next to the aisle, having both storage consoles in the middle separating
both seats.
SQ 787-10 business class cabin
Window seats also alternate between “true” window seats and “aisle”
window seats. Odd number rows have seats closer to the aisle. Even number rows
are much closer to the window and boasts of additional privacy as one would not
feel that exposed than passengers seated on the odd number rows.
SQ 787-10 business class seat
If traveling solo, I would avoid the seats running down the middle
completely, as it would force me to make the choice between a lack of privacy
or being uncomfortably close to my neighbour, both of which equally undesirable
thoughts to conceive. The best seats when traveling solo would be the window
seats on the odd numbered rows, as they allow for the greatest privacy while
enabling one to look out of the window with slightly greater ease.
SEAT FEATURES
I made my
way to my seat on the right side of the aircraft and got right to exploring my
seat.
SQ 787-10 business class seat
The seat
was really comfortable from the moment I settled in. I really like the use of
soft-finishes throughout my ‘cocoon’,
as it created a sense of cosiness and privacy within totally shutting you off
from the world. The headrest was adjustable, though when in seat-mode I found
resting my head against the padding around the ‘cocoon’ to be equally comfortable as well.
Waiting
at my seat was a pillow and blanket. I did not recall using the blanket
throughout the flight, but found the pillow to be firm yet good enough for
sleeping.
SQ 787-10 business class seat
The entry
to the seat is a fair bit narrower than expected.
SQ 787-10 window
I really
like the massive windows on all Dreamliners! Instead of conventional window
shades, the windows can be adjusted to various degrees of dimness using the
button just below the window.
SQ 787-10 business class seat
The KrisWorld
in-flight entertainment (IFE) system on this product features an 18-inch HD
touchscreen personal television (PTV) which can be tilted down for viewing when
the seat is in bed mode.
SQ 787-10 business class handset
The
multifunctional handset, which also has its own touchscreen monitor, is stowed
on the left side of the seat. I found this separately monitor to be especially
useful for tracking the flight progress when watching another programme on the PTV.
SQ 787-10 business class handset
Besides
controlling the IFE, the handset also allows one to adjust the seat’s recline,
control the overhead reading light and a cabin crew call button. There is also
a slight vibration whenever you press on the touchscreen controls – similar to
haptic feedback on certain smart devices.
SQ 787-10 business class reading light
On the
right is a set of reading lights, which allows you to adjust according to
different angles and levels of brightness.
SQ 787-10 business class console
Exploring
the left side of the seat, there is a console which I presume is meant for
placing literature such as magazines or newspapers and perhaps a beverage. In
reality, I found placing magazines there to be impractical throughout the
flight as they would tend to fall off even during slight turbulence.
SQ 787-10 business class console storage
Opening
the sliding door will reveal your noise-cancelling headphones, and the
ever-so-important universal power outlet with two additional USB charging
ports. I used the storage space beside the charging ports to store smaller
travel essentials such as my wallet, travel documents and notebook.
SQ 787-10 business class mirror, revealing the trusty iPhone I used in producing these reviews ;)
There was
also a small vanity mirror, which is placed in a far more convenient location
on this product compared to previous products.
SQ 787-10 business class seat controls
Beneath
the console, and just above the handset stowage, is a row of buttons that control
practically necessary for one’s comfort in-flight, including PTV brightness,
seat recline and cabin crew call buttons. These buttons light, and also feature
haptic feedback when pressed.
SQ 787-10 business class table
SQ 787-10 business class table
The tray
table can be extended by pulling on a flap located under the PTV screen. The
flap extends initially to reveal a half size table, which doubles in size as
soon as you flip the top layer over.
I found
the half size table to be less functional than one would think in practice, as
meals are often sized on full size trays in regional business class routes. The
full sized table is sturdy, stable and functions well both as a dining table
and workstation if needed. More on that later on in the flight.
SQ 787-10 business class table
I liked
that the table can be brought closer or further away from the passenger,
dependent on one’s preference. I initially thought that it was designed as such
to allow a passenger to leave their seat even in the middle of meal service for
a bathroom break. Though it was not to be in practice as there is simply
insufficient space for such a manoeuvre – however slender one might try to be…
SQ 787-10 business class seat, in bed mode
Beneath
the tray table was an ottoman which functioned as a leg rest in seat mode, and
provides the extra space for your feet when in bed mode.
SQ 787-10 business class storage
Going
further below the ottoman is a storage space for your carry-on items, such as a
handbag, backpack or duty-free shopping.
SQ 787-10 business class literature pocket
To the
left of the small storage compartment is the actual magazine pocket, which was
stocked with standard Singapore Airlines literature.
SQ business class seat pocket contents
SQ 787-10 business class coat hook
There is
also a coat hook on the left of the entryway.
PRE-DEPARTURE
SQ 787-10 business class cabin
About 10
minutes after settling in, Flight Steward (FS) Eric came down the aisle to
offer pre-departure beverages, offering a choice of water, apple juice or
Champagne. No prizes for guessing which beverage I went for!
SQ business class champagne
FS Sarah
came by two minutes later to confirm my pre-selected meal of Lobster Thermidor
and my preferred post-departure beverage.
SQ business class magazine
A
selection of magazines was also offered.
SQ 787-10 business class cabin
The doors
were closed ten minutes before the scheduled departure time. I had the whole
row to myself!
DEPARTURE
Taxiing at SIN
We pushed
back as soon as the doors were closed and the new safety information video was
played.
SQ Aug 2017-edition safety information video
The new
video was launched in August 2017 in partnership with the local tourism bureau
and features a FS taking passengers through various landmarks in Singapore,
whilst briefing passengers on the safety features and instructions onboard the
aircraft.
SQ Aug 2017-edition safety information video
It was a
clever way to present an otherwise boring and uninteresting matter. I really
enjoyed it!
The full
video is also available on YouTube.
We made a
brief taxi to our departure runway at runway 02C, passing by Terminal 4 along
the way.
VN-A351, Vietnam Airlines A321
We
arrived at runway 02C two minutes later and were cleared for take-off.
Departure from SIN RWY 02C
Departure from SIN RWY 02C
The
mighty GEnx engines of our aircraft spooled up to take-off thrust, producing a
delightful harmony of sounds pleasing to every aviation enthusiast as we rolled
down the runway.
Departure from SIN RWY 02C
As we
climbed out and higher from the runway, we were treated to a bird’s eye view of
the development going on in Changi East. Terminal 5 will be located here and is
slated to open progressively from 2029.
Over the Straits of Johore
We
crossed the eastern mouth of the Johore Straits…
Basic Military Training Centre, Pulau Tekong
…over the
bane of every Singaporean son – Pulau Tekong, an entire island designated as a
military training facility of the Singapore Armed Forces.
Pulau Tekong
POST DEPARTURE
The seat
belt sign was turned off 10 minutes later and the crew sprang into action.
SQ business class hot towel
LS Hazel
came down the aisle to offer hot towels, before collecting them back as soon as
she made one round around the cabin.
I tried
to get myself even more comfortable by exploring the full recline potential of
the seat.
SQ 787-10 business class seat, in bed mode
SQ 787-10 business class seat
I found
the seat to be most snug in the lazy-Z position, and I remained in this recline
for the rest of the flight.
SQ 787-10 business class PTV
I booted
up the PTV and started exploring the IFE options too.
SQ 787-10 business class PTV
As with
my previous flights with SIA, the KrisWorld IFE system did not disappoint with
the wide selection of movies and TV series. I was also impressed with the
excellent screen quality and responsiveness of the system. The touchscreen
feature on the PTV was much appreciated, and I did not need to lean forward too
much even from the lazy-Z position to make my selections.
SQ 787-10 business class PTV
SQ 787-10 business class PTV
Seeing
that meal service was not going to start any time soon for my section, I
decided to get started working on this series of reviews on my laptop.
SQ 787-10 business class tray table
As
mentioned, the full sized table was sturdy and big enough to be used as a
functional workstation. I could work on my laptop (measuring 13”) and take
notes on my notebook without worrying about anything falling over.
SQ 787-10 business class console storage
The power
outlet and USB ports were put to good use too. I managed to keep my devices
juiced up during the flight.
MEAL SERVICE
SQ business class Singapore Sling
My
Singapore Sling was served about 30 minutes after departure, and dinner service
for my aisle started 15 minutes after.
The left
aisle received their beverages and dinner almost as soon as the seat belt signs
were turned off, while my aisle only began receiving our beverages 20 minutes
after them. I found the disparity odd, but I presumed this was done because the
left aisle had more passengers to serve than my aisle.
Coming
out of the galley, FS Sara and LS Hazel were quick and efficient in their
tasks. As this was a relatively short flight, everything came out through carts
and was served on a single tray – appetiser, entrée, dessert et al.
This is
unlike service on long haul flights, where your table would be set with proper
table linen, drinkware and cutleries.
FS Eric
followed closely behind and offered a selection of breads – including bread
rolls and pretzels. I shamelessly asked for two pieces of garlic bread, of
which he was happy to oblige.
The
dinner and cocktail menu is as follows:
SQ982 menu
SQ982 menu
I had
pre-selected the classic Lobster Thermidor using SIA’s Book The Cook (BTC)
service, available to passengers flying in premium classes from selected
stations.
SQ business class dinner - Lobster Thermidor
It
included a Thai-style pomelo salad with prawns. I found the pomelo too tangy
for my liking, but the prawns were fresh and perfectly-cooked.
SQ business class appetiser
The
lobster tasted as good as it looked. It was flavourful, buttery and fresh. I
did not really fancy the asparagus the last time I ordered this dish, as I
always find the stems to be undercooked and way too chewy to be enjoyed. This time
the vegetables, however, were crunchy and perfectly-seasoned.
For
dessert, I indulged in a chocolate caramel cake.
Overall,
the meal was great, and by the time my tray was cleared we had just left
Malaysian airspace and just under 45 minutes before scheduled arrival time in
Bangkok.
SQ 787-10 business class PTV
Coffee,
tea and other digestifs were offered by the crew, though I politely turned all
of them done as I was pretty full at that point. I note, however, that pralines
and chocolates were not offered, unlike what I recall on previous flights with
SIA in Business Class. I suppose this was due to the relatively shorter flight
time – with less pressure to provide such an indulgent meal.
CRUISE
SQ 787-10 business class cabin
I left my
seat for a walk around the aircraft. I did not have the opportunity to visit
the Economy Class cabin in spite of my intent to find out more about the new
product in the back of the bus as service was still ongoing then.
SQ 787-10 business class lavatory
SQ 787-10 business class lavatory
I visited the lavatory and aside from the backlit mirror, seemed pretty
ordinary to me.
SQ business class amenities
Several
amenities were available in the lavatory, such as facial mist, eau de toilette,
shaving kits.
SQ 787-10
I
returned to my seat and continued working. We were just over 30 minutes from
Bangkok now.
SQ Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is
available on the 787-10. Other aircraft types with Wi-Fi in the Singapore
Airlines fleet include the Airbus A350, A380 and Boeing 777-300ER.
SQ Wi-Fi
Business
Class passengers were entitled to 30mb of free data. I logged in with my
credentials and after making a couple of selections, I was logged in.
SQ Wi-Fi
SQ Wi-Fi
The
internet connectivity was surprisingly quicker than expected, though I doubt it
would be quick enough for streaming videos etc. Then again, I would not advise
watching any YouTube or Instagram videos with the low data limit.
Selfie!
I sent a
few texts along with a selfie for the sake of novelty. Not every day you’d get to
blast a selfie from 40,000 feet!
SQ 787-10
The sun got
lower and lower, and before long we started our descent into a smoggy Bangkok
evening.
SQ 787-10 business class cabin
The mood
light changed to a moreorangey tint to suit the time of day
In
preparation for landing, I kept my work and fired up an episode of Brooklyn
Nine-Nine.
SQ 787-10 business class PTV
SQ 787-10 business class PTV
DESCENT
The cabin
lights were gradually dimmed, and the flight came on the microphone to inform
us of an on-time arrival, along with present (air) traffic and weather
conditions in Bangkok. We were slated to touch down on runway 01R.
It got
too dark to take photos during descent and approach, and I settled for my
favourite programme on the IFE.
SQ 787-10 business class PTV
No prizes
for guessing what that might be!
We
touched down right on the dot at 7:00pm local time. I was pretty thirsty by the
point, as the crew did not offer any beverages or refills after clearing our
trays, and was hoping we could have a quick taxi to the terminal.
That was
not to be however. We arrived at our assigned gate three minutes later but the
aircraft did not turn in to the gate. The flight crew came on the microphone
once again to apologise for the delay, citing an outbound aircraft still
occupying our assigned gate. He thank us for our patience, and projected a
further delay of five minutes.
I turned
on the PTV again and watched another episode of Nine-Nine.
I was
midway through the episode when the engines powered up and got us moving again.
This time, the aircraft seemed to be heading to an entirely different part of
the airport. We ended up taxiing across the terminal and turned into a cluster
of remote gates.
As luck
would have it, we turned into a remote stand. This was the third time in my
last three visits to Bangkok where I’ve embarked/disembarked from a remote
stand. Such affinity! -_-
SQ 787-10
We
arrived at stand 121 and eventually disembarked 30 minutes after scheduled
arrival time.
ARRIVAL
Thankfully,
there was a dedicated bus for Business Class passengers already waiting at the stand,
and we were whisked off to the terminal as soon as the last business class
passenger disembarked.
BKK T1
We
entered the busy terminal and made our way past immigration in less than 10
minutes, thanks to papa’s status as
an APEC business traveller.
BKK T1
BKK T1
The arrival
process was further delayed at baggage claim. The first baggage came on the
carousel about 20 minutes after we completed immigration formalities. A far cry
from the 12 minutes promise between aircraft park-down and first baggage at
Changi Airport.
My family
decided to take the airport express train instead of hailing a cab to avoid the
notorious evening jam heading into Bangkok. The airport express station is
located two levels below the arrival hall in the airport.
BKK Airport Express Station
A single,
one-way ticket to the city centre costs 45 THB, and the journey took us 25
minutes.
CONCLUSION
As odd as
it may sound, I left the flight feeling both impressed and underwhelmed. Starting with what I liked, I thought the food served was good. The ingredients were fresh and the flavours were balanced, with nothing being too overpowering or lacking in taste.
I was
pleased to be able to try out the new regional business class offering, and in particular the
hard product itself. The new product was able to address the shortfalls and
silenced most qualms travellers had with the previous regional business class
product, introduced in 2009 and currently found on the A330 fleet and selected
777s. The staggered business class configuration enables airlines to meet the growing demands of travellers, who, in recent years, have been spoilt for choice by the revolution of more innovative and exciting business class products. The staggered configuration on the 787-10 is SIA’s response to such calls. Among others, product commonality across its fleet is one such expectation, including the demand for business class seats that go fully-flat throughout its fleet, direct aisle access for all passengers and more innovative offerings in general. Personally, I thought the seat was functional, practical and thoughtfully-designed for the regional business traveler. The provision of conveniently-placed charging outputs will be a welcomed amenity for those planning to work through the flight. I also liked that in contrast to the other business class products offered by the airline, the regional seat converts into a bed simply by the press of a button. This removes the requirement for passengers to manually flip the seat over just to set their bed. Though the regional bed might be a tad narrow for back-sleepers, I found the bed to be more than adequate for a short nap for flights around the regional, which normally do not block more than six hours. One thing I disliked about the seat, however, was the obstructed window view due to the design of the pod. The position of the fixed shell completely blocked my view from the second window, compelling me to lean further in front to look out of the first window. I was concerned that I would not be able to dim the shades on the aft window, but thankfully both window shades were electrically-linked to dim the shades according to the level desired when adjusted on either window.
The service rendered was not all worthy of praise, however. It pretty polarised and the standards of service was obvious between certain members of the cabin crew serving different sections. While the crew were generally friendly, service felt mechanical at some point with certain members of the crew, leading me to question if the unrelenting flying schedule in the regional fleet could be the cause.
I was particularly disappointed with the lack of service runs throughout the flight - despite the delays pushing the block time upwards of two hours. In total, we only received three beverage runs in the air: once after departure, once during the meal service and once more after the tables were cleared. I would barely consider three drinks services for a two hour flight adequate, and I left feeling even more disappointed when no drink service was conducted despite knowledge of delays in Bangkok. Bottled water could have been distributed just before landing. I felt that the senior crew on board could have been more adaptive to potential needs of passengers, and sadly on this note SQ fell short. Thank you for reading this review. I hope I have be able to give you a better understanding of flying business class in the region. Your likes, comments and shares are always appreciated! What are your expectations for regionally business class flights? What would you expect from the crew if delays were to be expected?
