We flew business class with Singapore Airlines from Sydney to Singapore before connecting to our Lufthansa flight to Europe. The boarding process from the lounge to the plane was relatively simple however there are some construction works going on at Sydney Airport at the moment so make sure you allow a few minutes for delays.
Upon boarding the Singapore Airlines new A380 we were blown away by the sense of space in the business class cabin. The cabin is configured in a 1-2-1 formation and the absence of central overhead storage bins in business class gives a great sense of height and space.
No overhead storage bins in the centre of the plane created a great sense of height and space.
Singapore Airlines new A380 business class cabin.
The new business class seats are cocooned in your own personal pod, making it one of the most private business class cabins on the market. The 2 middle seats have a divider between them which can be dropped for passengers travelling together or raised completely in which case you have no knowledge of there being a person next to you at all.
The middle seats have a moveable divider between them.
The middle seats have a moveable divider between them.
The pod form of the seats create a great sense of privacy.
Singapore Airlines new A380 Business Class Seat
Within your seat there are plenty of storage options including a magazine pouch, a couple of compartments in the console including one with a cover, a side table. and the space that forms the foot well of your bed which can be used to store bedding when in seat mode.
Storage options include a covered compartment, magazine pouch and bedding in the foot well.
Storage options include a covered compartment, magazine pouch and bedding in the foot well.
Storage options include a covered compartment, magazine pouch and bedding in the foot well.
The seat also has a nifty arm rest on each side, which can be raised when in seat mode and lowered when converted to a bed.
Moveable armrests are cleverly located on each side of the seat.
There are controls for your seat and entertainment located in your side table. Along with connections for your devices and a paywave point in the front console.
Seat controls are conveniently located along your side table.
Control panels are neatly tucked in around your side table.
Remote to control your entertainment.
Connectivity and paywave points.
A peculiarity of the new seat is the footrest. This is a fixed feature on the window seats, and runs along the outside of the plane. On the middle seats the footrest extends out from the front console, across the entry way to your seat. This then forms a part of the bed, but in seat mode it is a little odd.
The new A380 business class footrest.
The new A380 business class footrest.
Slippers and noise cancelling headphones were provided to business class passengers, however as this was a day flight, no amenity kits were provided.
Slippers and noise cancelling headphones onboard Singapore Airlines.
After settling into our seats we were provided a choice of pre departure drinks, including champagne , and as always the service from the Singapore Airlines staff was exceptional from the start to the finish of the flight.
Shortly after departure the business class meal service commenced which consisted of a multi course lunch with plenty of excellent wines to choose from.
Singapore Airlines A380 business class menu.
Singapore Airlines A380 business class menu.
Singapore Airlines A380 business class menu.
Singapore Airlines A380 business class menu.
Singapore Airlines A380 business class menu.
Singapore Airlines A380 business class menu.
Singapore Airlines A380 business class menu.
Singapore Airlines A380 business class menu.
Singapore Airlines A380 business class menu.
The meal started with a marinated prawn entree which was served with a greek salad and a selection of bread rolls, followed by a choice of mains. I chose the Wok seared salmon fillet with noodles. Both dishes were well cooked with fantastic flavours and were of restaurant quality.
Entree, Marinated prawns, served with greek salad and a selection of bread.
Entree, Marinated prawns, served with greek salad and a selection of bread..
Wok Seared Fillet of Salmon in hoisin sauce served with noodles.
Following main was another choice of dessert (I chose the Strawberry Charlotte Cake), following which the flight attendants appeared with the cheese and fruit trolley, and then again with a selection of pralines. Given our flight was a day flight, this long extended lunch was a great treat and felt very luxurious.
Dessert, Strawberry Charlotte.
Cheese course is served.
A selection of cheese and fruit.
After the meal I converted my seat into a bed, given the foot rest I was curious to see how this would work. The seat moves forward to meet the front console/back of the seat in front of you, and the foot rest at the side - creating an odd shaped bed that you need to lie at angle in to get your feet into the 'foot well' a little awkward and perhaps not as convenient as other flat beds on the market that provide you with more width along the entirety of the bed.
The Singapore Airlines A380 business class flat bed.
The new bed creates an odd angle to lie at.
The bedding includes a soft mattress topper, a large comfortable pillow as well as a more firm cushion and a quilt. The flight attendant saw me converting the bed and offered to make up my bed for me.
Following a movie and a couple of hours sleep I converted my bed back to a seat as another food service commenced prior to landing in Singapore. this meal was just an 'afternoon refreshment' which consisted of a quiche and beverages. The quiche was again as good as the lunch service, there's certainly no risk of going hungry on this flight!
Afternoon refreshment of quiche.
Despite the odd shaped bed, Singapore Airlines new A380 business class is an exceptional product, especially the privacy and sense of space. The food onboard is what you would expect in a high quality restaurant and as always the Singapore Airlines service was second to none.
Next up:
Our review of Lufthansa Business Class flight from Singapore to Munich
Our review of Austrian Airlines Business Class flight from Vienna to New York