Using SQ's 48hour web-check-in with my SQ given Record Locator (NOT UA's) and my firstname middle initial Andrewm, I was able to see the middle of the plane was full and my seat preference had been given, Window and adjoining. Had I been smart I would have moved us to mid 50s where there were open rows or at least open middle seats.
The flight was scheduled for 1:10pm, giving me ample time to rise late on the day of departure and make my way to LAX from Irvine (About 1 hour without traffic)
Generally I take Metrolink / Flyaway to LAX from OC. This time I rented an Enterprise truck to move the absurd amounts of luggage I had to carry. The thought of moving all this luggage onto the train is humorous.
5 Checked bags @ 23kg each + 4 carry-ons.
We left around 9am, and approached the Kris Flyer (*Gold desk) at 10:30. After one business customer we were quickly taken care of and offered passes to the *A Lounge.
The Singapore ladies were cordial, although not as pretty as the commercials
suggest. All the bags that had been expertly packed at 23.03kgs and were ready to go to security. For those of you who are familiar with the Tom Bradley International Terminal, security has improved with their scanning process much improved.
We jumped in the priority screening line and made our way (15 min for screening) to the *A Lounge. We had about 1 hour in the lounge 11:30-12:30. The Lounge Reviews have been separated for ease of reading, see
here.
SQ announces the boarding of SQ11 individually to lounge guests, so at 12:30 we made our way to the furthest gate at TBIT. I liked that touch.
An unorganized overcrowded hall was waiting, and there was no distinction for *Gold to check in separately. The plane was barely visible behind the security glass.
SQ 747-400
We were fairly late to board as our row 42 was not called for sometime. (We selected 42A and B.)
This was a mistake for 4 reasons: (The seats themselves were fine)
1. Last to board (No *G boarding, strange SQ strange.)
2. Once at seat, immediatley snapped at to take my seat, like I had planned on standing in the aisle for 40 minutes.
3. Middle section was full
4. Sitting on the port (LEFT) side heading west. There are no airvents and the sun baked me in the window seat for the entire trip. I assumed the same applied for the return journey for the starboard (RIGHT) side as it will face the sun.
View from window
The plane pushed back a few minutes late, but we were on our way.
Headphones and menus came around right away, first drinks came around 1 hour. I requested Gin and Tonic and was handed a Tiger beer. Maybe she didn't hear me properly.
I will scan the menu and put the options here (International or Japanese)
I selected
Japanese
Beef
Soba and Tuna
Second Meal:
To be Continued
Flight Map
Fujisan 20 min to landing