Warning: This report will be mostly pictures and very little text, and is only about my flights and airport experience.
I had a year-end trip coming up, and hadn’t been on SQ in a while. Also, I knew that the 744 would soon be coming off SFO-HKG-SIN, and I wanted to do this route one last time on my favorite aircraft.
Check-in at SFO was a breeze, and I was soon through security and into the lounge. Nothing remarkable about the lounge, though it was relatively quiet this time. About a half hour before departure, the lounge attendant let us know it was time to board.
There was no lineup at the gate, so I boarded without delay and settled into 4F. The load would be 8/12 to HKG today, and there was no one across the aisle from me. Before this flight, I had mostly been in 1B or 2A; I did try 3A once when the 744 was still on SIN-BKK. Verdict: 4F is just fine! Very private when no one is across the aisle from you, and no disturbance from the galley.
Pre-departure champagne (DP 2000) was offered and gratefully accepted, since the preceding day had been long and tiring. Our departure was delayed by a half hour because of a mechanical issue, but we were in the air soon enough. More champagne (with a change to Krug) and a warm macadamia / cashew mix were brought out, along with PJs and amenities.
Supper was next. The table setting (and garlic bread), followed by the lobster appetizer--simple, but moist and flavorful. Along with the champagne, I decided I should try the Château Léoville-Poyferré and a Chardonnay. The Bordeaux was very nice after it had opened up for a while.
I BTC'd a seafood noodle soup for my main. It had a good helping of seafood, and the flavor was enhanced nicely by the sliced chili and other accompaniments. Also shown are the utensils provided for this dish.
Dessert was quite uninspiring--just some chopped fruit (which I obviously ate before taking the picture) in a chocolate tuile cup. I suppose I should thank them for keeping things light on a night flight, but I'd at least like the option of having something rich and creamy.
After dinner was done, I settled back for a little while with the IFE. I love this long flight--you can have a leisurely meal, enjoy several glasses of champagne, and watch a couple of movies before getting several hours of sleep.
When I decided it was time for lights out, I went to change into my PJs. As I did so, one of the FAs made up the bed.
I woke up with about 3 hours remaining in the flight. A flight attendant brought me a hot towel and some orange juice, and I watched some more of the IFE until breakfast began. Since I had had a good dinner, I kept breakfast pretty light.
But I had to have some Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee with my fruit plate. The coffee more than compensated for the boring fruit.
The landing was very smooth. As we approached the terminal, we were told we had the option of disembarking or staying on board. The turn was going to be short, so I decided to stay on board. It was kind of fun seeing the flurry of activity, and one of the FAs took the time to chat with me and offered me something to drink even though she was busy with pre-flight prep.
Great report so far - I'll be doing this same flight in F in a few weeks on the 777. Thanks for the pics as well!
ylwae
Jan 17, 09, 11:16 pm
SQ 001 / HKG-SIN / F class / seat 4F
I noticed during the turn that the FA I was talking to had a printout of the names of the transit passengers. There was one other passenger besides me, and next to our names was a "$". I was curious about that, but I forgot to ask her what it meant.
Anyway, the aircraft was quickly and efficiently cleaned up and readied for the continuation of the flight. The load in F to SIN was down to 5/12.
After takeoff, I decided to have some Chinese tea and chose the Tie Guan Yin. Very flavorful.
...and my main, ramen in miso broth with kurobuta pork belly, was delicious--richly flavored and nicely textured. When I told one of the FAs how much I enjoyed it, he insisted that I have another one. I wanted to, but was just too full.
The flight was over all too quickly. We thumped down at Changi about 10 minutes behind schedule, and I made my way to the F lounge at T3. I passed through the main lounge to The Private Room. The SQ agent there at first didn't want to let me in, but she tapped at her keyboard for a bit and found something there that changed her mind.
I had a bit of a wander through and found three other passengers, a couple with their small child. After sending some e-mails, I had an invigorating shower. Then, I sat myself down to lunch. I was the only person in the dining room.
...and followed that with roasted lobster. Nothing special about the lobster--I think the preparation should have been either (a) more creative or (b) just a plain steamed or boiled thing with melted butter. As it was, it was just kind of there.
About an hour before departure, I made my way to the musty, darkish T2 SKL. Quite a contrast to the T3 lounge, whatever the latter's shortcomings. I treated myself to another bottle of water before making my way to the gate for my SIN-BKK flight. I was too bloated to even contemplate food on that flight, so I had some cashews and water. No pictures.
zcat18
Jan 18, 09, 12:26 am
Great so far! Can't wait to read the rest. Thanks for sharing!
gleff
Jan 18, 09, 7:35 am
Just subscribed to the thread so I don't miss the rest !
NYCbustravelguy
Jan 18, 09, 7:54 am
Excellent report so far, thanks.
patgarrett
Jan 18, 09, 8:22 am
Great report so far. Why do you think the dragon at The Private Room at T3 was initially reluctant to let you in? I thought the lounge was only for paid F passengers?
ylwae
Jan 18, 09, 9:57 am
Thank you for the kind comments, everyone.
Great report so far. Why do you think the dragon at The Private Room at T3 was initially reluctant to let you in? I thought the lounge was only for paid F passengers?
Good question--I'd be guessing, but I'd have to say she wasn't convinced that I was a paying passenger.
FlyingOnceMore
Jan 18, 09, 10:07 am
Good question--I'd be guessing, but I'd have to say she wasn't convinced that I was a paying passenger.
Nice report so far, ylwae
When you check-in at SIN for an F paid flight, there is a notation printed on your BP that let's them know as much and gains you unquestioned access to the Private Room. I'm guessing your SFO issued BP was missing that.
ylwae
Jan 18, 09, 10:16 am
Nice report so far, ylwae
When you check-in at SIN for an F paid flight, there is a notation printed on your BP that let's them know as much and gains you unquestioned access to the Private Room. I'm guessing your SFO issued BP was missing that.
Thank you. And you're right--I've seen that notation, but neither of my boarding passes had it. Come to think of it, I noticed that at SFO and asked the check-in agent whether I'd have access to TPR. She didn't seem to know what I was talking about, so I told her I'd just ask when I got to SIN.
ylwae
Jan 18, 09, 10:33 am
TG 676 / BKK-NRT / B747-400 / F class / seat 1A
My connecting flight arrived at BKK just under 3 hours before I needed to get on TG 676. I decided that I should finally have a massage at the Royal Orchid Spa, after several previous TG F flights without so much as a shoulder rub prior.
I was met at the gate of my arriving flight and taken by buggy to the D concourse F lounge. I was introduced to the staff there, and when I made it known that I was hoping for a massage, I was promptly taken to the spa. My boarding pass was taken, and I was shown into the F class waiting area. I was given a drink of something cool, sweet and refreshing (exotic fruit juice?), and was also provided with a cold towel.
The spa room was lovely, the lighting dimmed just so, and soothing music just perceptible. There was a minty-citrusy aroma in the air. The slim and attractive masseuse gave me a little tour of the room, asked me to choose from one of four massage oils, and allowed me to get ready. For the next hour, she kneaded and pummeled me until I felt alive again. I thanked her for her efforts and gave her a tip which, judging from her reaction, was adequate. I had a long, hot shower to wash off the massage oil, and then my new favorite person took me back to the F waiting area. There, I was given some hot tea. When I was done, I was escorted back to the lounge.
Once there, I spent time sending some e-mails. About 25 minutes before departure, a TG agent came to fetch me and escorted me to the gate. Priority boarding was just ending, so I was just in time.
On board, I was gratified to see that this 744 had the new interior. I was shown to 1A by one of the cabin crew. The amenity kit, orchids, and small box of chocolate were already there. I was brought some pre-departure water.
The bridge was pulled back on schedule. Then it moved toward the aircraft again, and the captain announced that it was indeed coming back. Reason: a potential problem with the door not closing the way it was supposed to, so TG tech staff arrived on the scene. After about 20 minutes, we were on our way again. There were several aircraft ahead of us for takeoff, so the overall delay became a bit longer.
Once safely in the air, it was time for breakfast. And breakfast is a good time to have champagne, so the Bollinger Grande Année 1999 was poured. The table was set in short order.
After breakfast, I alternated between flipping through the IFE offerings and dozing. As has almost always been the case on this flight in my experience, there were frequent episodes of turbulence.
There was a hot snack offered about 1.5 hours before descent into NRT--a chicken dish--but I passed. I did take a turbulent picture, though.
The landing was uneventful, but because of our late departure from BKK I had only about 45 minutes to make my NH connection. No time for the lounge. Fortunately, TG had thoughtfully sent someone to meet me at the gate and escort me to my departure gate. She helped me obtain my onward boarding pass, and boarding for NH 008 started soon afterwards.
ylwae
Jan 18, 09, 2:14 pm
NH 008 / NRT-SFO / B777-300ER / F class / seat 2K
I was among the first on board and made my way to my seat. I arranged myself there and asked for some water when the FA came by. Boarding proceeded efficiently, and we pushed back and were on our way without delay.
After the seatbelt signs were off, we were told that the flight would be about 8 hours long (it’s scheduled for 9 hours 5 minutes, but in my experience, it has unfortunately never been that long). The flight attendants came by with the lounging sweaters and PJs, as well as an amenity kit and basket of amenities. I declined the clothing as I find it too warm, and instead changed into a t-shirt and a pair of greens.
Next up was an apéritif (Krug for me) and some canapés. We were also given the menu (see blurry shot of first page of Japanese menu).
As usual, I was hoping to have a few things from the Western menu along with the Japanese menu. To my surprise, the flight attendant told me this might not be possible (ANA later advised me she was wrong to say this). She did allow me to start with caviar, which was complemented nicely by more champagne.
I then tucked into the Japanese menu, the first course of which featured my first ever tasting of sea urchin entrails (in the little pot to the left). This was followed by vegetable soup. I asked for some shochu to go along with my meal, though I had refills of champagne as well.
Next up was sashimi of fugu. I've had this before on NH--it's fine though quite delicately flavored. The citrus-vinegar-soy sauce is a nice accompaniment. Following the fugu was a salad of snow crab with chrysanthemum and crab entrails, enhanced with turbulence.
In the upper left of the next picture is braised daikon with tender pork belly in light soy sauce. Nice. The grilled tilefish was fine, but not as good as other shusai I've had on NH. The main meal ended with miso soup, pickle and rice.
So normally I'd go on to dessert, and there were some tempting choices. But I felt like I should use those calories on something more substantial, so I ordered a couple of items from the smaller plates section. There was braised maitake mushroom (not shown), pork belly in special soy sauce over rice, and shrimp and scallops with greens. The pork belly was the best of the three.
I could barely move after all of the food, so I had no choice but to go to sleep. I woke up about 1.5 hours out of SFO, and thought the fruit plate would be the best way to deal with breakfast (though I really wanted the Japanese menu...).
A really good flight overall (prohibition on ordering from the Western menu aside, though that was a relatively small issue), marred by the long wait to get my luggage in SFO.
Summary
I was happy with all of my flights and ground experiences. TG was the weakest of the three carriers in the air, but they were more than adequate (especially since I had the new interior 744) and the F lounge and spa treatment were great.
TPR at Changi was nice for the exclusivity and I suppose the dining room, but they could do with offering more amenities if they're really aiming for exclusivity. Some tweaking of the menu in the dining room would be nice too. I'm sorry to see the 744 leave SFO-HKG-SIN, but I imagine I'll still be travelling on SQ at some point.
NH was very good and I'm looking forward to longer flights with them! If only they would pay attention to my feedback and dramatically improve the content on their IFE.
brooks5018
Jan 18, 09, 2:51 pm
great report. thanks!
Yankdownunder
Feb 19, 09, 4:36 am
Great trip report.
Funnily enough, myself, my wife and my son were in the Private Room on Dec 24 and then again on Jan 9. I wonder if it was us you saw that day. :)
couscous
Feb 19, 09, 8:37 am
Great pictures and great report.. thanks^
aSiAnRiCk
Feb 19, 09, 11:15 am
Great report and nice pictures! ^
Flyingfox
Feb 20, 09, 5:26 pm
You should not have been told that you were not allowed to order certain items on the menu.
It clearly states in the menu that you can order anything at anytime. Did you think to ask the person in charge of the cabin?
I have never had a problem with ordering anything. I always mix the Japanese and Western items. When the plane lands, they throw all the food in the bin. They load PLENTY of choices, and it should not have been too much trouble for the FA to serve it.
ylwae
Feb 23, 09, 4:41 pm
Great trip report.
Funnily enough, myself, my wife and my son were in the Private Room on Dec 24 and then again on Jan 9. I wonder if it was us you saw that day. :)
Thank you. And if you were in the Private Room around noon, then I imagine it must have been you and your family!
ylwae
Feb 23, 09, 4:46 pm
It clearly states in the menu that you can order anything at anytime. Did you think to ask the person in charge of the cabin
I didn't, but it was only an appetizer I wanted so I didn't raise a fuss. I know where things stand for future flights, and in fact on my flight just about a week ago there was no problem.