sftrvlr

Having enjoyed my private jet for the last couple of hours, I was in no hurry to leave, and it took me a few moments to gather my belongings and head for the exit. The other passengers were held back in the business class cabin by the flight attendants as the door was opened and the ground staff came on board. I received quite a few stares from the less fortunate gathered in the business class aisle, as the crew chatted to me for a moment or so while we waited, and then bid me farewell by name. I simply stared back and acted as though this was my normal method of travel, whereby I book the entire 2 front cabins for myself, ensuring privacy . As I led the pack out of the jetway, a Cathay Pacific representative was waiting with a sign with my name on it. I identified myself, and she welcomed me to Hong Kong, confirming that I was making a connection to Singapore Airlines to San Francisco. We boarded an electric cart, and I was driven for what must have been at least a kilometer to the transit counters for Star Alliance (and some others.)

The agent told me to have a seat, saying that there was no need for me to stand in line to check in (the line had about 10 passengers in it.) She took my passport and approached an agent working at the Emirates check in position, which I thought was a bit odd. She did confirm I was on SQ, right? Moments later, the "Emirates" agent came over to hand me my boarding card and return my passport, confirming that the seat I had pre-selected was indeed 1B, asking if I knew where the lounge was, and thanking me for flying Singapore Airlines. To which I answered yes, yes, and you're welcome. It turned out that this was the agent working First/Business class connections for Singapore Airlines, but the sign above the counter had not been changed . The Cathay agent escorted me through security and up the escalator to the departure level where she asked if I needed further assistance, and wished me a pleasant onward journey. I'm still not entirely sure if the Cathay agent was representing TG or SQ, but regardless, this type of personal service really makes you feel special. How can I ever fly business class again? Let alone economy! (Well, actually, I flew economy - middle seat, second to last row - this past Sunday on United Airlines from Chicago to San Francisco, but that's another story ).

I stopped by the duty free to make a couple of quick purchases, then retired to the Silver Kris Lounge to wait the hour or so before my final leg of this journey would commence. The lounge has a business class and a first class section, separated by a jointly used hallway containing the toilets and showers. The first class section was quiet and comfortable, and I was the only customer in there when I first arrived. A self service bar contained mid shelf liquors, and there was some champagne (Piper Heidsick) and Aussie wine as well. There was also a selection of dim sum, noodles, warm pastries (spring rolls, curry puffs, samosas and sausage rolls) as well as finger sandwiches, cheese and crackers, cookies and ice cream. Quite a spread! I fixed a Campari and soda (since it felt warm and humid in the lounge, this sounded cool and refreshing) and grabbed a bite of dim sum. I then repeated this performance a second time before leaving for the gate and the final portion of Pacific pampering until November this year, when I head back to Asia.

SQ2 / HONG KONG - SAN FRANCISCO
Seat 1B / First Class / Boeing 747-400
Scheduled 2155-1930 / Actual 2210-1935

Boarding was well under way by the time I arrived at gate 15. The economy class line was long, but the First/Raffles line had only a couple of passengers. I was greeted at door 1L, and directed to my seat at the front of the first class cabin, literally right in the nose cone. I could see that this was going to be a busy flight as the cabin was already half full, and passengers and Singapore Girls (and Guys) were busy stowing luggage, hanging coats and the like. As usual, I had to wrestle my roll-aboard bag away from the 105 pound, 5 foot flight attendant and stow it in the overhead (above seat 2A after asking the passenger seated there if he was planning to use the bin.)

I prefer the window seats in either row 3 or row 4, but none was available, so I selected 1B. Many people like this seat since it is alone in the middle of the cabin at the extreme front end of the plane. You are literally in the tip of the nose of the airplane. The seat is very private, but you are sandwiched in between two closets and two stowage lockers (where they keep the duvets) so there is constant traffic in the area both on the ground and during the beginning and end of the flight, which I found really annoying. And every time a passenger opened the closet on the right, they couldn't figure out how to shut it, so it kept swinging open and shining light directly in my face . Singapore Airlines first class cabin is pure luxury, and these minor complaints don't take much away from the overall comfort. Oh wait, while I'm complaining, I find the seat controls, which are located on top of the left armrest, are positioned such that I accidentally engage them sometimes, moving the seat or calling the flight attendant. But then again, maybe that's just me being clumsy. The Conolly leather on the Singapore Airlines Skysuite is soft as a baby's bottom, the PTV is huge, and Kris World is fantastic for passing the time when you're not being fed and watered.

Hot towels, champagne, and newspapers and magazines were offered. Followed by the amenity kit, pajamas (Givenchy?), eye shades and slippers. Followed by menus. So much stuff! There was only one blue set of pajamas; all the rest were pink. And I got first choice. Much as the pink set would have perfect for my next pajama party in the Castro, I selected the blue, leaving the other gentlemen (there were no women passengers in the cabin that evening) to contemplate their masculinity, and decide whether to invite themselves to the pretty-in-pink party aboard the SQ2 that evening. Most of them did, and it was quite a sight when I got up after dinner and turned to face the sea of middle aged businessmen working on their laptops, reading or watching a movie, dressed head to toe in pink pajamas! The amenity kit from Singapore Airlines is by Bulgari, and they are tailored for male or female passengers. Mine contained a full sized bottle of BLV cologne, after shave balm, lip moisturizer, a fantastic cooling gel eye mask (not sure if I'm explaining this correctly), and a razor. The cologne by itself must be worth US$40 ... a pretty classy amenity kit. After takeoff drinks orders were taken on the ground, as were main course selections for dinner. The cabin crew really hustled to get all this done.

The captain announced that we would be departing a few minutes late due to cargo loading, but that our flight time would be fast this evening, with an estimated arrival into San Francisco about 45 minutes ahead of schedule. He also said that he expected it to be rather bumpy at times, and to please observe the seatbelt sign when it was on. Then he made a rather strange announcement to the effect that the "authorities" of the United States of America had asked him to advise us not to congregate around the flight deck, and not to cross between cabins on the aircraft. In addition, only customers seated on the upper deck were permitted onto the upper deck. Um ..... OK. Crossing between cabins doesn't seem to be an issue on foreign carriers that don't have the silly no curtain rule, and I've never heard this announcement on any other SQ flight, but then again, I've never flown them into the US before.

We pushed back about 15 minutes late and after a lengthy taxi to the runway, lifted off in now driving rain, bound for San Francisco. Climb out was extremely bumpy, but the flight attendants were up and beginning their service. My Bombay Sapphire and tonic was presented, along with a plate of cashew nuts. I think it's time SQ got some proper cocktail glasses! They serve them in wine glasses which are far too small. It seems that the meal service is rushed on this flight; probably due to the late hour of the departure, and the fact that many passengers want to eat and go to bed. This is a shame, because there are some of us who enjoy savoring a long drawn out meal in first class, then sleeping later. And of course on Singapore Airlines, you are free to dine at whatever time you prefer. My table was laid, and dinner was served. They said no when I asked to take the menu with me, so this is from my scribbled notes:

supper from hong kong to san francisco

appetisers
Iranian Ossetra caviar
With Melba Toast and condiments

or

Stir fried minced pigeon in lettuce cups

soup
Cream of fresh pea with crisp smoked bacon and creme fraiche

main courses
Stir fried lobster with mushrooms and greens
Fried rice

or

Some sort of pan fried beef dish (can't read my own writing!)
Asparagus, mushrooms and mashed potatoes

or

A roast chicken dish with God knows what

or

Chiu chow chok
Rice porridge with scallops, dried shrimp, preserved vegetables and fish floss (I can read this bit because I have a big question mark next to "fish floss")

cheese
Selection of cheese with garnishes

fresh fruit
A selection of fresh fruit

dessert
I have no idea, but I'm sure it was good.

from the bakery
Oven fresh rolls
with a choice of extra virgin olive oil or butter
Garlic bread

hot beverages
Freshly brewed coffee
Espresso or cappuccino
Selection of tea

pralines
To end on a sweet note

No wine menu was offered. I had the lobster and some champagne. It was nothing special. The caviar was pre-plated (I don't think SQ uses carts in first class) and quite tasty, but not very filling. I asked about getting the sauteed minced pigeon as well, but they didn't have enough. The soup was tasty, but the bacon was one large piece, and it became soggy and hard to cut with the spoon. Crisp bacon pieces would have been a better choice. I skipped cheese and dessert in favor of a whisky on the rocks, then had my bed turned down, and napped for a good 5 hours or so, waking several times during moderate turbulence. My water was not refreshed once during the night. I woke up and decided to watch The Aviator, and rang the bell for another bottle of water. Good movie! About 2 hours out of San Francisco, breakfast was offered (again this is from scribbled notes):

before touch-down from hong kong to san francisco

juices
A choice of apple, tomato and freshly squeezed orange

fruit
A selection of fresh fruit

light starters
Choice of cereals or yoghurt
Cornflakes or granola with milk
Plain or fruit yoghurt

wholesome beginnings
Abalone and chicken noodle soup
Egg noodles in rich chicken broth garnished with sliced abalone, poached chicken and vegetables

or

Selection of dim sum
Honey glazed pork rice roll, seafood dumplings and vegetable dumplings

or
Freshly prepared eggs
Baked, soft-boiled or scrambled egg on toasted muffin served with chicken sausage or smoked salmon and brie cheese

from the bakery
Assorted breakfast rolls
Butter, jam, marmalade or honey

hot beverages
Freshly brewed coffee
Espresso or cappuccino
Selection of tea

I had the noodle soup, which was delicious, and continued to play with Kris World after the movie had ended, until we began our descent into San Francisco. We were at 8,000 feet and 27 miles from San Francisco (and 45 minutes early) when a thunderstorm moved over the field, and ATC put us into a holding pattern off the Golden Gate Bridge. The captain said he expected it to be about 30 minutes, or so. There goes our early arrival! The hold turned out to be almost 45 minutes, and we made the hardest landing I have ever experienced on an airplane. I mean we slammed onto the runway at SFO (both the main and forward landing gear hit really hard) and the captain stood on the brakes. I wonder if we left some pieces of the 747 strewn about the runway. I have complete confidence in the airplane as well as the pilots, and I've been off the end of a runway before and down the slides (fun!) so I wasn't particularly concerned, but there was an audible cry that went up in the cabin as the rubber met the road! A memorable landing after a not so memorable Pacific crossing with Singapore Airlines. I honestly did not find the service as good as previous flights I've taken with them. Certainly not bad per se, just not as good as I've come to expect. Singapore Airlines sets the bar so high that what would generally be considered top notch service on many carriers comes off as slightly sub-par on SQ.

So my fabulous, jetset, weekend halfway across the planet came crashing back onto runway 19L at 730PM on that Wednesday evening. As usual, my colleagues asked where I went for my long weekend, and I casually replied, "Oh, just to Thailand." . They will NEVER understand the attraction of spending 50% of your time in the air. Only the readers here will. Hope you've enjoyed taking this little journey with me as much as I've enjoyed reliving it here, and sorry for the poor transcript from the SQ2. Next time I'll just take the menu instead of being polite and asking for it!

Until November ...

UA 882

Coincidentically I started a thread on this in the SQ forum - the SIA pilots REALLY need to practice landing a little more!

GREAT report, by the way! I'm glad you enjoyed your trip!

jef7

"Singapore Airlines first class cabin is pure luxury"

I could not agree more. The cream/light brown color and elegant wood panels of the cabin blends so well thus even further elevating the experience. Thanks so much sftrvlr for sharing with us your experience. The rich details of your report really take us with you. Thanks again for such a good report.

Carfield

Thanks for a wonderful report! SQ sounds good, and even TG sounds excellent, and I like soup offered on the short BKK-HKG flight.

About SQ F menu, I actually had a flight, in which the F/A let me take them with me, but in general, they do not let you take the leather cover; however, you can ask to take the booklet inside with you. I guess the leather covers are fancy and cost them $$$, but the inside menu booklet, they are okay. If not, you can ask to have a word with the purser... honestly, you are flying F, the menu is just a tiny portion of the flight.

Anyway, thanks for the menu transcripts!

Carfield

Steady-EDI

Hugely enjoyable report of a real FTer's dream weekend ^

I know your menu was based on memory and notes, but I laughed out loud at the idea of a menu saying "A chicken dish with God knows what"

Also, it must have been an absolute hoot to see all those stuffy business types in their pink PJs! Very fetching, I'm sure

sftrvlr

It's never been a problem before, and I don't ask for the leather binder. They were just short of menus on that flight, and there were no wine lists at all! It's easy enough to slip it out of the binder and into my bag next time ...

gleff

Excellent report, I really enjoyed reading it ^

djjaguar64

What a marvellous read, i had to devour every piece. You did a great job. I give you. ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

SMART51

One of the best reports i've read
Thank you ^

Fraser

Nice report ^

eutow

Many thanks for such a well-written and entertaining report! I particularly enjoyed the description of your SQ travel companions dolled up in pink.

flysurfer

Since I'll be on TG606 and SQ2 in F later this year, this great report was very useful to me. Thank you for your effort!

Kiwi Flyer

Great report sftrvlr ^ (dont know how I missed this)

Too true

rkt10

Wow, I enjoyed every bit of it, even 'tho I don't think I would have the stamina for doing it all in a long weekend. How did your first day back in the office go? Sleeeeeeeeeeeeepy?

Rita

sftrvlr

Actually, no. I deliberately didn't sleep too long on the HKG-SFO flight so I'd be tired enough to sleep when I got home. I did wake up early the next morning, but I needed to get an early start at work that day anyway. I was affected by jetlag for about three days, though, which isn't usually a problem for me coming home from Asia. I find that I adjust better when I return from Asia aboard United and arrive back on the west coast earlier in the day. But if it's a choice between SQ and UA, SQ would win no matter what time the flight left!