Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Community > Trip Reports
Reload this Page >

Mrs. "No way am I going to India"... goes to India via Etihad & Singapore First

Mrs. "No way am I going to India"... goes to India via Etihad & Singapore First

Old Mar 15, 2016, 2:38 am
  #136  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,203
Originally Posted by offerendum
I really have to do India
Husband has been saying the same thing although I am a little bit scared of the toilet situation there.
Annalisa12 is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2016, 8:52 am
  #137  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, LH Senator *Gold, AA EXP OWE Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,556
Originally Posted by naswi
Hello. Where did you buy those Santoni? Looking to upgrade my canvas Sperry shoes. Thank you
Thanks naswi. Santoni is available at most high end men's stores. I got mine at Andrisen Morton in Denver Cherry Creek.

Originally Posted by Speedbird84
Odd. Delhi had the same sort of setup with common-use lounges for a good chunk of time at T3 after it opened, but only until all the various airlines had finished construction on their own lounges.
Interesting. Wonder if BOM will go the same way. Thank you Speedbird84.

Originally Posted by offerendum
I really have to do India
Go for it!


Originally Posted by TPJ
Fabulous report!
BTW... last time when I flew to JAI-BOM in C, Jet gave me a me a meal voucher in lieu of lounge access, but it was for a restaurant located before security. I realized it in the last moment when I was just about to put my stuff on X-ray machine
Thanks very much TPJ. Since I had OLCI'd I bypassed the counter so no one even offered. Not that we needed another meal at that point.

Originally Posted by HMPS
Go offerendum go. ^
You will love it.
+1
Not everyone is like Mrs. SFO777.

Originally Posted by 1P
First paragraph of that SQ menu definitely written by someone whose first language is not English. Amusing!
LOL, I hadn't even read that until you mentioned it. Thanks 1P.

Originally Posted by SQTraveller
This is interesting SFO777 --- have they stopped providing the 2004 Dom Perignon?
Hmmm, looks like they have at least on our flights.

Originally Posted by Speedbird84
There are a number of independently operated lounges there. I mainly use * to Delhi, and there're the two LH lounges, one SQ lounge as well as the 2 AI ones. I believe Jet and EK have their own as well.
Oneworld was using Kingfisher's lounge initially until they shut down.
Thank you Speedbird84.
SFO777 is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2016, 10:12 am
  #138  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 27
You tell fabulous stories of your travels, SFO777. Thanks for sharing your TR
Peter_G777 is offline  
Old Mar 19, 2016, 9:47 am
  #139  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, LH Senator *Gold, AA EXP OWE Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,556
Singapore-Tokyo
SQ 12


SQ's pathetic premium ground product continues with no priority security line.
After waiting an annoying 10 minutes to clear security behind a dozen Economy passengers, we were in boarding area.



Singapore to Tokyo (Narita)
SQ 12
A380-800
9:20a-5:20a (sked)
9:20a-4:50p (actual)
February 24, 2016
Suites 2CD


Boarding had already started by the time we arrived at the gate.





Finally the premium experience begins with a separate First Class jet bridge.

















Once in the air, a glass of Krug.



And the always excellent satay.





Today's menu.









And the wine list.





Taking lunch selections.







Showtime.



Starting with the Parma Ham and Perigourdine Truffle salad with shaved rock melon and honeydew. Pretty good.



The lavash was excellent and I may have cleaned them out on that.



Salad of Baby Spinach, Arugula, Frise, Sun-dried tomato and Kalamata olives.



For my main, I had Booked the Cook and went with Matt Moran's Seared Lamb Loin with salsa verde, Lyonnaise onion, aioli and bacon.



Unfortunately, it was awful... overcooked and inedible... with no sign salsa verde, aioli or bacon. Not that it would have made it any less inedible.



The Warm Lemon Tart with mango ice cream and citrus salad was good.



After lunch, I moved over to 4A, Mrs. SFO to 2K for a couple of hours of sleep.





We arrived 30 minutes early and headed to security and then wait to reboard the continuation of SQ12 to LAX.
SFO777 is offline  
Old Mar 19, 2016, 9:49 am
  #140  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, LH Senator *Gold, AA EXP OWE Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,556
A short walk from our arrival gate is Security.





And around the corner to the ANA Suites Lounge. Pics from last month.



















With an hour to wait, I headed to the showers to freshen up.













SFO777 is offline  
Old Mar 19, 2016, 9:49 am
  #141  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, LH Senator *Gold, AA EXP OWE Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,556
Tokyo Narita to Los Angeles
Singapore SQ 12
A380-800
6:50p-11:55a
February 24, 2016
Suites 2CD


Boarding had already begun by the time we arrived at the gate.





Another warm welcome on board by a new crew who escorted us to our same 2CD seats.











The menu for the NRT-LAX leg of the flight.



















For starters, another order of the satay. I now remember to ask for a spoon as toothpicks just don't cut it as a scooper.



Still good, but not as good as Malaysia...



Showtime, round 2.



My real starter was Suzanne Goin's Grilled Scallops with Rosemary on crispy potatoes, chorizo sausage and sherry glaze. Potatoes were not crispy but scallops were OK although not very warm.



Suzanne's Corn Chowder with Bacon Soup was very good, with poblano peppers, chili flakes and fingerling potatoes.



Salad of mesculin, asparagus, red radish and cherry tomatoes was ok, nothing special.



The mains were really disappointed. I had BTC'd the Lobster Thermidor. It looked great but tasted awful. One bite was all I could eat.



Our FA offered another main and I went with the Seared Striped Bass "a la Nicoise". It was better but still a meh. Not surprising as the Purser told me it would take a few minutes as it was partially frozen.



On the other hand, the Bittersweet Chocolate Tart with pistacchio ice cream was delicious.



After dinner, we both headed to empty suites were our FA had made our beds.
I slept solidly until about T-60 and passed on breakfast before we touched down at LAX about 15 minutes early.

Another good SQ flight with the usual outstanding service. But what the heck has happened to SQ catering?
Add in continuing poor premium ground service and SQ has dropped out of my Top 5 First Class products.


Just posted the final segment Back to reality: United First Class Home to Denveron SFO777.com

New segments...
Back to reality: United First Class Home to Denver

Will post to FT as soon as possible.

For an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com


And if you like these reports, we'd love if you would sign up for e-mail alerts from SFO777.com on new trip reports and our upcoming newsletter.
Please click here.
SFO777 is offline  
Old Mar 19, 2016, 2:43 pm
  #142  
ffI
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,588
SFO777, on your last trip, you gate crashed a wedding that my friend was attending at the hotel and this time, you got my colleague with you on the plane on the 16th and then you followed his visit to Jaipur. He told me he had a great time and will show me pictures soon and so I sent him your link - he now tells me, all he needs to do is show his friends and family your blog post and he can stop worrying about how to describe his trip

Originally Posted by alexisonsmith
Because the 787 was available and the A380 wasn't! Looking forward to read about the 787 was not over impressed with the seat on the A380
The 787 F class seat is sub par on Etihad. Very poor stowage space in front
The A340-600 is better.
Emirates suite may be cramped, but space inside is excellent

Originally Posted by Dieuwer
Please let us know about the real India, not just the fancy pics of 5* hotels.
I really would like to know about how often you were harassed. How many touts there are. If there is a horrible smell on the street, etc.
That info cannot be found on a TR with Mrs.SFO777. He is doing 5 Star India.

That window of the country is not the view of the backpacker.
Look at this report for that kind of info.
http://www.ridedot.com/india/
I have been on parts of the same route on a bike and every bit is true
(just much better photographed than by my limited skills)

Last edited by ffI; Mar 19, 2016 at 3:34 pm
ffI is offline  
Old Mar 20, 2016, 7:52 am
  #143  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, LH Senator *Gold, AA EXP OWE Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,556
Originally Posted by ffI
SFO777, on your last trip, you gate crashed a wedding that my friend was attending at the hotel and this time, you got my colleague with you on the plane on the 16th and then you followed his visit to Jaipur. He told me he had a great time and will show me pictures soon and so I sent him your link - he now tells me, all he needs to do is show his friends and family your blog post and he can stop worrying about how to describe his trip.
Thank you ffI. Wow, talk about a small world. What are the odds of that happening twice? Was he on the IAD-AUH flight? Assume he connected to JAI while we went to DEL?

Originally Posted by ffI
The 787 F class seat is sub par on Etihad. Very poor stowage space in front. The A340-600 is better. Emirates suite may be cramped, but space inside is excellent.
+1
I was really disappointed with the 787 F seat and space.
Strange that the window suites were disproportionately smaller than the middle suites.
The 77L First seat on our connecting DEL flight was so much more comfortable.

Originally Posted by ffI
That info cannot be found on a TR with Mrs. SFO777.
Indeed. Mrs. SFO777's idea of camping is a hotel without room service.
SFO777 is offline  
Old Mar 20, 2016, 12:26 pm
  #144  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,882
Originally Posted by ffI
SFO777, on your last trip, you gate crashed a wedding that my friend was attending at the hotel and this time, you got my colleague with you on the plane on the 16th and then you followed his visit to Jaipur. He told me he had a great time and will show me pictures soon and so I sent him your link - he now tells me, all he needs to do is show his friends and family your blog post and he can stop worrying about how to describe his trip


The 787 F class seat is sub par on Etihad. Very poor stowage space in front
The A340-600 is better.
Emirates suite may be cramped, but space inside is excellent


That info cannot be found on a TR with Mrs.SFO777. He is doing 5 Star India.

That window of the country is not the view of the backpacker.
Look at this report for that kind of info.
http://www.ridedot.com/india/
I have been on parts of the same route on a bike and every bit is true
(just much better photographed than by my limited skills)
I hear you. I go back home every year but always have family and friends with us. So five stars is usually ot of he question.

SFO777 has inspired me so I have some pics for TR, all I have to do is figure out how to paste photos in theT R. Writing , descriptions and opinions, background are not a problem.

Easiest way to add pics off a sd card or a thumb drive ? I know there is a thread, just don't want to wade thru.....
HMPS is offline  
Old Mar 21, 2016, 12:31 pm
  #145  
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan Airmiles AMEX-MR Alaska Airlines
Posts: 691
i make it a point now to wait till you write your entire report and then read everything top to bottom. i find waiting for each segment KILLS me!

well written as always and love the pics.
injian is offline  
Old Mar 21, 2016, 1:39 pm
  #146  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: UK
Programs: Virgin Flying Club Red, Emirates Skywards Blue, BA Executive Club Blue, Amex BA
Posts: 2,355
What the hell happened to SQ catering!!! I'm so shocked, upset and disappointed for you.
GodAtum is offline  
Old Mar 29, 2016, 7:27 am
  #147  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
IHG Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,408
Originally Posted by SFO777
Another good SQ flight with the usual outstanding service. But what the heck has happened to SQ catering?
Add in continuing poor premium ground service and SQ has dropped out of my Top 5 First Class products.

So what is your take between CX and SQ, since SQ flights weren't all that good food wise..
FlightNurse is offline  
Old Apr 3, 2016, 11:09 am
  #148  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,306
An enjoyable read, SFO777 ^

The BE Diamond seats that UA have on their international 757 in BusinessFirst are the same as the AA transcontinental Business Class seats on the A321. I agree theyre pretty comfortable, but the footwell is quite narrow and the seats arent particularly wide or private.

I like EYs onboard cabin styling, but their lounges are a little too cold in design IMO. Their onboard catering looks great. Its a shame that their ground product at AUH doesnt match their onboard service. Simply things like premium buses (although Im not sure to what extent a bus can actually be premium) and properly enforced priority boarding make all the difference.

The Oberoi in Delhi looks pretty dated, but luxurious nonetheless. Some nice images from around Delhi, bringing back memories of my first trip to India last summer (Bangalore) - I particularly liked the architecture shown on your second day. The aircraft with the birds over the archway is an excellent photo.

AI is one airline Im keen to steer well clear of. Looks dreadful - particularly the catering!

What an amazing property the Rambagh Palace is - truly beautiful. Jaipur itself looks equally lovely - definitely adding that to my places to visit list.

The Oberoi in Mumbai doesnt look bad, and the room is not what I would call crappy. Sure, its not as luxurious as some, but its not exactly horrid. Mumbai is so much nicer than Delhi - another city Id be keen to visit.

The Private Room is so elegant. Its a shame about a few dishes onboard not being great, and SQs ground product not being up to scratch. The styling of the interior cabins is very much to my taste, which is not something that can be said about the ANA lounge.
Genius1 is offline  
Old Apr 3, 2016, 1:59 pm
  #149  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: BOI
Posts: 223
Originally Posted by SQTraveller
This is interesting SFO777 --- have they stopped providing the 2004 Dom Perignon?

That should be a good thing. I haven't tried the '06 Dom, but it is overall a superior vintage for Champagne. '04 is a decent vintage, not more. '06 is one of the recent truly great vintages, alongside '12, '02, and '96.....
travellingwineO is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.