The Singapore Airlines A380 Suite Experience
SIN-NRT, June 2008
The experience started with the first class lobby at Singapore Changi Airport terminal 3.
The private lobby was empty. I walked in and an agent invited me to sit down at the table. He collected my documents and printed out a First Class boarding pass. When I inquired about my transiting luggage, he gave me an attitude
That was unexpected. Another female agent quickly came over and escorted me out of the lounge. She asked me where I was going. I told her Tokyo. She woo, ahhh’d, and told me I’d love the experience on A380. She took a peek at my boarding pass, stopped me, and told me to hang on for a second. She ran back and scolded the agent with an attitude (he deserved it) and came back with a Suite boarding pass
. That’s right! She continued to escort me to the private custom area. Upon exiting, the Silver Kris Lounge was right in front of me. I went in there to hang out for a few minutes.
The boarding process was rather chaotic, but expected for such a large aircraft. There was a separate boarding entrance for Suite passengers. I walked in, and was immediately escorted to my suite, 2F.
The suite was a little smaller than I had anticipated. It was actually about the same size as a regular first class seat/suite, but just a lot wider. I’d imagine it to have taken the same space as the F seat on 773ERs. Nevertheless, it was more than spacious for me. There was already a menu sitting on the side table waiting for me. The very friendly FA handed me my boarding pass and poured me a glass of Krug champagne as requested.
While she left to prepare for the arrival of other passengers, I walked around the cabin to take a few pictures of the double suites in the middle of the aircraft. If you look at the suite carefully, notice the wooden side table/bar in the center? Well, that entire table goes down to provide support for the bed. Notice the two latches on the wall? Those are for the mattresses. So, the mattresses go down and rest on the lowered center table and the ottoman to create a double sized bed. That’s the larger suites you see on the commercials.
I went back into my suite and tried to settle in. The FA quickly appeared again to give me my pajamas and amenity kit. The amenity kit was a nicer version of the amenity kit in regular first class. It’s still Ferragamo, but more luxurious
She also told me she had my book the cook kyo-kaiseki selection ready and asked when I’d like to have the meal. She told me to let her know whenever I’d like to enjoy my meal. I decided to have it after snoozing and just before arriving Narita. She also introduced me some of the features of my suite including the large monitor, control, how to set the table, compartments, etc. She said she’d come to check on me regularly and if I were sleeping, simply press the do not disturb button so she would not bother me. ^ Before she left, she gave me a pair of Bose noise canceling headset
Shortly after take off, she came over to offer a beverage and told me to tell her when I’d like my bed to be turned down. She was exceptionally friendly and really wanted to make sure that I was enjoying the flight. I felt as if though there really wasn’t a set schedule when things needed to be performed and I could do whatever I want, whenever I want, which was quite different from first class. Of course, the privacy of the individual compartment also helped tremendously. After having a cup of tea, I decided to sleep. I went to get her to turn down my bed while going to the luxurious lavatory
When I returned to my suite, my bed was fully turned down. The FA came over to give me a bottle of water and to tell me to let her know when I’d like to enjoy my meal.
It was very very comfortable. The main difference of the bed was that it was actually a full mattress pad vs a converted “seat” in regular first class. So, it felt more like a bed. Notice the brown cover on the wall. The wall was actually for you to lean on should you decide to sit up and watch TV. There were two separate seatbelts, one at the waist area and one at the bottom of the wall. Quite a smart design, if you asked me. I played around with the TV and other features for a bit then quickly went to bed.
When I woke up, I decided to have the meal. The regular meals on the menu, both international and the Japanese kyo-kaiseki were both simplified sleeper service versions so I’m not going to type up the menu (Or I can add it later if you want to see it). However, since I ordered book the cook version of kyo-kaiseki, I actually received the full version of the meal. It was much more substantial than the simplified breakfast service. Obviously, all the glasses and china were of higher quality, including the table linens (Givenchy). Also, I was provided with a lavish pair of real sterling silver accented chopsticks and silver stand vs the disposable wooden one. There were a set of cold dishes, a set of hot dishes, and a dessert. Since the Suite was only about half full, the FA invited me to come into 4F to have the meal so I could have the turned down bed for a while longer.
It was a very nice meal, except I didn’t have much of an appetite so I only sampled each dish. After the meal and before arrival, I decided to walk around the cabin
There were a bunch of cabinets directly below the staircase. I found that to be very intrusive as FAs opened and closed them. The FAs tried to be discreet about it, but it was still noisy. Row 1 was adjacent to the master control and crew rest so it was also noisy. Row 4 was near the galley. I’d pick row 3 as the best seats to have. Another interesting thing was that each suite only had 2 windows. And of course, during take off and landing, the aircraft rattled like crazy (Airbus trademark).
Overall, it was an amazing experience. They truly made this a Whatever/whenever (W
) experience. I wish the flight was much longer
***each of the above posted photos are my personal property and have been copyrighted via flickr.com. You may not, under any circumstances, use or reproduce these photos without my permission.***