Check-in at Singapore Changi airport



I took a taxi from the hotel and arrived at Changi airport at 4.45 pm, in good time for my evening departure.
It’s amazing how cheap the taxis are in Singapore by the way. I don’t mind using public transportation, but the 20 km ride to Changi costs absolutely no money to speak of, so taking a taxi is an easy choice.

All SQ flights to south and southeast Asia still use the old terminal 2, whereas terminal 3 is used for mediumhaul and longhaul flights.
I had some problems finding the business class check-in as the premium check-in counters are located in a separate check-in island from the other SQ check-in desks.
Eventually I found the right island, the place was deserted and I was quickly checked in by a friendly young woman.
I was happy she could check both me and my luggage to the final destination, nothing to bother about in Bangkok.

Pics
The Singapore Airlines first class and business class check-in in terminal 2
The departure board
The control tower and the distinctive Crowne Plaza Hotel seen from the skytrain between terminal 2 and terminal 3
Inside the spotless transit hall of terminal 3

Singapore Airlines Silverkris Lounge, Singapore Changi terminal 3



With over two hours before departure I was very eager to see the new Silverkris lounge in terminal 3 which I had not been to yet.
A great thing about Changi airport is that you can move between all terminals airside without any boarding pass checks. There are also skytrains running between all three terminals, usually every three minutes, so moving around is easy.

The Silverkris lounge was quite a walk from the skytrain station. No problem to get in, despite being in the wrong terminal, I was just informed there would be no departure calls and that I should leave in good time before departure.

After the boarding pass check at the lounge entrance business class passengers turn left while first class passengers turn right where there is an additional check of boarding passes for the first class lounge.

My first impression of the Silverkris lounge was great. The lounge is vast and the design is modern and stylish, a major upgrade from the old lounge in terminal 2.
There are plenty of sitting areas, some of them in front of large widescreen TVs.



Food and drinks were great as well. There is a massive buffet area with hot food (both western and Asian), cold cuts, vegetables, fresh fruit, sushi and miniature desserts.
You can definitely make yourself a proper dinner in the lounge.

Soft drinks were available in the main buffet area whereas alcoholic drinks were available in a separate area. They had lovely Tiger beer on tap (with cold beer glasses in a fridge), however the selection of wine and spirits was rather limited, the only real drawback about the lounge.

I spent about 45 minutes in the lounge drinking Tiger beer and using the free WIFI in front of one of the widescreen TVs showing a golf tournament.

Pics
The entrance to the Silverkris lounge in terminal 3
Business class to the left, First class to the right
Inside the business lounge
Great widescreen TVs to enjoy
The very large self-service buffet area
Cheese and sandwiches for self service
Vegetables, selection of fresh fruits and sushi
The restaurant, cool design!
The self-service drinks area

Singapore Airlines Silverkris Lounge, Singapore Changi terminal 2



A quick ride on the skytrain and I was back in terminal 2 where I made a visit to the second Silverkris lounge at Changi.

There is absolutely no competition which SQ lounge is the nicest at Changi, the terminal 2 lounge feels like an abandoned dungeon compared to the spotless supermodern terminal 3 lounge.
Otherwise the selection of food and drinks is pretty much identical in both lounges and they both have free WIFI, internet computers, TVs and a decent selection of newspapers and magazines.

After a cup of coffee and some light snacks in the terminal 2 lounge it was time to head for the gate.

Pics
Back in terminal 2
The entrance to the terminal 2 Silverkris lounge
Inside the business lounge
Sitting areas
Some of the hot food in the self-service buffet area
Bread, cheese, vegetables and spirits for self service
The bar in the lounge

Boarding



As usual at Changi boarding was flashing on the monitors nearly an hour before departure, but after many visits I knew not to believe a word of it. However as the security check takes place at the gate it’s probably a good idea to get most passengers there early.

Boarding was announced in the gate lounge 30 minutes before departure with priority boarding for business class which was strictly enforced. The distinctive blue boarding passes used for business class made this task rather easy for the ground staff.

Once onboard I was shown to my seat 12A on the second row of business class. There was a first class cabin onboard as well (two rows I think) but it was not used as first class is no longer sold on this route.
I was warmly welcomed onboard, shown to my seat and the crew offered to assist me with my hand luggage.
Pre-departure drinks were offered (bubbly!) followed by hot towels and newspapers. Magazines were available on request and the friendly FA managed to find a copy of the latest The Economist for me.
The crew noticed my glass of champagne had been emptied rather quickly and took the liberty to arrange a refill while I was visiting the lavatory.

Pics
An oasis in the busy terminal
The Boeing 777 that will take us to Bangkok, seen from the gate lounge
Welcome onboard! This is an evidence of the attentiveness of crew onboard the flight

Singapore-Bangkok, flight SQ 978 operated by Singapore Airlines
Departure: 19:15
Arrival: 20:40
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200
Class: Business Class
Seat: 12A



Pushback right on time at 7.15 pm, however this was a busy evening at Changi and we turned out to be number eight for take-off.
We were eventually airborne at 7.45 pm from runway 20C.

The approach to runway 02/departure from runway 20 is one of my absolute favourites. I just love watching the Singapore skyline and the massive number of ships anchored outside the city.
This was a beautiful evening without a single cloud and I got some great views during the climb. We made a sharp 180 degrees left turn and I could see the entire airport from the air. Especially the new Crowne Plaza Hotel really stands out at the airport.

Pics
Terminal 2 after pushback
Busy evening at Changi
The massive number of vessels anchored outside Singapore
Singapore Changi airport from the air

The menu

The menu was handed out at the same time as pre-departure drinks were served and this is the menu for the meal service on the flight to Bangkok:

Pics
The nice business class menu

The meal service



The menu is certainly most impressive for a two hour flight including four choices of main course and a massive selection of drinks.

Before departure drink orders were taken which were delivered after take-off with assorted nuts, another glass of bubbles for me...
For this flight I had ordered book the cook, it was easily arranged by sending an e-mail to one of the SQ reservation offices.
I had ordered “6 oz. U.S. rib-eye steak with creamy green peppercorn sauce, roasted vegetables, and garlic-mashed potatoes”, and the crew confirmed already on the ground my meal order had been loaded.

After the post-departure drinks the tables were set and the meal trays were handed out with the starter. More drinks were offered as well as bread rolls from a basket, I asked for a glass of the French red wine Chateau Lacombe-Nouillac and it was very tasty.
Next the main courses were delivered and my book the cook dish was a great choice, it was absolutely delicious and I enjoyed every bite of it. One of the FAs actually approached me and asked specifically if I was happy with the way it had been prepared.

No dessert on this flight, but there was a bowl with fresh fruits on the tray which was perfectly adequate for the length of the flight, I was not exactly hungry after that main course anyway.
There was a slight delay in the coffee and tea service due to turbulence, but eventually my Kenyan AA Kilimanjaro coffee was delivered, very strong, just the way I like it.

After the meal water bottles were handed out to all passengers.

Pics
Champagne and assorted nuts
Starter
Main course
Coffee

The seat

The seat onboard was the old regional business class seat. It is nice and perfectly acceptable for a two hour flight, but nowhere near any of the newer seats available on other SQ aircrafts.
There were six rows of business class in a 2-3-2 configuration divided into two cabins with three rows in each cabin.
The load in business class was light so no lack of space.

The nice Krisworld inflight entertainment system was of course in operation during the flight with full AVOD and plenty of movie, TV and audio options.

Pics
The business class seat
The business class cabin on the Boeing 777
Seat controls

The service

Superb! Of course a light load in business class and a good mood of most passengers made this easier.
I was addressed by name several times during the flight and my glass was never left empty.

The meal service was extremely well coordinated with optimal time between the dishes, they really excelled during this flight. The crew also remembered exactly what I was drinking so I never had to remind them of for example what red wine I had chosen.

After the meal service the crew asked us to complete a survey regarding the flight. I agreed to do it and I easily gave them the highest mark on most questions.

Arrival in Bangkok



We landed right on time at 8.40 pm on runway 19R at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport.
All passengers disembarked through the front door and I was once again addressed by name as I said goodbye to the crew.
A very nice flight was coming to an end! Thanks a lot Singapore Airlines!

Pics
Seconds before landing in Bangkok, a beautiful evening!
The very distinctive terminal building at night