Luckily, my flight was departing out of Gate 4, which is a short walk from the SQ lounges. Security was performed prior to entering the gate area. Just like my experience in Hong Kong, the screeners were very polite and shoes and jackets stayed on. I was approached by one of the screeners, after I passed through the metal detector, who apologetically asked if I minded removing my iPad and running it through the x-ray machine by itself. Oh well, if you must. This was done quickly. Although the gate was crowded due to a nearly full load, the crowd was relatively subdued, as it was nearly 2AM. I sat down for maybe two minutes, before pre-boarding was called. Naturally, nearly everyone got up and began crowding the boarding lanes. First and Business Class boarding was announced a few minutes later. Many economy passengers tried to board at this time, but they were turned away one-by-one. I reached the scanner in a few minutes, and after a quick scan and (sadly) tear of my boarding pass, I was strolling down the jet bridge toward the sanctum that is SQ’s First Class cabin.

SQ 62
Singapore (SIN) –Moscow (DME)
Tuesday July 17, 2012
Depart: 2:30 AM
Arrive: 9:10 AM
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER (9V-SWA)
Seat: 1F (First Class)

Waiting for me at the end of the jet bridge, was the gorgeous 9V-SWA, the sister ship of the 77W that brought me to Singapore. Both aircraft were delivered to SQ straight from the Boeing Factory in Everett, Washington in later 2006. Tonight (or this morning) she was going to winging me and 2 other incredibly fortunate people seated in the forward cabin to Mother Russia. Oh, there maybe a few hundred fortunate souls behind us, as well. I say fortunate, because…well, would you rather be boarding UA’s flight to Tokyo, which was boarding not too far from us.

I was greeted by the purser at the door. After glancing at my boarding pass, he immediately showed me to my seat. SQ does not have any overhead bins in the First Class, so I placed my bag under the storage shelf beneath the entertainment system. A lovely SQ girl soon came by my seat to introduce herself as Connie and to inquire if she could fetch me a drink before takeoff. As tired as I was, I decided to stay on my course, so I ordered a glass of Dom. Connie soon returned with a lovely green bottle and glass at hand.

Not long after, the other 2 First Class passengers trickled in separately, and took up residence in 2A and 2F. In between greeting the other passengers and serving PDBs, Connie managed to find time to distribute pajamas, amenity kits, and presented menus, all the while having a brief chat with each passenger. Orders were taken a few minutes later. At this point, I was dead tired and really wanted to go to sleep. But to avoid excommunication from the TR forum, I decided to at least sample an appetizer and main course. Now that I am sitting in the JFK T2 SkyClub, writing this and snacking on carrots and celery with hummus (post trip diet), I really regret not at least getting the soup. You all know what they say about hindsight…

Our British captain came on the horn, a few minutes after our scheduled departure time, to extend a greeting and explained our delay was due to some last minute cargo being loaded onto the aircraft. After our final weight and balance numbers were checked we would be underway. Flight time has announced as 9 hours and 59 minutes. I took this opportunity to duck into lavatory and change into the provided pajamas. SQ uses Givenchy branded pajamas, with a “half zipped pull over” type top. The pajamas were in a dark gray color, which I liked a lot better than the brown and red scheme of the Shanghai Tang PJs CX uses; however, I do prefer CX pajamas in terms of comfort as they are made of a more light weight cotton.

When I returned to my seat, my empty champagne glass still sat on my console. Despite several crew members passing through the cabin, I wasn’t offered a refill, like on my HKG-SIN flight, nor did anyone offer to clear the glass. Though, I’ll cut the crew a bit of slack as it was fairly late at night. Connie returned a few minutes later with hangers to hang my street clothes and to finally clear my PDB glass. We ended pushing back about 30 minutes late, began quick taxi to runway 25C. Not surprisingly, there was no takeoff queue and we were airborne in no time, climbing out over the twinkling lights of the ships in the harbor. The cabin crew dimmed the cabin lights and began preparing for the meal service immediately after they were released from their seats as we climbed through 10,000 feet.

SQ offers an abbreviated supper service on all late night departures. The only big difference I noticed was the lack of a salad and dessert courses. I was expecting the main courses to be pared down as well, but I ended being impressed with the choices offered.

Supper From Singapore to Moscow

APPETIZERS
Iberico ham with poached quail egg, spinach, rocket, and fresh strawberries

Cold poached lobster, caviar, quail egg, Russian salad

SOUP
Chicken and sweetcorn consommé with smoked chicken dumpling

Chinese style seafood soup
MAIN COURSES
Ocean trout with miso crust in sesame dressing, bok choy, shiitake mushrooms and fettuccine

Seared tournedos of beef with rosemary jus, roasted asparagus, bell peppers and sautéed spinach

Udon noodles coups with crab claw and chicken dumplings, sliced mushrooms and leafy greens

Singapore fried carrot cake
A hearty traditional dish of fried savoury radish-rice pudding with prawns and pickled turnip

CHEESES
Selection of emmenthal, caprice des dieux, walnut and boursault cheeses served with garnishes

FRUITS
Fresh Fruits in Season

FINALE
A selection of gourmet coffees & fine teas

For those of you interested in liquid nutrition, here’s the drink menu

CHAMPAGNES
Dom Perignon 2000

Krug Grande Cuvee

WHITES
Piesporter Goldtropichen Riesling Kabinett 2007
Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt

Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons 2007 William Fevre

RED
2004 Chateau Leoville-Poyferre Saint-Julien Bordeaux, France

Clos Vougeot 2006 Louis Jadot

Mitolo Revier 2006 Shiraz Barossa, Australia

SWEET WHITE
Chateau Filhot 2009 Sauternes

PORT
Taylor’s Twenty-Year-Old Port, Douro, Portugal

Cocktails

SINGAPORE AIRLINES UNIQUE CREATIONS
Silver Kris Sling
Sunrise Breezer
Bloody Mary
Rumba
Skyhigh
Sweetness in Darkness
Apple Bliss
Awaiting the Golden Dawn
Orange Cooler

ALL-TIME FAVOURITES
Singapore Sling
Solitaire Dreams
Fruit Spritzer
Tropical Fizz

APPETISING APERITIFS
Campari
Dry Vermouth

SPIRITS
Macallan 12-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky
Cognac XO-Hennessy
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whisky
Bombay Sapphire GIN
Beivedere Vodka
Bacardi Superior

LIQUEURS
Cointreau
Bailey’s Original Irish Cream
Choya Umeshu

BEER
Tiger
Carlsberg

GOURMET COFFEES
Brazil Santos Bourbon
Columbian Supremo
Jamaican Blue Mountain
Kenyan AA ‘Killmanjaro’

SPECIALTY COFFEES
Brewed Coffee
Café Royal
Espresso
Cappuccino
Café Latte
Café au Lait
Decaffeinated Coffee
Mocha

OTHER BEVERAGES
Hot Chocolate
Ovaltine
Milo
Soya Bean Milk

INTERNATIONAL TEAS
Royal Darjeeling
Muwara Ellya OP Ceylon
Earl Grey
English Breakfast Tea
Singapore Breakfast Tea
Paris-Singapore Tea
Alfonso Fruit Tea
Moroccan Mint Tea
Chamomile
Decaffeinated Earl Grey
Rooibos Red Tea

IN-HOUSE TEA SELECTION

ASIAN TEAS
Indian Masala Tea
Sencha

CHINESE TEAS
Jasmine
Oolong
Pu-Erh

MINERAL WATER
Sparkling
Still

FRUIT JUICES
Apple
Orange
Pineapple
Tomato
Cranberry

SOFT DRINKS
Bitter Lemon
Coke
Coke Light/Coke Zero
Ginger Ale

MILK
Full Cream
Low Fat

My post take off drink of Dom was soon presented along with a dish of macadamia nuts by the purser, as Connie was making the bed for the passenger in 2A. Just like on my HKG-SIN flight, I was the only one drinking the good stuff. Two glasses later, Connie came by to setup my table and returned a moment the bread basket. Again, I chose the delicious garlic bread and a bread stick. Why mess with a good thing? My lobster appetizer was presented a few minutes later.


Cold poached lobster, caviar, quail egg, Russian salad

I was really hoping for caviar service, as I really enjoyed it on CX, but lobster is just as good to me. Apparently, caviar service is only available on dinner flights now. This appetizer was much tastier than the one served on my previous flight. The caviar added a nice salty kick to the lobster and the Russian salad was very tasty. I didn’t care much for the quail egg, as it was pretty bland. My plate was cleared as soon as finished and my main course was brought out 10 minutes later, which was a nice pace.


Singapore fried carrot cake

Despite its name, the Singapore carrot cake is actually very similar to the Chinese radish cakes, which you can get at dim sum restaurants. If had I actually read the menu carefully, I would have known this and gotten something else. Though radish cake is one of my favorite dishes, I can easily get it anywhere and my mom makes a pretty mean radish cake too. However, it was very good and served piping hot. The serving of prawns was rather generous. The spicy paste that came with the dish provided a nice amount of heat to the dish. Overall, I really did enjoy the dish along with the remnants of the bottle of Dom I had started. That was bottle number 3 for those of you keeping track at home.

I skipped the cheese and declined the offers for coffee; however, I did accept the offer of fruit. A basket of fruit was presented and I picked a few things. Quite honestly, I don’t remember what I picked or what the selections were, but I do remember it was pretty tasty. After my table was cleared, I went into the lavatory to brush my teeth. While I was waiting for my main course, Connie came to ask if I wanted the turndown service after my meal. I answered affirmative and asked if she could make it in the empty 1D. That wasn’t a problem. I went across the aisle to find my bed made, complete with a bottle of water and some pralines. I fell asleep within minutes of sliding under the duvet and buckling in. I found the SQ’s bed to be a little more comfortable as the foot well was substantially roomier. Although the SQ suite is a little less private than the CX suite, I actually liked it better because I felt a little less enclosed. SQ’s bedding was equally as good, and I really appreciated the extra pillow provided.

We did hit a good bit of turbulence, but I managed to sleep through most of it. I woke up for good after about 4 hours of sleep, with about 5 hours of flight to go. After I moved over to 1F, I decided to fire up the entertainment system, dubbed Kris World. The offerings were the same as my HKG-SIN flight. Compared to CX Studio, Kris World has a lot more variety, especially with TV shows. However, unlike CX, they only had a few episodes of each show, so it’s more or less a draw. The noise canceling headphones were on par with what CX offers. I did enjoy the larger screen though (23 inches vs 15.4 inches). I ended up watching Act Of Valor, which finished up as we were passing Islamabad.




A little peak outside

Connie dropped by to check on me as I finished the movie and offered me a selection from the snack menu.

Light Bites

NOODLES
Instant mushrooms noodle or flavour of the month
Vegetarian and non vegetarian instant noodles

SANDWICHES
Creamy tuna sandwich
Oriental roast duck sandwich
Roasted Portobello mushroom and parmesan cheese sandwich

SNACKS
Cashew nuts, honeyed walnuts or macadamia nuts
Snickers chocolate bar
Dried cranberry
Lay’s potato chips
Assorted walkers biscuit
Assorted cheeses with garnishes

As far the variety and quality of food goes, I would say CX and SQ are about neck and neck; however, SQ clearly takes the cake when we’re talking about the beverage menu. But at the same time, CX’s snack menu blows Singapore’s out of the water. I would expect a bit better in First Class, especially on one of the world’s best airlines. Anyways, I ordered the roast duck sandwich and an orange juice. It was pretty good.

I ended up watching Top Gun, since I thought it was pretty cool watching it on a plane. But when the movie finished, I ended up with same thought I always have: who the hell thought this movie was any good?

At this point we were less than less than 2 hours from Moscow, so it was time to peruse the menu once again for breakfast. Seriously, what have I done besides eat the last week or so? Oy.

Breakfast FROM SINGAPORE TO MOSCOW

TO START WITH
A choice of apple, tomato or freshly squeezed orange juice

FRUITS
Fresh fruit plate

STARTERs
Choice of cereals or yoghurt
Cornflakes with milk or Birchermuesli
Plain or fruit yoghurt

WHOLESOME BEGINNINGS
Teochew fish porridge
Rice porridge with sliced white pomfret fillet and condiments
A popular Singaporean dish

Selection of dim sum
Glutinous rice parcel with chicken and mushroom, scallop and leek har kow, prawn shew mai, vegetable dumpling and lobster chive dumpling

Warm Belgium waffles with fresh strawberries, maple syrup, and mascarpone cream

Fresh eggs prepared on board (baked, boiled or scrambled)
With your choice of ham, bacon, veal sausage, gruyere cheese and mesclun

FROM THE BAKERY
Assorted breakfast pastries and bread with butter, jam, marmalade or honey

FINALE
A selection of gourmet coffees & fine teas

Shortly after taking my order, Connie returned to begin the now familiar tradition of setting up my table. A little while later, my orange juice and fruit starter were delivered.



The fruit were ripe and nicely chilled. The purser came around the cabin offering the bread basket. I chose a croissant accompanied by orange marmalade. The croissant was warm and flaky and the marmalade was good, but not quite as good as the Scottish preserves I had on CX. Next up was birchermueslli and my Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.



Birchermueslli was good, although it’s hard to screw that up. The coffee was among the best I’ve ever had. It had just the right amount of acidity, at the same time it was quite bold as well. The menu does describe it to be just mildly acidic, but I thought it was a shade more than that. As far as truly memorable cups of coffees go, this was in my top 5. Next up was my main course. I had chosen the porridge, as it sounded good and it would be difficult for me to find in Dallas.



It was absolutely freaking awesome. The broth was light but incredibly flavorful at the same time. There were quite a few chunks of fish, which were very tender. The porridge was served with peanuts and dried little fish(I’m not sure how else to describe them but they were good) and a side of hot sauce. I literally drained the entire bowl. After breakfast, I went into the lavatory to change back into street clothes. As soon as locked the lavatory door, the seatbelt sign came on and we hit a good patch of turbulence. I won’t go into the details, but let’s just say it was a bit of an adventure.

Of course, the ride smoothed out as I exited the lavatory. Soon we began to descend and the flight attendants began tidying up the cabin for landing As we broke through the high level overcast clouds, I saw the lush green country Russian countryside for the first time. I didn’t quite expect to see as much foliage as I did. The purser came around the cabin thanking each of us individually and explained the transiting process. As we turned to line up with the runway, a triple bong sounded and the flight attendants took their seats. Touchdown was smooth, and after a long roll out we turned toward the terminal.