29 December 2013
Singapore Airlines
SQ 833
Shanghai Pudong (PVG) - Singapore (SIN)
B777-300ER
9V-SWP
Economy Class
Will be flying 9V-SWP today. We missed the new B773ER by a day as SWV made an unscheduled "guest appearance" on this exact flight just the day before!
Boarding was done orderly and we passed the empty premium cabins to our seats at row 55A/C right at the rear of the aircraft. Luckily, the middle seat remained empty, one of the few empty seats in Economy on this flight.
Emirates A380 beside.
With the headwinds along the way, it would be a lengthy 5+hrs to Singapore.
Hot towels and menus distributed. Again, headsets were already at the seats and Krisworld could be fired up immediately.
Just a normal menu for the return flight.
Aircraft out on the tarmac.
After all passengers had boarded.
Doors were closed 10min before our STD of 1620hrs. However, there was no sign of pushback, and the pilots then came on to announce that due to airspace congestion, we were not given a specific timeslot for departure by ATC, and they would try to negotiate for a departure time. A while later, pilot came on again and announced that departure would be delayed by an hour to 1720hrs! Apologies were also offered even it was not the fault of the airline. Luckily Krisworld was available and most pax settled into their entertainment. Crew also came through with a round of water.
Started watching a Singapore-made movie "Ilo, Ilo" on Singapore Airlines.
Finally we pushed back slightly after 1700hrs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIUCEWfx5l4
Had a very lengthy taxi to Rwy 35R.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTvA6ZdZezw