I do this flight every two weeks and have gotten it down pat. If you want to stay at the Ritz and wake up early and taxi to the then leave the Ritz at 3:00am. (You may know its one of the closest to the airports). The tix counter opens at 3:00 and your taxi should get you there by 3:20-3:30. The check in line goes rather smooth even when the Airbus is full which is almost always. The Biz class or Elite status doesnt much help as security takes everyone one by one before the can segregate the classes. Once cleared by security you will be allowed to the first open agent, Elite line or not. Only half of the check in agents are real NW agents so if you have any problems (sometimes they drop my pre-assigned seats . The head SIN station chief is x and he is very efficient in resolving problems) Unfortunately he can not always get back seat assignments dropped but he did once protect the 3 seats around me in economy. Even came to talk to the crew to make sure they understood. NW needs more like him. The latest I would arrive at the airport if you plan to go straight to the plane would be 4:30am


If you dont go to the lounge there is a 24 hour Subway (landside) or a good bookstore (airside) plus some free Samsung terminals for internet access once past immigration.


Boarding starts at 5:00 to 5:15 and is again a long process as WBC and elites have no special line. As this flight is almost always full it pays to get there around 5:15. Before you get there you must clear immigration though. At this time in the morning it is empty. I have never waited for more than one person. The lounge is a third party longe, not a NW one. It is good though and has sandwiches and some hot muffins in addition to a full open bar. It has a free internet terminal but it is slow dialup. There are two good massage chairs there to use. Many new US & European language reading materials. The lounge is upstairs across from CX one so you must take the esculator up one flight and wind around to get there. SIN-NRT leaves from gate 44 which is a 5 minute esculator assisted walk from the club.

The Airbus 300 200 series has power ports WITHOUT need of an adaptor so you can just plug in for rows 1 -22. The plug is on the base of the seat supporter between where your foot and kneecap would be. Often the flight atendants are not used to this new equipment so they dont know about them. You can use then when the light (near the plug in) is on green. Sometimes the pursor forgets to turn the system on while inflight so just ask him if the light is red and you are at cruising altitude.

Remember the key seats in economy are 11-C or 11G. I do anything to get these seats or ncy emergerow 29. This Airbus series is good because the emergency door has no protrusion.
see:
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Nor...irbus_A332.php

actually I think WBC is not good on the Airbus--too narrow seats no matter what NW says.

PS Taxi is the only choice. The last MRT to the airport is at 11:50pm and doesnt open to 6:00am

hope this helps!