SQ228 MEL-SIN Y seat 39C
ETD - 1700
ATD - can't remember
Aircraft - B747-400
Check-in
*Gs use the Raffles Class counters in MEL where there were hardly any queues. I had checked in on the phone and had been given 39C, another emergency exit row aisle seat. MEL check-in agent was simultaneously curt and inefficient. He did not ask any of the security questions, and he only put the priority tags on my bag after a reminder.
Silver Kris Lounge at MEL
Good business centre with 3 broadband enabled PCs, and printing + faxing facilities. Good general lounge area. Wines were dissappointingly limited, a choice between 1 type of red wine (Merlot) and 1 type of white wine (Sauvignon Blanc). There was also a bottle of champers. Decent selection of beers and spirits. The lounge attendant was a very pleasant woman who remembered each pax's name and made an effort to chat with everyone. A boarding call was made at 1630.
Onboard service
Was characterised by the efficiency and friendliness one has come to expect from SQ. The plane was like a sauna when I boarded but it's not really SQ's fault as the temperature in MEL was 42 degrees C that day, and the plane had been on the tarmac since 6am after operating to MEL as SQ227. Both cabin and cockpit crews were quick to assure annoyed pax that the plane would cool down once in the air. I chatted with the Leading Stewardess (Miss Jaclyn Ng) who was seated in front of me during taxiing and take off. The bubbly Jaclyn explained that the Singapore Girl kebaya was rather suited to hot weather, but cheekily added that the Singapore Boys were sufferring in their big suits.
A drinks run was made after take-off. I was glad that SQ made the initial drink run on the full trolley rather than on trays like some of my other flights with them. It meant that pax could have whatever they wanted without being limited to whatever was on the tray. Saved the cabin crew from having to run back and forth from the galleys. Shortly after, dinner was served:
Appetiser
Coleslaw salad with ham
Main courses
Braised beef in Chinese wine-five-spices with vegetables and steamed rice
OR
Pan fried chicken in red wine jus with seasonal vegetables and potatoes
Cheese
Cheese and crackers
Dessert
Ice cream
From the bakery
Roll and butter
Hot beverages
Coffee - Tea
I decided to check out the beef as it sounded interesting, even though I usually get the western meal to be safe. Jaclyn informed me that there were usually extra meals floating around and I could have the western meal if I didn't like the beef. My selection of main course turned out to be excellent - the beef was tender and rich in flavours. Rice was bland if not for the beef gravy - I prefer the fragrant jasmine rice served on some other airlines.
After dinner I asked Jaclyn if she would be so kind as to take a photo with me. She decided to introduce me to her colleague instead as the latter was deemed the 'public face of the company' due to her blue uniform (Jaclyn as Leading Stewardess was in green).
I was sitting near families with babies and I observed that Jaclyn and her team were extremely talented in dealing with both infants and toddlers. They offerred to carry the kiddies without being asked when the a/c landed so their stressed-out parents could get their bags out of the overhead compartments.
Drink runs were regularly made. Unlike the initial drink run these were done with trays. I suppose it made sense as half the pax would be asleep or occupied with the IFE by now. And people could always press the crew call button if they want anything else in between drink runs. Needless to say I had copious amount of the delicious wines served by SQ, plus the odd can of VB.
IFE was the same as SQ217 but that was cool as there was so much to choose from. I watched 'Just like Heaven' and a few sitcoms. Still no 'Friends.'
A snack was served 90 minutes from landing:
Light bites
Penne pasta in tomato-olive sauce
OR
Chicken and leek pie
Dessert
Snack bar (tim tam!!!)
Hot beverages
Coffee - Tea
I chose the pie which was lovely - nicely cooked with a great taste. My seatmates and I asked the Girls for more tim tams and were rewarded with a generous handful of tim tams each.
We landed 40 minutes ahead of schedule. Another great flight with SQ, an airline with first class service across all classes.
My bag appeared on the baggage belt as soon as I arrived at the belt - amazing!
Some pics have been posted
here . Wasn't able to post all of them as for some reason my connection died while uploading the pics.