MANILA to SINGAPORE (MNL-SIN) on SQ 777-300

I'd booked on a later return flight which I no longer needed to take so I asked at the lounge if I could switch to the flight which will soon be departing. When I checked earlier in the day it appeared to be full but I had nothing to lose by asking and who knows how many no shows there will be.

While I wait I entered the lounge and checked some email on the one computer. There is an first class side and a business class side. The first class side was rather small and very full (every seat taken). There was a modest selection of food and drink. Probably one of the worst SQ operated lounges I have visited.

As boarding is announced I get given a new boarding pass. Yay. I head to the gate. They ask to see my arriving boarding pass to ensure I do not need to pay the departure tax.

It is a full flight, at least in business class. We are late leaving, not having made up any time in the turnaround. After we take off we turn and fly back over the airport while slowly climbing, and I notice the wheels were not retracted until we went past the airport. I presume there was some problem indicated which they wanted checked out. Anyway apparently there is nothing important wrong as shortly thereafter the wheels are retracted, we turn towards Singapore and climb more steeply.

There isnt much view thanks to the clouds, and my attempts to sleep. We arrive behind schedule. At the gate we get screened before being allowed to enter the terminal. This sometimes happens on flights from certain asian airports - a bit hit and miss though. If you are on a flight that gets arrival screening and a short connection, better hope you are one of the first off the aircraft!