The 'new' SQ21/SQ22 (A350-900ULR): reviews, trip reports, best/worst seats and more
Feb 13, 2019, 6:01 pm
#137
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
Sq22 - 12/2/19
I thought that I'd add my own experience, SQ22, two days ago.Background - a RTW and I wanted to include SQ22 (longest scheduled commercial flight and my first time on a A350 of any variety) for the return home as well as experience the 'Private Room'. I added Brunei on to the trip and was able to take SQ181 in F BWN SIN, spend a considerable amount of time in the Private Room and then SIN EWR on SQ22. After confirming that SQ181 in F would allow me access to the Private Room, I transferred Chase UR points to SQ and booked the flights.
Briefly, the SQ F experience on the 773, for a short flight was OK. I was told that I was the only official F passenger, but that a 'VIP' entourage would be filling the remainder of the seats. I had a lot of attention from the FAs, flight manager, etc., until the entourage boarded (at the very end of boarding, with a police escort). Have no idea who the VIPs were, but there was a large contingent of people awaiting their arrival on the jetbridge at SIN. (Although I was still allowed the exit first.)
Private Room. For all I have read on FT, I was not impressed. While the food, drink, and service was excellent, there was no comfortable seating (I ended up in one of the two “telephone booths” so that I could at least use a footrest to partially lounge), no luggage storage, and no USB charging ports. Having 10 hours there, I ended up using the airport's left luggage facility for my roller bag.
SQ22 itself. Disappointed mainly. In fairness, I was not feeling very well, so that didn’t help my situation. A few comments. Sat in 21A. J was about ½ loaded. I didn’t check PE. Pros – great IFE and I did sleep comfortably in the flat position for about 6 hours.
Minor cons: very warm in the cabin; nice pillows, but the pillow cases (2 out of 3) did not cover the pillows; no awareness of the free wifi; drink holder (to the left of the IFE screen) was not easily reachable from any seating position. The most significant con was the seat itself. Either flat, 90- degrees or somewhere around 45-degress. I simply could not get comfortable in a reclining position including the fact that my legs/feet still had to be angled in a reclining position.
Sleeping (comfortable as mentioned above) was tough. The cabin lights were fully illuminated 4 times during the flight. I assume that this was a service start single, but in one case, no crew was present.
Other observations – no amenity kit. I asked about it and was told whatever I needed could be found in the lavs. Disorganized operation. Only some passengers received PDBs. Only some passengers were quizzed about what drink they’d like after takeoff, etc. I can’t comment on the food as I really wasn’t feeling well enough to eat much. (Although I was very much looking forward to the satay, but no satay was to be found; glad I had a serving in the Private Room.)
The bottom line for me is that I should not take nighttime long haul flights. Two years ago, I did EY from AUH to JFK so that I could experience the Apartment, but I was simply too tired to enjoy it.
Briefly, the SQ F experience on the 773, for a short flight was OK. I was told that I was the only official F passenger, but that a 'VIP' entourage would be filling the remainder of the seats. I had a lot of attention from the FAs, flight manager, etc., until the entourage boarded (at the very end of boarding, with a police escort). Have no idea who the VIPs were, but there was a large contingent of people awaiting their arrival on the jetbridge at SIN. (Although I was still allowed the exit first.)
Private Room. For all I have read on FT, I was not impressed. While the food, drink, and service was excellent, there was no comfortable seating (I ended up in one of the two “telephone booths” so that I could at least use a footrest to partially lounge), no luggage storage, and no USB charging ports. Having 10 hours there, I ended up using the airport's left luggage facility for my roller bag.
SQ22 itself. Disappointed mainly. In fairness, I was not feeling very well, so that didn’t help my situation. A few comments. Sat in 21A. J was about ½ loaded. I didn’t check PE. Pros – great IFE and I did sleep comfortably in the flat position for about 6 hours.
Minor cons: very warm in the cabin; nice pillows, but the pillow cases (2 out of 3) did not cover the pillows; no awareness of the free wifi; drink holder (to the left of the IFE screen) was not easily reachable from any seating position. The most significant con was the seat itself. Either flat, 90- degrees or somewhere around 45-degress. I simply could not get comfortable in a reclining position including the fact that my legs/feet still had to be angled in a reclining position.
Sleeping (comfortable as mentioned above) was tough. The cabin lights were fully illuminated 4 times during the flight. I assume that this was a service start single, but in one case, no crew was present.
Other observations – no amenity kit. I asked about it and was told whatever I needed could be found in the lavs. Disorganized operation. Only some passengers received PDBs. Only some passengers were quizzed about what drink they’d like after takeoff, etc. I can’t comment on the food as I really wasn’t feeling well enough to eat much. (Although I was very much looking forward to the satay, but no satay was to be found; glad I had a serving in the Private Room.)
The bottom line for me is that I should not take nighttime long haul flights. Two years ago, I did EY from AUH to JFK so that I could experience the Apartment, but I was simply too tired to enjoy it.
Feb 13, 2019, 10:54 pm
#138
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: BRU, SIN, PEK
Programs: SQ TPP, LH SEN
Posts: 3,235
At my last flight they came around with the amenity kit items on a tray for you to select and fit in a pouch as you need. I declined having had these kit items before and generally travel with my own items, but the FA suggested I take the hand lotion which I did out of convenience, but really not something I needed, just saved myself digging in my bag for my own. If they aren't going around with this any more I wonder if it's just simply observing how few people take the items. I don't recall seeing that many passengers taking many items off the tray.
Feb 14, 2019, 5:42 am
#139
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DXB / KUO
Programs: AY, SQ, EK
Posts: 858
I'm not sure if that's how I'd describe SQ. 
In any case, I've never understood the concept of amenity kits. Why do airlines put a collection of stuff together, as most of the contents go straight into the bin anyways. Do people see the amenity kit as a reflection of something else? Just flew on QR a couple of days ago, and the lip balm was useful - then again, I think I had lip balm with me to start with.
Interesting to read people's comments about these flights.
In any case, I've never understood the concept of amenity kits. Why do airlines put a collection of stuff together, as most of the contents go straight into the bin anyways. Do people see the amenity kit as a reflection of something else? Just flew on QR a couple of days ago, and the lip balm was useful - then again, I think I had lip balm with me to start with.
Interesting to read people's comments about these flights.
Feb 14, 2019, 3:57 pm
#142
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,677
I'm not sure if that's how I'd describe SQ.
In any case, I've never understood the concept of amenity kits. Why do airlines put a collection of stuff together, as most of the contents go straight into the bin anyways. Do people see the amenity kit as a reflection of something else? Just flew on QR a couple of days ago, and the lip balm was useful - then again, I think I had lip balm with me to start with.
Interesting to read people's comments about these flights.
In any case, I've never understood the concept of amenity kits. Why do airlines put a collection of stuff together, as most of the contents go straight into the bin anyways. Do people see the amenity kit as a reflection of something else? Just flew on QR a couple of days ago, and the lip balm was useful - then again, I think I had lip balm with me to start with.
Interesting to read people's comments about these flights.
Feb 14, 2019, 5:57 pm
#143
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
I'm not sure if that's how I'd describe SQ.
In any case, I've never understood the concept of amenity kits. Why do airlines put a collection of stuff together, as most of the contents go straight into the bin anyways. Do people see the amenity kit as a reflection of something else? Just flew on QR a couple of days ago, and the lip balm was useful - then again, I think I had lip balm with me to start with.
Interesting to read people's comments about these flights.
In any case, I've never understood the concept of amenity kits. Why do airlines put a collection of stuff together, as most of the contents go straight into the bin anyways. Do people see the amenity kit as a reflection of something else? Just flew on QR a couple of days ago, and the lip balm was useful - then again, I think I had lip balm with me to start with.
Interesting to read people's comments about these flights.
And the purpose of this forum is so that we can provide comments about our experiences.
Feb 15, 2019, 1:07 am
#144
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DXB / KUO
Programs: AY, SQ, EK
Posts: 858
My reference to 'disorganized' simply referred to the operation between boarding and take-off, i.e. the welcoming passengers, PDBs, taking orders for drinks after takeoff, etc. My observation was that the crew was not working with each other. With regards to the amenity kit, not necessary for me, but I was looking forward to the 'cart' service and taking what I needed, as well as the amenity bag itself for my collection.
And the purpose of this forum is so that we can provide comments about our experiences.
And the purpose of this forum is so that we can provide comments about our experiences.
Ah ok. That is fair enough re level of organisation. I just tend to think that SQ have their processes figured out really well vs. other operators. I usually don't pay that much attention to service.
As for amenity kits, I see a lot of comments about them on FT. I understand some people might collect them, but I reckon most frequent travellers do not care. Perhaps SQ and other airlines could have some really nice amenity kits as a collector's item one could buy from in-flight duty free.
Feb 22, 2019, 1:30 am
#145
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SE ASIA
Programs: SQ KF GO, OZ GO, QR PC PLAT, TG ROP SL, LCAH SL, IHG SPIRE, Marriott BONVOY GO, HILTON GO
Posts: 641
I have rode this route several times.
I have a strong impression that the service of the crews on this new route is consistently worse (disengaged and not passionate) than other routes of SQ.
Presumably SQ should be placing its best crews on this route.
Anyone has similar impression?
I have a strong impression that the service of the crews on this new route is consistently worse (disengaged and not passionate) than other routes of SQ.
Presumably SQ should be placing its best crews on this route.
Anyone has similar impression?
I was seated in PEY.
As always, I think cabin crew react to how the pax behave e.g. if the pax is generally rude & demanding, they'll try their best to mask their emotions but the pax definitely won't be getting the best service.
I've seen pax seated at the rear of the cabin (aisle seat), ringing the call bell to ask for water & snacks to be brought to them.
Or the male pax seated in his aisle seat, asking a female crew member to take out his bag from the overhead compartment for him.
If only the "best" crews are scheduled for EWR, where should the "worst" crew go then?
Not likely - the crew get 3 nights stay in Manhattan & 2 scheduled breaks of 2-3 hours each during the flight.
It's a tough job, & the more I travel, the more I realize how much cabin crew go through.
Feb 22, 2019, 2:34 am
#146
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SE ASIA
Programs: SQ KF GO, OZ GO, QR PC PLAT, TG ROP SL, LCAH SL, IHG SPIRE, Marriott BONVOY GO, HILTON GO
Posts: 641
SQ 22 itself. Disappointed mainly. In fairness, I was not feeling very well, so that didn’t help my situation.
A few comments. Sat in 21A. J was about ½ loaded. I didn’t check PE.
Pros – great IFE and I did sleep comfortably in the flat position for about 6 hours.
Minor cons: very warm in the cabin; nice pillows, but the pillow cases (2 out of 3) did not cover the pillows; no awareness of the free wifi; drink holder (to the left of the IFE screen) was not easily reachable from any seating position. The most significant con was the seat itself.
Either flat, 90- degrees or somewhere around 45-degress. I simply could not get comfortable in a reclining position including the fact that my legs/feet still had to be angled in a reclining position.
Sleeping (comfortable as mentioned above) was tough. The cabin lights were fully illuminated 4 times during the flight. I assume that this was a service start single, but in one case, no crew was present.
Other observations – no amenity kit. I asked about it and was told whatever I needed could be found in the lavs. Disorganized operation.
Only some passengers received PDBs. Only some passengers were quizzed about what drink they’d like after takeoff, etc. I can’t comment on the food as I really wasn’t feeling well enough to eat much. (Although I was very much looking forward to the satay, but no satay was to be found; glad I had a serving in the Private Room.)
The bottom line for me is that I should not take night-time long haul flights.
Two years ago, I did EY from AUH to JFK so that I could experience the Apartment, but I was simply too tired to enjoy it.
A few comments. Sat in 21A. J was about ½ loaded. I didn’t check PE.
Pros – great IFE and I did sleep comfortably in the flat position for about 6 hours.
Minor cons: very warm in the cabin; nice pillows, but the pillow cases (2 out of 3) did not cover the pillows; no awareness of the free wifi; drink holder (to the left of the IFE screen) was not easily reachable from any seating position. The most significant con was the seat itself.
Either flat, 90- degrees or somewhere around 45-degress. I simply could not get comfortable in a reclining position including the fact that my legs/feet still had to be angled in a reclining position.
Sleeping (comfortable as mentioned above) was tough. The cabin lights were fully illuminated 4 times during the flight. I assume that this was a service start single, but in one case, no crew was present.
Other observations – no amenity kit. I asked about it and was told whatever I needed could be found in the lavs. Disorganized operation.
Only some passengers received PDBs. Only some passengers were quizzed about what drink they’d like after takeoff, etc. I can’t comment on the food as I really wasn’t feeling well enough to eat much. (Although I was very much looking forward to the satay, but no satay was to be found; glad I had a serving in the Private Room.)
The bottom line for me is that I should not take night-time long haul flights.
Two years ago, I did EY from AUH to JFK so that I could experience the Apartment, but I was simply too tired to enjoy it.
Allow me to share my experience and opinions, which in no way is meant to offend or disregard your experience.
- I've not been to TPR so I can't comment on that. Would love to someday though.
- PEY was about 50% full on this flight (it was 90% full on my return on 14FEB)
The week before (which was CNY), I was told by EWR check in staff that the flights went out almost empty
- Lots of comments on the SQ forum about the A350 J seats, so you are not alone in disliking it.
I got a bulkhead seat (11A) on SQ 32/31 (SFO) a year ago, & also for next month (19K) to IAH (SQ51/52)
I thought the seat itself was fine, but I'll update after my flight next month.
I've not tried the ULH J seats but I think it's the same/similar as the regular A350.
O/T it's impossible to redeem J Saver on this route - I tried many times last month just before the KF devaluation, for flights 355 days out & there were none at all
So I used my miles for LAX instead.
- Cabin temp is very subjective - the temp was comfortable throughout in PEY.
I was in my PJ pants & a cotton t shirt - although at certain points of the flight, I had to put on my sweater for an hour or two when I felt chilly.
Perhaps, you felt warm because you weren't feeling well?
I flew with JAL last month, and while I felt a bit warm (I wasn't sick) the (mostly Japanese) passengers around me were covered in blankets!
- I asked the LSS about the cabin lights before final preparation for arrival in EWR, apparently there was a glitch in the system & it just went on by itself.
It happened in the PEY cabin as well, at one point when I was sleeping & got woken up by the lights.
- Re: amenity kits
https://milelion.com/2019/01/22/tria...usiness-class/
Personally, I've stopped taking them because I've got too many & not much use for them.
But I agree that sometimes, some of the larger sized amenity kits can be used for storage of personal items.
- Re: PDB
If you wanted one, I'm pretty sure you can stop & ask any of the cabin crew walking past.
The J cabin on the ULH is huuuge though, and it's quite easy to miss out a couple of pax I think.
- exSIN almost all long haul flights to Europe & US (except LHR/LAX/SFO etc. I think) depart late at night.
Personally, I'm OK with night time dep. to EU or US. It's the medium haul flights (3.5-6 hours) to HKG/JPN that are killer.
I also really dislike early morning flights e.g. SQ 21 which dep. EWR at 9.40am but I guess for such an ULH flight, it's not a big issue.
My reference to 'disorganized' simply referred to the operation between boarding and take-off, i.e. the welcoming passengers, PDBs, taking orders for drinks after takeoff, etc. My observation was that the crew was not working with each other.
With regards to the amenity kit, not necessary for me, but I was looking forward to the 'cart' service and taking what I needed, as well as the amenity bag itself for my collection.
And the purpose of this forum is so that we can provide comments about our experiences.
With regards to the amenity kit, not necessary for me, but I was looking forward to the 'cart' service and taking what I needed, as well as the amenity bag itself for my collection.
And the purpose of this forum is so that we can provide comments about our experiences.
But it is well known that pre-dep, SQ cabin crew have to perform a long list of safety checks & procedures.
Some other airlines seem to be more relaxed on this aspect.
On the return flight, the 1st meal svc on my side was considerably slower than the R side as the CS & FSS weren't really coordinated.
While the LSS & GS were like whizzing thru the cabin. It's comical to see that the other side was almost at the end of the cabin while my side was still 1/2 way.
Feb 25, 2019, 4:04 am
#148
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SE ASIA
Programs: SQ KF GO, OZ GO, QR PC PLAT, TG ROP SL, LCAH SL, IHG SPIRE, Marriott BONVOY GO, HILTON GO
Posts: 641
BTC options didnt seem enticing to me - although a few pax around me did BTC the chicken rice for the 1st meal after take off.
I pre ordered a SPML - LSML (low sodium) but I did get a pic of the Canyon Ranch meal ( tofu) & the pizza snack.
I pre ordered a SPML - LSML (low sodium) but I did get a pic of the Canyon Ranch meal ( tofu) & the pizza snack.
Last edited by kaffir76; Feb 25, 2019 at 8:30 am
Feb 25, 2019, 8:34 am
#149
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SE ASIA
Programs: SQ KF GO, OZ GO, QR PC PLAT, TG ROP SL, LCAH SL, IHG SPIRE, Marriott BONVOY GO, HILTON GO
Posts: 641
Pics added
Top L - R : LSML Fish (supper), LSML chix sandwich (yuck), pizza snack from menu Below L - R : LSML eggs (b/f), delectable selection at the galley/rear of the cabin (from SQ21 - for ref.), Canyon Ranch tofu main
SQ 22 MENU
Feb 25, 2019, 2:33 pm
#150
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
I've taken this flight twice (4 sectors) & I've had nothing but excellent service from all members of the crew.
I was seated in PEY.
As always, I think cabin crew react to how the pax behave e.g. if the pax is generally rude & demanding, they'll try their best to mask their emotions but the pax definitely won't be getting the best service.
I've seen pax seated at the rear of the cabin (aisle seat), ringing the call bell to ask for water & snacks to be brought to them.
Or the male pax seated in his aisle seat, asking a female crew member to take out his bag from the overhead compartment for him.
If only the "best" crews are scheduled for EWR, where should the "worst" crew go then?
Not likely - the crew get 3 nights stay in Manhattan & 2 scheduled breaks of 2-3 hours each during the flight.
It's a tough job, & the more I travel, the more I realize how much cabin crew go through.
I was seated in PEY.
As always, I think cabin crew react to how the pax behave e.g. if the pax is generally rude & demanding, they'll try their best to mask their emotions but the pax definitely won't be getting the best service.
I've seen pax seated at the rear of the cabin (aisle seat), ringing the call bell to ask for water & snacks to be brought to them.
Or the male pax seated in his aisle seat, asking a female crew member to take out his bag from the overhead compartment for him.
If only the "best" crews are scheduled for EWR, where should the "worst" crew go then?
Not likely - the crew get 3 nights stay in Manhattan & 2 scheduled breaks of 2-3 hours each during the flight.
It's a tough job, & the more I travel, the more I realize how much cabin crew go through.
That said, I couldn't imagine asking any FA to remove my bag from the overhead bin unless I was disabled somehow.
Glad that the FA's receive 3 nights in NYC; it took me two days to be back on schedule.