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Flying SQ New Economy to Sydney SQ231/232
Since the launch of SQ's newest seats, I did not have much luck in scoring an aircraft fitted with them, till the recent outbound flight to Sydney on SQ. It was only a rather short trip over the public holiday and weekend and airfares on SQ was surprisingly reasonable for the flights I chose.
Check-in at Terminal 3 was DIY nowadays but for Australia-bound passengers, you would still need to proceed to the desks for passport/ETA verification before boarding passes were issued. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7163/2...b86a6b66_b.jpg Printed boarding pass issued from the desks were on proper stock, instead of the flimsy paper from the DIY machines. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8611/2...55734f6d_b.jpg Departure gate at A13. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8583/2...c1e50a4c_b.jpg 06 July 2016 Singapore Airlines SQ 231 Singapore (SIN) - Sydney (SYD) B777-300ER 9V-SWM Economy Class Flight Time: 6H47M The flight was scheduled to be operated by a B77W with new seats, and luckily it remained so with no last minute swaps. Boarding was on scheduled. Passing the New Business Class seats. Gonna try them, hopefully, in a couple of month' time. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8615/2...789e288a_b.jpg The new Premium Economy Class. Think it remained rather empty on this flight, consistent with rumours that PEY is not doing too well on SQ. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7684/2...fd7ce461_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8580/2...79153803_b.jpg https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7706/2...3fc87cef_b.jpg And into the New Economy cabin, where I would be seated. On each seat was a pillow and blanket. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8758/2...e0ef45e9_b.jpg https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7737/2...c43b165c_b.jpg Large IFE touchscreen monitor and touch-pad controller. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7694/2...25461e75_b.jpg Legroom was good and unlike the older generation seat, the footrest was less of a hindrance for me. Seat was very comfortable and recline was great. Way better comfort level then the previous generation seat. No wonder no one wants to pay for PEY. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8897/2...4a9b1e41_b.jpg View out the window. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8830/2...023ea2f2_b.jpg |
In movie mode, the flight map can be displayed on the remote handset.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7296/2...77388433_b.jpg Amenity kit was distributed, consisting of socks and a toothbrush set. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7131/2...80aa9c90_b.jpg Menu for the flight. A hot refreshment would be served after takeoff, and breakfast before arrival. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8686/2...e19d4df1_b.jpg Extensive beverage list. Spot the new alcoholic cocktail introduced. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7131/2...a927b3f8_b.jpg After takeoff refreshment was a choice of Pork pasta or Chicken Fried Rice. This seemed to be an improvement over the previous warm sandwiches/wraps served as refreshment on this particular flight. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8664/2...60c7b304_b.jpg Refreshment tray, with orange juice and tea. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8887/2...11c806d3_b.jpg Had the Fried rice with chicken and egg, which was actually quite tasty, though a bit lacking in the proteins department. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8818/2...56c374f2_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8871/2...907f2d62_b.jpg The other choice of Pork Stroganoff Pasta was very good as well, and definitely tasted much better than it looked. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7453/2...7bd3fa01_b.jpg Tried the new cocktail, Bailey's White Russian, which was prepared rather strong. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7493/2...669e081a_b.jpg Visit to the lav, which was stocked with the usual economy amenities. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8867/2...a0103ce8_b.jpg After I finished with the movie, I managed to catch a couple plus of hours' nap on the very comfortable seat, and woke up somewhere over the Australian desert. Not sure why, but the flight map had all info in Chinese and I could not figure out how to switch it back to English. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7608/2...09fa4a2e_b.jpg |
Day break over the Australian outback.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8731/2...ce984539_b.jpg Cabin lights turned on, hot towels distributed and breakfast was served about 1h45m before arrival. Luckily on this flight, the crew used some common sense and decided not to stick to the "breakfast served 2.5hrs before arrival" rule, which would be ridiculous on such a short red-eye flight. Also, with the less than full cabin, there was still plenty of time for service. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7588/2...f4076abe_b.jpg Choices for breakfast were Nasi Lemak or Scrambled eggs. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8599/2...398ab388_b.jpg Breakfast tray, which came with fruits, yoghurt, roll with butter and preserve. Note the comeback of the glass tumbler for wines/juices. Apparently the use of glass tumblers in economy is only on selected "premium" flights and the crew themselves were equally confused on which flights have it as most flights are still using the plastic tumblers. Had an orange juice and coffee with my breakfast. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8710/2...457e6591_b.jpg Chose the nasi lemak, which is rather flavourful, though could be a bit spicy for the non-Asians. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8599/2...2bbddcfd_b.jpg https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7656/2...161bda79_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8841/2...a3c58bc1_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8656/2...78a8b439_b.jpg Sun is up. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8726/2...bf732282_b.jpg After breakfast service is completed, a crew came over with my pre-ordered Krisshop item of the newly-launched "Singapore Girl" Hello Kitty! Apparently this was very popular and got sold out on most flights! Best to pre-order it online, but only restricted to flight departing from SIN. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7600/2...832796ed_b.jpg View of the cabin. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8666/2...166dd54c_b.jpg Note the generous recline. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8594/2...61799cb2_b.jpg |
As we flew nearer to Sydney, the skies clouded up.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8706/2...0fd20c7e_b.jpg Descending into a very cloudy Sydney. The weather would be cloudy and gloomy for the next 2 days as well.... https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8589/2...eb7c0fef_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8799/2...ea2455df_b.jpg https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7716/2...07fddc49_b.jpg Short video of the descent. Approaching Rwy16L from the south. It was rather windy during the approach. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8654/2...a4c3c992_b.jpg https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7044/2...e8339934_b.jpg 1000ft to go https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8814/2...cb99ce47_b.jpg Landed on Sydney Rwy16L, half hour ahead of schedule. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8576/2...6a638302_b.jpg Video of the landing. We hope you had a pleasant journey. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8680/2...c1b3725d_b.jpg Taxi to the gate, but we had to hold on the remote for 20min as our allocated gate was still occupied by a TG aircraft awaiting pushback. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8722/2...455702c7_b.jpg SQ A380 awaiting being towed to the gate for flight back as SQ232. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7787/2...8cbb7287_b.jpg After the TG B744 was pushed back, we taxied into the gate. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8675/2...e2f77860_b.jpg |
Disembarking and passing Business Class.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8623/2...873ebd20_b.jpg Grabbing pics of 9V-SWM. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8707/2...e9fc6ae5_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8833/2...fc4554c6_b.jpg It was a very comfortable flight on SQ to Sydney, and the short red-eye did not felt as bad as feared. The comfortable New Economy seats really offered new levels of comfort, with the enhanced IFE, good catering and the usual high standards of professional and efficient SQ service, it was a pleasant journey to Sydney indeed! Spotted another of my favourite airlines while walking to immigration. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8652/2...1351ed99_b.jpg For the first time ever, immigration was a breeze at an Australian airport, due to my eligibility to use the SmartGate automated clearance. There was a slight wait for bags and after being directed to an express lane through customs, it was a quick 20min train ride to the city center. Stayed at The Grace hotel in between Wynyard and Town Hall, which was of a walking distance to most sights. The 4.5-stars hotel was not only centrally located, but offered nice rooms at really reasonable rates. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8869/2...4dd6279b_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8592/2...76c5c8db_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8865/2...40971578_b.jpg Night views of Sydney Harbour and sights. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8624/2...cef3ccdd_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8663/2...a583715e_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8706/2...d285e7c1_b.jpg Next day, walked down towards Darling Harbour while on the way to the Sydney Fish Market. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8581/2...84579c7a_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8857/2...b5be8f79_b.jpg |
I like reading trip reports to Australia. Thanks
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CBD Skyline
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8643/2...65ce408c_b.jpg Spent the wet and drizzly morning at the Sydney Fish Market. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8765/2...a97bdc23_b.jpg https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7165/2...ed01850c_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8719/2...dd201eee_b.jpg https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7470/2...df3a0671_b.jpg https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7650/2...3ebe7918_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8623/2...9646fed8_b.jpg https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7522/2...f6ab07b5_b.jpg Had a seafood brunch https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8899/2...7af5f7b0_b.jpg Some afternoon tea at Koko Black. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7370/2...a72a0778_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8845/2...479195ca_b.jpg Great place for burgers at Surrey Hill, Chur's Burger. Had a lamb burger. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8797/2...3e2352e7_b.jpg |
Thanks for posting. Australian here and love seeing how others view our fabulous country. I love The Grace hotel too and have stayed there many times when doing things in town.
Have fun in Sydney! |
Pulled pork burger with sweet potato fries.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7669/2...d1309145_b.jpg Had my first taste of Ippudo as well, and of all places, Sydney haha. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8815/2...63b4fa11_b.jpg Went to a farmers' market on the outskirts of town. Carriageworks Market, near Redfern Train Station. Really fresh fruits, vege and meat, as well as a variety of food stalls. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8824/2...023451c1_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8844/2...e410a006_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8868/2...a27b1b64_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8606/2...14313ef0_b.jpg Home-made ice-cream from one of the stalls was delish!! https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8802/2...f9217f5d_b.jpg After 3 days of gloomy and wet weather, the sun finally peeked out on the last day. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8879/2...36422488_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8665/2...febe26c9_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8774/2...ff3cedd9_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8632/2...ffe89bab_b.jpg Had another seafood feast on the final later afternoon at the fish market. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8681/2...611cd38b_b.jpg |
On the last evening in Sydney, there was a fireworks display at Darling Harbour. This is a weekly Saturday event for some periods of the year. Nice way to end the short trip!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8367/2...cec0316f_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8711/2...f13d7b2a_b.jpg Early on the day of departure, took the train back to the airport again. Would be flying on the 11am flight back to SIN, which is the 2nd of 5x daily SQ flights from SYD-SIN. A but of wait for check-in at the economy counters due to the full flight and that 2 flights were being checked in at the same time. The later flight would just be 2hrs after our departure. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8813/2...5d3049fc_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8841/2...c64fccb1_b.jpg Boarding pass issued. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8787/2...f037aea4_b.jpg Immigration was quick due to the use of SmartGates, but security was long. After finally clearing pass security, ended up in the Duty-Free shopping hall. Decided to skip duty-free shopping as the flight would be boarding very soon and it would be a long trek to the gate. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8293/2...17a4466e_b.jpg Some plane spotting. Interestingly, there is an Australian Air Force A330 parked at the gate. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8582/2...85fb3212_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8593/2...3844d5af_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8796/2...08534311_b.jpg X-Men liveried AirAsia X A330! https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8767/2...b5fe4244_b.jpg This B773ER had just arrived earlier as SQ231 and would be operating as SQ222 back later in the afternoon. Our flight would be the A380 parked beside but not in clear view. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8685/2...5feb8638_b.jpg Boarding has already started when we reached the gate. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8697/2...26f2ccd2_b.jpg |
10 July 2016
Singapore Airlines SQ 232 Sydney (SYD) - Singapore (SIN) A380-800 9V-SKF Economy Class Flight Time: 7H57M Boarding the whale. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7310/2...43bd2983_b.jpg Would be seated at the small upper deck economy cabin. Passed through Business Class while boarding. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8817/2...d2a7f46f_b.jpg Economy cabin with the less new economy seats. It would be a totally full flight in economy today, which loads of passengers returning from their holiday break. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8851/2...708cc989_b.jpg Seatback with earphones already pre-set. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8891/2...2cfa6342_b.jpg First impression of the cleanliness of the aircraft was not too favourable, with a small meal casserole, muffin wrapper and used paper towel in the seat pocket..... This is not what I would have expected from SQ! Alerted a steward who cleared them with apologies. As the upper deck seats has additional stowage at the window, I had initially wanted to keep the blankets in there, but when opening, found some dried coffee/tea/dunno what are those stains in it.... (forgot to take a photo of it as I was totally grossed out) Yucks!! Aircraft cabin cleanliness is definitely lacking here!! https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7588/2...8ab2df5a_b.jpg Scoot B789 arriving from SIN. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8872/2...15173776_b.jpg IFE interface, No touchscreen monitors on the older IFE system. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7721/2...8189c8d0_b.jpg Hot towels and menus distributed, and we were pushed back slightly behind schedule. X-Men AirAsiaX taxiing for departure ahead of us. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8631/2...9deb2052_b.jpg Starting the long taxi to Rwy16L. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8821/2...d9580ecc_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8682/2...2dcb859c_b.jpg Departure from Rwy16L. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8580/2...697688c5_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8314/2...9bca201e_b.jpg |
Nice view of the Sydney CBD during the climb out. And the sun is finally gloriously shining!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8699/2...04b9b197_b.jpg https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7531/2...b6d28af5_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8682/2...143511ea_b.jpg https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7595/2...1932e94a_b.jpg Video of the departure. Amenity kits were distributed. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8522/2...bb34eb5a_b.jpg Followed by bar service, where I ordered a Singapore Sling to go with the peanuts. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8768/2...f6cd2651_b.jpg Visit to the lavatory https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8862/2...745dde26_b.jpg https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7531/2...ea6d54a6_b.jpg Cruising over the Australian desert. We would be taking a northerly route today. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8861/2...4095553c_b.jpg Meal service on this flight would be a lunch as refreshment. 2 choices for lunch. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8583/2...cbe7fc5d_b.jpg Meal tray delivered. Meal tray consisted of a starter, main, roll with butter, cheese and crackers. I had an orange juice with the meal. Chose the beef stroganoff. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8821/2...a750be5c_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8734/2...c4f1e411_b.jpg |
Turkey with pasta salad and warm roll
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8530/2...e3de0c52_b.jpg Cheese and crackers https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8285/2...1250babd_b.jpg Beef stroganoff. It was ok for airplane food. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8229/2...6191bd4d_b.jpg A no-brand Magnum wannabe-looking ice-cream bar was distributed later. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8729/2...724f92c3_b.jpg As the crew had run out of the chicken option when they reached my row, and my travel partner was unable to take beef, the crew managed to salvage the situation by getting other choices from Business Class. Ended up he got a casserole of seafood noodles, but of course dished onto an economy casserole. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8296/2...f5da5ef7_b.jpg Ending the meal with a cup of tea. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8392/2...5548a55b_b.jpg After lunch service ended, we were 2.5hrs into the flight. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8815/2...d3ff014c_b.jpg Caught the movie "Batman vs Superman" and bored myself to sleep for a couple of hours. When I woke up, we were somewhere over the ocean. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8885/2...a3da6b42_b.jpg View of the economy upper deck cabin. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8787/2...ca1d11ff_b.jpg Refreshment was served 2hrs before arrival. Here is the refreshment menu. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8748/2...55f3db69_b.jpg Refreshment service in progress. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8667/2...26aeb4ae_b.jpg Chose the beef meatball penne. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8707/2...cef0d05b_b.jpg |
The pasta was actually rather tasty.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8789/2...7d967c14_b.jpg Stir-fried vermicelli with chicken was not bad as well. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8251/2...ffeffc70_b.jpg Somewhere over Borneo https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8502/2...4ae50286_b.jpg We soon started descending into Singapore, but due to traffic, had to fly a couple of circles and S-courses. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8666/2...760b3556_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8548/2...f8d36da6_b.jpg Final approach and landing onto Rwy20R, right on schedule. https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7625/2...b482d1c2_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8780/2...d77046a8_b.jpg https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7701/2...dda84183_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8692/2...1fbf6818_b.jpg Video of full approaching till landing. Parked at Terminal 3 and disembarked. A company A330 beside. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8885/2...bd0f70ee_b.jpg And the whale that flew me back. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8452/2...5646bc71_b.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8714/2...e9fefb13_b.jpg It was again a pleasant flight on SQ. Even though the seats may not be as comfortable as the new generation of seats and IFE not was wonderful, the economy product on the A380, coupled with the consistently good service, is still ranked among the tops for economy travel. Thanks for reading and comments are much welcomed. |
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