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Off to Geneva... the Long Way via Singapore and Emirates First Class
It’s been three long years since my last Round The World so I’m really excited to be back… today to LAX, then Tokyo and Dubai on my way to Geneva for dinner at L’Atelier Robuchon. After my short United flight to LAX, it’s great to be back on Singapore Airlines and their fifth freedom 77W nonstop to Tokyo. Then a double dose of amazing Emirates New First 77W “Game Changer” Suites from Narita to Dubai to Geneva. And finally another visit with Alain Ducasse at the CDG La Premiere Lounge and then the afternoon 77W to LAX.
The line-up for the next 86 hours… • United First Class to LAX • Star Alliance First Class Lounge at LAX • Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at LAX • Singapore Airlines First Class to Tokyo • Emirates 77W New First Suites to Dubai • Emirates First Class Lounge at Dubai • Emirates 77W New First Suites to Geneva • Hotel President Wilson Geneva • Geneva • Dinner at L'Atelier Robuchon Geneva • Air France/KLM Lounge at GVA • Air France Business Class to Paris • Air France La Premiere Lounge at CDG • Air France La Premiere to LAX • United First Class to Denver From Denver to LAX, United is the smart way to fly. Real (non-regional) planes and hot meals. Marvelous crew today with PDBs and attentive service for our two hour flight. With DIA's new PreCheck only North Security, security was very fast. Eight TSA doc checkers and eight PreCheck screening lanes. Can’t imagine what the South security looks like now. I made such good time this morning that I had plenty of time for the United Club, access compliments of my Lufthansa Senator status. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_3959.jpeg https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_3961.jpeg Looking at my plane and gate from the United Club. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_3974.jpeg I headed down to the gate at T-45 or 5 minutes before boarding. Denver DEN to Los Angeles LAX United UA 1093 737-900 7:45a-9:10a May 3, 2022 Almost everyone is Group 1 on United, who board after handicapped, kids, GS, 1K, active military. It’s amazing I found overhead bin space. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_3980.jpeg Once on board, excellent service by a delightful and engaging cabin crew. My pre-ordered Denver Scramble. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_3994.jpeg Very tasty. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_3998.jpeg https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4006.jpeg And dessert! https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4009.jpeg https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4014.jpeg https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4016.jpeg We arrived LAX on time, with nearly 5 hours before my 2:20pm Singapore flight. For those on Instagram, here is video from my United Flight this morning. |
Singapore Airlines First Class to Tokyo Narita
At T-55 minutes, I headed out for Gate 153. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4120.jpeg https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4122.jpeg Los Angeles LAX to Tokyo NRT Singapore SQ 11 777-300ER 2:20pm-5:35pm +1 May 3, 2022 Suite 1A Departed 4/4 I arrived at the gate as boarding was about to begin. I identified myself as SQ First and was immediately escorted to the boarding lane and asked to wait for a few minutes at the top of the jet bridge before the crew was ready. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4124.jpeg So nice to be back on board Singapore. A little dated hard product but a wonderful cabin crew as always. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4131.jpeg https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4132.jpeg https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4135.jpeg Oh yeah. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4139.jpeg https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4144.jpeg Interesting amenity kit but... a candle? on a plane? And just in case anyone was tempted to light it on board, they include a "Do Not Use in Aircraft" note. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4162.jpeg Champagne taste comparison. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4177.jpeg Showtime, Singapore Style. But oddly, NO MENU... supposedly "due to Covid". Say what?? Fortunately I had printed the menu at home before leaving but this was pretty lame. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4179.jpeg Singapore has tapped a variety of great chefs from around the world to create a portion on their First Class menu. At LAX, Singapore uses Suzanne Goin of LA's restos Lucques, A.O.C and Tavern. I started with one of her dishes, Scallop Aquachile... quick grilled scallop in Mexican style mild spicy lime dressing with cucumber, mizuna leaves and herbs. It was pretty bland. Perhaps a less "mild spicy" dressing would have worked better. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4189.jpeg Next up was the caviar which Ai forgot to serve first, realizing that as she presented the scallop dish. Not to worry. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4192.jpeg In additon to no menu, there was no wine list. But I also printed that out at home so I knew what was advertised. While the Krug and Taittenger were catered, the 2014 Domaine Faiveley Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru was not. Ai felt bad so insisted that I try all the wines on board. OMG. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4194.jpeg https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4199.jpeg And by that time, it took everything I had just to remember which was which. Suzanne's Faro and Spinach soup was really, really, good. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4201.jpeg And her Spiced Lamb with Tapenade was spectacular. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4204.jpeg Come on Singapore, this looks like a bad American or United Business Class cheese plate. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4206.jpeg On the other, Suzanne's Warmed California Date Cake was fabulous. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4209.jpeg After dinner, Ai made my bed and I slept for a solid 5 hours, waking up with just 3 hours from Narita. The Dim Sum was excellent... radish cake, pork dumpling, prawn dressing and vegetable dumpling. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4216.jpeg Almost there. Nice scenery on our approach to Narita. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_4218.jpeg This was my first Singapore flight since Covid. While the crew was lovely and attentive, and the food excellent for the most part, there was just something off. The Covid-excuse lack on menus was inexcusable. And eliminating the advertised $250 Burgundy was disappointing. Also, despite the cabin showing only 2 of us, two off duty pilots were sitting in the empty middle pair when I boarded. Hopefully, SQ gets past using Covid as an excuse for cutting costs. |
I had menus on my trip to Australia in January in SQ F so I am not sure why they decided to add COVID restrictions now and stop giving them out. I departed from LHR though on the 380 so maybe that had something to do with it. Or, you know, they just forgot to load them.
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I'd normally complain about having to read a new SFO777 report; it is so time consuming and distracts me from work! :D But I already read ahead on the blog! I'll follow along with the rest here. Thanks for starting another great report!
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https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_3998.jpeg
For those of us scoring at home....what exactly is this? Having sampled Nutriloaf at some of the nations finest correctional facilities due to poor behavior towards staff I have had my share of mystery foods, but the orange sauce baffles me. Thanks |
Originally Posted by atsak
(Post 34266178)
I had menus on my trip to Australia in January in SQ F so I am not sure why they decided to add COVID restrictions now and stop giving them out. I departed from LHR though on the 380 so maybe that had something to do with it. Or, you know, they just forgot to load them.
Originally Posted by lamphs
(Post 34266340)
I'd normally complain about having to read a new SFO777 report; it is so time consuming and distracts me from work! :D But I already read ahead on the blog! I'll follow along with the rest here. Thanks for starting another great report!
Originally Posted by nydave11
(Post 34266929)
https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sfo777/IMG_3998.jpeg For those of us scoring at home....what exactly is this? Having sampled Nutriloaf at some of the nations finest correctional facilities due to poor behavior towards staff I have had my share of mystery foods, but the orange sauce baffles me. Thanks |
Surprised with such a layover you didn't avail yourself of the Polaris lounge. Bit of a hike, but I'd think would beat the *A lounge.
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Originally Posted by krazykanuck
(Post 34267183)
Surprised with such a layover you didn't avail yourself of the Polaris lounge. Bit of a hike, but I'd think would beat the *A lounge.
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Originally Posted by SFO777
(Post 34267185)
Yeah, that was one of those duh moments as I completely forgot about that option. Won't make that mistake next time. :eek:
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Spoke to the FA about the menus on SIN-FRA in Suites 12/5
Menus are going to be digital permanently I suspect there will be lots of negative feedback and they will return |
Hopefully, SQ gets past using Covid as an excuse for cutting costs. Looking forward to the rest of the TR!! Used to go to GVA many times over the years, now, not so often, so look forward to your experiences. |
Originally Posted by roadwarrier
(Post 34272809)
I agree - not just SQ, but all airlines get back to pre - Covid standards. When JNB opened up, it was difficult to get a decent Lounge, and then a glass of wine was taboo due to our silly rules.
Looking forward to the rest of the TR!! Used to go to GVA many times over the years, now, not so often, so look forward to your experiences. |
Great report SFO777. Really enjoying your report so far here, and on your website. Looks like a fun trip, and Emirates looks awesome!
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Originally Posted by SFO777
(Post 34265067)
5 hours at LAX...
Then upstairs to the Star Alliance Lounges. First stop was the Star Alliance First Class Lounge... one on the most pathetic First Class lounges anywhere. Looking forward to the rest of the report! |
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