Singapore Airlines SQ278/SQ279, SQ324, SQ365

Flew six flights with Singapore Airlines over September, October and November 2017. Four of them as a family of four. The other two, with my son. All flown in Economy Class.

All these flights, as I expected, were a pleasure to fly on. SIA’s product is consistent. Very little changes between aircraft types, the quality of service offered, the type of seats, how they are configured, the food served and the type of IFE. One bonus, the newer aircraft (Airbus A350) don’t have the annoying entertainment box (IFE) under one of the seats. A real relief. Here are the flights we took.

SQ278/SQ279

These are the daily flights Adelaide-Singapore and Singapore-Adelaide. SIA operates the Airbus A330-300* with the 2-4-2 configuration in Economy Class and 1-2-1 in Business Class.

SQ278 is the Adelaide-Singapore leg, a daytime flight of approximately 7 hours departing at 09:10 and arriving at 15:10.  The Singapore-Adelaide return leg on SQ SQ279 takes approximately 6.5 hours and is an overnight flight departing Changi at 23:35 and arriving in Adelaide the next day at approximately 09:05. On these flights we normally sit in twos, aisle and window seats, one row in front of the other.

SQ324

SIA’s daily flights Singapore-Amsterdam on an Airbus A350-900 configured with three classes: Business 1-2-1, Premium Economy 2-4-2 and Economy 3-3-3. The flight departs Changi at 23:55 and arrives at Schiphol Amsterdam at 06:45 next day.

We were seated mid tail. Service was excellent on this 12 or so hour flight. This was my first time in this type of seat and using the IFE. It was comfortable, slightly better than those on the A330-300 we flew in the previous leg where we sat window and aisle. The only other comparison I can make in Economy is with the Boeing 777-200 which I flew regularly between Singapore and Rome before the change to the A350. Again it is better. It also felt a little roomier. The only drawback are the armrests, they are narrower. I’m not a tall person at 1.73cm so I fit in these seats without issue. I do feel for those who are 1.80cm and above, the six-footers so to speak, and even worse for anyone who has a large frame. I think no matter what airline you fly you’ll have issues in Economy, unless of course you get an Exit (Preferred) seat. So this is not intrinsically a SIA problem. Flying westward is always a good test of the efficiency and comfort of the seats, and to see how much sleep you can get.

The IFE is not touchscreen as some may think. It uses a much more modern and sleek controller, very good and responsive. Plenty of programmes to choose from. I tend to spend very little time watching the screen, perhaps one movie per flight. More interested in keeping hydrated and resting the eyes. As for my family the children use their own iPads. The food was good. This is Economy of course and the only preference is if you select your food beforehand if you have special dietary needs.

SQ365

This was our return flight from Europe out of Fiumicino Rome. Here too since September they fly the Airbus A350-900. My last review was on the Boeing 777-200 and had mentioned they would upgrade this segment some time in late 2017 to the A350 after SIA had sorted their other European destinations first. Not much difference in comfort and service from SQ324 except for the food which always changes to suit the eating habits of the country of departure.

Travelling eastwards is always the hardest. On this particular flight you arrive in Singapore roughly at a time in Rome you’ll be either going to bed or are already in bed by an hour or so. If you are able to sleep you are really testing the efficiency and comfort of the seats. You’ll get approximately 8 hours of night, between northern Iran and southeast of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (which are northwest of Myanmar/Thailand). Lights for breakfast usually come on about a couple of hours before landing at Changi when in Rome you’re brushing your teeth or having a night-cap.

Flying towards the next day in a short time frame really puts you out of kilter. If you are able to sleep 3 to 4 hours you are doing well. So be prepared. Wear earplugs, an eye mask and wrap a neck cushion (and wear it properly) and cover a blanket around yourself and ask not to be disturbed.

For more information and bookings visit the Singapore Airlines website.

*  SQ278/279 is serviced now with an Airbus A350-900 configured as a regional product with Business and Economy Class, no Premium Economy.

tion