Singapore Airlines new A380 premium economy

SINGAPORE-LONDON

BACKGROUND

Singapore Airlines’ latest A380s have new seating and a new configuration in all four classes, but these new planes are being introduced incrementally. Singapore Airlines fly four direct flights per day between their base at Changi and Heathrow; currently two of these flights use A380s, but only the 14-hour overnight flight, on SQ322, is currently one of the brand new planes described here.

BOARDING

This took place at 2230 at Gate B2 for the 2230 departure. The layout of Changi means you go through security just before these B gates. Some passengers (from other flights) were turned back because it was still too early to go through, presumably because there’s a limited amount of space at the gates. Once through, the boarding cards had numbers on them detailing when you are supposed to board.

THESE AT

Seat selection is free in premium economy, though you can select extra legroom seat for a fee. There are 44 premium economy seats on the main deck, plus 343 economy class seats. The premium economy configuration is 2-4-2 (in economy it is 3-4-3). The baggage allowance for premium economy is the same as economy, namely one piece of weight up to seven kilograms and a laptop bag with a maximum dimension of 40x30x10cm each.

The premium economy cabin is selfcontained and is wrapped around the bottom of the stairs, so rows 31 and 32 only have seats AC and HK, while row 33 is the first full row. The seats are a blue-grey leather, with decent-sized pillows at each seat, noise-cancelling headphones which were comfortable to wear, and, after take-off, some flight socks and a toothbrush and toothpaste. If you ask you can also get ear plugs and an eye shade.

Each seat has a table that comes out of the arm, and seat power for a plug, as well as two USBs from which you can power up mobile devices. In most cases the footrest is below the seat in front, except for the front row seats where it comes out from the seat you are sitting in.

The seat pitch is 38 inches (contrasting with 32 inches in economy), with a width of 19.5 inches (18.5 inches in economy) and a recline of 8 inches (6 inches in economy). The IFE screen is 13.3 inches (11.1 inches in economy).

BEST SEAT

With a configuration of 2-42, the solo traveller should avoid the four middle seats. I was in 33D, an aisle seat but the first of these four seats, and in the front row. This was a gamble, since it was by the bulkhead and so had more room; but it also had the possibility of a bassinet somewhere on the row. There are four seats in row 31 – AC and HK. Row 33 doesn’t have overhead lockers, which causes congestion in the lockers above the aisle seats.

THE FLIGHT

We took off around 0010 for the 13-hour flight. The in-flight entertainment system was already on, so apart from the interruption of the safety video, most people were already either asleep or preoccupied. The meal service started with drinks at 0100. There was a choice of champagnes, red or white wine, beers and cocktails.

The flight attendants then came round with the special meals (vegetarian, diabetic and so on), and other meals pre-ordered online at least 24 hours in advance (search

Black moss and dried oysters “represent good fortune and prosperity”, which certainly made me feel a lot better

the airline’s website for “Book the Cook”).

The premium economy menu for Book the Cook is slightly different from the one in suites and first, and is different again to the business class version. The menu also varies depending on where you are departing from.

Flying out of Singapore, the Cook the Book options range from roasted chicken in garlic cream sauce for dinner, to breakfast of congee (Chinese-style rice porridge). Even if you don’t order the Book the Cook dishes, the default menu is also really good, and varies seasonally. My flight was just after Chinese New Year, and so the appetiser was facai yusheng, meaning “prosperity raw fish salad” (lightly smoked salmon, shredded and pickled vegetables, cracker, peanut, sesame seeds, and sweet and sour plum sauce). There was a choice of main course, and I opted for the steamed pork with dried oyster in black bean sauce, braised black moss, vegetables and steamed red rice; all very tasty. A note on the menu told me that the black moss and dried oysters “are symbolic ingredients during Chinese New Year as they represent good fortune and prosperity”, which certainly made me feel a lot better, as did the ice cream afterwards.

I waited until the tables had been cleared and then slowly reclined my seat so as to not disturb the person behind. In the front row a leg and foot rest comes out, and together with my backpack this raised my feet into a comfortable position and I slept well. It’s a long flight, but I probably got five hours’ sleep, and watched the in-flight entertainment the rest of the time, which was of good quality with a huge range of current films (including ones still in the cinema and up for Oscars).

There is in-flight wifi available on board, but I did not use this (I had used it on the way over in first class, but that was because the first 100MB was for free).

Breakfast was served about two hours before landing (there were also in-flight snacks available – sandwiches, nuts, crisps, trail mix and fresh fruits). The breakfast menu was seasonal fresh fruit and a choice of main course. The main course options included Singapore fried carrot cake – a traditional dish of fried savoury radish-rice flour cake with prawns and pickled turnip; cheese omelette served with chicken sausage, stewed vegetables and potatoes. I chose the bami goreng daging, Indonesian fried noodle with beef and vegetables, which was great, along with croissant, breads and teas and coffees.

ARRIVAL

We arrived on time into Heathrow Terminal 2, and made the long walk back to the main terminal and immigration, where there was no queue.

VERDICT

Another excellent journey with Singapore Airlines. Premium economy is a good choice for these long haul overnight routes. The food is tasty, the choice of entertainment excellent, there’s enough room, and the seat is comfortable enough to get some sleep.