SINGAPORE AIRLINES, A380 BUSINESS CLASS, SINGAPORE -SYDNEY
Singapore Airlines first launched its Airbus A380 in 2007, on its Singapore-Sydney route. Paying homage, one might say, to its initial A380 launch, the airline now flies its superjumbo on its Singapore-Sydney route.
These A380 business class seats are wide, residing in large shells and with a futuristic design aesthetic of greys and oranges. The majority of seats, while fully flat, have spaces to the side rather than straight forward for your feet to go (bulkhead seats are the exception, extending straight forward).
Unlike its predecessors though, these seats have far more storage space in the form of multiple small compartments. The most notable is space below the seat in front of you for carry-on luggage – a welcome addition, and one that rendered the overhead compartments essentially obsolete.
This is a common feature of the seat – I was able to have a number of devices out but at no point did I feel cluttered. Beside the main three-pin plug and USB outlet is a magazine holder, which is great for storing a laptop, while an elevated platform next to your shoulder has space for a smartphone or tablet to charge using the second USB outlet.
Seat controls are also easy to use. The table swivels out in a series of three very satisfying “clicks” after pressing the button with the words “push for table” invitingly emblazoned on it.
After being offered sparkling rosé wine and a hot flannel, orders were taken for post-take-off drinks. I opted for a gin and tonic, which could’ve done with a kick more gin to it.
Food orders followed about 20 minutes into the flight, with a Parma ham and goat milk ricotta appetizer and four main course options – seared black cod ‘a la Nicoise,’ beef fillet in mustard-herb crust with red wine sauce, North Indian chicken biryani, and wok fried seafood in garlic ginger sauce. I opted for the seafood, which was light and refreshing.
With this being a mid-length overnight flight, I reclined my seat and tried to squeeze in a few hours’ sleep before breakfast of fresh fruit, coffee, juice and a croissant.
This is a thoroughly comfortable seat that emphasises the “business” part of business class. While it may be a slightly tighter squeeze than the older products when it comes to sleeping, the addition of numerous smaller storage spaces makes this an easy environment in which to work.