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			<title><![CDATA[Bangkok Exotic - EK, UU &amp;amp; MK - Reunion and the Mauritius]]></title>
			<link>http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/general/trip-reports/361041-bangkok-exotic-ek-uu-mk-reunion-and-the-mauritius</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 23 May 2026 09:23:27 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>In this TR, I review 3 airlines between Hong Kong, Bangkok, La Reunion and the Mauritius. The major leg being BKK-RUN on UU. 
 
My trip begins in HKG...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[In this TR, I review 3 airlines between Hong Kong, Bangkok, La Reunion and the Mauritius. The major leg being BKK-RUN on UU.<br />
<br />
My trip begins in HKG on the usual EK fifth freedom to BKK. I walk into the terminal around 90 minutes before departure.<br />
<br />
<img width="1024" height="768" data-align="none" data-size="full" border="0" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55267482193_fd1e5f7fb8_b.jpg" alt="" data-fullsize-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55267482193_fd1e5f7fb8_b.jpg" data-thumb-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55267482193_fd1e5f7fb8_b.jpg" data-title="Click on the image to see the original version" data-caption="" class="bbcode-attachment thumbnail js-lightbox bbcode-attachment--lightbox" /><br />
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The check-in area is deserted. Unfortunately, this will not be the case for the actual flight. A kind but efficient Hong Konger checks me in for my flight.<br />
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<img width="768" height="1024" data-align="none" data-size="full" border="0" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55269519153_32b06d2a04_b.jpg" alt="" data-fullsize-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55269519153_32b06d2a04_b.jpg" data-thumb-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55269519153_32b06d2a04_b.jpg" data-title="Click on the image to see the original version" data-caption="" class="bbcode-attachment thumbnail js-lightbox bbcode-attachment--lightbox" /><br />
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Our gate for tonight, gate 60, necessitates using the automated people mover.<br />
<br />
<img width="768" height="1024" data-align="none" data-size="full" border="0" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55269619249_14ab145d6d_b.jpg" alt="" data-fullsize-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55269619249_14ab145d6d_b.jpg" data-thumb-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55269619249_14ab145d6d_b.jpg" data-title="Click on the image to see the original version" data-caption="" class="bbcode-attachment thumbnail js-lightbox bbcode-attachment--lightbox" /><br />
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Once at the gate, I learn it is a completely full flight.<br />
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A6-EEE being prepared for EK385 HKG-BKK and onwards to DXB.<br />
<br />
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			<category domain="http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/general/trip-reports">Trip Reports</category>
			<dc:creator>RedEyeflight</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/general/trip-reports/361041-bangkok-exotic-ek-uu-mk-reunion-and-the-mauritius</guid>
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			<title>SQ Captain Retires After 35 Years...</title>
			<link>http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/singapore-airlines/all-about-singapore-airlines/361040-sq-captain-retires-after-35-years</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2026 07:10:16 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Just saw this Instagram post on the retirement of SIA's Captain Subra, who has retired after a distinguished career of 35 years as a commercial pilot...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Just saw this Instagram post on the retirement of SIA's Captain Subra, who has retired after a distinguished career of 35 years as a commercial pilot with SIA, and prior to that 12 years as a fighter pilot in the RSAF.    Nice to see SQ has traditions to mark a momentous occasion such as this...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYn7lenkwMZ/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/DYn7lenkwMZ/</a><br />
 ]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/singapore-airlines/all-about-singapore-airlines">All About Singapore Airlines</category>
			<dc:creator>yflyer</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/singapore-airlines/all-about-singapore-airlines/361040-sq-captain-retires-after-35-years</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Lufthansa  747-8 with special &amp;quot;100th Anniversary&amp;quot; XXL Crane Livery]]></title>
			<link>http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/other-airlines/star-alliance-partners/361039-lufthansa-747-8-with-special-100th-anniversary-xxl-crane-livery</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 06:49:11 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>What a beautiful special livery this plane has.    This new livery was launched on D-ABYN in March this year, and since than it has flown to...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[What a beautiful special livery this plane has.    This new livery was launched on D-ABYN in March this year, and since than it has flown to Singapore at least once, on May 7/8.<br />
<br />
Hope to see this in Singapore some time soon!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://newsroom.lufthansagroup.com/en/queen-of-the-skies-now-also-features-xxl-crane-for-100th-founding-anniversary/" target="_blank">https://newsroom.lufthansagroup.com/...g-anniversary/</a><br />
 ]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/other-airlines/star-alliance-partners">Star Alliance Partners</category>
			<dc:creator>yflyer</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/other-airlines/star-alliance-partners/361039-lufthansa-747-8-with-special-100th-anniversary-xxl-crane-livery</guid>
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			<title>Scoot to Tokyo and Okinawa (B777/A321neo): Cherry Blossoms, Spam and Awamori</title>
			<link>http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/general/trip-reports/361032-scoot-to-tokyo-and-okinawa-b777-a321neo-cherry-blossoms-spam-and-awamori</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 17 May 2026 11:26:52 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>After arriving back in Singapore from Seoul...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[After arriving back in Singapore from <a href="http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/general/trip-reports/361014-sq-a359-economy-to-incheon-and-3-days-in-seoul" target="_blank">Seoul</a> on SQ605 on an early Saturday morning in April, I headed back to Changi Airport that same afternoon to catch Scoot TR882 to Haneda.<br />
<br />
My trip to Seoul was a last minute work trip, which thankfully did not clash with our family vacation to Tokyo and Okinawa, planned months earlier.<br />
<br />
The vacation dates were picked by <b>Miss yflyer no.1 </b>and her partner, based on their work schedules. This was also one of those rare vacations where I did not plan the flight schedules. They chose the flights. I merely booked a matching itinerary for myself, <b>Mrs yflyer</b>, and <b>Miss yflyer no.2</b>. We would head to Tokyo on TR882 SIN-HND, departing 5.15pm and arriving at 1.05am. Then we would spend a few days in Tokyo before heading to Okinawa on ANA. We would spend a few days exploring Okinawa, before heading back to Singapore on Scoot's new nonstop service from Naha, Okinawa's main city and airport, to Singapore, operated by an Airbus A321neo.<br />
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<img data-align="none" data-size="full" border="0" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275459373_ac659d0d69_h.jpg" alt="" data-fullsize-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275459373_ac659d0d69_h.jpg" data-thumb-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275459373_ac659d0d69_h.jpg" data-title="Click on the image to see the original version" data-caption="" class="bbcode-attachment thumbnail js-lightbox bbcode-attachment--lightbox" /><br />
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Scoot began serving Okinawa in December 2025. This is currently the only nonstop service from Singapore to Okinawa, and makes it much easier for Singaporeans to head there for holiday.<br />
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<img data-align="none" data-size="full" border="0" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275328066_ba2d368ec6_h.jpg" alt="" data-fullsize-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275328066_ba2d368ec6_h.jpg" data-thumb-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275328066_ba2d368ec6_h.jpg" data-title="Click on the image to see the original version" data-caption="" class="bbcode-attachment thumbnail js-lightbox bbcode-attachment--lightbox" /><br />
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Okinawa has a lot going for it as a holiday destination. The warm weather there is ideal for beach resorts...<br />
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<img data-align="none" data-size="full" border="0" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275725065_a135b3495c_h.jpg" alt="" data-fullsize-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275725065_a135b3495c_h.jpg" data-thumb-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275725065_a135b3495c_h.jpg" data-title="Click on the image to see the original version" data-caption="" class="bbcode-attachment thumbnail js-lightbox bbcode-attachment--lightbox" /><br />
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...and the local culture and food are quite distinct from the Japanese mainland...<br />
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<img data-align="none" data-size="full" border="0" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275725025_e55dbd03d2_h.jpg" alt="" data-fullsize-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275725025_e55dbd03d2_h.jpg" data-thumb-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275725025_e55dbd03d2_h.jpg" data-title="Click on the image to see the original version" data-caption="" class="bbcode-attachment thumbnail js-lightbox bbcode-attachment--lightbox" /><br />
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...with the difference extending to their wines and spirits as well.<br />
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<img data-align="none" data-size="full" border="0" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275725015_4c6ebf381b_h.jpg" alt="" data-fullsize-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275725015_4c6ebf381b_h.jpg" data-thumb-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275725015_4c6ebf381b_h.jpg" data-title="Click on the image to see the original version" data-caption="" class="bbcode-attachment thumbnail js-lightbox bbcode-attachment--lightbox" /><br />
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Before Okinawa, we spent 4 days in Tokyo. It was a happy coincidence that Cherry Blossom season came a bit late this year, and there were Sakura in full bloom while we were there.<br />
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<img data-align="none" data-size="full" border="0" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275459398_d63ec4c256_h.jpg" alt="" data-fullsize-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275459398_d63ec4c256_h.jpg" data-thumb-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275459398_d63ec4c256_h.jpg" data-title="Click on the image to see the original version" data-caption="" class="bbcode-attachment thumbnail js-lightbox bbcode-attachment--lightbox" /><br />
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It is notoriously difficult to plan a trip to Japan to catch the Sakura. They bloom for just a couple of weeks, with dates impossible to predict with certainty. We were very fortunate to experience the tail end of the Sakura season, with many trees in full bloom.<br />
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<img data-align="none" data-size="full" border="0" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275560894_63c387f33c_h.jpg" alt="" data-fullsize-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275560894_63c387f33c_h.jpg" data-thumb-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55275560894_63c387f33c_h.jpg" data-title="Click on the image to see the original version" data-caption="" class="bbcode-attachment thumbnail js-lightbox bbcode-attachment--lightbox" /><br />
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The current JPY SGD exchange rate has made Japan a very popular holiday destination for Singaporeans. Compared to Tokyo and other major cities, Okinawa offers even better value for money for holiday makers. Prices for hotels and F&amp;B in Okinawa were pretty good value, and we felt very welcome as visitors to Okinawa, where tourism is an important part of the local economy.<br />
<br />
I think Scoot made a great decision to launch nonstop services to Okinawa. I can see this route doing very well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
 ]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/general/trip-reports">Trip Reports</category>
			<dc:creator>yflyer</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/general/trip-reports/361032-scoot-to-tokyo-and-okinawa-b777-a321neo-cherry-blossoms-spam-and-awamori</guid>
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			<title>SQ A359 Economy to Incheon and 3 Days in Seoul</title>
			<link>http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/general/trip-reports/361014-sq-a359-economy-to-incheon-and-3-days-in-seoul</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 03 May 2026 09:34:16 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Last month, at the start of April this year, I had the opportunity to fly SQ to Seoul, on a short work trip to participate in a business event taking...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Last month, at the start of April this year, I had the opportunity to fly SQ to Seoul, on a short work trip to participate in a business event taking place there. I was scheduled to fly to Japan on vacation later that month. Thankfully the dates did not overlap, although I would be cutting it very close.<br />
<br />
Looking at my vacation dates, and the businee event dates, I decided on this plan: I would head to Seoul mid-week, on SQ612 SIN-ICN at 2.25am, spend 3 days in Seoul, then depart Seoul late Friday evening on SQ605 ICN-SIN at 11.50pm for an early morning arrival in Singapore at 5am on Saturday morning. Then I would depart on Scoot to Haneda on TR 882 at 5.15pm that same evening to begin a family vacation to Tokyo and Okinawa.<br />
<br />
If I was less risk adverse, I might even have considered departing Seoul on Saturday morning. Rather than fly out late Friday night on an economy red-eye, I could have had a proper night's rest in the hotel, then taken SQ607, a Saturday morning 9am departure out of ICN that would get me into Changi at at 2.20pm. This would still have been an easy connection to Scoot TR 882. But no, any major delay would have derailed the vacation, so I stuck with SQ605, which would give me a 12 hour stop in Singapore, time enough for me to head home, relax then head out to the airport again for my vacation.<br />
<br />
I'll cover the Tokyo and Okinawa vacation on Scoot in a separate TR, but here is an account of my trip on SQ to Seoul....<br />
<br />
--------<br />
<br />
There was a beautiful sunset on the evening of 31st March. I headed for a run in the early evening before my flight.<br />
<br />
<img data-align="none" data-size="full" border="0" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55244634022_f06888e4f7_h.jpg" alt="" data-fullsize-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55244634022_f06888e4f7_h.jpg" data-thumb-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55244634022_f06888e4f7_h.jpg" data-title="Click on the image to see the original version" data-caption="" class="bbcode-attachment thumbnail js-lightbox bbcode-attachment--lightbox" /><br />
<br />
SQ612 had an ungodly departure time of 2.25am, but at least it meant that I could have a full evening at home in Singapore before heading to Changi T3 just before midnight.<br />
<br />
<img data-align="none" data-size="full" border="0" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55231389145_e56322d885_h.jpg" alt="" data-fullsize-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55231389145_e56322d885_h.jpg" data-thumb-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55231389145_e56322d885_h.jpg" data-title="Click on the image to see the original version" data-caption="" class="bbcode-attachment thumbnail js-lightbox bbcode-attachment--lightbox" /><br />
<br />
I used the self-service check-in kiosks to pick up my paper boarding pass.<br />
<br />
<img data-align="none" data-size="full" border="0" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55231389125_e742e90b35_h.jpg" alt="" data-fullsize-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55231389125_e742e90b35_h.jpg" data-thumb-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55231389125_e742e90b35_h.jpg" data-title="Click on the image to see the original version" data-caption="" class="bbcode-attachment thumbnail js-lightbox bbcode-attachment--lightbox" /><br />
<br />
This was just after the Hari Raya celebrations in Singapore, so the kiosk user interface still had a festive theme...<br />
<br />
<img data-align="none" data-size="full" border="0" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55231134308_d6d30e0504_h.jpg" alt="" data-fullsize-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55231134308_d6d30e0504_h.jpg" data-thumb-url="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55231134308_d6d30e0504_h.jpg" data-title="Click on the image to see the original version" data-caption="" class="bbcode-attachment thumbnail js-lightbox bbcode-attachment--lightbox" /><br />
<br />
In the airside area, I spotted fully autonomous robot wheelchairs making their way around the terminal...<br />
<br />
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 ]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/forum/general/trip-reports">Trip Reports</category>
			<dc:creator>yflyer</dc:creator>
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