SIA A350-900 from Singapore to San Francisco in Economy (SQ32/31 SIN-SFO-SIN)

[yflyer]

Oh wow. 16+++ hours in Y. Truly for the hardy. I think I still prefer to break it somewhere in between.

Well there are pro's and con's. For SIN-SFO, I quite like the nonstop on SQ's A350 (or UA's 787) and that would be my first choice. interestingly if I had to do a transit stop, I would prefer a longer transit time, where there is enough time to enjoy the lounge or airside area, rather than a super short one where you just head through security, and have barely enough time to head to the lounge before having to reboard.

Anyway, do they allow upgrade with points from Y to J (double upgrade as such)?

Yes nowadays they do, however on the SIN-SFO sector, the J cabin is almost always full of corporate travellers. It is very difficult to upgrade or redeem J on SQ on this sector.

[SQueeze]

Oh wow. 16+++ hours in Y. Truly for the hardy. I think I still prefer to break it somewhere in between.

Anyway, do they allow upgrade with points from Y to J (double upgrade as such)?

[SQfanatic]

Thanks, SQfanatic!





Looking just at SQ's planes with 9-abreast 3-3-3, the 777 has a slightly wider fuselage than the A350, which is slightly wider than the 787.

Purely in terms of seat width and cabin spaciousness, the 777 is still the leader. That said, I find SQ's A350 Y seats and cabin fine as well -- good ambience and spaciousness, even if it is not quite as roomy as the 777.

I personally quite like SQ1's flight timing (Late night departure out of SFO and morning arrival in HKG), however these days I have a strong preference for nonstops mainly because of convenience. I also find the A350 cabin just a little quieter and less dry than the 777.

I think it all boils down to individual preferences and priorities. I don't think you can go wrong with either SQ32/31 on the A350 or SQ2/1 on the 77WR.

Nonstops are good no doubt. They will save you time and off peak season nonstop flights have always been cheaper for my dad.

It would make sense if one goes alone and just cares about reaching their final destination quick (my dad). I am fine with long layovers as there’s quite a lot to in Singapore and you have the option to leave the airport whereas in HKG it’s more stricter.

[yflyer]

Thanks for the TR, yflyer. You put a lot of thought into this TR and seems you enjoyed the flight a lot.

Thanks, SQfanatic!

The previous 2013 seats to him were still better on the A350.

we would prefer to take the HKG flight in terms of comfort as long as the 77W is on SQ1/2.

Looking just at SQ's planes with 9-abreast 3-3-3, the 777 has a slightly wider fuselage than the A350, which is slightly wider than the 787.

Purely in terms of seat width and cabin spaciousness, the 777 is still the leader. That said, I find SQ's A350 Y seats and cabin fine as well -- good ambience and spaciousness, even if it is not quite as roomy as the 777.

I personally quite like SQ1's flight timing (Late night departure out of SFO and morning arrival in HKG), however these days I have a strong preference for nonstops mainly because of convenience. I also find the A350 cabin just a little quieter and less dry than the 777.

I think it all boils down to individual preferences and priorities. I don't think you can go wrong with either SQ32/31 on the A350 or SQ2/1 on the 77WR.

[SQfanatic]

Moreover, he noticed how they cut amenities like giving a pouch bag of socks, and toothbrush kit. It’s like Cathay Pacific where you have to ask or go to the lav to get one.

Airlines are in a big pressure/competition from what he told so there seemed to be nothing distinct on SQ compared to previous experiences. Even Cathay Pacific seats can be crammed but it was nothing like what he reported

[SQfanatic]

Thanks for the TR, yflyer. You put a lot of thought into this TR and seems you enjoyed the flight a lot.

Recently this month my dad flew SQ31 and SQ32 to India (Chennai on the A330 and from CCU on the 359R).

My dad got 9V-SMV on SQ31, and 9V-SMW on SQ32, from CCU he got 9V-SHG and MAA 9V-SSG (same aircraft we flew on in 2017).

Unfortunately his experience except food and service was less than amazing. He found the seats to be extremely crammed meaning difficulty to get any sleep. When he got the food he felt as it got on his lap. Also he found the lack of space. The previous 2013 seats to him were still better on the A350.

There’s a good chance I will fly to India next year on SQ and on the 787 to MAA. Since my mom and I heard about my dad’s experience, we would prefer to take the HKG flight in terms of comfort as long as the 77W is on SQ1/2.

[yflyer]

Isnt this one of the cabin crew on your flight? At 10:00.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQj3uVxb4eI&t=489s

Very observant, Avenger777!

Thanks for sharing the link to travel vlogger DennisBunnik's video, a very comprehensive review of the 787-10 inaugural from PER-SIN. Brought back memories of my recent Perth trip on SQ's 787-10 in Business Class.

I watched the video and chuckled at how he described satay just after the 6 minute mark....

[yflyer]

Awesome report. You always manage to make Y look very comfortable.

Thanks, dfs24! I do find SQ Y quite comfortable (Probably helps that I am of average build and not too tall...). Of course given the choice give me a seat up front any time!

Amazing how you can find the effort to document so much, every single time.

Actually the challenge with these trip reports is not to fall into the trap of writing the same TR over and over again: I board, plane takes off, I eat, I sleep, the plane lands...there is always the potential for it to get repetitive.

I mean, there are only so many camera angles in a metal tube, and I think I have exceeded my quota of pictures of peanuts on SQTalk (So luckily they switched to non-peanut based snacks...).

Thankfully, SQ is always evolving and there is always something new to cover, for example new equipment types, new seats, new menu changes...a lot more TR's to come before we all run out of TR ideas!

[yflyer]

Haha was about to post something when I saw this. In fact, I did quite a number of overseas races after that (such as Los Angeles Marathon, Walt Disney World Marathon, Copenhagen Marathon, etc.), just that I didn't post it here.

Wow...that is a very impressive list of marathons!

Well, for reference, for SQ22/SQ21 on Premium Economy, they serve an additional refreshment (in addition to 2 meals and anytime snacks).

Thanks for sharing the SQ22/21 meal pics! I am surprised that for such a long sector, in PEY, they serve such a basic refreshment. I would have expected them to at least serve a proper meal. From those pics, it looks like I would still need to supplement the onboard catering with cup noodles if I ever fly SIN-EWR in PEY.

[Avenger777]

Boarding was called on time...

Isnt this one of the cabin crew on your flight? At 10:00.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQj3uVxb4eI&t=489s

[dfs24]

Awesome report. You always manage to make Y look very comfortable. Amazing how you can find the effort to document so much, every single time.

Thanks, davidfusq!

Thanks for sharing these half tray pics. I've never seen the half trays like the pics above on SQ, even for short SQ flights to JKT or BKK. On my flights to/from JKT and BKK, it has always been the usual trays this year. Are they now standard for SIN-JKT or similar routes?

Must be some sort of short-lived trial. I did JKT end Jul, mid Aug, early Nov, and last week, they all had full trays. Did HCM early Oct. All featured full trays. Though the contents varied a bit. Some had water only, some had OJ and water. I think one breakfast had yoghurt, the others didn't have.

If anything, I seem to recall special meals having both starters and dessert.

[orionmiz]

There are others! Fellow SQTalker orionmiz is a really accomplished runner, as can be seen by this wonderful TR on the Dubai Marathon.

Haha was about to post something when I saw this. In fact, I did quite a number of overseas races after that (such as Los Angeles Marathon, Walt Disney World Marathon, Copenhagen Marathon, etc.), just that I didn't post it here.

I would personally prefer a 3rd meal service as well. Maybe the reason they don't do for SIN-SFO is the impact of the additional cabin crew workload (And less rest) if they have to do a 3rd meal service. I believe during meal service, all cabin crew are working and none are resting.

Well, for reference, for SQ22/SQ21 on Premium Economy, they serve an additional refreshment (in addition to 2 meals and anytime snacks).

SQ22 SIN to EWR Refreshment (Mar 2019):









SQ21 EWR to SIN Refreshment (Mar 2019):

[yflyer]

Thanks yflyer for another wonderfully vivid TR!

Thanks, jammed!

Have been silently following some of yr reports over the past year but simply overwhelmed by daily routines to compliment them. But now that i have a bit freer time at the end of teh year i want to let you know that your TRs have been great

Really appreciate your kind words! Thank you for taking the time to comment!

And you are probably the only SQtalker here who features a RunReport!

There are others! Fellow SQTalker orionmiz is a really accomplished runner, as can be seen by this wonderful TR on the Dubai Marathon.

For some of us who try to squeeze in runs in between work trips these are vy useful info

Yes not easy to squeeze in runs on work trips! I've really found that a run around the city is often the best way to see the most in the least amount of time.

Happy holidays

Same to you! Have a great end of year festive season!

[yflyer]

The picture on the left was taken during my flight on 17 September 2019 from Jakarta to Singapore in which I was served the half tray.

Thanks for sharing! I wonder if this is a phased rollout of the half tray, or if it was just a trial. I've not encountered this half tray yet. Will look out for it next time I do SIN-JKT-SIN.

[davidfusq]

Thanks for sharing these half tray pics. I've never seen the half trays like the pics above on SQ, even for short SQ flights to JKT or BKK. On my flights to/from JKT and BKK, it has always been the usual trays this year. Are they now standard for SIN-JKT or similar routes?

The picture on the left was taken during my flight on 17 September 2019 from Jakarta to Singapore in which I was served the half tray. On the flight from Singapore to Jakarta on 12 September 2019, it was still the full tray. The difference between the half tray and full tray was that the mineral water cup and coffee cup was removed from the half tray.

The picture on the right was from a fellow sqtalk forumer enroute to/from Ho Chi Minh City.