SIA to Bangkok: Airbus A359, Boeing 787-10 in Economy & Ojo@The Standard Mahanakhon

[yflyer]

It's been a little quiet on the SQ front. At least when it comes to new aircraft types or new cabin product launches, there has been precious little for industry watchers or fans of SQ to talk about, or look forward to.

While Scoot has been in the news for their new Embraer E-190's, all SQ has launched recently has been a teaser on their long-delayed new business class seat. And while SQ maintains the status quo, other airlines, from Lufthansa to British Airways, Qantas, Cathay, and Emirates, have been launching new products left right and center.

This drought should be coming to an end soon, with the upcoming launch of the new J seats, originally planned for the Boeing 777-9, but now scheduled to be launched on SQ's other aircraft types first.

In the mean time, let's take a look at what SQ currently offers in Economy on their short haul sectors.

I headed to Bangkok for a work trip in September 2024. I flew up on SQ720 SIN-BKK in Economy, on a flight operated by one of SQ's regional Airbus A350-900's. I returned a few days later on SQ711 BKK-SIN, this time operated by a Boeing 787-10.

On this trip, I stayed at the Marriott Courtyard Bangkok, and had the opportunity to check out the amazing rooftop bar and restaurant, Ojo, at the The Standard Bangkok, located on top of the iconic King Power Mahanakhon skyscraper.

[yflyer]

SQ720 SIN-BKK was a 6.30pm departure out of Changi Airport Terminal 2.

T2 has been beautifully renovated. While the waterfall at Jewel remains the instagrammer's favourite, there is now a striking digital waterfall in the departure hall of T2 that is also wowing visitors.



A look at the departure board showed that most flights out of T2 these days were SQ regional flights to ASEAN and South Asian destinations. The few exceptions included United's nonstop to San Francisco, and evening departures to Europe on Lufthansa and Swiss, as well as Ethiopian to Addis Abbaba.



The sharp-eyed would also spot a 2am charter flight to Rockhampton, on Royal Brunei, no doubt carrying our boys (and girls) in green to a few days of overseas training in Australia during Exercise Wallaby.

[yflyer]

Before heading to the gate, I made a quick pit stop at the T2 SQ Krisflyer Elite Gold Lounge...



...for a bowl of laksa...



...and a G&T...



...before heading to the gate.



Today, my gate was E28, at the far end of T2, where it joined the D dates of T1 (Yes, it is now possible to walk all the way from T2 to T1, and then from T1 to T3. It's only T4 which is an island unto itself, accessible only via shuttle bus.)

[yflyer]

SQ720 was scheduled to depart on time at 6.30pm. This flight had a block time of 2hrs 25 minutes, and scheduled arrival into BKK at 7.55pm local time.

At the gate, SQ's regional Airbus A350-900, registration 9V-SHA...



Boarding began just before 6pm...



A warm greeting at the door...



This was a 2-class aircraft, with SQ's latest regional J product in the front cabin, laid out in staggered 1-2-1 format.



This was a comfortable seat, which would recline fully flat. For a 2+ hour sector, this was positively luxurious.



The economy cabin was laid out 3-3-3...



This was SQ's latest Y product, which was also pretty comfortable, though not a huge leap up from the previous generation Y product, which was currently still in use on some of the long haul A350 fleet.

[yflyer]

The seats themselves were comfortable, with good recline.



Seat pitch was good as well. There were no footrests (I haven't seen these in SQ Y in a long time).



A/C power (As well as USB) was available.



There was a cup holder, and fold out tray table with vanity mirror.



In the seat pocket, a safety card, wifi guide and duty free catalog. I miss the days of browsing through the hardcopy SilverKris inflight magazine. I wish they would bring it back (Along the the magazine racks filled with magazines, which I always liked to browse).



IFE was on a large HD widescreen, with a huge selection of entertainment options on demand.



There was a USB charging port at the base of the IFE. The headphone socket worked with both airline-style 2-prong headphones, and regular headphone miniplugs.




Overall I would say this was a very good Y seat, well up to standard even for long haul flights, let alone a short 2.5 hour sector like SIN-BKK.



Although this was a six year old aircraft, the interior still looked very new.

While the seat is not the latest and greatest that you could find on an A350 (For example, Turkish Airlines' latest A359's have even newer seats, and an even larger IFE screen), it was still a very modern product, well up to the standard expected in economy class on a premium airline these days.

[yflyer]

The bathrooms were very clean and new looking, with sensor operated taps (but not sensor operated flushes).

[yflyer]

Hot towels were handed out...



It was a busy evening at Changi Airport, with many flights arriving and departing, including this QF A380.



The setting sun cast an orange glow over the evening sky...



Other aircraft spotted while taxiing for take-off included the Queen of the Skies, the Boeing 747-8, operated by Lufthansa on the SIN-FRA sector.



Two runways were in operation this evening. We were taxiing to Runway 02C for take-off. Concurrently, planes were landing on Runway 02L.

[yflyer]

A powerful (but quiet) take-off to the north on Runway 02C...



Over the coastline...



Lots of information shown on the inflight map...



Unlimited wifi as long as you were a Krisflyer member...



I browsed the IFE...



A huge number of options, including this food program, Toque Inn, featuring restaurants at MBS in Singapore...



Split screen view, showing flight info as well as movie...



Great dusk views out the window as we made our way towards Bangkok...



A nice view of the coastal city of Kuantan...



...as we flew over West Malaysia...

[yflyer]

It was soon time for meal service. On this flight, the meal was SQ's "sustainable" meal format, served on short flights to regional destinations.



Two choices available, an Asian selection and a western chicken dish...



I chose the chicken with pasta. This was served on a tray, in SQ's "sustainable" cardboard tableware.



I preferred the regular style of meal tray, as this cardboard format looked cheap and basic to me. That said, the container did hold a decent portion, and kept the food warm.

The big, and pleasant, surprise today, was the fact that they appeared to be serving wines from Business Class in the Economy cabin today. I wonder why? The Dandelion Shiraz was a favourite of mine!



I enjoyed the wine (I wish they would use plastic cups for wine though, or even real glassware, like they used to, even in Y).



...although the deep, square, shape of the box did not really suit the presentation of western style dishes.



The meal itself was quite tasty, with chicken that was not overcooked, and pasta which was not overly soft...



The cabin crew came round with wine top ups. I switched to a glass of white, and again this appeared to be a bottle from the J menu!



Dessert was ice cream -- simple pleasures!

[yflyer]

Time passed quickly after meal service, and we were soon approaching Bangkok, flying over the body of water still known as the Gulf of Thailand...



Those on the left side of the aircraft would have had a nice view of Suvarnabhumi Airport before the aircraft banked 180 degrees to land towards the south...



On this clear evening, pax were treated to views of the busy, and brightly lit, highways and streets of Bangkok as the aircraft made it's final approach.



We landed on time, and I was off the plane and on the way to baggage claim by 8.05pm.



The airport was very busy, as usual, but thankfully the immigration queues were quite fast moving.



From the airport, I headed to the AOT transport counter and booked a car to bring me to my hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott, Bangkok.

Overall, this was a very good flight on SQ. The plane was new and the cabin crew were very friendly. Catering was ok, although I am not a big fan of the cardboard meal boxes and paper cups. I did enjoy the wine selection on this flight, though: my seat wasn't upgraded by my wines were! ;-)

To be continued!

[SQ218]

Thanks for sharing and look forward to the rest of the trip report yflyer.

Time passed quickly after meal service, and we were soon approaching Bangkok, flying over the body of water still known as the Gulf of Thailand...

From the airport, I headed to the AOT transport counter and booked a car to bring me to my hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott, Bangkok.

Did you prebook or just book at the counter on arrival.

[yflyer]

Thanks for sharing and look forward to the rest of the trip report yflyer.

Thanks for reading, SQ218!

Did you prebook or just book at the counter on arrival.

I normally just book at the counter when I arrive, and have been lucky so far.

[yflyer]

Continuing with the TR...

My hotel in Bangkok was the Courtyard By Marriott. The property was conveniencely located on a quiet street not far from the Erawan Shrine, within walking distance to the Grand Hyatt Erawan, with convenient access to the BTS network and lots of shopping and restaurants.



This was a business hotel, but unlike the Courtyard Marriott's I had stayed in while in the USA, this property seemed a fair bit more upmarket, and also took care of Gold Bonvoy members very well. At other Marriott properties I was treated very well as Platinum, but at the time of this stay I was just Gold, and was pleasantly surprised at how well they treated Gold at this property.



I was offered a welcome drink at check-in.



My room rate did not include breakfast, but there was a Gold Member lucky draw ("spin the wheel"), and I spun myself a free buffet breakfast.



I was upgraded to a very nice corner room on a high floor.



Elegant writing desk and flat screen TV.

[yflyer]

Semi-open bathroom concept...



Windows (with blinds) in the bathroom.



Large round mirror...



Shower stall...



Minibar...



Complimentary Chang Beer and snack as a Gold member welcome gift...



It was already late at night when I checked in, so I ordered the room service pad thai for supper before going to bed.

[yflyer]

There was a small pool...



...and a large gym.



There was a flyer advertising the the in-house "spa", which offered traditional Thai and modern massage services.



This turned out to be just a room with two massage beds.



Not the last word in spa luxury, but perfectly adequate if you needed to destress after a long work day.