City hops on Qantas/Cathay Pacific/JAL/Singapore Airlines

[phaleesy]

- IFE: More expansive on SQ but I don't really watch the foreign language options anyway so the availability or lack thereof isn't a factor of consideration for me. As far as the English language ones go, they are much the same but dig hard and you'd be able to find some fine Australian gems on QF that can't be found on other carriers.

Thanks for the interesting comparison between QF and SQ.

I believe I might have similar opinions to you if I have to compare BA and SQ. But then I do not fly enough on SQ to make a scientific and valid comparison.

Like QF, BA has a fair number of intelligent and non-mainstream British productions. That I love! But unlike you , I also watch foreign language movies -French (my fav), Spanish and Bollywood.

[KeithMEL]

SQ910 SIN-MNL, 23JUL2008, First Class

I hadn't slept the entire night, not by choice. I blame it on the late evening coffee I had on the previous night's flight. I gave up at about 6ish, got a shower and headed over to the SKL F in T3.

For those who don't know, SQ recently opened The Private Room, a seperate lounge from the SKL F which supposedly offers a higher level of service and amenities, but has barred pax on redemption tickets from entry, ie you had to be on revenue First or Suites Class tickets. I feigned ignorance and waltzed up to the entrance of TPR anyway, and waved my brown First boarding pass for good measure. The lady asked for my invitation, still feigning ignorance I simply pointed out that I'm flying First. She then disappeared for a couple of minutes with my bp, returned with an apologetic smile, "Sorry sir but this lounge is for a certain type of passenger only." At any other time I'd have asked for a complaint form to let whoever came up with such a preposterous entry policy know what I reckon of it. But it was 0630, I was sleep deprieved and famished, and so I simply thanked her and wandered back to my seat at the SKL F - where lowly second class First plebs like myself belonged.

Whilst not the worst lounge in the world, I wouldn't put the new SKL F in T3 up there with The Greats (think the QF Flounges at SYD and MEL, Wing/Pier F, LH FCT/FCL or heck... the VS CH at LHR) either. The new lounge really showed a lack of effort when SQ could've wowed us off with something truly spectacular at the new terminal. There just wasn't anything special or memorable about it. Which of course is testament to the current direction the airline seems to be taking - services on the ground simply don't matter, despite the fact that, IMO, there is simply no clear lead in the industry in terms of onboard product as lots of major airlines out there are spicing up their inflight offerings. Yet these other airlines are also investing heavily in what they can offer on the ground, which IMO is where the differentiator lies.

Now where was I...

Ah yes, 6.30am - a totally famished and dehydrated Keith goes hunting for food and drink (no not tipples this time - saving up for the Dom!) in the SKL F. There was a selection of hot and cold stuff in the restaurant area, and a chef to prepare some more substantial items. I ordered some scrambled eggs with mushroom, beans and a sausage. All washed down with soya bean milk. The latte that came out of the coffee machine tasted horrid - suggestion for the SQ lurkers: a barista would be nice; QF offers one in even its domestic Qantas Clubs.







The lounge was rather empty at that time of the morning, but gradually filled up as the scheduled departures mounted.





I left the lounge extra early to give myself time to walk to T2, and my gate at T2 had to be at the furthest end of the terminal. So another epic hike. Arrived at the gate just as boarding was called, and I'd simply marched past the hoi polloi and onwards to the aircraft.

Was greeted at the entrance by an LSS, who escorted me to my seat upon glancing at my bp. Once again was v eager to help me lift my laptop bag into the overhead compartment, insisting that she needed her morning exercise. I was then offered a pre take off drink. Was Dom Perignon 2000 fine with me? But of course! Reading materials were also offered but I declined as I'd just wanted to sit back and relax. A male FA (can't recall the colour of his tie) then came back with my DP.



Shortly thereafter, the IFS himself came around to chat, he appeared quite surprised that I was only in MNL for a night. Boy would he want to chat with some of my fellow SQTalkers! I thought it'd be too tedious to go into the intricacies of my cheap ex-MNL DONE4, and simply told him that I'd be in MNL for dinner with a mate (Ric of AFF who lives there) and that I was also doing a spot of travel around the region.

Word had spread by galley fm that I was only in MNL for a night, and the LSS who came back with to spread a blanket over my lap remarked that I was such a nice friend to go all the way to MNL to have dinner - ok i did leave out the bit about knowing him from an internet forum. She then noticed my empty champagne glass and hurried off to fetch more DP - I must say that I rather prefer the 2000 vintage to its 1999 and 1998 siblings, it's less sweet and has a more fragrant aroma. The LSS then noted with a wink that there'd only be 3 pax in the cabin today and plenty of DP to go around.

I note with great irony that the crew in FCL were so much more relaxed and casual than the ones I had in JCL the previous day. The genuine warmth and sincerity were definitely there with all 3 crew members in FCL (IFS, LSS and the male FA whose rank I can't remember). The service was courteous and accomodating without being too OTT.

The JCL pax walked past the FCL cabin to get to their seats and I could sense some odd looks thrown at me - perhaps my slightly unkempt hair (had forgotten to put my product into my carry on)? Or chip-on-the-shoulder type glares? Who knows... Either way I was relieved when the other 2 pax, a couple, turned up and helped take away some of the attention.

I must say the Regional seat is very comfortable, like a nice big lazy-boy. I wouldn't even mind this for the MEL overnight service (on which I'd booked on for another redemption for year end and was slightly miffed that the 744 wasn't available in F). The LSS saw me busy taking photos and offered to take one of me.







A leather bound menu was handed out, along with extremely hot towels. Another 3 glasses of DP later we were all set for departure.

Yet more champagne after take off with some warm nuts, and the meal service commenced. I'd lost count of the number of glasses of champers I've consumed (sorry jhm) but the LSS (a top character btw) came around and proudly announced that I'd finished an entire bottle of DP.

Oh yes, the meal service. My table was set. The LSS took care that all the service ware faced a certain way (F logo has to be facing the pax), but she did it with such grace that it looked rather natural and not at all ceremonial and contrived as others have observed. I was tempted to go for roti prata, but I've always had it as a lunch or dinner dish - not this early hour. Plus I wasn't sure about the fish curry, even if it turned out non-spicy curry sounded a bit too heavy and un-brunchy. So once again I went for the eggs - nothing like scrambled eggs, salmon and some bacon to start the day (though I wish there was also some spinach which is how I usually have breakfast at home). And lots of DP to wash it all down.







Full menu here.

[KeithMEL]

I was feeling extremely full, this being my 2nd brekkies of the day. Plus v drowsy from the lack of sleep, and probably all those tipples. So I declined the rest of the meal, reclined the seat and had a nice warm snooze. The LSS was concerned that the food wasn't up to scratch; I had to assure her that the meal was perfect, it's just that I've had far too much to eat. Yeah silly me, wasting a nice FCL experience...

I woke up just as the captain announced that we were about to descend into Manila. The LSS immediately appeared, seemingly out of nowhere (was she watching me?!) and asked if I'd wanted more champagne as there was still time prior to landing, and who was I to refuse. She then noticed that there weren't any bubbles in the glass she's just poured, took it back into the galley and brought out a fresh bottle - i felt a tad guilty at the thought of her opening a brand new bottle of expensive champagne just for a few pre landing drinks - and consequently saw that I'd made it worth her effort. She then came back with a goody bag of postcards and SQ playing cards as souvenirs, suggesting that I could write to loved ones about my travels - nice gesture! The other crew members also came around to make small talk and wish me well on my travels.

We landed in NAIA T1 right on schedule. A great flight even though 'only' regional F. The crew makes a big difference i feel, and I had a set of excellent crew -top effort from the LSS in particular. I suppose the mantra 'F is still F' rings true, each higher class of service will always be that bit more special despite seemingly negligible difference in seat comfort (though I happen to think that the regional F seat is far and away comfier than the regional J seat).

NAIA T1 was every bit as outdated as Taoyuan Airport T1. In addition, NAIA had some sort of stench to it. Contrary to what I've been warned, there were no crowds or queues anywhere at that hour. Baggage took a while to appear, but not overly so. Met the IC rep at the arrivals area, who confirmed my pre-aranged hotel transfer. Traffic to the IC wasn't that bad either, and in about 25 minutes I'd arrived at the IC.

Next: The InterContinental Makati, Manila; Sighted in Manila; CX904 MNL-HKG J; CX785 HKG-DPS J

[HUGE AL]

QF offers one in even its domestic Qantas Clubs.

KeithMEL always has to get his jabs in...

I'd lost count of the number of glasses of champers I've consumed (sorry jhm) but the LSS (a top character btw) came around and proudly announced that I'd finished an entire bottle of DP.

Um...you do forget your conversations with your friends, don't you? 1 bottle = 5 glasses.

...nothing like scrambled eggs, salmon and some bacon to start the day (though I wish there was also some spinach which is how I usually have breakfast at home). And lots of DP to wash it all down.

Those of you staying at Chez KeithMEL please take note of what to expect every morning!

[KeithMEL]

KeithMEL always has to get his jabs in...

It's called comparison and benchmarking.

Um...you do forget your conversations with your friends, don't you? 1 bottle = 5 glasses.

Those of you staying at Chez KeithMEL please take note of what to expect every morning!

But I don't cook...
Lots of brekkies cafes around though which serve exactly as described (except replace the DP with some cheaper bubbly).

[planemad]

I was feeling extremely full, this being my 2nd brekkies of the day. Plus v drowsy from the lack of sleep, and probably all those tipples. So I declined the rest of the meal, reclined the seat and had a nice warm snooze. The LSS was concerned that the food wasn't up to scratch; I had to assure her that the meal was perfect, it's just that I've had far too much to eat. Yeah silly me, wasting a nice FCL experience...

Your TRs have kept me rivetted so far. Great stuff! What a waste of a perfectly good FCL meal experience though. If it was me I would have gobbled ever crumb off my Givenchy plate and stayed wide awake for the Great FCL Experience. Maybe even knocked back a second bottle of Dom!

[kalenska]

KeithMEL - I am planning to also do MNL-SIN/SIN-MNL but am a revenue passenger since I will be paying the full F fare. Even though the flight departs from SIN T2 would I get invited to TPR?

Also - was the flight you took on a 773?

[KeithMEL]

KeithMEL - I am planning to also do MNL-SIN/SIN-MNL but am a revenue passenger since I will be paying the full F fare. Even though the flight departs from SIN T2 would I get invited to TPR?

Don't see why not, though anecdotal evidence on TOF suggests that you might be refused entry if you are originating in SIN, ie not in transit. No harm trying though.

Also - was the flight you took on a 773?

Yep.

[Kyo]

But as a revenue passenger, I don't think there's anything stopping him driving into the F departures building in T3 or straight into the T2 F check-in and ask to go in... would you be able to direct us to this thread on TOF with a link perhaps? Am quite curious as well...

[KeithMEL]

But as a revenue passenger, I don't think there's anything stopping him driving into the F departures building in T3 or straight into the T2 F check-in and ask to go in... would you be able to direct us to this thread on TOF with a link perhaps? Am quite curious as well...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=840364

Post 29 onwards. There's conflicting info though. Note in particular posts 47 and 48.

[Kyo]

Hmm... ironmanjit's post is a slight cause for concern - maybe they think Colombo being non-F in the future sets some sort of ridiculous precedent on F in general.

I'm thinking more that ironmanjit had an overzealous SQ check-in agent.

[Nick C]

Great set of TRs KeithMEL! I'm tempted to save my points for a F redemption now

[KeithMEL]

Impressions of the InterContinental Makati, Manila posted here.

Next: Sighted in Manila; CX904 MNL-HKG J; CX785 HKG-DPS J

[KeithMEL]

Sighted in Manila

Or should that be eating out in Manila? I regret to advise that the only 'sights' I saw in Manila were that of the immediate area around my hotel (a large shopping mall) and the Mall of Asia.

I hadn't seen much of Manila as 1) I was only there for a short while; 2) I was way too tired to venture much further away from the hotel; 3) Manila seemed a rather 'challenging' city from what I'd heard, read about and seen on the short ride from the airport to the hotel.

Traffic is insane here, and in 17 hours I'd nearly gotten into accidents no less than 5 times. Think Bangkok but even less orderly.

On the plus side, everyone spoke perfect English, with a slight American twang. Road signs are 100% English. So language barriers are a non-issue in Manila.

I'm not sure everyone wants to see pictures of shopping malls so without further ado I'd simply move straight on to the food. As previously mentioned, I'd met Ric of AFF for dinner. I'd wanted to eat local cuisine so Ric drove me to a restaurant he owned at the Mall of Asia and we feasted away on some local delights on the house! Thanks again mate! Fillipino food is yum, I could totally pig out there had I stayed longer - defs something to come back for when I finish my new DONE4.


San Miguel - the local brew


Crispy Pata on the left: my fave of all, think Sunday roast - didn't know what the other dish was as we realised at the last minute that it might've had shellfish in it and Ric had it sent away


Garlic rice


Inihaw Manok (grilled chicken)


Bangus Ala Porbe (boneless milkfish)


Buco Pandang

I was almost literally comatose after dinner, and kept falling asleep in the car. (Sorry again Ric!) We'd planned to have a drive around but as I was extremely tired and had an early flight the next day, I simply went back to the hotel to get some much needed rest.

Next: CX904 MNL-HKG J; CX785 HKG-DPS J; The Elysian Bali Villas, Seminyak; Sighted in Bali

[jhm]

I was almost literally comatose after dinner, and kept falling asleep in the car.

After one small bottle of San Miguel ? Letting the side down!