There and Back on QF/SQ/SK/LX: Starring the SQ A380

[KeithMEL]

Sector - SIN-LHR
Flight number - SQ318
Class - Suites
Equipment - A380
Seat - 2F

After some brekky at the New Majestic, I hopped into a taxi and cruised into the SQ FCL check in lounge at T3. Was met by no less than 3 ushers and a porter at the entry to the lounge, and led to a sit-down check in area. My bp for this segment had been issued the day before in HKG but they'd decided to print me a new one which contains information about my departure gate. I was also checked in for my onward segment from LHR to ARN on SK, with my suitcase tagged through to ARN. I was then informed that I was eligible to use the SKL.



I flowed through the totally deserted dedicated immigraton channel for FCL pax, and soon found my way to the SKL. The escalators to the SKL are located almost directly in front of the FCL immigration chanel. The v nice lounge agent examined my bp, and warmly welcomed me to the Flounge. I was then led to a rather secluded part of the Flounge where I was invited to partake in some Flounge dining. I declined as I'd wanted to have room for my lunch onboard, and simply sipped on the bubbly.

Having been warned that my boarding gate B5 was "far away" from the Flounge, I decided to make my way to the gate earlier than I normally would. Ok I lie, it's an excuse to leave the Mis En Cave for the Krug. Boarding had already commenced when I got to the gate, and I simply made my way down the aerobridge and turned left to the dedicated jetway leading to the Suites cabin. I must say that whilst I've always known that the A380 was the biggest commercial airliner blah blah blah, it looks a whole lot bigger in real life than what I'd imagined it to be, especially when I was up close.



At the entry to the aircraft I was welcome by the v cheerful crew who exclaimed that I had the pick of the entire cabin as I was the only pax traveling in R that day! I was originally assigned 3F. I can't remember why I picked the seat except vaguely remembering comments somewhere indicating that it's a favourite seat of some. I was urged to move to 2F as it's further from the galley and hence there'd be less galley noise; given the A380 is supposed to be a rather quiet aircraft I thought this was quite a wise suggestion so duly moved myself to 2F. I like how I can store my things in the Suite with me instead of having to reach into the overhead lockers.



My coat was also hung up in the closet - each Suite had their own. The LS served the Krug, whilst the LSS did the pre-departure amenity kit/PJs/menu/newspapers/mags dance. I'd picked out The Economist but the LSS insisted that I also had the copy of Men's Health as she deemed it "very interesting." Looking at the v nice pics in there, I reckon she must have read me v well.







Seeing my enthusiastic photo taking, the LSS offerred to take some pics of me in the cabin.


Suite 2F



The Suite was well-appointed with rather thoughtful touches like handy nooks and crannies and ample space to store various things, and buttons within easy reach. Despite the Suite being far more enclosed than I'd have liked - there was still sufficient room for it to feel airy. That said I did leave the door to the Suite open the entire flight in order to get a greater sense of space.

[KeithMEL]

More pics of The New Majestic Hotel, Singapore here.

Next: SQ318 SIN-LHR R

[KeithMEL]

J
Also for clarification who asks me via PMs, VS Clubhouse is not a Star Alliance Lounge. VS is not a member of StarAlliance.

Ah, clumsy wording on my part. I meant to say of all the lounges that I had access to at HKIA with an SQ F bp, rather than *A options. Rectified to avoid confusion.

Can't wait for the rest: Bring on the 318 report! I can look on with envy !

All in good time. I will try to put up the 318 installment by the end of today (STO time).

[SQflyergirl]

Can't wait for the rest: Bring on the 318 report! I can look on with envy !

[SQ LPP]

Isn't it only for F pax?

Nope, pax flying C are also entitled to VSCH access.

Just to clarify, if you look up the PPS guide, one of the benefit being a QPP is an access to Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse when flying on SQ or VS at these locations:

Whether you are travelling on Singapore Airlines or Virgin Atlantic, you can unwind in Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Hong Kong, Washington Dulles, San Francisco and Tokyo Narita.

Only Solitaire PPS Club and Life members have access to Virgin’s “Revivals” arrival lounge in London; access is limited to members arriving on SQ322 only.
Members will not be able to invite a guest to join them at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses.

Also for clarification who asks me via PMs, VS Clubhouse is not a Star Alliance Lounge. VS is not a member of StarAlliance.

[Paint Horse]

Another well written report. I look forward to the rest.

[KeithMEL]

Isn't it only for F pax?

Nope, pax flying C are also entitled to VSCH access.

[DeltaFlyingProf]

My final stop of the day was the VS Club House. SQ's relationship with VS meant that flying SQ C or F entitles access to the VSCH.

Isn't it only for F pax?

[KeithMEL]

Sector - HKG-SIN
Flight number - SQ863
Class - First
Equipment - B777-300
Seat - 1C

Boarding time eventually rolled around, and much to my relief I was boarding at gate 25 which was only a rather short walk from the VSCH (the people mover is 1 way only). I was met at the entry to the aircraft by an LSS and her male colleague (can't remember the colour of his tie; it's easy to miss the rank of male FAs these days due to the new uniform). The LSS led me to my seat and helped me put my bags into the overhead lockers. She also presented me with a wide variety of reading materials and the leather enclosed FCL menu. Another 4 pax joined me in FCL. I ended up with the seat next to me empty. The male FA then served me my choice of pre take off drinks, champers for me of course - Dom Perignon 2000 was opened for pre take off fiz that morning. DP 2000 is a much improved vintage over the 1999 and 1998, but was still a bit too sweet for my palate. I'd much rather enjoy the toasty and yeasty aromas of Krug but I hadn't the heart to make him return to the galley to open a fresh bottle; it was my own fault for not specifying exactly which champers I wanted anyway as I'd for a moment forgotten that HKG also had Krug unlike most other regionals. I was also handed an extremely hot towel which I'd almost dropped in pain, as well as a little brown bag containing sockettes.




Christmas decoration

Managed another glass of DP before departure was underway. I fell asleep during taxi/take off, possibly the most uneventful part of any flight along with landing. The flight was rather turbulent as we reached cruising altitude but the seatbelt signs were eliminated anyway. Had the Krug when the bar service commenced. And the lunch service soon began. Menu for this flight here.



I informed the LSS that I'd be skipping the soup as it contained shellfish but she pointed out that the contents of the soup were put together separately so I could still have the soup sans abalone. She'd also confirmed that the broth was duck stock.

I'd BTCed the braised chilean sea bass, however there was a similar dish on the menu - I'd preferred the sound of the one on the menu as it came with better accompaniments than the BTC option, but though it's entirely possible to decline the BTC meal and have the onboard option instead I didn't feel good doing it and hence stuck to the BTCed seabass with rice. Overrall a pretty good meal delivered with the usual SQ precision and efficiency. The sea bass was rather tender and yummy, though the sides tasted a little funny.











I had to decline the rest of the meal as I was feeling rather stuffed, opting instead to sup on Krug for the rest of the flight. The male FA (green tie, ie LS i think but can't exactly remember) seemed disappointed that I was leaving the dinner party, "Huh? Finish already, ah?" and joked that a FCL ticket was wasted on me. I responded that I was doing a steady job with the bubbles which IMO is almost the point of flying at the pointy end, which was undoubtedly assisted by the crew who ensured it was never left empty.

Landed into T2 right on schedule. T2 felt a bit like a ghost town with the migration of most SQ flights over to T3. It was also one of the rare times at SIN that I beat the bags to baggage reclaim, but my suitcase emerged in no time at all. Approximately 20 mins after deplaning i was on my way to the New Majestic hotel. Praise be to the mecca of airports that's Changi.

Next: More of the New Majestic Hotel; SQ318 SIN-LHR R

[KeithMEL]

My final stop of the day was the VS Club House. SQ's relationship with VS meant that flying SQ C or F entitles access to the VSCH. My flight details were copied down by the clipboard wielding lounge dragon. The VSCH in HKG pales into insiginificance when compared to its sibling at LHR T3 of course, but I liked this lounge best of all of the array of lounges I had access to at HKG with an SQ premium bp. A pity that BR has ceased using the VSCH and so it's open only around VS departures; luckily for me there was a VS flight to LHR which departed 45 mins after my flight. It also featured plenty of natural lighting like the TG lounge, and a rather modern decor characterised by hip furniture as is signature of VSCHs. And more importantly a v well-resourced bar. There was a rather wide selection of items on the menu which was cook to order, I contended myself with an entree as I had a huge SQ F meal to look forward to. I had a few concoctions from the bar, including a v nice champagne cocktail. The choice of bubbles at the VSCH was the v quaffable Taittinger NV. The service was prompt, and I was even advised of my departure gate when that information became available despite the fact that I was departing on a different airline. Certainly the best lounge of the 3 I visited. Heaps of brownie points for the nice bar of course.

[KeithMEL]

Lounge hopping in HKG

Collected my bp off the SQ check in agent at the transfer desk. I had 6 hours and then some till my next flight. I'd deliberately scheduled a long connection to avoid misconnects as I was traveling on award tix. The check in agent seemed v surprised that I was at the airport that early and encouraged me to spend some time downtown, but I'd wanted to simply relax in the airport. I also obtained my bp for SIN-LHR since that was technically a connection, but could not get the bp for LHR-ARN - was told to try again at SIN or LHR.

First stop - the SQ Silver Kris Lounge. Now I know this isn't the best lounge in HKG but it was right in front of me when I emerged from security and I'd just needed to plant myself and vegetate in a couch for a few hours. So the SKL fitted the bill at that point. The lounge agent was similarly surprised that I was there that early for my flight. I'd read that the lounge had been recently refurbished, however of all 3 lounges I visted that day I liked the SKL least. There was a comparatively poor selection of hot food and beverages, and Haagen-Dazs. The lack of natural lighting and the enclosed space made the place rather dingy. I met kluau88 of FT in the lounge who was on his way to SIN on SQ1. I relaxed for a bit and surfed the web whilst I tried to decide if the schlep over to the other lounges was worth it.









After hmming and hawing for a bit, the lack of natural lighting got to me and I finally decided to make the move and head over to the concourse where the other *A lounges and the VS Club House are located. Thanks to an idiot-proof pictorial guide by simongr, for I have a dreadful sense of direction, I managed to locate serftymobile, or AFF speak for the train that runs to gates 33-80 from where I was.

Next - the Thai Royal Orchid Lounge. The lounge agent photocopied my SQ bp and let me in without any fuss. I was ushered to the F area which is basically a cordoned off section. I was given a cold wipe and served a glass of white by the v nice lounge agent. Had a bit of dim sum from the breakfast buffet. Certainly a much better place to spend time in than the SKL; I like the light and airy feel of the place, like the rest of HKIA. The lunch menu which was cook to order commenced at 11am however by that time the VS Club House had opened and so given it has a great bar I made the move across the corridor.

[quik!]

What a heavy pre-flight meal you had, certainly looks good too!

ps. I caught Summer Heights High on tv recently and found it extremely hilarious, so I just downloaded the whole of season 1. Excellent series I would say, but Kath & Kim is still no 1 for me.

[KeithMEL]

Apologies, updates will be delayed until I find cheap internet connection for my laptop (using the puters in the Sheraton lounge now) to upload pics. I'd anticipate to upload everything and post the next installments when I get to AMS next week where I'd have free inroom wifi. Ta in advanced for your patience.

[flo]

Have a great trip mate! Very much looking forward to the next installments. =)

Btw: Summer Heights High ... classic! Love that show!

[jhm]

Ah, the beehive again! The food looks good and certainly better than the LHR T5 Flounge (I don't know about the CCR).