SQDAZZ to Thailand, Sing, Philippines and Bali (JQ Y, SQ F, SQ C, AK Y, FD Y)

[SQFAN]

Thanks for sharing your TR, sqdazz.
Miss the wontons in BKK F Lounge.

[hsf]

Nice report so far!

The club sandwich in the BKK lounge looked gorgeous.

Same cannot be said for the bacon in SIN.

[KeithMEL]

... I forgot to ask how many Krug bottles were loaded (hey, perhaps that's a tell-tale ), but it couldn't have been more than 2.

It might depend on load also. Last December when i flew HKG-SIN, I know there was only 1 bottle. 2 pax in F; i was the only person drinking any champagne at all. I was told that I'd gotten through the one and only bottle of Krug they had onboard and asked whether I minded changing to DP.

Fast forward to last week, same sector with 6 pax in F and at least 3 of us on the Krug (partner was alternating between DP and various bourbon-related concoctions, couldn't really see the other 2 pax); I wasn't sure if the level of Krug supply was the same but it sure felt like there was more than 1 bottle onboard (though not more than 2). We then connected to a JCL flight at Changi and the non vintage CH felt so pedestrian after all the good drops.

Looking forward to more of your TR, sqdazz.

[sqdazz]

Indeed, but isn't it great having no one to share the bubbly with?? I was competing with 5 other pax for the Krug on one flight (the other half prefers DP and spirits thank goodness ), and the Krug supply was depleted midway through the flight! Had to slum it on the DP instead... Thankfully a short-ish flight.

Yep, its lovely having nobody to share hehehe. I think the champagne really makes the flight in first!! I would never spend that much on a bottle in 'real life' so its just great.

Thanks for all the comments, ill upload the next leg of the trip this week, MNL-SIN-DPS in Business.

[view]

Indeed, but isn't it great having no one to share the bubbly with?? I was competing with 5 other pax for the Krug on one flight (the other half prefers DP and spirits thank goodness ), and the Krug supply was depleted midway through the flight! Had to slum it on the DP instead... Thankfully a short-ish flight.

On SQ12 SIN-NRT we'd emptied the Krug supply before the caviar was served, I thought that was a little disappointing actually. Not that I mind Dom, but I prefer Krug also. 3 pax in F and we all had Krug, stupidly I forgot to ask how many Krug bottles were loaded (hey, perhaps that's a tell-tale ), but it couldn't have been more than 2.

sqdazz, nice report. Too bad to see these shorter regional flights abandoning F service, it's a brilliant way to start of your vacation like that!

[KeithMEL]

We were the only ones on the Dom before takeoff, what is wrong with the other passengers???

Indeed, but isn't it great having no one to share the bubbly with?? I was competing with 5 other pax for the Krug on one flight (the other half prefers DP and spirits thank goodness ), and the Krug supply was depleted midway through the flight! Had to slum it on the DP instead... Thankfully a short-ish flight.

[Lobster]

Thanks for the excellent TR - Glad to hear ou enjoyed your first First.

[VanMan]

I have flown to BKK and MNL from SIN on SQ many, many times, but with a company policy forcing whY. Now I know what I missed.

Great trip reports, and with shampoo consumption rivaling another frequent traveler in this forum .

Thank you.

[Kyo]

Nice and precise

[GoldenPigeon]

oh my!!

wonderfull first class experiences!!! especially the whole cabin to yourself!!
wonderful TR

[sqdazz]

Today's flight was a Brunch service. but with arrival after 1pm, we decided to make it lunch so we had pre-ordered BTC, the Lobster for my partner, and rack of Lamb for me. But first, a couple of cocktails after takeoff:



Here is todays menu!



Brunch service starts with some fruit:



And champagne of course. The cabin crew insisted that champagne must go with brunch and I for one agree!




Amateur trip reporter that I am, I forgot to take photo before I started eating!!


Apple tart for desert, delicious, and great presentation!



Coffee to finish

Well, we were simply loving the attention we were being given. By the time the meal was finished we were over halfway to Manila, I was watching some TV and gazing out the window and enjoying my champagne. I took the time to savour having the cabin to myself by taking this shot inflight:


sqdazz loves flying 'solo' in F!

We were given bottles of Evian to have on hand should we need some water. And the champagne glass was never left empty for long. The flight attendant had just the right balance of attending to our needs and also leaving us alone to chat with each other or just relax. Before long, the aircraft pitched gently down and we were on descent into Manila, and my first time in the Philippines.


Oh, looks like we are going back!

I noticed we started making left hand turns and looked at the moving map and found we had started flying in the wrong direction. The captain came on at that moment to let us know we would be in a holding pattern for a short time due to traffic congestion at Manila. Fine with me!! More time for first class! After between 20 and 30 minutes, we re-established our course towards Manila.


Somewhere near Manila

After a smooth landing we taxi'ed towards the ancient Ninoy Aquino Intl Terminal 1.




Our aircraft docked at the gate

Well, my First Class experience had come to an end, but it was simply fantastic. These 2 sectors had been my first time in F, and I loved it. It was a great introduction and I look forward to flying some long haul F in the future. It was also good to get in on F on these regional sectors as SQ has now dumped it on BKK and seems to be in the process of dumping it to MNL also.

Next: Manila city , and Business Class back to Singapore

[sqdazz]

The new Ibis was quite good, I got the PayWhatYouWant promo so stayed the night for $5, I could have stayed for $1 but I gave them 5, lol. Here is a couple of Ibis Pics:








SINGAPORE AIRLINES FLIGHT SQ910 SINGAPORE TO MANILA

Here are the flights stats:

Operated by Boeing 777-312 9V-SYA - Delivered new 10.12.1998



STD: 0945
ATD: 0946
STA: 1315
ATA: 1330


Y Load Factor: 100%
C Load Factor: 100%
F Load Factor: 11% (me and my partner!!)

Seat: 1A
________________________________________

After a pleasant overnight stay in Singapore it was up bright and early to take the train back to Changi. Although we had our boarding passes issued the day before in Bangkok, we had our bag to check in again so we went to the lovely Terminal 2, First Class checkin 'room' where we were seated and bags tagged. There was no waiting and we were sent through the door from this room directly to the passport control queues.


Checkin Area T2 for First, sorry poor quality

I wanted to check out the T3 lounge first so we went there. Although we had plenty of time before the flight, the lounge dragons in T3, highly recommended we should go to T2, but I declined their recommendation and went looking for some eggs for breakfast. The chef at the F side food section made me an ok omelette and bacon. Nothing flash here though, the TG Royal First Lounge is far superior, in my opinion.


Eggs for Breakfast

After eating we left and took the airside train over to T2 and went to the F SKL, it was very dreary looking in comparison to T3. Looks very old and dated, and virtually is no different to the C side, other than the chef making eggs and noodles. I got some fruit and juice. It wasn't long before it was time to head to the gate!


T3 Quiet Morning


Spotted one of the new A330s


Looking dated, T3 SKL F side

There was a large queue forming at the security line and it seemed no priority for F or C, so we stood and waited. After entering the lounge area I was surprised to see 9V-SYA awaiting me, the very same aircraft I had flown in from Bangkok on.





During the online checkin for this flight 2 days before I had noticed the seatmap was totally empty except for myself and my partner, so I was kind of hoping we were the only F passengers, and much to my pleasure, upon boarding, we were informed it was just us for today!! What a great feeling!! It was fun watching the Business Class passengers walk past us as the Dom Perignon was being poured. This is living!!

The IFS came over and personally introduced himself to us and let us know we had the run of the F cabin, so we could stretch out wherever we pleased. And anything he could do, just let him know! Very nice indeed. We had one leading stewardess assigned to us, and only us. It is very nice to have your very own flight attendant! She made sure we had enough reading material, bringing around pretty much every magazine and newspaper under the sun.

It wasn't long before it was doors closed, and we pushed back 1 minute behind schedule.

[Lie_flat_seatlover]

Nice report and pics. I'm curious to get your take on the new ibis.

[sqdazz]

The following is how the lunch service went, with pictures of 2 of the mains on offer:









The Leading Stewardess serving First Class was simply fantastic, she made the 2 hour flight heaven. She was very chatty and just a delight to talk to.


Who could refuse a nice glass of Dom

Unfortunately it was all coming to an end far too soon, the flight had commenced its descent just as the meal was ending. Quick! Grab that last glass of Dom before its too late!!


A familiar sight


Pulling in to the gate


Changi's efficient ground crew meeting our flight


One of the SQ Star Alliance aircraft

Well, it was all over, all that was left was to collect our bagage (which arrived late as the priority tag had fallen off!! very frustrating). After that, it was onto the train and into town to check in to the new Ibis on Bencoolen!

More to come - I am about to board a flight to Bali. Next leg in this story is Singapore to Manila in F again.

[sqdazz]

Load today is 13 out of 18, possibly a couple of op-ups in front of us, 2 teenagers were delivered to 2A and 2B while Dad was sent to the back.

Warmly welcome on board by the lovely cabin crew, and sipping on Dom Perignon within minutes. We were the only ones on the Dom before takeoff, what is wrong with the other passengers???


Sneak a peak up front

Here is the menu for today:



Some spotting around the airport:






wish it was longer!

We got away on time, actually just a tad early and were up and away a few minutes later. Flying conditions were smooth! I decided on a Singapore sling with my warmed up nuts before lunch.



Our seats were the last in the cabin to receive service, but the ever efficient cabin crew worked their way quickly around to us for lunch, whilst the Dom was never allowed to be empty.

to be continued - just switching from T3 to T2 SKL, be right back!