Flying on SQ's new product and fourth time on their 77W

[SQfanatic]

Greetings and Happy Holidays Everyone!

As I'm sure a good number of you know, I am flying out SQ's 77W again, but this time it will be a 3-class Boeing 77WN, with the newest entertainment system, maps, and also Panasonic/T-Mobile Wifi. The plan is to be flying out on Thursday night (Friday at 12AM to HKG/SIN) with my father. My mom, however, is flying out this Sunday, on the Airbus A359XWB aircraft for her 17.5 hour flight across the Pacific. She will arrive around 6:45PM with her next flight departing TRV at 8:55PM, so about 2 hours, but not to freshen up, but assuming her flight does not arrive late to T3, she should still get plenty of time to make it to T2 and depart from there to TRV.

After a 8 (it may be less if there are headwinds and the flight from HKG departs an hour late), we will be staying in the transit hotel freshening up, and having lunch, most likely in the airport as the next flight to TRV is at 8PM. While going, the travel agent allocated seat 50A for me (which will be less noisy and smooth, but still will hear the GE90 starting up). Coming back, on SQ2, I will be sitting on 40A, which is right next to the wing, so will hear noise of all sorts on the 77W (Of course this is all subject to change depending on what seats open up).

During my trip, I will be visiting Trivandrum, Cochin, then Chennai and Tirupati. The first place and last place are to visit family and friends around, and other religious/personal stuff.

While coming back, I will be coming with my mom from MAA on January 7th with a 12 hour layover before my flight on SQ2 to HKG/SFO. We will make every effort to use up all of our given transit hotel time but still go out to the City in Singapore. However, my father is coming back from CCU a few days later (subject to change) and also has a layover of 14 hours, so he can comfortably freshen up, have lunch, and visit the City as well before he connects to SQ2 to HKG/SFO.

All of you will expect trip reports on the forum as I will have internet access everywhere this time around and the last set of pictures from my last sector after landing at SFO. As far as using Panasonic Wifi, most likely I'll use it if I am bored, but don't get your hopes up. It might disappoint some of you, but like 2012, I am having a veg-lacto-ovo meal, while my parents have their Indian Vegetarian meals (They will share some of their meal with me).

Anyway, to make my trip a smooth and enjoyable one I had a few questions I wanted to ask:

1) Just a few days ago, I ordered a separate airline headphone jack I will most likely use onboard. Now hearing that many people have complained about SQ cheap-o headsets, do you think I made the right choice?

2) So far, has anyone taken SQ31 in Y? It's an all daytime flight, but is it really boring to sit in there for 17.5 hours? (Consistently checking SQ31's status, it's so far arrived a bit early or a bit late, not too major thank goodness).

3) How cramped is the A350-900XWB in Y (in 3-3-3), seriously (at least when walking on the aisles)? I hear a lot of differing opinions, and my friend unfortunately has switched to flying another airline so he wouldn't have anything to tell me about the A359 as he flew a 77W on AI.

4) We will online check-in for all our flights, BUT, for my mom's flight this Sunday, while the departure time is at 9:25AM, does it make sense to arrive at the airport by 7:40AM to still be able to comfortably make it to her gate for the flight? (at SFO). We are insistent on 3 hours before departure, but I guess 2 hours is good enough? I don't know you tell me.

[SMK77]

1) Just a few days ago, I ordered a separate airline headphone jack I will most likely use onboard. Now hearing that many people have complained about SQ cheap-o headsets, do you think I made the right choice?

2) So far, has anyone taken SQ31 in Y? It's an all daytime flight, but is it really boring to sit in there for 17.5 hours? (Consistently checking SQ31's status, it's so far arrived a bit early or a bit late, not too major thank goodness).

3) How cramped is the A350-900XWB in Y (in 3-3-3), seriously (at least when walking on the aisles)? I hear a lot of differing opinions, and my friend unfortunately has switched to flying another airline so he wouldn't have anything to tell me about the A359 as he flew a 77W on AI.

4) We will online check-in for all our flights, BUT, for my mom's flight this Sunday, while the departure time is at 9:25AM, does it make sense to arrive at the airport by 7:40AM to still be able to comfortably make it to her gate for the flight? (at SFO). We are insistent on 3 hours before departure, but I guess 2 hours is good enough? I don't know you tell me.

1) Congrats on your 10$ investment. This forum has no visibility on how cheap your very own headphones are, so this forum is in no position to judge whether they are better or worse than what SQ offers. Given you had the chance to experience the SQ version already three times, I am sure you already have the answer to your question anyway.

2) 17.5 hours on a day-flight in Y is boring. Flying on a new route and a new aircraft doesn't make the pain any less. Suggest to upgrade to Business to avoid total boredom.

3) It's horribly cramped. See 2).

4) If you want your mum to look at the airport shops for 2 hours, I recommend to come 3 hours early. Given she will be bored to death flying Y for 17.5 hours, she might appreciate if you shorten the pain on the ground and arrive later.

No pun intended but I couldn't help myself...

[SQfanatic]

1) Congrats on your 10$ investment. This forum has no visibility on how cheap your very own headphones are, so this forum is in no position to judge whether they are better or worse than what SQ offers. Given you had the chance to experience the SQ version already three times, I am sure you already have the answer to your question anyway.

2) 17.5 hours on a day-flight in Y is boring. Flying on a new route and a new aircraft doesn't make the pain any less. Suggest to upgrade to Business to avoid total boredom.

3) It's horribly cramped. See 2).

4) If you want your mum to look at the airport shops for 2 hours, I recommend to come 3 hours early. Given she will be bored to death flying Y for 17.5 hours, she might appreciate if you shorten the pain on the ground and arrive later.

No pun intended but I couldn't help myself...

Right now, don't have the money to upgrade to J. And my mom's not really interested to look at the shops in SFO, other airports, she might just glance at stuff and ask a few questions and go (Not like hours on end like we do on land). My mom actually wishes she had taken SQ1 had it not been $300 more, but I guess if I get the same response from my mom on the A350 being cramped, it will force us to book SQ1/2 from now on (Which I have never had a problem with, even when it was a 744 back in the day). In fact, I have some family friends who are also taking the new nonstop flight to and from SFO. I hope they don't feel the same way as my mom. I told my mom that if she is bored, use the Panasonic Wifi on the A359 (Same as you'd get on the 77WN), but she'd rather not pay for it.

Another friend of our's (a neighbor) was also supposed to go on the same flight as my mom, but has changed the entire plan to January as my mom initially hoped she would not be bored and have some company. I am thankful that I booked myself and my father on SQ1 and all of us coming back on SQ2 (Even if different dates). My father would definitely not be able to handle that long of a flight, so he feels better off that we booked SQ1/2, given that he's a diabetic.

Yeah, no worries about the headphone stuff. You'll definitely get a TR from me on that as well. If you want to share your opinions on that, go ahead, but I will not argue at all. Again I have flown SQ multiple times, their 2006 product 3 times, and first time flying their 2013 product. I am sure it will be just as comfortable as EK's A380 Y class.

[SQ002]

Does your mom know much about technology? Filling up some TV shows/music/audiobooks/photos in an iPad can save the boredom...
17.5 hours honestly is bored to death. The fatigue hours after you tried everything you can is mind-challenging. I just play with the interactive map on SQ, at least it has one of the best IFEs.
Only wish the future airplanes to fly faster.

[SQGamespeed]

SMK77, I flew SQ32 in Y late last month, and I personally didn't find the seat too cramped. While it certainly didn't feel as spacious as on the A380, it was without a doubt far better than a 3-3-3 layout most airlines' 787s.

SQfanatic, perhaps you can have your mum share her thoughts and take pictures so that her impressions can be posted here in addition to yours. This would be similar to what yflyer has done for some of his TRs, where he included pictures taken by his wife.

[Tonitan]

Have fun on your flight and enjoy the 77WR! Your TR will be much interesting and perhaps you have some real feedback over the much hyped 3D Voyager maps and how they make a difference to your flight experience. And have a safe flight to your family and season's greetings!

[yflyer]

Greetings and Happy Holidays Everyone!

As I'm sure a good number of you know, I am flying out SQ's 77W again

Hi SQfanatic! Enjoy your flight! the 77WN cabins are great!

1) Just a few days ago, I ordered a separate airline headphone jack I will most likely use onboard. Now hearing that many people have complained about SQ cheap-o headsets, do you think I made the right choice?

Yes, just about any pair of decent headphones or earbuds will sound better than the free pair of earbuds on SQ. The complimentary earbuds on SQ Y are terrible. They make dialog sound almost unintelligible, and all music and sound effects sound as if you are in a cave or a tunnel.

I would recommend an airline headphone adapter to anyone and everyone travelling in Y on SQ or almost any other airline for that matter. But don't overpay for them. They cost between SGD5-10 retail in Singapore (I have seen them as low as SGD4 in smaller IT/electronics stores, and sometimes SGD15 in the airport.)

3) How cramped is the A350-900XWB in Y (in 3-3-3)

The A350 in 3-3-3 config is fine. I've flown SQ, QR, AY A350's and they are good in Y.

9-abreast A350 Y isn't as open and airy as a 9-abreast 777 or 10-abreast A380, but it is better than a 10-abreast 777 or a 9-abreast 787 which I would avoid if possible.

I would be quite happy to do a long haul flight in 9-abreast Y on an A350.

[SQfanatic]

SMK77, I flew SQ32 in Y late last month, and I personally didn't find the seat too cramped. While it certainly didn't feel as spacious as on the A380, it was without a doubt far better than a 3-3-3 layout most airlines' 787s.

SQfanatic, perhaps you can have your mum share her thoughts and take pictures so that her impressions can be posted here in addition to yours. This would be similar to what yflyer has done for some of his TRs, where he included pictures taken by his wife.

My mom is not hyped about taking any pics at all. I said she can if she is bored but that's up to her. If the order of the external airline headset comes by tomorrow, I will definitely give her one otherwise we'll figure something out.

Haha, Tonitan, yes, you will see plenty of that. Happy Holidays to you. SQ's 77WN should be comfortable for me both ways.

As far as I know all 77WN have 3D maps instead of SWY, but has anyone flown SWY recently to be evident that it has the new app? If so please let me know. The chances are high enough I'll get Voyager 3D anyway.

Also, is the 77WN mood lighting near the window always purple when boarding the plane? If so it looks awesome, in contrast to other colors.

[SQfanatic]

Does your mom know much about technology? Filling up some TV shows/music/audiobooks/photos in an iPad can save the boredom...
17.5 hours honestly is bored to death. The fatigue hours after you tried everything you can is mind-challenging. I just play with the interactive map on SQ, at least it has one of the best IFEs.
Only wish the future airplanes to fly faster.

Nope, not a big technology enthuist like me or my dad. And she will most likely not take an iPad, only my dad and I will. But I will ask my dad if he would like an external airline headphone adapter. Yeah knowing I will be on a 77WN and my mom on a 359, it seems obvious enough that the new IFE is much better. Last trip my mom complained a little bit because of the 2006 product and not as much as you get on EK. I reassured her next SQ trip, they should have the newest cabins and new entertainment.

Anyway assuming SQ31 arrives on time, I online checked in for her and got her an aisle seat as she requested and that she can be among the first few people to disembark in case for whatever reason the flight arrives late. The disadvantage is it will be next to the wing and I heard you can hear the A350 flap sounds from anywhere on the plane in Y.

[zilchster]

I don't understand the fuss and deal about this trip. Even in Y or J it boils down to the same thing...eat, sleep, entertainment.

[SQ228]

I don't understand the fuss and deal about this trip. Even in Y or J it boils down to the same thing...eat, sleep, entertainment.

All these questions have been asked over and over in every other thread repeatedly for the last 6 months. I can't take any more of it. Now I'm hearing about neighbours rebooking, family medical issues, holiday plans and the personal demands, anxieties, technological adaptability, hypothetical and yet-to-be encountered wing-flap noise irritations and shopping preferences of someone else's mother in painful detail. It's reached a level I find personally distressing and it's ruining my enjoyment of the forum. But it'll just keep on going, day after day, invading every single thread on the forum, regardless of how irrelevant...

[HUGE AL]

4) We will online check-in for all our flights, BUT, for my mom's flight this Sunday, while the departure time is at 9:25AM, does it make sense to arrive at the airport by 7:40AM to still be able to comfortably make it to her gate for the flight? (at SFO). We are insistent on 3 hours before departure, but I guess 2 hours is good enough? I don't know you tell me.

[zilchster]

All these questions have been asked over and over in every other thread repeatedly for the last 6 months. I can't take any more of it. Now I'm hearing about neighbours rebooking, family medical issues, holiday plans and the personal demands, anxieties, technological adaptability, hypothetical and yet-to-be encountered wing-flap noise irritations and shopping preferences of someone else's mother in painful detail. It's reached a level I find personally distressing and it's ruining my enjoyment of the forum. But it'll just keep on going, day after day, invading every single thread on the forum, regardless of how irrelevant...

Chill. He just loves SQ too much.

[SQGamespeed]

All these questions have been asked over and over in every other thread repeatedly for the last 6 months. I can't take any more of it. Now I'm hearing about neighbours rebooking, family medical issues, holiday plans and the personal demands, anxieties, technological adaptability, hypothetical and yet-to-be encountered wing-flap noise irritations and shopping preferences of someone else's mother in painful detail. It's reached a level I find personally distressing and it's ruining my enjoyment of the forum. But it'll just keep on going, day after day, invading every single thread on the forum, regardless of how irrelevant...

Don't forget one the most beloved recent terms on this forum: 3D maps.

[SQfanatic]

Say whatever you like. What I can do tomorrow at least is post a pic of the A350 from SFO my mom is taking from the G side of the SFO garage. I already told her to take a few pics, but that is completely up to her. By this time next week I would be asleep at my destination in India anyway. Based on timing, I will most likely post the SQ1 trip report when I get Wifi in Singapore but can't promise much except that they will be posted at some point during my trip.

Yes, personally having flown SQ multiple times, internationally they are the best compared to other carriers. Other airlines I've been on are not too bad (EK, CX) but don't quite match what SQ really has.