Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

The New First Class on Christmas Day - a few observations

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • The New First Class on Christmas Day - a few observations

    Following 9V-SWP’s fabulous trip report about SQ862 on Christmas Day, I thought I’d write about a few general observations (not a trip report) about the SQ section of my journey home the same day.

    I took SQ861 HKG-SIN (seat 2A) departing 16:00 on 25 December as part of PVG-HKG-SIN-BKK-HEL-LHR (about 30 hours from start to end). I had only taken SQ F once before (NRT-LAX) so can only compare to that:

    1 Based on StarG’s experience, I made the long trek to the HKG VS CH rather than visit the SKL by taking the train there and then walking back (only about 15-20 minutes). I was greeted with surprise by the attendant at the VS CH who had to ask her colleague what to do but was eventually let in. There were only a few other pax around and the staff were very attentive asking several times for any food and drink orders - even whilst sat accessing the Internet. A quick bowl of hot wonton (from the EVA menu) and a drink and I was off.

    2 As for the new 77W cabin itself, everyone has already said everything I want to say. I’d only like to agree with the sentiments about the lack of overhead storage with my rollaboard stowed underneath in front getting in the way of my feet and I’m not even a tall person! The seat does seem like a refined SkySuite without some of the enhancements of the new Raffles seat, e.g. no headphone hook.

    Only a blanket and one pillow was offered – two would have been nicer but for such a short flight, I didn’t bother asking. The new F slippers are nicer (better construction) than the old ones but unlike before, now only come in a clear disposable plastic bag.

    As my use of the IFE system even on long haul flights usually only consists of the flight path (rather than movies etc), I love the new hi-resolution maps on the 77W. What would make it superb IMO would be the addition of a webcam view looking out of the front of the plane (as found on AY short haul for example) which projected on the large F screen would be I think awesome.

    3 Despite what the menu says, I wasn’t asked when I wanted to dine and the dinner service started for everyone shortly after takeoff. There was an insert mentioning a Christmas Menu but it didn’t give details so I opted for the normal meal.

    The F menu inserts now appear to be designed specifically for insertion into the folder so sadly the cover is only blank. Further evidence of (I assume) cost cutting is the combination of the food and beverage menu into the same insert. Unlike the F menus I’ve seen before, this one (like other airlines) actually listed out the cheeses on offer rather than referring to a selection.

    I was surprised to be offered an amuse bouche before the main course itself – a cocktail shot glass with a large prawn (or langoustine ?) and some garnish together with a teaspoon. Is this a normal part of the new F meal service ?

    I enjoyed the goose liver starter (much tastier than caviar IMO), my BTC roast goose (which was an acceptable substitute for not having time to visit Yung Kee) and was looking forward to the warm chocolate tart choice on the meal but was told that (unfortunately IMO) it had been substitued by a cold Yuletide log (chocolate covered ice cream).

    4 No Christmas gift on SQ unlike AY J (they don’t have F) BKK-HEL where we were offered a Christmas present from Finnair consisting of a box containing two shot glasses (typical for Finland I suppose!) and (weirdly) a pack of Christmas disposable napkins.

    5 On arrival in SIN, I proceeded to the transfer counter at terminal 1 to check-in for my AY flights. I handed over my travel documents and was asked to sit down and wait to be called as their system is slow. A few minutes later, a policewoman (I think - she was dressed in a green uniform and later on, was to be found at the gate checking everyone’s passport) wandered over and asked me a few minutes of friendly questions – probably alerted by my slightly unusual itinerary and also the lack of any entry/exit stamps for this trip in my passport (I’d entered HK and China using my HKID and huixiangzhen). After answering her questions (e.g. “I like flying!”) and showing her my boarding pass stubs from previous flights, she was happy.

    6 After that, it was a dash back to the SKL J in terminal 2 for a quick shower, drink, check of e-mail and a Christmas phone call to a SIN based friend before leaving for my AY flights. I was very happy to be recognised and given a warm welcome by the SKL J shower attendant (despite only ever having visited once before in August) and we spent a few minutes chatting.

  • #2
    Great report and thanks for your added insight into the new F seats.

    Comment


    • #3
      WOW same flight as me

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by jhm View Post
        The seat does seem like a refined SkySuite without some of the enhancements of the new Raffles seat, e.g. no headphone hook.

        Only a blanket and one pillow was offered – two would have been nicer but for such a short flight, I didn’t bother asking.

        3 Despite what the menu says, I wasn’t asked when I wanted to dine and the dinner service started for everyone shortly after takeoff. There was an insert mentioning a Christmas Menu but it didn’t give details so I opted for the normal meal.

        The F menu inserts now appear to be designed specifically for insertion into the folder so sadly the cover is only blank. Further evidence of (I assume) cost cutting is the combination of the food and beverage menu into the same insert. Unlike the F menus I’ve seen before, this one (like other airlines) actually listed out the cheeses on offer rather than referring to a selection.

        Dear JHM

        Here are my observations....

        The headphone rests/hooks is discreetly designed on top of the two white reading lights.
        http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/3...6d08fcf9_o.jpg
        Just feel for the rubber pads. The hooks on Biz are not as aesthetic albeit more functional.

        The usual lumbar pillow is dressed on the seat, however if u asked the crew, the extra pillows are stored in the compartments, or on a longer flight if u choose to sleep, when they make the bed...all 3 pillows and a duvet are presented.

        Flexi-dining is usually actively offered on flights above 4 hours. I dunno how else can the crew cope if everyone had their own preference on this short sector. However, I have seen other pax next to me asking to be served later on HKG and MNL, the crew has never said NO.

        If u have seen carefully, the front and back pages are used for insertion (good observation) into the menu but the (beautiful) cover is actually the next page ie.page 2
        http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpos...&postcount=229

        It was probably due to cost savings that SQ used a beverage list (that can be recycled) and a menu seperately in F. Now when they combine both, the cost is higher coz the whole menu is not reused
        Last edited by mec; 30 December 2006, 12:11 AM.

        Comment


        • #5
          Nice "report" JHM. Interesting

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by mec View Post
            The headphone rests/hooks is discreetly designed on top of the two white reading lights.
            http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/3...6d08fcf9_o.jpg
            Just feel for the rubber pads. The hooks on Biz are not as aesthetic albeit more functional.
            Greetings from SQ325 somewhere near Thailand.
            I don't remember about the rubber pad. I must have too many Krugs. (Oh wait, the Krug went dry immediately after taking off I believed.) I do need to go back to 77W. Missing all those smooth padding and comforter. Plus the pillows are softer or fluffier.
            Last edited by jjpb3; 17 December 2007, 06:41 AM. Reason: user name amended

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by mec View Post
              Dear JHM

              The usual lumbar pillow is dressed on the seat, however if u asked the crew, the extra pillows are stored in the compartments, or on a longer flight if u choose to sleep, when they make the bed...all 3 pillows and a duvet are presented.
              I think this may have changed?
              I just did SQ 1 in F SFO-HKG-SIN, and there were 2 leather items on the seat - one was an armrest and the other a longish leather "pillow" for the lumbar area. There was a square cloth pillow as well, to the side. When the bed was made there were only two cloth pillows of different sizes. (?)
              That F seat is a bit strange. I was in 2A and you have to keep your head to the left, as there was a protrusion to the right. Your feet then had to go to the left, as there was another protrusion at the feet on the right side. I didn't expect that in an F seat (I know the C seats have a similar set-up). It is quite wide but needed to be perhaps a bit longer? I bring this up as I'd recently done the new JAL "suites" on the 777 from JFK, and they managed not to have this situation.
              Last edited by flyingfox; 24 January 2009, 05:59 AM.

              Comment

              Working...
              X