With temperatures dropping to -30 degrees celsius, it was finally time to escape the knee-deep snow in the Twin Cities and head home to Singapore. But with DL no longer running its very convenient MSP-NRT-SIN routing (the only reason why I would fly DL are the time savings accrued on these sectors, otherwise no thank you.), I was left scouring for alternative options. Many carriers were routing me through ORD, which I try to avoid at all costs. SQ was not on my radar initially, until I recalled SQ31/32. So I go on SQ's website (which sucks!), and I couldn't get SQ31 via SFO. The least time consuming option was a 28 hour journey via IAH-MAN-SIN. Then there was a very attractive offering on PE via LAX-ICN-SIN, albeit with a 6 hour layover in LAX making for a 32 hour journey. Unfazed and curious about SQ's Premium Economy, I opt for the latter.
My itinerary:
UA 5194 (Minneapolis/St Paul > Los Angeles)
Aircraft: Embraer E175 (N128SY)
Departs: 0710
Arrives: 0940
Class: Economy
SQ7 (Los Angeles > Seoul Incheon > Singapore)
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER (9V-SWN)
Departs LAX: 1605
Arrives ICN: 2235
Departs ICN: 0025
Arrives SIN: 0600 (Actual arrival 0513)
Class: Premium Economy
My journey starts at 4.30 am on the A-line, a pseudo-bus rapid transit route in St Paul. I take it to the last stop at 46th St in South Minneapolis to connect onto the light rail.
A Blue Line train bound for the airport and Mall of America arriving at 46th St station. The Blue Line serves both Terminal 1 and 2 at MSP, and runs 24 hours between the two stations shuttling connecting passengers.
Terminal 1 Lindbergh Station
I then proceed to the MSP Airport Tram that takes me several hundred yards to the check-in area. I scan my passport at the United machines and it can’t be read. A grumpy United agent came over to help, and tried folding my passport in all sorts of manners to no avail. So he checked me in manually all the way to Singapore. Didn't need to pay for domestic baggage fees which amount to $25 for the first checked-in bag.
As usual security lines at MSP, though long this morning, move quickly. And of course the TSA along with the airport staff bring h a touch of Minnesota niceness… at least that’s the experience I’ve had. Shops still waking up at MSP this morning. MSP is definitely a very pleasant airport to use in the US.
Departing through gate E7 this morning. The E concourse houses most non DL gates at Terminal 1 Lindbergh. MSP is dominated by DL. This morning the E-concourse was fairly crowded with many early morning departures on AA, UA and NK (Spirit Airlines).
Got breakfast in a paper bag to bring onboard from Caribou Coffee, a popular coffee joint based in Minnesota, and several newspapers.
My little E75L that will take me all the way to LAX. Aircraft for today, N128SY, was delivered two years ago, and will be operated for United Express by SkyWest Airlines. DL A320 parked behind at the F-concourse.
A neighboring United Express CRJ7 preparing for UA6242 to IAD.
Our gate this morning is E7. Boarding starts just after 6.40am and is done in groups. Lines were very orderly and it didn't take long to board this 76-seat aircraft.
The 12 seats in Domestic First were all occupied. Flight was full with a handful of seats at the rear of the aircraft. The 31 inches of legroom felt decent.
My itinerary:
UA 5194 (Minneapolis/St Paul > Los Angeles)
Aircraft: Embraer E175 (N128SY)
Departs: 0710
Arrives: 0940
Class: Economy
SQ7 (Los Angeles > Seoul Incheon > Singapore)
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER (9V-SWN)
Departs LAX: 1605
Arrives ICN: 2235
Departs ICN: 0025
Arrives SIN: 0600 (Actual arrival 0513)
Class: Premium Economy
My journey starts at 4.30 am on the A-line, a pseudo-bus rapid transit route in St Paul. I take it to the last stop at 46th St in South Minneapolis to connect onto the light rail.
A Blue Line train bound for the airport and Mall of America arriving at 46th St station. The Blue Line serves both Terminal 1 and 2 at MSP, and runs 24 hours between the two stations shuttling connecting passengers.
Terminal 1 Lindbergh Station
I then proceed to the MSP Airport Tram that takes me several hundred yards to the check-in area. I scan my passport at the United machines and it can’t be read. A grumpy United agent came over to help, and tried folding my passport in all sorts of manners to no avail. So he checked me in manually all the way to Singapore. Didn't need to pay for domestic baggage fees which amount to $25 for the first checked-in bag.
As usual security lines at MSP, though long this morning, move quickly. And of course the TSA along with the airport staff bring h a touch of Minnesota niceness… at least that’s the experience I’ve had. Shops still waking up at MSP this morning. MSP is definitely a very pleasant airport to use in the US.
Departing through gate E7 this morning. The E concourse houses most non DL gates at Terminal 1 Lindbergh. MSP is dominated by DL. This morning the E-concourse was fairly crowded with many early morning departures on AA, UA and NK (Spirit Airlines).
Got breakfast in a paper bag to bring onboard from Caribou Coffee, a popular coffee joint based in Minnesota, and several newspapers.
My little E75L that will take me all the way to LAX. Aircraft for today, N128SY, was delivered two years ago, and will be operated for United Express by SkyWest Airlines. DL A320 parked behind at the F-concourse.
A neighboring United Express CRJ7 preparing for UA6242 to IAD.
Our gate this morning is E7. Boarding starts just after 6.40am and is done in groups. Lines were very orderly and it didn't take long to board this 76-seat aircraft.
The 12 seats in Domestic First were all occupied. Flight was full with a handful of seats at the rear of the aircraft. The 31 inches of legroom felt decent.
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