Xmas & New Year Trips - Fukuoka & Bangkok on SQ/3K/TZ Business/Economy

[ycp81]

JAL B772 in a special livery just landed.




China Eastern A320 ahead of us.




Special-liveried JAL




And we had a very powerful departure with steep climb from Rwy16, due to a short runway and noise abatement requirements at Fukuoka airport.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOmHp7W8qkI


Climbing out of Fukuoka.














Slippers, socks and eyeshades were handed out. No more of the weird looking sockettes.




Some nice scenery below.




Cabin service started with distribution of post-takeoff beverages.

[ycp81]

My order of Singapore Sling was delivered shortly after.




Which was followed with the Satay course. 2 sticks of chicken and 1 stick of mutton for each pax.




Lunch would only be served approximately 2hrs after takeoff. In the meantime, a visit to the lavatory to check out the amenities.






View outside.




Unfortunately, my IFE system encountered some problems, with the movies and videos not playing. Only the flight map was available. The crew tried their best to rectify the problem and eventually had to do a major reset of my IFE system. Hence I could only watch the movies an hour later after the major reset was done after the satay service. However the crew were apologetic and tried to make up for the wait by offering more drinks and magazines, and even offered to allow me to select my choice of meal for lunch ahead of other passengers. Nice service recovery here, though not the fault of the crew.

One hour into the flight and waiting for my IFE system to reboot.




Nuts and a bottle of water were offered as well.






Lets take a look at the meal choices before the start of lunch service.








Lunch service commenced while I was watching "The Intern".

[ycp81]

I had the Hanakoireki meal, which consisted of cold and warm sets. First up is the cold set. Items were rather tasty. Refer to my posted menu for the list of items in set.








Ordered a sake to complement my Japanese selection. It was serve in a very nice sake glass.




After the cold set was cleared, the warm set was delivered with a miso soup and green tea. Very tasty as well!






Lets take a look at the normal selection. Smoked beef as appetiser, served with garlic bread.




Braised pork in miso sauce.




For dessert, there was the matcha pudding or the espresso with cookie ice-cream.






Cheeses and fruits to end. I am now really bursting!




And ending with pralines and a mug of mocha. It was a satisfying meal indeed.

[ycp81]

Cruising somewhere above the Philippines.




Spent the rest of the flight on some mindless horror chick flick.




About an hour prior to arrival, crew went round distributing mixed nuts again and asked if we would like more beverages. Ordered an earl grey and was delivered promptly.




Nearing and descending into Singapore.












Short video of the descend over Batam, Indonesia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ai-Z6ZLVls


Arrived in Changi Rwy02L, right on schedule.








Video of landing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_RT5oPZk6A


And we docked at Terminal 2.




It was another great flight on SQ Business Class. Considering the load in Business Class was more than full, the service remained excellent, crew were not flustered (maybe as most were senior crew) and still delivered proactive, professional and commendable service. Good job!

[Tonitan]

Thank you for the wonderful TR YCP81! Did u enjoy the Hanakoirekei? I try to avoid the Hanakoirekei nowadays. Tasteless, Boring and Stale would be exactly how i would describe them. Not sure how many in the board here would agree in my assessment but afyer 8 sectors on SQ12/11 i have given up.

Even my friendly competitor who usually flies SQ has given up and switched to ANA (we bump into each other in downtown Tokyo and exchanged greetings - U kmow who u are!!)

I hope that SQ's decision to go A350 is the right move, so far after QR's A3509 experience, i still find the B787 more comfortable. Despite the cabin being a foot narrow compared to A359, i still find the B788 more comfortable with it's high ceilling and more soothing cabin pressure.

[ycp81]

Thank you for the wonderful TR YCP81! Did u enjoy the Hanakoirekei? I try to avoid the Hanakoirekei nowadays. Tasteless, Boring and Stale would be exactly how i would describe them. Not sure how many in the board here would agree in my assessment but afyer 8 sectors on SQ12/11 i have given up.

Even my friendly competitor who usually flies SQ has given up and switched to ANA (we bump into each other in downtown Tokyo and exchanged greetings - U kmow who u are!!)

The Hanakoireki catered from Fukuoka tasted better than the one I had previously from Haneda.

[ycp81]

Barely 48hrs after returning from Fukuoka, it was a short New Year's trip to Bangkok with some friends. This would be my last flight of 2015 and first of 2016.

Flight up was booked on Jetstar, and check in was DIY. However, I still need to have my documents verified at a counter as my return trip was booked on Scoot.




It started raining quite heavily soon after. A few kangaroos were parked at the gate.




Departure from Gate C18. Boarding was slightly delayed due to late arrival of aircraft from the earlier destination, due to weather around the airport.






31 December 2015
Jetstar Asia
3K 513
Singapore (SIN) - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK)
A330
9V-JSP
Economy Class
Flight Time: 1h58m


9V-JSP just arrived from HKG and turning around for my flight to BKK.




Soon, boarding was called.




Boarding in progress. Flight was nearly full.




Still a drizzle out there.




Inflight mags




Had a very long taxi to the runway due to many delayed departure traffic caused by the earlier thunderstorm.






Finally departed from Rwy02C.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=537ZIIRNIIU


BOB cabin service in progress. Did not get anything on this short flight. Crew were friendly and efficient.




Lavatory with the bare necessities, but clean.

[ycp81]

Cabin view as the lights were dimmed.




Soon enough, descend into Bangkok started.




We were descending lower and lower... and suddenly, the engines rev up and we climbed up again. Woohoo! My first ever go-around on the last night of 2015!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa4mXurhNjQ


According to the pilot, there was still traffic on the runway ahead and thus due to safety reasons, go-around was initiated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn6qBD8EHBU


Coming in to land again.




And a smooth and successful landing on Rwy01R.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-bYNb_L9XY


Parked at a very convenient gate, which was just mere steps from immigration.




Disembarkation.




A reasonably good budget flight on Jetstar with no complaints. And the go-around was a "bonus" haha.

Immigration was fast as we were the only arrival flight being cleared, plus with no check-in bags, we were on the train to town within 15min of exiting the aircraft doors. And 30min later (with a change to the subway at Makassan), we were in the heart of Sukhumvit! That was faster than my 10km bus ride from Changi to home!

Stayed at Park Plaza Sukhumvit, which offered very good rates for the peak season, with rather huge and comfortable rooms. It was very convenient too, just steps from the MRT and BTS interchange at Sukhumvit/Asoke.




And there was a lot of eating during the trip!!

[SQ218]

I'm hungry now just looking at those food photos.

[ycp81]

More food porn












And the sweet finale.






The return flight, which is also my first flight of 2016, was booked on Scoot's ScootBiz class. If booked early in advance on its sale fare, ScootBiz is definitely a better deal than flying Scoot's economy with frills thrown in. ScootBiz now includes 30kg check-in bags, a premium meal with drink, free seat selection, and of course a bigger seat with at least 38" pitch. However, Scoot flies from Don Muang airport, which means a pricey cab ride (by Bangkok standards) to the airport instead of being able to catch the airport train.

Check in was fast as ScootBiz has a dedicated check-in counter. The economy queue, however, was snaking.




Boarding pass was receipt-style, printed on Nok's stock.




Immigration and security did not take too long. However, there was nothing much of interest to do in Don Muang, with limited shops and eateries.

FIDS




Pier where most international flights depart from.




Flight would depart from Gate 24. Aircraft had arrived early this evening.

[ycp81]

03 January 2016
Scoot
TZ 301
Bangkok Don Muang (DMK) - Singapore (SIN)
B787-9
9V-OJD
ScootBiz
Flight Time: 2h09m


Big Yella Fella would be flying me home this evening.




Boarding started on schedule, with passengers needing assistance and ScootBiz pax allowed priority boarding. Entering my first B787 Dreamliner ride soon.




Turned left upon boarding towards the ScootBiz cabin. Crew were assisting and guiding passengers to their seats.




Lets have a look at the ScootBiz cabin and seats.








Settled down at 4A. No pillows or blankets were available (BOB or BYO). However the seat is rather comfortable, fitted with an adjustable headrest and legrest. Seat pitch is definitely more than sufficient for the short flight and recline is decent. Even though the ScootBiz seat is not comparable to legacy carriers business class seats, they are perfectly acceptable for short to mid haul flights. Felt that it is slightly better than premium economy seats out there. However service-wise, ScootBiz is more Economy Class orientated unlike Jetstar Business Class, which has a more premium Business-like offering.




Electronic dimming window shades. Can't test out its effectiveness as the entire flight was in darkness.




Scoot mags and the streaming IFE selection. Streaming IFE is complimentary for ScootBiz pax, but IFE is only available on longer flights and not available on the SIN-BKK sector.








ScootBiz cabin was only about half-full, while economy was choc-a-block. A welcome drink of a cup of water was distributed to us ScootBiz pax.

[ycp81]

Gallery equipment were all in a funky yellow.




Lavatory has cool lighting but basic amenities.




We soon pushed back, and with a manual safety demo performed, taxied to Rwy21L for departure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jKq6cXHzJs


Climbing out over Bangkok city.






Crew came down to take our drink orders with the meal. Each ScootBiz pax is entitled to one drink from the BOB menu, both alcoholic or non-alcoholic, with the meal. Any additions wold need to be purchased. The premium main on the BKK-SIN sector is Thai green curry chicken with steamed rice.

My premium meal was served shortly. On the tray was a starter, main, dessert and a cup of water.




The starter looked like coleslaw, but was actually vinegared vegetables. Not a big fan of the sourish taste.



The green curry was just passable as it was not spicy enough. Portion was good though.




No complaints with the Haagen Dazs.




Crew then came down offering more BOB and duty free items for sale.




Passenger relaxing the rest of the flight away.




Singapore night skyline in the distance during approach to Changi.




Landing on Rwy02C, slightly ahead of schedule.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIM1bLXrghw


Final view of my seat before disembarking.




ScootBiz, if booked on a sale fare, is definitely value-for-money, considering the comfort provided by the more spacious seat. Service by crew is casual but professional, and catering is of average standards. When prices are right, ScootBiz is definitely recommendable for short to mid-haul flights. Just don't expect Business-style service similar to premium carriers and you will not be disappointed.

Congratulations for reading so far!! Your comments are much welcomed.

[yflyer]

I enjoyed reading this, ycp81! Fukuoka looks like a very nice city to visit. I am a big fan of Ichiran Ramen too!

[icn.sg]

Thanks for another enjoyable report!

It has been many years since FUK started displaying details of the inflight service at check-in. Those menu-flyers make excellent souvenirs for collectors and enthusiasts, but I wonder how many passengers actually bother reading them and decide on their meal choice at check-in? Furthermore, attractive menus (with Japanese description) are already distributed onboard. It will also be too late to order a special meal if one discovers the 2 meal choices are not to one's liking.

SQ has always allowed each of their overseas stations to come up with small service initiatives that enhance a passenger's experience on the ground. This is great, but it also leads to a lack of uniformity in ground service among stations. The menu-flyers appears to be unique to SQ FUK.