Like many travel lovers now that I’m not able to fly I’m remembering all of those times in airports and on planes in a new way. It’s safe to say the rose coloured glasses have come out because I only see the good when I look back, and have even forgiven those people who crowd around the baggage reclaim belt so no one else can see their bags. You guys! When will I see you again?
While I’d frankly be happy to fly somewhere special in economy if I had a magic wand and could fly any seat on any plane again I wouldn’t have to think twice. It would be Singapore Airlines Suites all the way.
Two of the best flights of my life took place on a Singapore Airlines A380. The first was when I used all the frequent flyer points I’d hoarded for years to fly Suites from Sydney to Zurich. The second was when I was one of the first people in the world to fly on Singapore Airlines’ new look A380s, including those sleek new suites, when I covered the flight from the Airbus Delivery Centre in Tolouse to Singapore Airlines’ home at Changi Airport for Escape.
I must admit as much as love the new look suites, I would really love to fly the old ones again. Or better yet, fly one way in the old and come back in the new. If I’m making travel wishes, may as well wish big!
Fortunately there is still a chance to do both, as 12 of Singapore Airlines’ A380s have the original configuration while seven are flying with the new layout.
With travel on hold for most of the world at the moment, a lot of planes are having to stay on the ground and Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage (APAS) outside Alice Springs is providing a temporary home for some of the A380s I love, as this incredible shot by Outback Photographic’s Steve Strike shows.
While there’s no way of knowing when we’ll be flying again I’m going to keep on remembering the good times and look forward to the ones to come.
So here’s one from the archives. As this was originally written in 2014 some things have changed, including the way the airline pyjamas now come from Lalique rather than Givenchy. But the level of pinch yourself luxury remains the same.
Now let’s step back in time to my Singapore Airlines Suites review…
There’s a moment where you check your watch on a long haul flight and realize there’s still eight hours to go. Usually I would greet this with a bit of a sigh and shift my weight in my economy class seat, but on my recent flight from Singapore’s Changi airport to Zurich I was thrilled to see there was still so much time ahead. I was having the best pyjama party in the sky and never wanted it to end.
That’s what happens when you find yourself not in First Class but in the level above, in the Suites on Singapore Airlines.
Introduced on the airline’s A380s in 2008, the Suites go beyond flat beds and offers individual private cabins with sliding doors that cocoon you in your own little lap of luxury.
My first Suite life experience started in Sydney airport where I checked in with a spring in my step and received my Express Pass to help whisk me through security and immigration as quickly as possible to make it to the lounge.
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There I realized Sydney’s Singapore Airlines lounge is one place where you do want to turn right rather than left, as it is here that the First Class lounge is hidden away from the larger Business Class one. The lounge is stylish, with booth areas where you can work or hide away, but I made a beeline for the seat near the window where I could sip Veuve Clicquot and enjoy French Toast for breakfast. Sure it was a little early for champagne for some people, but this was a flight to celebrate and I was starting in style.
The lounge attendants were lovely and friendly and pointed out the A380 that I would soon be on, so I was able to watch it being moved to the gate. Then it was the moment I was waiting for.
The Singapore Airlines A380 Suites
Stepping into the suite world, taking my seat in 1A and being asked if I would prefer a glass of Dom Pérignon or Krug is the best start to a trip I’ve had so far.
In the weeks to come when I would show pictures of the suites to fellow travellers who asked what they were really like the most common response was “it looks like a train carriage!” and they weren’t talking about a commuter train when they said it.
There are 12 suites in a Singapore Airlines A380, one on each window with two in the centre, which can be either kept as single suites or transformed into a double.
The interiors were designed by French luxury yacht designer, Jean-Jacques Coste and you start the flight sitting in a plush soft leather seat upholstered by the Italian master craftsmen Poltrona Frau.
When it’s time to sleep, you don’t just lie on a seat that has gone flat. Instead, you step aside while the Singapore Airlines flight attendants transform your suite into a bedroom, with a plush mattress on a full sized flat bed (that’s 1.98m x 69cm or 78 x 27 inches for those wondering).
There you can sleep or maybe just pop your Singapore Airlines Bose headphones on and watch a movie in bed on the 23 inch flatscreen.
Givenchy Givenchy Givenchy
The night before I flew Singapore Suites I had a thought. What if they didn’t provide pyjamas? I know some airlines do and some don’t, and even when I fly economy I take my Virgin Atlantic Upper Class PJs with me to get changed into on long haul.
I sent my friend Mark, who knows his first class product, a text to check. Moments later the word came back. “They give you a Givenchy pair of pyjamas.”
Oh Givenchy! Just saying the name is fun. Wearing the pyjamas in the sky even more so.
But Givenchy has designed more than just the PJs in your suite. The duvets, cushions and blankets are all by the French house, as is the fine bone chinaware, and full sized crystal and silverware that appear at mealtimes.
As for the amenities kit, that’s a little taste of Italian luxury from Salvatore Ferragamo, with an 30ml Signorina fragrance, hand cream, face wipe and lip balm. After using the fragrance on my following cruises around Venice and the Mediterranean the Signorina smell now brings back very happy memories. Love.
Lobster Thermidor and more on Singapore Airlines
While there is an impressive and rather delicious menu to choose from when you’re up in the sky, if you’re flying Suites, First or Business Class on Singapore Airlines you can choose from an even larger menu before you fly through their Book the Cook service.
My first class guru Mark explained that he doesn’t usually do that as the selection is so good in the air, but if I wanted the lobster I may want to book ahead. I’m sorry? The lobster? My first Suites flight? You bet I want it!
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I quickly logged on and found myself torn between a long list of dishes I wanted to try. The Lobster Thermidor was a given, and I was pretty sure I’d want the roast rack of lamb with mint jus, and most likely the dim sum for breakfast, but oh so many choices on offer.
Even the list of dietary meals that you could choose from was impressive. I knew there was no way I would go for the “bland meal” but was interested to see options including low cal, low fat, no carb, low lactose, and even an Ulcer Diet selection.
Then I saw something that stopped me short. Sautéed monkey head. What the?! I knew first class service often went above and beyond to provide unusual options for people but this was one step too far. Then as I was thinking what an interesting story that would be in itself, I read it again. “Sautéed monkey head mushroom with dried chilli”. Which is when I realised there was something called a monkey head mushroom. And calmed down.
So how was the food? Delicious, decadent, divine, everything I imaged it would be. Oh how will I ever cope in the back of the plane again?
Single Suite or Double Suite in the Sky
While the first leg of my flight from Sydney to Singapore had to be in 1A as I was going the full cliché for my first Suite flight experience, for my second leg from Changi to Zurich I decided to try one of the middle suites so that I try both forms of flying.
As I mentioned earlier, the seat format is 1 – 2 – 1, so the suites on either side have windows, while the middle suites are joined together.
This is ideal if you’re flying with a friend as the dividing partition can be brought down to create a double suite, and yes a double bed.
For those wondering, even though you can close your sliding doors to create a big bedroom up there, and you do feel like you’re in your own private world the window partitions have sections that can be peeked through so it’s not exactly a honeymoon suite. But it’s the closest I’ve been to in the sky.
I was travelling solo, but as the suite next to me was empty the attendants brought down the wall anyway and even made up both of the beds so that I could have a full slumber party feel going on in there. A slumber party with Dom Pérignon and delicious snacks on offer throughout the night may just be my new favourite kind.
There is a bit of a join between the two single mattresses, but I still loved spreading myself out and savouring every second. And it was here that I woke from a nap, checked my watch and was breathed a sigh of relief to find there was still eight hours to go and I hadn’t wasted too much time asleep. Time for another movie and some champagne… oh yes.
Suite Love
As I’m sure you can tell by now, flying Suites on Singapore Airlines may have ruined me for flying for life. Well, until I can afford to fly that way every time that is. One day, one day.
The only things that could have made the experience even better are spa treatments in the lounge, something that I have experienced in Virgin Atlantic’s Heathrow Lounge and loved, and a limousine service to the airport, something I have yet to experience on a flight but have envied friends who have.
Oh yes, the lounge. One day I’ll have to give you a peek inside Singapore Airline’s Private Room at Changi Airport. Just as there’s a level above First Class on the plane, there’s a level beyond the First Class Lounge at Changi. But that’s for another day. I’m off now to dream suite dreams.
Amanda Woods independently purchased her Singapore Airlines Suites Class flights. With frequent flyer points. She is now busily saving points to do it again.
What a great read Amanda. Now I am extremely envious! Everything from the Givenchy to the Champagne and the lobster – just divine. I love that you purchased the upgrade with your points too!
I look forward to reading about your next adventure.
Safe travels.
Jen
Thank you! And yes, points for this gal definitely needed to fly that way. Although I look forward to one day being able to just snap up a ticket any old time!
Amazing! The flight attendants will have to drag me out of there when the flight lands 🙂 Its also inspiring to know these are bookable with frequent flier points!
Isn’t it just! I don’t understand people who waste FF points on cheap domestic travel. Save those points for the dream trips you wouldn’t normally be able to afford. It takes longer sure but oh so worth it!
But don’t FF miles expire if not used after a certain time ?..
Hi Anjun, different airlines have different rules on how long you have to spend the miles. Sometimes there’s no limit as long as you keep earning miles within a certaain period, which can either be by flying or buying something that earns points.
Sometimes you need to actually use them or can pay a small amount to extend them. So do check out the rules depending on the airline you want to fly with and when you want to travel.
I’m also happy to report that because we can’t travel at the moment, Singapore Airlines have extended my miles that were due to expire shortly for another six months. So I don’t need to worry about those going to waste.
just like dream
Indeed! I’m dreaming of doing it again 🙂
Dear Amanda
I was fortunate enough to be bumped to an emirates first class recently on a trip from Dubai to Los Angeles. The comparison is very similar and the limousine service you wish to try is amazing.
Great post by the way
Oooh… lucky you! I’d love to try Emirates first class. And how about Etihad’s The Residence? Oh my! (Funny how the wish list of first class experiences keeps on getting longer!)
ME ENCANTA ESTA LINEA AÉREA…..!!!
This is my dream flight! Thanks for the great review and pictures. What was your points strategy for the flight?
Thanks! I ended up using points that I’d saved up on my credit card. I didn’t have many points earned on flights in my Krisflyer account, but my credit card lets me move them to any airline, so i figured out what i needed and then transferred the balance. I had a big fat 0 points after that, but worth it! Now saving again 🙂
Chase Ultimate Rewards? And if so, was it difficult to find the award inventory and book it?
I’m not familiar with Ultimate Rewards (unless you mean chase your own dream, in that case yes!)… and I’ll confess the First Class guru helped me actually book it so for me it was super simple. I have yet to learn all of his ways and implement them myself though. First I’ll save the miles, then I’ll try to do it myself next time!
wow! I have been waiting to read this review since seeing the pics on facebook 🙂 Great read Amanda! xx
Yay! Thank you…. glad you enjoyed it. I’m going to be in so much trouble when I take my seat back in economy again 🙂
Love this Amanda
Im so jealous!!
We are going on Singapore Airlines via business class in a month (whoot!!)
Can i ask how many points you spent to upgrade?
Cheers 🙂
Hey Sam, I didn’t actually upgrade… I bought the whole thing on points and just paid my taxes. My FF guru did the clever bits to make it happen but asked me to keep just how many he got it for under my hat. But let’s just say it was a lot of points, but far less than I’d have thought.
If I were you I’d have a bit of a play in the Krisflyer site and see just how much it would be to buy a flight to where you want to go outright with points and then how much to upgrade. It may work out better for you to have a great Business Class flight this time and then buy a Suites Class another time.
WOW! Amazing flight!!! I need to do this! No seriously, its not a want its a need! xx
Absolutely! You belong up there 🙂 x
Do you get to keep the headphones?
Now there’s a thought! No, those stayed there. But I wonder how many go missing on a flight?
Hi! This answers my previous question. So you left them because you cant take them? or you left them because you didn’t think you could take them?
Hi Kimmy, I did indeed leave the headphones behind, as lovely as they were. I didn’t actually ask but I thought popping those in my bag was going a bit far. Pyjamas are ours once they’ve been worn, headphones (and blankets, and those lovely Givenchy plates etc) can be used again so I figure stay with the plane.
But of course, you can always ask your flight attendant and see what they say. And if they do send you off the plane with them, do let me know. thanks!
Hi Amanda:
I would be traveling Suite this weekend for the first time. May you suggest me what are the amenities that I can bring off the place legally for souvenirs?
I know there are Toiletries Bag we can bring home, Pyjamas as well. I wonder if we can bring also the blanket? Do we get blanket? Is there anything else we can take home for souvenirs? It will be fun to share those for my family to see them. 🙂
Thank you for your help.
Hey Jo, how exciting! You’re going to love it. As far as what you can keep, I kept the toiletries and pyjamas and the cute teddy bear that they gave me, but I didn’t take anything else. I’ll check in with the airline to see what people are allowed to keep as a souvenir in case there’s something else you may want to take home for the family. I’m not sure if I’ll hear back before your flight though so perhaps best to just ask the flight attendants. They’re lovely and will let you know. Have a great flight, you’ll never want it to end!
That looked amazing!
Ive booked two suites for the Missus & Me, Singers to Sydney in June.
Should be great fun.
Could only get B777-300ER first on the way over though.
Hey Col, you’re going to absolutely love it! And if you have to do one of each, it’s great that you’re doing the First on the way over and Suites on the way back. I’ve yet to fly Singapore First but have a feeling it will be pretty amazing as well, then things will go up that extra level on the way back. Let me know how the trip goes, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Will do, best thing is I haven’t told the wife yet.
She just thinks we’re going to Sydney but we’re doing Marina Bay Sands in an Orchid Suite for a week.
I’m not a gambler but I thought I’d like to do that.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
Hi! Great review! Question: You can keep the pajamas and the kit… can you keep the headphones? Also if there are slippers, can you keep those too?
Well we’ve been on our little trip. (Sorry for the late reply)
I have to say First Class with Singapore is absolutely wonderful. Especially from Singapore. The First Class drive up check in is fantastic.
The Sydney lounge also has a separate First Class section behind a door which I didn’t realise.
I thought the B777 First was equal to the Suites. Don’t get me wrong but I sort of preferred First Class.
But all in all a great experience. I pre-ordered the lobster thermidor…very nice.
The one disappointing thing I thought was the breakfast coming into Sydney. Just fruit and a selection of croissants etc.
No hot meal which i thought was strange.
I’m thinking of doing Emirates first to London later in the year or early next year so that will be fun.
Oooh… interesting! I haven’t done First Class with them yet, but have put all my frequent flyer points into a Business Class with Singapore Airlines to Europe in a few month’s time, so I’ll be interested to see how that goes. It’s slightly crazy that I’ve only done Suites and Economy, but this time around I didn’t have enough points to go all the way, but am excited about Business.
And I’d be interested to hear what you think of Emirates as well. Not sure if you saw my story about their showers in the sky. Let’s see if you’re brave enough to take one!
Forgot to add regarding Marina Bay Sands…..don’t waste your time & money…. terrible service and run down….but that’s another story. We checked out after the first day and stayed at Shangri-La…..absolutely perfect in every way.
What a shame you guys were disappointed like that. But nice recovery heading to the Shangri-La. You know how to bounce back!
Yeah, I’ve read that one….great bar…..very addictive…….the shower’s for the New Zealanders headed this way…..whoops.
Virgin business B777 to LA has one but nowhere as good as that.
I’ve read your Ushuaia one as well, very interesting place. I was there a couple of years back after a cruise from Punta Arenas – Cape Horn to there. Freezing place, (obviously) absolutely beautiful scenery, luckily I was there with a Chilean friend who took us around the place and to Tierra Del Fuego park.
Nice place to lose your luggage….but I think that’s the norm down there.
That’s great that you’ve been to Ushuaia and loved it too. Shame about the luggage though. Fortunately mine made it in one piece. It’s the kind of place you need those layers!