Airline Review – Singapore Airlines

Flying is stressful!

As much as I get excited about each and every trip, there is always that feeling of controlled chaos at the airport check-in and the bun-rush to get the ‘best’ seat, and get rid of your luggage.

It couldn’t have been more different with Singapore Airlines.

Check In

For the first time ever, we simply walked straight up to the check-in counter. No jostling, no queuing. It was a modern day miracle. I had checked in online 48 hours previously, but usually there is still a queue of anxious people – many carrying their kitchen sink – fidgeting and fussing to be rid of their bags. Not this time.

The counter service was incredibly helpful and patient even when there was a bit of a mess-up with our Indian eVisas. The serene lady simply checked us in and waited while I dashed off to sort out the paperwork. That serenity is rare to find these days.

Similar in Changi Airport at Singapore as we wished to change our allocated seats for the next leg. It was done quickly and happily. Oh, the joy of it all.

Inflight Service

Service on the plane was unfailingly polite and helpful. Not that we are demanding passengers, but to maintain their calm and relaxed nature must be hard to do when faced with a plane load of self-important people. Perhaps that calm is part of their job description.

The hot towels were soothing and cleansing and because such luxuries are so out of the ordinary, they were another tangible indication that we were on holiday at last.

Believe it or not, we even received inflight packs on the Sydney-Singapore leg. These are such a rare beast when flying cattle class, it was a genuine surprise. Needless to say, they weren’t flash, simply containing a pair of socks and a toothbrush, but it was a nice touch.

Food

Ye olde printed menu was handed out – another rarity. The food it described was actually very tasty. Both the variety and quality was a pleasant surprise with two main-course choices on the Sydney-Singapore leg and three choices on the Singapore-Delhi leg. Of course the bread rolls were like lethal little bullets, but when are they not?

Oh, but what can we do about the waste? I really stress about the endless packaging of the food, knives and forks and all of it, including perfectly good food that is leftover, is thrown away. It is a criminal waste.

In-Flight Entertainment

There was a good selection of daily newspapers and it was a real treat to be able to read your newspaper of choice from cover to cover.

An extensive selection of movies, TV and music was on offer with a heavy emphasis on Bohemian Rhapsody. There was nothing I wanted to see (I had seen Bohemian Rhapsody at the ‘Pictures’ months ago) and I was content to read, read, and read.

The number of screaming children on both legs provided a different type of distraction. These overly indulged toddlers were neatly balanced with some perfectly behaved babies. It’s just the luck of the draw.

Seating Configuration

Sydney-Singapore: 3 seats x 3 seats x 3 seats.

Singapore-Delhi: 3 seats x 4 seats x 3 seats.

Leg Room

Leg room was standard in economy and, as always, looked more attractive and comfortable towards the pointier end of the plane and gradually declined as we edged down the aisle past the business class seats.

Both legs of the trip featured very full planes with barely a spare seat. Perhaps I should start to be a little less subtle about our willingness and desire to be upgraded??

The seat recline was a definite negative. When the person in front reclined their seat it was virtually impossible to comfortably view the TV screen. It was waaaaaaaaay too close for comfort. And don’t start me on trying to eat in this situation. I felt like I was attempting to eat my meal out of my belly button. I did not recline my seat.

Punctuality: Excellent!

Comfort: Peaceful skies and very few air pockets.

Overall rating: Despite being locked up in a tin can, hurtling through the air and across time zones for hours at a time (First World problem, I know), flying with Singapore Airlines was an enjoyable experience.

I would have no hesitation to recommend them or fly with them again.

8/10.

What airlines would you recommend?

 

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