You are at netAirspace : Forum : Air and Space Forums : Trip Reports

Around The World

Share your latest flight experience or aviation-related poetry with us.
 

tangoscar 26 Nov 18, 21:53Post
28-10-2018

SQ21
EWR-SIN
9V-SGC
Seat 23A

Thanks to my job, which required me to go on a business trip to SIN to visit a customer, I had the pleasure to try out and enjoy the currently longest flight in terms of duration and distance - Singapore Airlines SQ21 from Newark to Singapore operated by 9V-SGC, a pretty much brand new A350-941ULR.

Normally I don't get too excited when I need to fly out of EWR, but as this flight was scheduled to leave in the late morning of a Sunday the roads into the NYC area were clear and the terminal was deserted. The hassle-free experience continued with a very quick and smooth boarding procedure and shortly after I had settled in my seat in the over-wing business class section we left our gate 11 minutes ahead of schedule.

I had expected that we would take a polar route, which also seemed to be the case as we turned straight north over CT, but soon after I was proven wrong when we turned northeast again towards Nova Scotia. The reason became clear a little later when we picked up the jet-stream over Newfoundland. This provided a 250 km/h tailwind, which catapulted us across the Atlantic. After cutting along the northern edge of Central Europe we headed towards the Indian subcontinent. They were in far distance, but I got to see the peaks of the Himalaya. Eventually we arrived at SIN more than an hour ahead of schedule.

02-11-2018

SQ22
SIN-EWR
9V-SGB
Seat 15A

For the return flight to Newark we took the usual route along the east coast of Japan and then across the Bering Sea over to North America. The flight was uneventful, it just felt awkward, that it was light outside for a few hours in the middle of the flight. Due to a runway closure takeoff at SIN got delayed and we ended up arriving at EWR 38 minutes behind schedule.

So due to the selected routing this turned out to be a round the world trip.

On both flights the food was exceptional, however, the service quality was just mediocre and did not meet my expectations based on what I had heard about SIA in the past. I experienced much better service on several Air Canada, EVA and Lufthansa long-haul flights (also in business class).

The business class seat was probably the best I have had so far. I had to learn from the "pro's" though how to make best use of it and that it becomes most comfortable when being kept in lie-flat position for most part of the flight, even when not sleeping.

Lucas (netAirspace ATC & Founding Member) 09 Apr 19, 09:25Post
Good information. I've heard that the spacing of meal services can be a bit wonky, but I prefer to sleep, anyway. Meanwhile, my company took almost 60 hours of flying to get me a little less mileage, and my longest flight was under 8 hours. {cry}
JLAmber (netAirspace ATC & Founding Member) 23 Apr 19, 19:45Post
Interesting TR. This is a trip I will take one day, having already had to cancel twice, so it's nice to read your opinions.

tangoscar wrote:On both flights the food was exceptional, however, the service quality was just mediocre and did not meet my expectations based on what I had heard about SIA in the past. I experienced much better service on several Air Canada, EVA and Lufthansa long-haul flights (also in business class).


That is a real surprise. I've flown SIA many times before and the service has always been just about the best I've ever experienced. Perhaps the cabin crew are pushed too hard by the extreme length of the flight?
A million great ideas...
tangoscar 24 Apr 19, 13:59Post
JLAmber wrote:Interesting TR. This is a trip I will take one day, having already had to cancel twice, so it's nice to read your opinions.

tangoscar wrote:On both flights the food was exceptional, however, the service quality was just mediocre and did not meet my expectations based on what I had heard about SIA in the past. I experienced much better service on several Air Canada, EVA and Lufthansa long-haul flights (also in business class).


That is a real surprise. I've flown SIA many times before and the service has always been just about the best I've ever experienced. Perhaps the cabin crew are pushed too hard by the extreme length of the flight?


The new route and perhaps the somewhat new aircraft - although it's still an A350 the cabin layout is a bit different from what they are used to - could have very well played a role. On the first flight I thought I have simply caught the Monday lemon, but then the 2nd flight wasn't really better. However, with these being my only SIA flights so far this is a tiny sample size and obviously very subjective. I would definitely fly with them again.
 

Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests

LEFT

RIGHT
CONTENT