Had a similar experience last week flying back to Singapore from Kulala Lumpur (stayed at the Mandarin Oriental). Inbound to KL, it was a plain ol' 738, but outbount to SIN, it was an A350. It was a noon flight, right after the last day of Eid, and from the number of passengers I saw in the waiting area, it was definitely more than a 738 could carry. There were only 5 people in all of business for this 39 minute flight. That seat was the widest business class seat I've experienced in many years, and yup, the tray table cover kept getting in the way while I was looking out the window.
I had the same flight booked some weeks ago but when it was changed to a 737-800 (from a Max) I cancelled the ticket and chose a much more interesting option 😊
Funny I had the same sandwich “service” on SQ’s CPT-JNB tag 2 days ago and it was delicious! Haha… Milan catering needs to get their act together. Thanks as always 🙏🏻
You truly follow too whats happening with various airlinre strategies! I also saw the Bloomberg's interview with Singapore Airline's CEO. They indeed miss the domestic travelers totally. Thank You again for sharp analysis and honest opinions👍. I m sure more travelers find your blog in future, your figures are alrady going up every day, well deserved so.
Very nice. Thank you. Yes, you can't go wrong with Singapore Airlines. I fly them roughly four times a year, usually long haul including the non stop run between New York and Singapore. And yes, the 19A and 19K seats and the mini cabins are the best. I select them as much as I can. I wouldn't go crazy but paying extra for SQ's quality and service is very much worth it compared to the likes of Gulf Air and Finnair, especially after viewing your reviews of those two airborne bus companies.
Way back in 2011 SQ flew to GRU alternating between BCN and MXP as stop overs. With those flights uneconomic SQ introduced the 5th freedom tag on flight to BCN to allow a daily combined flight to both destinations.
Yes, I should have clarified I meant the current tag on is the first time that the BCN-MXP traffic can be booked on it’s own, technically making the tag on a 7th freedom route. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Great video again Kevin. I really love the plane drive around before getting on board. SIA is one of my favourite airlines. But I can t barely wait until LH is presenting all their new stuff in the next future. All the best from Guido👍
While Lufthansa (and United) are my two "don't hold your breath" airlines... I have to say their new First Class renderings are spectacular. (The business class looks okay as well, but nothing ground breaking...). Emirates, Etihad, Singapore... they all have(had) innovative First Class products to an extent- but in terms of design language, I think the new LH suites are the first that have ever said "screw it" about what an airplane interior is supposed to look like. Looks much more like a luxury pod hotel room than an airline seat. Given the endless cross marketing these days- I wouldn't be too surprised if it was in fact designed in conjunction with a hotel brand/group- Kimpton being my first thought.
Does it get any better than that - Yes. Flying our of Kathmandu (heading towards Europe/Middle East), sit on the right of the aircraft and watch the magnificent view of the Himalaya's.
Have just discovered your channel and I love it, both planes and hotels. Please can you explain what that 4K mean in 4K Trip Report. And never mind the views on take off. I just LOVE the sound of the engine. It feels like I am sitting in that seat. Have subscribed. Very thorough and I like the fact that you seem to have a superb sense of humour. In this day and age, humour is very much appreciated. 😊😊😊
Tip-top flip-floppery. I like the idea of these 5th Freedom flights and must look at doing some. Lufthansa? Still reviewing quite badly but doing much better than, say. KLM.
I have a (yet to be revealed) goal of reviewing the top 100 airlines and top 200 Hotel brands on the channel- so yeah, surely they won’t all fall into the “that was amazing” category- but honestly, the more content I film for this channel, the more I appreciate ‘sensible’ experiences from the likes of Lufthansa-esque airlines. So, we shall see. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Interesting route, lm curious to know something, given that the Singapore-Milan leg is already 12hrs do they switch out the crew from Milan-Barcelona or is it the same crew that finishes the last leg? That would be one heck of a long work day for the crew if they go all the way to Barcelona!!
Long routes with short tag ons are *generally* (and in the case with SQ, BA) like, fly SIN-MXP, day off, Fly MXP-BCN-MXP round trip, day off, fly MXP-SIN. 5 ‘Day’ trip. If there are two long routes (like BA LHR-SIN-SYD) I know at least before Covid that was a 9 ‘day’ crew schedule. 1: LHR-SIN 2/3: Rest, lost hours 4: SIN-SYD 5/6: Rest, lost hours 7: SYD-SIN 8: Rest 9: SIN-LHR This is why many airlines like United, Cathay, etc had overseas crew bases, to make the “tags” less complex (and cheaper). Those days ended during COVID though.
I'd love to do this flight, though may just stick with premium economy. I vaguely remember hearing about this flight for a number of years 🤷♂️. I'm a SQ fan and read that PanAm help develop their training when they were getting started.
Yeah I was originally going to do premium economy for this flight… but the business class fare was I believe just $65 more… and I’m a sucker for that seat 😂 Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft I may want to try the solo premium economy seat on their 359ulr. Most likely on the SFO route, not sure I'm hardcore enough for the Newark route
Do I need to go through passport control or is it a flight within the Schengen area? Because Barcelona - Milan need it. Is different? Thanks for the video ❤️
I think I mentioned it in the video but yes you’ll need to pass through immigration as the flight is considered non-Schengen due to the passengers origination from or destined for Singapore.
Flying SQ in March! Were you able to book the bulkhead seat easily? I believe if the seats are still open you can select them at check-in at T-48 from departure.
I was able to reserve the bulkhead when booking because I’m Kris Flyer Gold. My guess would be they open up at the time of checkin, but you may very well be correct with T-48. Hope you enjoy your trip! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
It’s for consistency and crew knowledge. On every aircraft in SQ’s fleet (including narrow body) First Class always begins at row 1, Business at row 11, Premium Eco at 31 and Economy at 41. For SQ there’s just a single exception to this rule since the A350-900ULRs have a single business class seat in row 10. Other airlines do similar but also make it more complicated with exit doors. For example on Philippine Airlines A321s their rows are 1, 2, 3, 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 41, … Business class always starts with 1. Prem Eco at 21 and Eco at 31 but then at each exit row it will jump to the next X1 number. So the crew always knows who is sitting at exit rows regardless of what plane they’re on. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
For this flight? It’s only an hour long, relatively speaking this flight is pretty expensive. The price I paid is the standard every day price for this route. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Ehi my friend, great video! I have just a question, do singapore airlines request mandatory the passport or can you fly with the identity card (EU)? From Milan to Barcelona. Thank you a lot!
As I mentioned in the video the flight is treated as non-Schengen so you’ll need to exit Schengen and then re-enter. Whether you’re allowed to do that as an EU resident without a passport, I’m not sure.
I'm curious to ask, but do you think business and first class flights are worth in for short flights of only about 1-3 hours in length? A big benefit of these premium cabins is the improved food and bed, both of which aren't really capable of being enjoyed on such short flights. The food, as you've seen, is majorly curtailed compared to longer flights of at least 6 hours or more, and you don't really get to enjoy the beds at all. So is it really worth paying so much more than economy in these cases?
I don’t think there’s an all encompassing answer- on the practical side it depends on the price and the (potential) connecting experience. Ok the other side of things there’s the experience itself and uniqueness of the experience that come into play. If I wasn’t doing this channel and I was traveling as normal, would I book this flight in business? No. But do I think there is a time and place for a post-Covid traveler treating themselves or an Avgeek geeking out just for the sake of doing it? Sure. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I guess you didn’t have enough time to research the history of the SQ fifth freedom MXP-BCN service. It’s NOT a Covid byproduct, as you state. It has been a seasonal feature since SQ initiated service to both cities.
Yes, in the context of this video, I’m talking about the local traffic rights 5th freedom (unofficial 7th freedom) tag on, which MXP-BCN never had before. Since January of this year is the first time a pax can buy the tag on on its own. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft you may well be right. My sister-in-law used to make a trip every year from S’pore to Spain with her golf kaki. They would then fly on the SQ flight to Milan for shopping. Since she had an onward connection from MXP to SIN SQ may well have issued BCN to SIN tickets with a 10 day stop over in Italy. I guess that confused me. I enjoy your web site. Keep up the good work.
Hi Kev, slightly off topic but I’m curious. Researching hotels and I notice that the subject of one of your earlier videos (Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang) appears to have permanently closed. Disappointing as it was looking ideal but anyway.. just wondering if by any chance you know what is planned for that site? Taken over by another hotel group, planned opening dates etc?
The site was taken back by the government- I believe simply to maintain the full length of the beach as public/day use access. When this was originally planned Evason was offered another plot in Cam Ranh to rebuild, which they did. But when IHG bought Six Senses (who managed Evason), they dropped the Evason brand all together. But, if you want a bit of Six Senses styling for a bargain, the Ana Mandara Cam Ranh is like Six Senses “Light” haha.
@@tfft Haha I knew you would be the man to ask! Appreciate the info and the tip. I’m having a tricky time narrowing down the entire Vietnamese coast to lock in an ideal resort for May. I’ll check out the Cam Ranh option many thanks.
This may help narrow it down: Da Nang/Lang Co/Hue has the shortest dry/sunny season in the country, but is great in May. Also, everything south of Nha Trang enters rainy seasons in mid/late May.
Seat partition/hide makes the seat too cramped, and the food is rubbish. Service is always good. I think SQ standards are twitchy and inconsistent at the moment.
@@tfft Hi Flip Flop, if you have a window seat the stylish hide is too close to your upper body. Only on the Badger (350) I think, 777 is OK, 73 is OK. Cheers. Keep up the great work my friend.
