BACKGROUND: Singapore Airlines operates its gorgeous A350 aircraft on its daily morning service between Mumbai and Singapore, replacing the older B777-200 that previously operated on this route. This flight is particularly popular among Indians travelling between India and Australia, as it offers the most seamless connectivity, thanks to its timings.
THE LOUNGE: I spent about 30 minutes at the SilverKris Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport. Since this was an early morning departure out of Singapore, there was a massive breakfast spread — Western, Oriental and even Indian options. I grabbed a cup of TWG tea and a croissant and waited for my flight in one of the seating areas, many of which can be found across this massive lounge.
BOARDING: Singapore Airlines’ boarding process is smooth and seamless, irrespective of class of travel, and today’s flight was no exception. Business Class passengers enjoy priority boarding. I boarded the aircraft through Door 1 Left, greeted by a Chief Stewardess in a red sarong-kebaya and was guided towards my seat on the port side of the aircraft.
THE SEAT: I have to say that this is one of my favourite Business Class seats in the skies right now, purely because it is so visually stunning, designed in muted tones of grey and beige. The cabin is configured in a 1-2-1 layout. The seat gives me the feeling of being in my own personal cocoon, with lots of personal space and stowage areas, perfect, especially, for those long-haul flights. The seat features a large screen, charging outlets, a cocktail glass stand, a vanity mirror, a shoe rack, a magazine holder and space to place a laptop or a tablet. There is additional space under the footrest, to store a bag. On the armrest, you pull out a handset control, to operate the KrisWorld entertainment system.
WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE: If you are a solo traveller, like me, it would be a good idea to choose one of the single seats on either side of the aircraft. If you are travelling with someone, you can choose the two centre seats, though they are at quite a distance from each other. Personally, I like to choose seats in the centre section of the cabin (perhaps two or three rows from the front galley) as it is the quietest part of the cabin.
THE FLIGHT: Soon after takeoff from Singapore, the crew come around to take orders for breakfast. (Interestingly, the return leg from Mumbai to Singapore, features the airline’s signature satay service before lunch). The breakfast options were copious and featured three main course options, including an Indian vegetarian one, all served with fresh juice, bread and yoghurt. What I really liked is the long list of coffees that feature on the menu, in addition to a selection of Singapore’s premium TWG tea. I did opt for a Colombian blend espresso after my breakfast and several cups of green tea, during the flight.
VERDICT: SQ’s A350 Business Class seat is certainly not conventional. That said it offers ample space and comfort levels, coupled with great service, making it a great overall product!
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