FIRST IMPRESSIONS SIA flies five times daily from Singapore Changi to Hong Kong, including one daily A380 (SQ856) flight departing at 0940. Three out of the five daily services are equipped with the new-generation seats – these flights are SQ856/SQ861 (A380), SQ860/SQ863 and SQ002/SQ001 (both B777-300ER). SIA also uses the B777-300ER aircraft on its daily Hong Kong-San Francisco service, but for my flight, SQ870, a B777-200 aircraft is used. All five flights are served by aircraft with a three-class configuration.
CHECK-IN I checked in online two days before my flight, though SIA offers the service up to two hours prior to departure. SMS check-in is also available from 48 hours for KrisFlyer or PPS Club members but click here to see what restrictions apply. I chose aisle seat 35C, which is located on the fifth row after the Business cabin as I wanted to ensure a quick exit from the aircraft on arrival in Hong Kong, seeing as it was a Sunday night and I wanted to have an early start the next day.
I physically arrived at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 at 1715 for my 1900 departure, making sure to arrive early enough to take advantage of the much-lauded shopping experience at T3.
BOARDING Boarding was at Gate A18, requiring passengers to take a train shuttle. Gates 15 to 21 share the same departure hall, which is equipped with internet-enabled terminals, public phones for local and international calls and a snack counter.
THE SEAT This B777 is a three-class configuration of first, business and economy. For the seatplan, click here.
WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE? The Economy cabin offers a mostly 3-3-3 (ABC-DEG-HJK) arrangement, with rows 31 to 43 immediately after the Business cabin, followed by rows 44 to 57 in the back section. Rows 44 and 56 are configured 2-3-2, while row 57 is a 2-2. If you don’t mind not having a view, seat 37K is windowless. The IFE box is placed under aisle seat 34C, which compromises legroom slightly for the passenger at 35C (my seat). I will definitely avoid this seat in the future, and 35D (also an aisle seat) which offers limited legroom with the IFE box under the seat in front (34D). Some useful seat features are individual six-inch IFE screens – the video selection was excellent and included new movie releases, sitcoms and others – two small pockets on each side of the IFE screen, a cup holder and an in-seat pedal cushion for the lower back.
THE FLIGHT Boarding commenced at 1827 and the aircraft peeled away from the gate at 1856. The flight duration is three hours and 25 minutes. I estimated the flight to be over 85 per cent full. Even with the nearly full flight, dinner was served promptly. There were two choices for the main course: international (perch fillet in herb sauce with roasted vegetables and potatoes) and oriental (braised beef brisket in bean sauce with rice). I chose fish and it was good.
ARRIVAL The plane began descending at 2200. Touchdown was at 2240, five minutes ahead of schedule.
VERDICT Tiptop service as is expected of a top airline like SIA and an excellent IFE movie selection.
PRICE A mid-week return flight in November through SIA’s website costs £364.
CONTACT singaporeair.com
Julian Tan
