Singapore Airlines - SIA

An armchair in the sky.
I'd never flown Singapore Airlines on my long-haul flights to and from New Zealand, my home country, and now I must ask myself why? I have used three other major airlines and they definitely do not come anywhere near the service and comfort of Singapore Airlines.

I flew at a busy time, four flights to and from Kiwi Land early December (2005) and late February (2006) so all trips were a full plane and this I believe is a good time to judge how staff cope with people of all nations, cooped up in a confined space and no-where else to go!

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The booking system is easy, I did mine on the internet, the price was slightly more than some others but I was looking for an airline which had an alliance with my Air New Zealand airpoint system and this I achieved in Singapore Airlines. When I checked at the counter I asked could I claim them at that point in time and the lady said I could; after sighting my credit card she did the computer work on the spot and the deed was done.

I had to book-in three hours before the flight at Heathrow and it was just as well I was early as the queue was long; I got into the snakelike behaviour which the ropes dictated and it was not too long before booking in at the counter. Only problem I would say here was that I'd phoned a fortnight ealier to ask how much weight I was allowed and was told 20kg in one suitcase. I really did have to organise my wedding and Christmas gifts to take home. To my annoyance, when I got to the book-in counter there were copious amounts of signs displaying a baggage allowance of 32kg!

So, cooperation with the airpoints, a few short moments to answer the usual security questions and the lady even managed to give me an aisle seat which I always ask for due to my arthritis which forces me to move about the aircraft a fair bit - I don't like annoying other travellers who want to sleep while I want to roam.

The first thing I noticed on board was the room in ''sardines'' class (economy) - I am sure I had more leg room, which when you are seated for a long time is really important - it looked roomier and felt it over my 12 hour, 9 hour, 10 hour and 13 hour flights to NZ and back to Heathrow.

On boarding and making my way down the long, long aisle to my aisle-seat I found a dear old lady sitting in my seat. I so kindly discussed the fact that we must have been given the same seats she pulled rank and said she'd had two hip replacements a few months ago and had paid extra for her aisle seat. Well along came an ever so helpful stewardess who determined the woman should be sitting in one seat from the aisle, so she would have to relinquish the valued aisle seat. She was not happy, so in good Kiwi (Libran is my star sign and we like peace and even scales!) I said I would sit in from the aisle, one seat - as long as the lady knew I had to get up lots - she agreed and 30 minutes into the flight we were bosom pals!

We were given updates of the flight often, staff were so courteous and I have to say It felt more like being in a local hotel than thousands of miles above the earth, in a confined space. In all four flights we could order, from a menu, drinks at any time, no waiting for the drinks trolley to make its way precariously, in cumbersome fashion down the aisle. It did do trips down but you could order drinks, alcoholic or otherwise, whenever you liked and it was delivered on a tray, individually provided for your goodself. I must admit to ordering and enjoying a Singapore Sling or two.

Now, with such service and style in the economy class it leaves me to mention the news I heard just 10 days before leaving England and that was that Singapore Airlines had won, (for the second year in a row) best service in its first and business class areas on long-haul flights. Just imagine the comfort and hospitality they enjoy in those sections of the plane. Oh I do aspire to write a review after having flown in Raffles Class or better! HISTORY
All this is a long way from the early days of Singapore Airlines, which now uses Changi Airport as its international base. It was involved for 20 years as a regional airline and in May 1947 Singapore Airlines was created from its early days - Malayan Airlines - which used twin-engine Airspeed Consel aircraft to fly between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang. In 1955 it progressed to owning a fleet of Douglas DC 3's.

In 1972, October saw Singapore Airlines formed with a fleet of 10 airlines, roaming between 22 cities in 18 countries and employing 6000 staff. Nowadays it operates to 90 cities in 40 countries and has the world's largest number of Boeing 777 and 747-400 aircraft as well as Airbus 310, 340, and it is introducing a huge A380 airbus some time this year - I think it will take 555 people!! (Saw a model of this at Changi Airport on one of the stopovers.)

I cannot tell you which type of aircraft I flew on each of my legs of the journey as I did not take notes on it, silly me. The planes were huge, reasonably quiet and really comfortable.ENTERTAINMENT
To add to the hospitality I was able to use the KrisWorld Interactive Entertainment: 60 movies, 12 music channels, games, news - in language of your choice.... I think the book said there were 500 entertainment options. What I liked was you did not click on a movie only to find it had been running for a certain time and you'd missed it: you just used the buttons to click into instant start, and you viewed it to suit yourself.

I have for some years wanted to see Dr Zhivago again, having only seen it when it was new, many moons ago, imagine my joy when scrolling down the 60 options to find it available for me to view while resting away the long hours inflight. I was wrapt, I could not believe how much I would enjoy seeing it, also kept up with the news as we flew half way around the world. Oh, best I mention that you have your own tv screen set into the back of the seat in front, this does cause a little bit of angst when the person in front wants to sleep and lowers the seat - you can adjust the little screen somewhat but it was not enough for my vision and it became a little hard to view the screen.

FOOD AND REFRESHMENT

The only one of the four long-haul carriers I've experienced which provides you with a written menu: a well printed booklet offering western and asian meals. Here's just a couple of meal options:

Supper from Singapore to London -

Appetiser: salad of green bean, potato, tomato and turkey in vinagrette.
Main Courses: (Exclusively created by Gordon Ramsay) Pan roasted chicken with honey soused vegetables, mushrooms and roasted potatoes
OR Stirfried scallops and perch in Szechuan sauce with vegetables and steamed rice.
Cheese: Cheese and crackers.
Dessert: Ice Cream.
From the Bakery: roll and butter.
Hot beverages: coffee and tea.
Served with red or white wine.

Breakfast from London to Singapore -
Fruit appetiser.
Cereal light starter.
Wholesome beginnings: Rice vermicilli with chicken and vegetables
OR Plain omelette with baked beans and mushrooms, grilled chicken sausage, potatoes.
From the bakery: breakfast roll, butter, fruit preserve.
Hot beverages: tea or coffee.

These were served really hot, fresh and truly tasty, all very important on a long haul flight.

SERVICE AND CARE
I had a nose bleed on the way out to New Zealand and it came at the busy time when staff were serving breakfast but I must say the attention to my predicament was excellent. The men stopped serving and went for a warm, wet towel and were wanting to assist me personally but as I have many years of First Aid training I told them I would be okay. They returned after finishing serving breakfast to give me mine and check on me. Could not fault them in any aspect of attending to me or others about me. There were of course many having special meals and this was carried out with no problems for the passengers around me.

A FLYING HIGHLIGHT
Flying in daylight, over the Red Desert that is the Australian hinterland, was just amazing. For hours and hours we moved across this mighty, huge continent and when we flew over Sydney the pilot came on and pointed out the features such as the Harbour Bridge and Opera House - what a thrill to see them from so far up.

I can honestly say, the long flights home were not near so arduous as they have been for me on the other major long-haul carriers, I will try to fly with them whenever I need to take a long flight where customer service really matters.

My first flight, from Heathrow to Singapore was delayed around 40 minutes but the other three were all on time, boarding times were not too long so we could get on and then not face long waiting for take off. Generally, I am really pleased I have finally found an airline I can feel confident with, one I can look forward to flying on when I take that long, long trip down under. It makes the antipodes just that much more easier to reach in the 21st century.

Just thought of a negative: they give you a pack which includes sox, toothpaste and brush but gone is the eye shield for sleeping - I did take my own so it didn't matter but I guess some may have been expecting them to be provided. Small point, but had to mention it because I have been provided with them on some of the other long-haul carriers.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES HOME AIRPORT

Just a little about Singapore Airlines ''home'' airport - Changi Airport. It is relatively new, having replaced a rather dangerous, tightly situated airport in the heart of Singapore, around 5 or 6 years ago I think.

When you transit, as many do on these long trips ''down under'', you can walk in the open-air Cactus Gardens and Sunflower roof top or even have a swim, shop, relax in the indoor garden, use the shower, fitness and lifestyle centres, visit the Nexus lounge or rest on a snooze chair, use the free internet as I did for a set amount of time, do some duty-free shopping, eat at a choice of many restaurants and cafes, or just sit in one of the foyer areas, I found the most amazing orchid display you could ever expect to see in a foyer! Glorious.

Summary:
Finally, Singapore Airlines has built up a reputation of excellence and for those many travellers in economy (sometimes 'sardines class' -- but not with Singapore Airlines) there is a commitment to service unequalled by other carriers. It really does stand out as the best option on a long-haul. I thoroughly recommend it and will be a return customer in the future.