Singapore Airlines has a sky-high reputation for excellent service and comfort, but its lavish first class and flagship suites really are a cut above the rest.
Taking wing from Changi Airport to a roll call of destinations across Australia, Asia, Europe and North America, it’s an experience worth splurging on with benefits beginning before your feet even leave the ground.
First class and Suites Class are Singapore Airlines’ ultra-premium luxury cabins found on high-demand and high-profile routes to and from the Lion City.
However, while ‘First’ and ‘Suites’ tickets are virtually identical in service and price, they represent two vastly different seats.
‘Suites Class’ is exclusively the domain of the double-decker Airbus A380s, featuring six enclosed private suites, as the name implies. Everything is upsized in First class suites, from lavatories to the fully-flat bed and they even have separate full-length beds from the seat.
‘First Class’ is found on Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 777-300 aircraft, offering four large and better-than-business-class berths.
If you thought business class was spacious, then first class and Suites will exceed your expectations.
The extra-wide seat in the Boeing 777 converts into a bed.
The inflight dining service is the highlight of Singapore Airlines’ first class and Suites onboard experience.
Your multi-course feast may consist of signature satay sticks accompanied by caviar. You could be presented with a succulent roast rack of lamb before a beautifully plated dessert, pralines, fruits and a digestif.
Matt Moran, Australian Restaurateur and Chef, is a member of the airline’s esteemed International Culinary Panel, having joined its ranks back in 2003. The airline debuted an exclusive first class menu on flights from Australia to celebrate his 20 years in the role.
To ensure you dine on your favourite dishes onboard, your choice could be browsed and locked-in online at least 48 hours before departure.
Singapore Airlines’ exceptional ‘Book the Cook’ fine dining service offers dishes such as the classic lobster thermidor or the Angus beef burger.
The beverage list comprises top-shelf Champagnes such as Taittinger, Krug, and Gustave Lorentz Riesling, and 20-year-aged tawny port. Complementing them are liqueurs, soft drinks and TWG teas, plus wines chosen by some of the world’s leading wine experts.
First class or Suites tickets also open the doors to the best Star Alliance and Singapore Airlines lounges at your departure airport.
Both Sydney and Melbourne have first class sections in the SilverKris lounges, while the home port of Singapore has the exclusive ‘The Private Room’ in Terminal 3.
On most first class routes, expect Lalique-branded pyjamas and a quality leather amenity kit – some complete with a take-home scented candle. The shorter intra-Asia routes such as Singapore-Hong Kong may not offer pyjamas.
Singapore is one of few airports where passengers arriving and departing are not separated in the terminals.
If travelling with that special someone on the Airbus A380 Suites, take advantage of the superjumbo’s unique ability to convert the two first class suites on each side of the plane into a ‘double suite’.
Solo travellers can take advantage of this if the adjacent suite is empty for a supersized ‘king room’, but may be moved for an actual travelling couple.
When departing from Terminal 3 at Changi you could ask to be dropped off at the first class check-in area where you’ll be greeted by a staff member, promptly processed, and have access to a private immigration lane which drops you just outside The Private Room and SilverKris first class lounges.
Upgrades start at 15,500 KrisFlyer miles from business to first class and Suites for the shortest of flights, such as Asian routes.
The pride of Singapore Airlines’ fleet are its Airbus A380 suites with six of these lining the upper deck of the superjumbo, with 1A and 1F being the prime pick being ever-so-slightly larger than the other four.
The main seat is a large, swivelling armchair that rotates to face the windows or sliding door.
Each first class suite is fitted with a 32’ touch screen TV, plenty of storage spaces, a fully-flat bed that can be stowed into a dividing wall and electronically controlled windows.
First class on the Boeing 777-300ERs feature a wide 35-inch seat that converts into a very comfortable 208cm fully-flat bed.
Suites and first class passengers on WiFi-equipped aircraft receive unlimited free internet on each flight.
