Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class Cabine

Review: Singapore Airlines A350 | Business Class | JNB-SIN

JNB SIN
Departing Airport O. R. Tambo International Airport
Arrival Airport Singapore Changi Airport
Flight Carrier Singapore Airlines
Flight Number SQ481
Duration 10:20
Aircraft Airbus A350
Cabin Class Business Class
Tutorial Guide: How can I save on plane tickets with points?
Milesopedia recommends this card from TD
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card  🇨🇦
Up to 50,000 Aeroplan Points  Ends Jun 3, 2024

O. R. Tambo International Airport
Learn More
To the point Here is my complete review on the Singapore Airlines business class, on board an Airbus A350 between Johannesburg and Singapore.

This post is also available in: FR

Singapore Airlines' business class

On our family trip around the world, we used our Aeroplan Miles to book our long-haul flights.

After a trip from Montreal to Johannesburg through Zurich, and 3 weeks in South Africa, it’s time for us to fly to Singapore from Johannesburg!

Singapore A350 Audrey Jean Maximilien
Singapore A350 Audrey Jean Maximilien

I must admit I was lucky to find four business class seats on this flight on board an Airbus A350, as Singapore Airlines usually has few seats available on this type of flight.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-42
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

At Johannesburg Airport

After a trip to the Aspire Lounge, offered to passengers traveling in business class or American Express Platinum CardMD holders, we were on our way to our gate.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-01
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class
singapore airlines a350 – business class-02
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class

One area is dedicated to business class traveling.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-03
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class
singapore airlines a350 – business class-04
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class

The crew had not yet boarded the aircraft, which meant a delay in the schedule.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-05
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class

So we enjoyed the views of the tarmac with the children.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-06
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class

Boarding

After a 30-minute delay on the schedule, we finally boarded. Fortunately, because the children are getting tired (it’s about 10:30 pm), but still happy to take some pictures!

We entered the cabin through the first door, as the economy class passengers use another gangway.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-07
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class

The Business cabin

What stands out when you enter this cabin is the luxurious and chic look thanks to the colour scheme chosen by Singapore Airlines.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-09
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class
singapore airlines a350 – business class-29
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

In this festive season, the cabin is decorated for Christmas.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-10
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Cabine

The choice of seats

The 1-2-1 layout of the cabin is ideal as it gives everyone direct access to the corridor.

However, for passengers traveling with young children, this type of configuration can be problematic (especially since to move from one aisle to the other, you have to go to the back or front of the cabin).

However, we had taken a chance and put both children in an individual seat, us adults sitting in the middle seats. So we each had a child across the corridor.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-26
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Arthur
singapore airlines a350 – business class-24
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Alexandra

The seat

In normal mode

The seat is particularly comfortable and wide! Of course, if you are traveling alone, you will prefer the individual seats at the portholes.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-11
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège
singapore airlines a350 – business class-12
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

But the central seats are not unpleasant either (especially since it is possible to partition with a retractable wall).

singapore airlines a350 – business class-36
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Audrey
singapore airlines a350 – business class-37
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

On the other hand, it is not really easy to communicate from one seat to another, the space being quite wide!

singapore airlines a350 – business class-78
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège
singapore airlines a350 – business class-77
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

What we particularly liked: the amount of storage space! Be sure to check them all when you leave the plane.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-13
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège
singapore airlines a350 – business class-57
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Menu
singapore airlines a350 – business class-21
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège
singapore airlines a350 – business class-17
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège
singapore airlines a350 – business class-19
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

All the sockets are of course present and you can even connect your mobile device to your TV (and if you are a frequent Singapore Airlines traveller, you can even pick up your programme from where you left off on your previous flight!)

A headset with ambient noise reduction is also included.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-18
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège
singapore airlines a350 – business class-65
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

Several lights are integrated into the seat:

singapore airlines a350 – business class-22
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

All seat-related functions are conveniently located on the edge under the armrest:

singapore airlines a350 – business class-20
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

What’s nice about the center seats: the lack of a luggage compartment above them. This gives a spacious feeling to the cabin.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-55
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Cabine
singapore airlines a350 – business class-79
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

In bed mode

To convert the chair into a bed, the backrest must be folded forward. A rather unusual process from a passenger’s point of view, but one that the crew members can do in the blink of an eye.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-73
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

As you might expect, this is a rather wide bed in terms of the backrest. However, you’ll have to get used to sleeping diagonally! Because of the seats’ configuration, your legs will have to fit in the space between the two front seats.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-16
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège
singapore airlines a350 – business class-59
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Menu

It’s a bit of an odd position to be in, but we got used to it pretty quickly. Note that the seats in the front of the cabin have much more legroom (but are often reserved for the company’s frequent flyers).

singapore airlines a350 – business class-82
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

Of course, no problem for the children who slept 7 hours!

singapore airlines a350 – business class-74
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège
singapore airlines a350 – business class-76
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

As for me, I slept exactly 6 hours (having the habit of taking a picture of the position before / after sleeping).

singapore airlines a350 – business class-81
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège
singapore airlines a350 – business class-83
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

The screen

The screen is a comfortable size with an interesting choice of movies.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-15
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège
singapore airlines a350 – business class-60
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Menu

However, it is surprisingly not a touch screen! So you have to use the remote control to access the different functions.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-61
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Menu
singapore airlines a350 – business class-14
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

Wi-Fi on board

This aircraft has a Wi-Fi internet connection on board. It is not free.

Singapore Airlines Wifi Options
Singapore Airlines - Options Wifi
Singapore Airlines Wifi Boingo
Singapore Airlines - Wifi gratuit avec Boingo
Singapore Airlines Wifi Connected
Singapore Airlines - Connecté au Wifi!

In addition to charging no conversion fees for foreign currency purchases, my HSBC World Elite Mastercard is a real asset as a traveller.

For children

Of all the flights we were able to take with our children, Singapore Airlines is without a doubt the one that amazed us the most.

Indeed, as soon as we arrived on board, a hostess literally took charge of each of our children.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-23
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Agent de bord

While it is often difficult to reason with a child as a parent (especially at 11pm), it is amazing how easy it is for other people to “coax” them!

singapore airlines a350 – business class-25
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Agent de bord

And that’s without counting the many attentions Singapore Airlines has thought of for children:

singapore airlines a350 – business class-32
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Pour les enfants
singapore airlines a350 – business class-35
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Pour les enfants
singapore airlines a350 – business class-88
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Pour les enfants
singapore airlines a350 – business class-75
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège

It’s quite simple: we hardly had to take care of our children during the 10-hour flight. “Miss Alexandra” and “Mister Arthur” were in good hands, allowing us to relax and really enjoy our flight.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-63
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Audrey et Arthur

If you travel with children, we highly recommend this airline. Bravo Singapore Airlines!

The service

As with everything else, the service on board Singapore Airlines is excellent. Flight attendants call you by your last name, and all your meal – and flight (bedtime/wake-up) preferences are respected.

Perhaps the quality of the food could have been a little higher, but it was very satisfactory for a flight not departing from the company’s Hub.

The shelf is particularly wide:

singapore airlines a350 – business class-89
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Service

Shortly after take-off, champagne is served.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-69
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Service

There is a special spot next to the screen to place your glass or cup:

singapore airlines a350 – business class-67
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège
singapore airlines a350 – business class-68
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Service

Here were our different dishes from my side:

singapore airlines a350 – business class-70
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Service
singapore airlines a350 – business class-84
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Service
singapore airlines a350 – business class-85
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Service

And on Audrey’s side:

singapore airlines a350 – business class-71
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Service

And the second service shortly before landing:

singapore airlines a350 – business class-72
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Service
singapore airlines a350 – business class-86
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Service
singapore airlines a350 – business class-87
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Service

Arrival in Singapore

After a little more than 10 hours of smooth flight, the windows are opened to let the daylight in.

singapore airlines a350 – business class-94
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Vol
singapore airlines a350 – business class-91
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Cabine
singapore airlines a350 – business class-92
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Siège
singapore airlines a350 – business class-93
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class - Alexandra

We arrived 20 minutes late, as favourable winds allowed us to make up part of the one-hour delay at take-off.

We disembarked first, without forgetting a souvenir photo for Alexandra who thought that the hostesses were wearing “princess dresses”:

Singapore Airlines Hôtesses Alexandra
Singapore Airlines - Hôtesses avec Alexandra

The Airbus A350 is an aircraft that I particularly appreciate, having had the chance to travel on it on:

But I must say that of all of them, I was most satisfied with the experience on board Singapore Airlines, with Air France coming second and Lufthansa last.

I can’t wait to try the Qatar Airways one with its famous Qsuites soon!

Bottom line

A great flight on Singapore Airlines. This airline is a safe bet if you are travelling to Asia.

Using Aeroplan Miles to travel on it is particularly wise given the quality of the services provided. We highly recommend it!

This post is also available in: FR

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
4.8 Milesopedia Rating
Jean-Maximilien
Jean-Maximilien is an expert in Canada and France about Loyalty programs, Credit cards and Travel. He is the Founding President of Milesopedia.

Suggested Reading