Review: Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 Business Class (JNB-SIN)
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Singapore Airlines’ business class
On our family trip around the world, we used our Aeroplan points 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!
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.
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.
One area is dedicated to business class traveling.
The crew had not yet boarded the aircraft, which meant a delay in the schedule.
So we enjoyed the views of the tarmac with the children.
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.
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.
In this festive season, the cabin is decorated for Christmas.
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.
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.
But the central seats are not unpleasant either (especially since it is possible to partition with a retractable wall).
On the other hand, it is not really easy to communicate from one seat to another, the space being quite wide!
What we particularly liked: the amount of storage space! Be sure to check them all when you leave the plane.
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.
Several lights are integrated into the seat:
All seat-related functions are conveniently located on the edge under the armrest:
What’s nice about the center seats: the lack of a luggage compartment above them. This gives a spacious feeling to the cabin.
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.
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.
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).
Of course, no problem for the children who slept 7 hours!
As for me, I slept exactly 6 hours (having the habit of taking a picture of the position before / after sleeping).
The screen
The screen is a comfortable size with an interesting choice of movies.
However, it is surprisingly not a touch screen! So you have to use the remote control to access the different functions.
Wi-Fi on board
This aircraft has a Wi-Fi internet connection on board. It is not free.
But thanks to my HSBC World Elite Mastercard and its included unlimited subscription to the Boingo service, I can connect for free!
In addition to charging no conversion fees for foreign currency purchases, my HSBC World Elite Mastercard is a real asset as a traveller.
- Annual fee
- $150
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $350
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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.
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!
And that’s without counting the many attentions Singapore Airlines has thought of for children:
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.
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:
Shortly after take-off, champagne is served.
There is a special spot next to the screen to place your glass or cup:
Here were our different dishes from my side:
And on Audrey’s side:
And the second service shortly before landing:
Arrival in Singapore
After a little more than 10 hours of smooth flight, the windows are opened to let the daylight in.
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”:
The Airbus A350 is an aircraft that I particularly appreciate, having had the chance to travel on it on:
- Air France between Toronto and Paris
- Asiana Airlines between Seoul and San Francisco
- Lufthansa between Montreal and Munich
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!
Plan the booking with our Singapore Airlines guide from Canada, covering routes, cabins, baggage and points options. Check the product scheduled for your departure and the issuing program’s current conditions. This review covers a particular aircraft and experience, which can differ from the selected flight.
Bottom line
A great flight on Singapore Airlines. This airline is a safe bet if you are travelling to Asia.
Using Aeroplan points to travel on it is particularly wise given the quality of the services provided. We highly recommend it!
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