Summary
- Check-in at Heathrow was efficient, with minimal wait times, leading to a smooth boarding process.
- Singapore Airlines’ A380 business class provides a comfortable and spacious experience with thoughtful amenities.
- The exceptional service and attention to detail, from the lavatories to the in-flight meals, made for a delightful journey.
I booked a Singapore Airlines flight from London via Singapore to Manila for a long overdue trip to the Phillippines. Arriving at Heathrow on the Elizabeth Line, I made my way to Terminal 2 (The Queen’s Terminal), which Singapore Airlines shares with its Star Alliance partners.
Check-in and boarding
The check-in area for Singapore Airlines is located in Area A on the left-hand side, as you exit the elevators or parking garage at the departures level. There were quite a few self-check-in kiosks free, and the wait time was minimal for both check-in and bag drop.
Following a dinner at the Plaza Premium Lounge, I traversed the tunnel to the B gates, from which my flight departed. Along the way, I was reminded that Singapore Airlines operated the first Airbus A380 flight to London Heathrow, preceding home carrier British Airways’ introduction of the type by six years.
Photo: Jonathan E. Hendry | Simple Flying
Boarding was organized and smooth, and I made my way down the gangway to the upstairs deck of the superjumbo. Attentive staff checked my boarding pass and walked me down the aisle of the aircraft before passing me off to a colleague who escorted me to my seat and took my jacket to hang up for the duration of the flight.
Photo: Jonathan E. Hendry | Simple Flying
Once I got situated in my seat at the rear of the upper deck, I looked around the cabin to see if the legend lived up to the hype.
A comfortable and spacious space
The business class cabin on Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A380s is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, with an adjustable privacy divider between the two middle seats. As I was traveling alone, I left the partition up but was able to snap a photo of it down for reference. When I arrived, a pillow was placed on the seat, and a pair of slippers was on the side table. While additional bedding was stored in the footrest.
The seats featured ample storage space with open and closed compartments and plenty of places to hang clothes or hats. Power was provided in two locations. A universal power plug and a USB-A port were in front of the seat, and a second USB-A port was located on the side table under the headphone port.
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Also on the side table was a lighted mirror that opened to reveal a magnifying mirror, alongside intuitive seat controls and lighting controls. I especially appreciated several nice touches, including the lighting pattern built into the sidewall and a dimmable reading lamp in addition to the standard light above the seat.
The cabin crew came around with a tray of drinks and took preorders for after takeoff. I found the sparkling apple just to be exceptional, and before long, we were on the way to Singapore, with an estimated flight time of twelve and a half hours.
Snacks and service
When it was time for dinner, the crew returned with tablecloths and silverware for our tray tables. I have flown in business class cabins that used single-use plastics, so I was impressed to see more pieces of cutlery than can usually be found at a nice restaurant.
The first course was a chicken satay canapé. This was followed by a starter of Iberico ham on a bed of salad, served with warmed buttered bread, which I found delicious and beautifully presented.
Photo: Jonathan E. Hendry | Simple Flying
Before long, the unmistakable smell of scallops wafted through the cabin. One of four main courses on offer. I went for the roasted chicken, ‘Burgandy style,’ which I found delightfully charred. It was accompanied by steamed carrots, mashed potatoes, and peas. There were several options for desserts. I chose the cheese platter and was not disappointed.
Following dinner, I settled in to see what was on the in-flight entertainment system.
Screens and sleepy time
The screen in the seat back in front of me was large and vivid. The noise-canceling headphones were effective and came with little ear covers, while the handheld remote felt more like the PlayStation Portable I never had than an airplane entertainment system. There were quite a few hit movies on offer (the majority of the cabin appeared to go for the newest Aquaman film), and I settled in to watch the Glastonbury 2023 special.
Photo: Jonathan E. Hendry | Simple Flying
Following a fantastic rendition of Born To Die by Lana Del Rey, I decided to test out the lay-flat bed.
A blanket, seat cover, and second pillow were found in the footrest, set to the right of the inflight entertainment screen. The crew came over to see if I needed any assistance folding the bed down and brought an extra blanket, socks, and an eye mask.
While the positioning of the footrest required a bit of a twist to see the screen while lying down, it was nice to have my feet on the footrest all the way through landing after the seat back had been raised.
Fancy touches in the toilet
Another area I was thoroughly impressed with was the lavatories. They were thoughtfully decorated with orchids and featured a large brightly lit mirror and a secondary close-up mirror for getting ready in the morning. Next to the sink was a compartment labeled “Amenities,” which contained dental kits, shaving kits, and a clever folding comb/hairbrush.
Two hours before landing, the crew came around again with the lunch service. Given that it was afternoon already at our destination, the move to have lunch instead of breakfast made sense. The flight attendants came around again between the courses with more wine, coffee, and water.
Photo: Jonathan E. Hendry | Simple Flying
At the one-hour mark till landing, the crew returned with an ample refill of wine before the bar closed.
Exceptional service and attention to detail
As we descended into Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), the crew brought back my jacket and gave me a stuffed commemorative Disney teddy bear, along with one for the friend I was on my way to visit, which I found to be a thoughtful touch. Overall, it was a delightful experience, and the team looked after me incredibly well.
Photo: Jonathan E. Hendry | Simple Flying
I have dreamed of flying upstairs in a Singapore Airlines A380 since the carrier operated the type’s first commercial flight in 2007, and it did not disappoint. The attention to detail was immaculate, from the hot towels to the meal presentation and lighting details. The crew was incredibly professional and attentive. The main flight attendant at my end of the cabin, Natcha, was thoughtful, proactive, and courteous, so I was delighted to hear she had been selected for a well-deserved promotion.
This caring attitude was not limited to passengers traveling in premium cabins, either. I found the service on my subsequent flight from Singapore to Manilla in economy class to be equally exceptional. Highlighting the hospitality the carrier is known for providing.
