Singapore Airlines Suites SQ 26 (Singapore to New York)

In April 2016 I had the chance to try the Suites on board Singapore Airlines.  The product was first launch in October 2008, although it is a 8 years old product it is still consistently being ranked one of the top first class cabin in the world.

Since the product has been reviewed many times on the internet I shall just briefly cover it.  A look at the suite.

The cabin is very spacious which has enough space for 2 people to dine together.

Everyone in suites is given an amenity kit, pyjamas, sleepers, socks and eye mask.

A closer look at the content of the amenity kit.

The seat when converted into a bed.

As the flight was quite full 10/12 I didn't have a luxury to have the center double bed.  But this is enough for a good night sleep.  The key for a good rest onboard is a flat bed and a pair of good earplugs.

Singapore Airlines allow all business class and first/suites class passenger to book their meal before the flight if you do not want to leave it to chance on what is offered on board.  The service is called book the cook (BTC), you can do it up to 24 hours before flight departure.  I BTC all my meals.

Supper: Double boil chicken soup

Supper: Grilled Chilean Seabass

Supper: Giandula Chocolate Cream with Sable Crumbs.

Breakfast: Kyo-Kaiseki (Appetiser) 

Breakfast: Kyo-Kaiseki (Main) 

After breakfast we disembark at Frankfurt, although we will be carrying on the journey to New York (JFK) on the same plane all passengers heading to United States have to clear security screening again.  The security screening airport wasn't crowded and we were among the first to reach there hence it was quite fast.  Here you have the choice to head to the Lufthansa lounge or the Maple Leaf Lounge by Air Canada.  I head to the Maple Leaf Lounge which is just after the security screening.  Didn't have any photo as I wasn't feeling too well after eating and sleeping so much.

After we board the flight, we were given a fresh set of pyjamas, amenity kit, sleepers, socks and eye mask.  Brunch was served soon after take-off and then light lunch.

Brunch: Lobster Thermidor 

Light Lunch: Suckling Pig with Dark Beer Sauce 

Light Lunch: Warm Chocolate Ganache Cake

Arriving soon in JFK after over 23 hours of flight and transit.  After arriving in JFK the custom clear was a breeze, there wasn't too many flights arriving at this time.  I still had quite alot of time before my JetBlue flight to Orlando.  As I still wasn't feeling too well there is no photo of JFK nor the JetBlue flight, anyway its just a short flight with complimentary drinks being served onboard.  As JetBlue operates out of Terminal 5 in JFK we took a AirTrain which is free as well unless you travel out of the terminals.

The Private Room, SilverKris Lounge (Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3)

Previously I have posted about the SilverKris business class lounge at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3.  This post will take a look at the Private Room which is available to passengers travelling on Singapore Airlines Suites and First Class.  Together with your boarding pass, they will also invite you to the Private Room.

A look inside the Private Room, basically it is divided into 2 area the common area and the dinning area.

The service at the dinning area wasn't spectacular or even close to a fine dinning restaurant, I sat down and waited for 5 minutes before someone came to me and handed me the menu which was quite a disappointing experience.

There are 2 menu: Oriental and Western

I ordered the Poached Lobster Provencale and the Assorted Satay.  The portion of the lobster was quite small.  Although the Satay do not look too good on the photo but it was done well and not too dry.

There are also some cakes and chocolates at the dinning area which you can help yourself to (which I didn't take any pictures).

The Private Room also has 2 rooms for you to have private conversation in (no phone inside though), a baby room and an area which 2 desktop.  Basically that's about it.

Flight Delay on Singapore Airlines Flight SQ 26

This is a long over due post which took place in December 2015.  I took a 1 week break away from work to Washington DC and New York City, it was quite a last minute decision and there wasn't much planning done.  Do note that 1 week isn't really sufficient if you want to cover these 2 cities.

I took a night flight on Singapore Airlines SQ26 to New York and transit to Washington DC on Delta but the flight was a total nightmare due to the delay.

SQ 26 was scheduled to take off at 11:55pm on 18 Dec 2016, however the pilot only found that there was a problem with the traffic collision avoidance system around 11+pm.  They were also unsure if they can fix it or we need to wait for a replacement plane.

Suites and Business class passengers were advised to return to the lounge and wait for further updates while economy class passengers can stay in the gate hold room to wait.  Food and drinks was distributed much later as well as blankets.  They gave out cold buns which are normally given out during overnight flight's night service, understand such circumstances I thought better food could be provided to passengers.

Passengers queuing up to get the food and drinks.

The staff went around giving passengers a letter informing of the delay (the letter was altered 2 times due to further delay), this is the final copy but the delay was less than 6 hours meaning no insurance claim can be made.

This 5 hours plus of delay caused me to miss my connecting flight to Washington DC.  Luckily Delta was kind enough to rebook me on a later flight at no additional cost.  However the next flight only departs at 9.05pm on 19 Dec to DC and the flight was further delayed to 11:15pm.  By the time I collected my baggage and leave the airport (DCA), it was about 12:40am on 20 Dec.  This was the worst flight delay I experience and going with minimal sleep for about 55 hours.  Didn't expect this post to be so long, will cover the trip in a separate post.

For those who are curious if there was any form of compensation from Singapore Airlines, they gave a number lock when boarding the flight from Singapore to Frankfurt and a luggage tag when boarding the flight from Frankfurt to New York.  The staff at New York Airport also wasn't helpful in trying to explain your situation to the airline on your connecting flight instead asking you to reach out to the airline yourself.  Although I understand that the connecting flight wasn't book through them and they are not obliged to help in the rebooking but I have catered for more than 4 hours of transit time and if wasn't for them I wouldn't be in such a situation.  They could at least be more helpful in assisting with the rebooking(they did ask passengers who have connecting flight to provide their details while we are waiting in Singapore but seems like nothing was done, if there is no intention to do anything then why ask).

Taipei, Taiwan: Hello Kitty Gate, Silver Kris Lounge (Finale)

This is the last at Taipei no time to shop around so decided to head to the airport early using the Kuo Kuang Airport express at the Taipei Main Train Station.  The journey is about 50mins.

The check-in counter is still not open when I reached at 11:30am (my flight departs at 2:10pm), so no point going early as you cannot check-in and start shopping in the transit area.  Check-in starts at 11.40am.

After checking in I decided to check out the legendary gate C3 at Terminal 2.

Before I even reach gate C3, there are signs of the kitty;  A hello kitty nursing room.

The Sanrio shop just beside gate C3.

Gate C3 at Tao Yuan Airport Terminal 2, not much description required the pictures says it all.

Still have some time before departure so I headed to the Silver Kris Lounge.

 This lounge is shared by all PPS, business class and krisflyer members and it is quite crowded when I arrived with only 1-2 empty seats.

 The lounge with a view of the aircraft parked at the gate.

The food spread, although the range is not as wide as Singapore's but enough to fill me up and its time to head to the gate for my flight back home.

My ride home a A330, 9VSTO.

A look at what I had onboard. No satay on the return trip.  The first course is the appetiser, smoked tuna and marinated peppers with quinoa salad.  This is very good with makes up for the loss of the satay.

Main course, roasted lamb loin with eggplant puree, red capsicum zucchini and green olive jus.  The lamb is very tough, way over done.

Dessert, Haagen Dazs dulce de leche ice cream with fresh fruit salad.  Totally not SIA quality, this picture is taken the moment I got the ice cream and it has already melted.

Selection of cheese on the menu but I only took one of it, they serve it with walnuts and some grapes.

Some fruits.

The chocolate truffle is very good.

Ending off the meal with a cup of pu-er tea.

Taipei (Other parts):

Part 1: Taipei, Taiwan: Taoyuan Airport, Wu Fen Pu and Raohe Night Market (Part 1)
Part 2: Taipei, Taiwan: Ding Tai Feng, Ximending, Barbie Cafe, Shilin (Part 2)
Part 3: Taipei, Taiwan: Hot Spring, Bei Tou, Dan Shui, Yu Ren Ma Tou, Aranzi Cafe, Wu Lao Guo (Part 3)
Part 4: Taipei, Taiwan: Hello Kitty Cafe, Dian Shui Lou (Part 4)