I had the opportunity to fly Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ336 from Sinapore to Paris and return in the first month of 2018.
For this trip, I was contemplating between Air France and Singapore Airlines. It was interesting to note that the former was $50 more. I booked the latter through the destined corporate travel agent with a returned trip at $6,303; on Class J to Paris and Class D back to Singapore.
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ336 From Singapore To Paris
Singapore Airlines
Route: Singapore (SIN) – Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
Flight: SQ336
Planned Departure: 13 January 2018, Saturday, 00:15H
Actual Departure: 13 January 2018, Saturday, 00:16H
Planned Arrival: 13 January 2018, Saturday, 07:15H
Actual Arrival: 13 January 2018, Saturday, 06:42H
Estimated Duration: 14h
Actual Duration: 13h 26mins
Mileage: 6663
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Seat: 23K (Business Class)
Route
The route for my trip on Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ336 was from Singapore to Paris. This is a daily flight departing from Singapore Changi Airport at 12.15am to Paris Charles De Gaulle. Starting from 30 October 2017 additional flight at 2.30am on every Monday, Thursday and Saturday on flight SQ334. All flights are operated on Boeing 777-300ER.
My flight departs at 12.15am Singapore time on 13 January, that is 5.15pm Paris time. Arrival time at Paris is on the same day at 7.15am Paris (2.15am Singapore time).
Check-in
Passengers on J Class (Business Class) are allowed 40kg baggage for check-in. Checked in at Row 6 of Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3.
Lounge
Before boarding, business class passengers has the option to enjoy some refreshment at the SilverKris Lounge. The review for the lounge is in a separate blog post.
Boarding
Boarding was swift and at the convenient of business class passengers. In addition, this group of passenger has the property and entering via the privileged lane.
Cabin
With mainly warm orange light, it created a soft and soothing feel. Overall was comfortable.
Seating Plans
Business Class section occupied row 11 to 23 with a total of 48 seats in 2 sections, separated by the gallery between row 14 and 15. It has a configuration of 1-2-1 that gives access to aisle for every forward-facing seat.
Prior to my trip, I chose my seats. Before doing so, I read numerous reviews and was advised to avoid row 14 and 15 if I wanted a quieter area as these are near the washrooms. In addition, window seats (A and K) on row 19 and 21 should be avoided as there aren’t windows beside these seats.
Best seats are supposingly 11A and 11K as these are the bulkhead seats with more privacy and legroom. Both were occupied at the point of booking. Luck was on my side nearing the date as it was freed-up. Hence, I jumped on the opportunity.
18.2% of the total of 264 seats on 777-300ER planes are business class; 4 First Class (1.5%), 28 Premium Economy (10.6%) and 184 Economy Class seats (69.7%).
Seats
Seats on the Boeing 777-300ER has a pitch of 55″ with width of 28″ at 132 degree of reclination angle and includes a sundeck and ‘lazy z’ recline position. Best of all is still the flatbed.
There are various compartments for stowing laptop and even the mineral bottle.
Various reading lights are installed around the seats with a click of buttons all within reach.
Entertainment
Each seats has a 18″ wide screen, however, these aren’t touch screen.
It us controlled by a wired control panel with a screen too. I find the manipulation isn’t intuitive as I have to focus on the 18″ screen and the control panel at the same time. It is quite bothersome. Better if the design allow passengers to focus on the control panel while making soe switches.
The noise cancelling headphones does quite a good job, there’s minimal noise in the background.
Washroom & Amenities
Many reviews have mentioned that the bathroom is always spark and clean however, it wasn’t the case for mine. There were times that either the toilet seat or floor was wet.
What annoys me most was the overflowing exposed trash bins.
The basic amenities are always filled with shaver and shaving cream, sanitary pads, combs and toothbrushes. In addition, passengers can always self-help to the moisturizer, mist spray, mouthwash and cologne.
Finally, a pair of slippers and socks are placed on each seat at boarding, though this isn’t the case for my seat. I got to ask for them.
Food & Beverages
At boarding, passengers were offered a glass of Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne. More Champagne was served with warm nuts were served after ascending.
Main highlight of Singapore Airlines Business Class Flight is the Book The Cook Service. Passengers can do so up to 24 hours before the flight.
On this route, 2 meals were served, Supper and Breakfast. I counted a jaw-dropping total of 38 selections for the Supper meal.
For Breakfast, there were 8 choices.
My choices were Singapore Airlines signature dish, Classic Lobster Thermodior for Supper and the well-acclaimed Nasi Lemak.
Supper Meal
About an hour into flying, supper was served. In my opinion, it’s more like a dinner instead of supper. A total of 5-course Supper was served with table nicely set with fine linen and cutlery.
First course was the Appetiser, Thai-Style Spicy Scallop and Green Mango Salad. Whetting the appetite with the lightly spicy and sourish among the fresh scallop for the meal.
Follow with Assorted Bread for selection, about 5 to 6 different kinds. I picked Garlic Bread which garner lots of praisesin many review. I thought it could be better if the garlic aroma is more intense.
And here comes my Main, the Classic Lobster Thermodior odered via Book A Cook service before I fly. It is a creamy dish. Personally, I didn’t enjoy the rice. It may be better pairing with Fries or Mash or maybe Quinoa or Cous Cous. Since I am bias against lobster, I am rating it excellent.
After which, 3 types of cheese were offered. 2 blue cheeses and brie.
Finally, dessert time. 2 choices were offered. I wanted both the Choux Pastry and the Ice Cream. Since I have limited space in my stomach, I decided to decline the latter.
I regretted my choice as the Choux Pastry tasted really awful.
And lastly coffee was serve although I prefer them serving it together with my dessert. I tried the Guatemala which was nutty, chocolaty and full of caramel at low acidity and almost full body.
Breakfast
About 1.5 hour before touches Charles de Gaulle, breakfast was served. Likewise, I book my Mains through Book A Cook service.
Fruits were served as appetisers. Presentation of my first plate of fruits aren’t as pretty, knowing that I wanted a photo, the flight attendant was so sweet to exchange it for a prettier plating one.
Then come the yogurt. Personally, I would prefer having the yogurt together with the fruits. Bonus if SQ could offer granola, nuts and muesli as well
I didn’t enjoy the Strawberry Yogurt at all. I feel as if colourings were added
Then comes a selection of bread. Once again, I was lost for choices and decided to opt for the croissant so as not to rack my brain.
I must say I was impressed by the Lemak Rice. It was very aromatic. However, the prawns and chicken could be better.
What left the deepest impression was the Groundnut and Ikan Bilis offered, completing the experience.
I got myself a Ethiopia Coffee this round which I really like even though it was more acidity. I enjoyed the jasmine floral that emitted in the coffee
In-flight Menu
Other than Book The Cook, there is an In-flight Menu for both Supper and Breakfast cum Light Bites and both Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages.
Delectables
In between snacks are served with choices of 4 noodles dishes, 3 sandwiches selection and 6 different snacks.
I went for the Warm Focaccia with Roasted Beef, Onion Jam and Cheddar Cheese. The male flight attendant who served me the bread said he added some chips for me to go along with my sandwich, I was extremely glad that they went above and beyond. The sandwich was surprisingly delish though my only complaint was too much onions since I am not a fan of them.
Service
Generally, the flight attendants were friendly and maintained professionalism with only a handful brisk through when serving which I don’t prefer.
I read about SQ doesn’t make bed for passengers but this was untrue on my flight. They did in short.
NAHMJ Verdict
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ336 From Singapore To Paris was a pleasant. I have yet tried other airlines so there is no room for comparison. From a value for money perspective, certainly it is extremely costly for most to travel in J class.
Read about my returned trip on Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ333.
Singapore Airlines
A Singapore Air Carrier
Website: http://www.singaporeair.com