In a plane, the democratization of Tourist class is indirectly proportional to that of your business class, hence, in contrast to the increasingly dwindling tourist seats, plastic cutlery or having to pay almost even to breathe, behind the curtain of a plane that separates business class from economy is another world: porcelain tableware, French champagne, seats that transform into beds and even dishes with a Michelin star.
Flag bearer of excellence in the skies, the case of Singapore Airlines is, in fact, a good example to explain the sweet moment that the luxury aviation in recent years, a stage that supports with joy all the investment behind it, in addition to the ravages of a devastating pandemic.
I had the opportunity to check it out on board his Airbus A350-900 on the route of Barcelona to Singapore during what was just over 13 hours of flight. Doubly lucky, since in addition to being able to fly in one of the company's most modern aircraft, it is also one of the most comfortable passenger planes out there.
The Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900.
THE PLANE IN WHICH WE ALL WANT TO FLY
The latest 'creature' of Airbus designed for the long haul is a state-of-the-art aircraft that was born with many virtues, including its cutting-edge technology, cabin chromotherapy and the promise, kept, that the traveler arrives less tired at the destination after a flight in one of the most modern aircraft on the market.
This state-of-the-art aircraft is also one of the most sustainable, thanks to the reduction in carbon monoxide emissions. On board, no matter what class you travel in, almost no noise, not even the sound of the engines: we are on board the quietest aircraft on the market, with just 57 decibels in the cabin.
Along with all the benefits is, now more important than ever, its ventilation system without current with ozone filters, that renews the air every two or three minutes and improves the level of humidity in the cabin. The aircraft also has seven zones of temperature control that allow it to be adjusted differently in the different sections of the aircraft.
The windows are panoramic and lighting is based on led lights and varies depending on the time of the flight (mood lighting) which, according to experts, helps fight the jet lag.
Does Singapore Airlines have the best business seat in the world?
THE COCKPIT AND THE SEATS
The first impressions of the cabin of the A350 are, how could it be otherwise, magnificent. The color range chosen by the airline helps, which far from garish colors presents an elegant beige and brown palette that induce calm and relaxation. the cabin of the executive class is divided into two parts, the main cabin which starts at seat 11 (and in my opinion this is the best of all) and has seven rows, while the rear cabin it has four rows and is right on the wings, which means – no matter how quiet the plane is – more noise.
The Singapore Airlines A350-900 has 42 seats in 1-2-1 configuration. The particularity of this configuration leaves the main kitchen (the so-called galley where the crew prepares the food), in the middle of both business cabins, so the further our seat is from this space, the better, since there will be less noise and less light pollution, which on a night flight, is appreciated.
In my case I choose seat 11A, that has, next to 19A, the first of the other cabin, more space to stretch your feet, something important since it must be taken into account that these seats, for better or worse, have a quite unique design in the sense of that do not recline in the horizontal position, but rather the seat back folds forward to become a fully flat bed.
And what is special about the design of this seat? well what doesn't recline as much as you might be used to in a booster seat business class. In other words, for those passengers who like to ride halfway between upright and horizontal, this won't be your most comfortable layout. Instead those who want to sleep or enjoy watching TV and even having breakfast lying in bed, that of Singapore Airlines is the best business class seat they can find.
First impressions of the A350 cabin are great.
So having solved the issue of inclination, something that particularly took me a while to understand, another aspect that caught my attention is the fact that the seats are very wide, at 28 inches, and recline another 60.
The fully horizontal bed is about 78 inches. Every seat counts a great 18 inch screen which is not tactile, so navigation through the in-flight entertainment system must be done yes or yes from the control located on the seat. And while the lack of touchscreen control bothered me a bit at first, it was actually quite easy to get used to in the end.
Otherwise, the seat has plenty of storage space in addition to power outlets, USB, etc. The airline, which is not delivering the traditional toiletry bag with amenities and which must be requested upon request, does make available to the passenger in one of those spaces some slippers, socks, eye mask, headphones and a bottle of water.
BUBBLES ALL AROUND
On board Singapore Airlines, in whatever class (in fact the catering of its economy class has just been recognized by Skytrax as the best in the world ), eats and drinks wonderfully, but it is true that when it comes to executives, the result borders on perfection. Although there are still some details associated with the pandemic, the airline has already recovered the welcome drink and before the departure of the flight offers passengers a glass of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee Brut champagne or a soft drink.
The food and drink menu is not yet physically distributed, and it is one of the assistants who goes passenger by passenger singing the dishes and taking notes. The airline also offers reserve dishes in advance through web or app in a section called "Cook's Book" where there are not only the three options of the business class menu of the flight, but also some others emblematic dishes.
Fortunately there are other things that never change, so receiving a plate with three chicken satay skewers as street food as if it were a traditional hacker, since they do not put a tablecloth or give you cutlery, it was the best way to whet your appetite and start enjoying the dining experience What does it mean to eat on board the airline?
A salmon salad and a, previously chosen, plate of green curry They were my picks on the flight. And even though my best grades would go to the stupendous and thorough presentation of the dishes (a pity that the cutlery is still delivered wrapped in plastic), the taste and texture of the dishes were not far behind either.
I even tried to repeat dessert, a delicious chocolate and caramel cake which must have been the most popular option in my cabin as it sold out quickly.
Singapore Airlines continues to offer, in addition, a long list of drinks that includes the famous Singapore Sling cocktail, premium TWG coffees and teas, and that can be requested at any time during the flight.
As it is a 13-hour flight, the airline serves, upon arrival in Singapore, another meal pass, this time a breakfast with three other options to choose from. None of them were disappointing but neither were they memorable. It is really difficult for an omelette to compete against some chicken satay skewers and a glass of champagne.
The plane has Wi-Fi on board throughout the flight, and Business Class passengers get two hours free or 100 MB free. Once completed, the rate is approximately €15 for the rest of a flight, which is difficult to ask for more, especially flying together with the friendliest crew in commercial aviation, and this was made clear by the last edition of the awards sky trax , where she was distinguished as “best cabin crew in the world”.