SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience Singapore – Sydney
SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience Singapore to Sydney
Flight number: SQ 231
Flight hour: 8 hours
Aircraft type: A380 (old Suites)
Seat: 3F
Date: 19 January 2018
Cost: 63750 miles (75000 miles – 15% online discount) + taxes about S$350
Redemption Date: 24 February 2017
Reissued for date change on: 9 September 2017
Redemption SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Singapore to Sydney
The second leg of my trip, Singapore to Sydney, where it was supposed to be the main redemption. The first leg using the USD100 trick was from Hong Kong to Singapore. I have originally redeemed to travel on 22 December 2017 for Singapore to Sydney. However, due to job change, I decided to postpone this trip till January 2018. As the change of ticket still fell under the old rule, no fee was incurred for the change of date.
Redemption for this ticket was done before the devaluation which was the reason I still got 15% online discount. Taxes were rather high for Singapore to Sydney. Some of you may be wondering why I redeemed this red-eye flight instead of SQ 221 which features the new Suites.
I did waitlist for SQ 221, but my waitlist was not cleared even though there was one revenue seat left three days before my actual flight. I wrote in an email stating that I wished to get this waitlist clear 3 days before the actual flight.
Just a few minutes after my email, a SQ representative called and told me that they will clear my waitlist if there is cancellation from existing passenger. I told him that there was one seat left. He informed me that the ticket was revenue ticket and not for Saver Redemption ticket. In this case, even for an Elite Gold member, there wasn’t any special privilege.
Apart from sending email, I also made phone calls to get my waitlist cleared but eventually this final revenue seat was sold two days before the actual flight, and there was no cancellation from existing passenger. Thus, there went my hope to try the new Suites.
Virgin Visit to The Private Room
The Private Room’s Invitation, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience
As this was a SQ Suites/First Class flight departing from Singapore, I got myself an invitation to The Private Room. It is reserved exclusively for Suites/First Class passengers departing from Singapore. I am always excited to try out something for the first time.
To prepare myself for this virgin visit, I googled for reviews of The Private Room and read that some passengers checked in as early as 24 hours before the actual flight to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in the lounge. Of course I did not do that since I was still working on the day of my flight. I merely check in 4 hours before the actual flight time.
Arriving at Changi Airport Terminal 3 First Class Terminal
So let me start my SQ 231 A380 Suites Class experience from the very beginning before the check in process. If you are arriving Changi Airport Terminal 3 by car, you may want to take note that there is a separate First Class Check-in Reception. You will notice a sign reading First Class just before going into Changi Airport Terminal 3 Departure Hall.
You should turn left here instead of heading straight to Departure Hall in Terminal 3. There are staff upon arrival to greet you and to provide porter service. Not used to such treatment, I simply told them that I could manage on my own.
First Class Check-in Reception, Changi Airport Terminal 3
First Class Check-in Reception, Changi Airport Terminal 3, Photo credit: Singapore Airlines
At the First Class Check-in Reception, just sit back and relax. The SQ Passenger Relations Officer will tag your luggage and process your boarding pass for you. Invitation card to The Private Room was also issued together with a golden boarding pass.
Boarding Pass and The Private Room Invite
I was then escorted to the private immigration counters. There were two self-help lanes and a counter with an immigration officer to assist in custom clearance. Everything happened so quickly that I did not have the chance to take any photos. Upon clearing the custom, you will then pass through duty free shop. The Private Room is within the SilverKris Lounge.
Dining in The Private Room
The Private Room, Changi Airport Terminal 3, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience
One of the clear distinctions between travelling SQ Business Class and its Suites/First Class is The Private Room. After entering SilverKris Lounge, you will first pass by Business Class Lounge follow by First Class Lounge. The Private Room is all the way in. It is, in my opinion, like a high-class restaurant. When I first arrived, there were about 5 other passengers.
Menu, The Private Room
Starters, Menu, The Private Room, Changi Airport Terminal 3
Oriental Soup, Starter, The Private Room
Oriental Soup, Starters, The Private Room, Changi Airport Terminal 3, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience
For starter, I ordered Oriental Soup. It was nice! The soup really whetted the appetite. And if you asked me, I wouldn’t mind having a second helping.
Sautéed Lobster with Linguine, Main, The Private Room
Sautéed Lobster with Linguine, Main, The Private Room, Changi Airport Terminal 3, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience
For main course, I ordered Sautéed Lobster with Linguine. When I showed the picture to my friend, he commented that it didn’t look appetizing. He further commented that they paired it with spaghetti just to make you full so that you will not order more things, LOL! Kind of funny to hear this type of comment. I would say the main course was quite good! How often do we get to eat lobster for “free?”
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Dessert, The Private Room
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Dessert, The Private Room, Changi Airport Terminal 3, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience
And for desserts, the ice cream and banana cheesecake, yeah, I have sweet tooth, I love desserts. Both desserts were very nicely presented, and both were delicious, too!
Banana Cheesecake, Available upon request
Banana Cheese Cake, Dessert, The Private Room, Changi Airport Terminal 3, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience
For drinks, I ordered fresh watermelon juice; freshly juiced and I have two glasses. I also took the chance to take the photos of other food served in The Private Room.
Other food selections in The Private Room
Sandwich, The Private Room, Changi Airport Terminal 3
Showering Facilities in The Private Room
Shower room, The Private Room, Changi Airport Terminal 3, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience
After my dinner, I head to the shower room for a shower. The shower room in The Private Room was kind of disappointing; it simply couldn’t match with the ANA Lounge shower rooms in Haneda. It is a very basic kind of shower room, and you would not be able to poo in the same shower room. LOL! However, there is no necessity to book the shower room. Just proceed to any available one.
Shower room amenity, The Private Room, Changi Airport Terminal 3
Chilling in The Private Room
More on The Private Room, Changi Airport Terminal 3
After shower, I wandered around The Private Room for a while as more passengers poured in. I would say it is also peaceful and quiet like a library. SilverKris Lounge in the Business Class section is like a marketplace. I just enjoyed my peaceful time in the lounge reading papers, magazines and surfing net.
Assorted Satay, The Private Room, Changi Airport Terminal 3, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience
Since there was still about 2 hours before the flight, I ordered a smaller main dish (Satay) and Krug to go with it (I wondered if this is the right combination). The Satay was huge with big pieces of meat and the peanut sauce was thick. I also tried the quality chocolates in the buffet area.
Staff, The Private Room, Changi Airport Terminal 3
Before leaving The Private Room for some shopping, I asked the counter staff if I could re-enter later and she said yes, of course. So you could really check in 24 hours before your flight and enjoy your whole day in The Private Room? As the gate was some distance away, I just head straight to the gate after shopping. Until next time!
On Board SQ 231 A380 Suites/First Class Singapore to Sydney
Seat 3F, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience Singapore – Sydney
I still chose Row 3 (with 3 windows) for this flight. Since it was a night flight, SQ issued pajamas to Suites/First Class passengers. The brand is now LALIQUE. I think it used to be Givenchy. Again another distinction between Suites/First Class and Business Class. Business Class passengers do not get pajamas even if it is night flight.
LALIQUE Amenity Kit, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience Singapore – Sydney
The amenity kit is also from LALIQUE. Only the perfume and body lotion were of big size, the rest of the items was miniature size. One expert in the miles game told me LALIQUE is a jewelry brand.
More on the Cabin, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class
TV, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience Singapore - Sydney
Crew asked if I preferred to have my meal as supper or as breakfast. I told her as supper and wished to have breakfast also before touching down.
Dining, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience Singapore – Sydney
Menu, Sleeper Service, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience Singapore – Sydney
Menu, Sleeper Service, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience Singapore to Sydney
For a sleeper service flight, the meal service will be very much less elaborate even though it is a Suites Class. Using the Book the Cook service, I ordered Curry Patta Lobster under the Indian menu. I prefer to order something which is not usually available in the other flights. I have previously tried Lobster Thermidor, which is easily available in Business Class Menu while this Curry Patta Lobster is not.
Bowl of warm mixed nuts
Bowl of warm mixed nuts, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience Singapore – Sydney
Book the Cook: Curry Patta Lobster
Curry Patta Lobster, Book the Cook, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience Singapore – Sydney
Next to be served was the Book the Cook ‘Curry Patta Lobster.’ I would say the dish was quite alright overall except for a few side dishes which I did not like due to the sour taste in nature.
Sleeper service ended just like that without any desserts or fruits or cheese. It was rather disappointing as for a shorter Hong Kong to Singapore, the meals were served plate after plate.
Time to hit the bed, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience Singapore – Sydney
Cabin crew made my bed while I was brushing my teeth
After meals, it was time for bed. I went to brush my teeth and when I came back, my bed was already made; I didn’t even need to ask the crew to make it for me. Thank you! It seems that they will automatically do it for every passenger. Actually, I have wanted to learn how they make the bed. Too bad I did not get to see the steps. The bed is almost the size of a single bed, it was comfortable to sleep on.
I think I slept for a good two hours and did a bit of wash up in order to look my best before touching down (you know messy hair, open pores skin, dreamy eyes, dry lips etc. LOL!).
Washing up and getting ready to take on the world
LALIQUE Toiletries, Lavatory, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience Singapore - Sydney
Again, when I returned to my seat, the bed has been turned back to the upright position seat.
Breakfast, SQ 231 A380 Suites/First Class Singapore to Sydney
Selection of Sliced Fresh Fruits
Selection of Sliced Fresh Fruits, Breakfast, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class
Cereal
Cereal, Breakfast, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience
American Breakfast
American Breakfast, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience Singapore – Sydney
SQ Bears
SQ Bears, SQ 231 A380 Suites Class Experience Singapore – Sydney
And of course, no Singapore Airlines flight is complete without the SQ Bears; two more to add to my collection.
Conclusion
I was disappointed that I could not get the new Suites flight. Sleeper service is really less elaborated but I was still happy that I could check off one of my bucket lists, the use of The Private Room. Even though many people said it is overrated, I guess one should try at least once, this luxury travel experience. With new suites being added to other routes, I really hope to be able to try the new suites one day. Apart from the Sydney route, current announced routes from 2018 are Hong Kong and London.
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Had travelled to Penang, Krabi, Bintan, Batam, Bali, Bangkok, Phuket, Yogyakarta, Hongkong, Macau, Zhuhai, Taipei, Kaoshiung, Nanjing, Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, Munich, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussel, Hamburg, Berlin, Milan, Venice, Copenhagen, Florence, Rome, Barcelona, Vienna, Prague, Frankfurt, Edinburg, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Madrid, Zurich, Lisboa, Hanoi, Lubeck, Perth, Luxembourg, Naples, Cologne, Dusseldorf , Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ho Chi Minh ...
Still in the wishing list: Maldives, India, Dubai, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Moscow, Hungary, Hawaii, New York, Brazil … Hope to visit all seven wonders of the world.
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