Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 Business Class
by Kayode
After our such a terrible racist experience at the Frankfurt Airport Marriott Hotel, I was personally more than happy to be calling this Round-The-World trip a wrap. But before then, I needed to hop on this Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 Business Class from Frankfurt to New York. This was the third segment of a single booking which we booked for 100,000 Alaska miles per passenger. The first two legs were a flight from Bali to Singapore in Boeing 787 Business Class, and then Singapore to Frankfurt on the Airbus A350. Taking advantage of Alaska’s free stopover.
Boarding:
After dropping off our bags and going through the immigration process, we began this our journey on Singapore Airlines SQ26 Business Class aboard the Airbus A380 with a visit to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge before heading to Gate 46 in Terminal 1.
The boarding process was smooth, and we made our way to the upper deck of the A380, where both the Singapore Airlines First Class Suites and Business Class are located. The economy cabin on this Airbus A380 is located on the lower deck of this Super-Jumbo “King of the Sky.”
The Business Class Experience on the A380:
The Business Class cabin on the A380 is arranged in a cozy 1-2-1 layout offering each passenger a direct-aisle access, and the cabin is divided into two sections. While the seat isn’t as spacious as it is in the Singapore Airlines Business Class Airbus A350, the Airbus A380 offered a more intimate setting. Personally, I prefer the A380 for its comfortable lie-flat bed, which provides a better sleep experience, and the user-friendly touchscreen entertainment system.
Surprisingly, the flight was relatively empty, with only about 20% capacity, affording us ample space to relax at 38,000 feet. The crew efficiently assisted us in settling in, and pre-departure beverages were served.
It was a busy day in Frankfurt as we began our pushback on this Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 Business Class flight SQ26. The pilot made his announcement, after which the safety demonstration was made. We then taxied for about 20 minutes before we were up in the air.
In-Flight Dining:
It was a bit puzzling that lunch was planned for this morning flight which departed Frankfurt at 8:20am and scheduled to arrive New York JFK airport at 11:15 am. Once in the air, the culinary journey commenced with an exquisite Singapore Chicken Satay, which undoubtedly holds the title for the finest satay one can savor in the sky. This reminded me of my experience on The Longest Flight in the World.
The appetizer featured a Terrine of Smoked Eel and Trout with Horseradish, which was accompanied by assorted bread rolls.
For the main course, I opted for the Thai-style stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts, tamarind sauce, vegetables, and steamed rice.
I was offered to sample all four dessert options onboard, something which I gladly said yes to. All 4 options were Engadine Nut Cake 2020 with Apple Ragout, Hazelnut Ice Cream, Gourmet Cheese served with Garnishes, and Selection of Sliced Fresh Fruits. Each option was delectable, leaving no room for disappointment.
I also explored the mocktail menu with five options. The “Royal Sparkle” didn’t quite hit the spot for me; it’s a sweet mix of apple juice, ginger ale, and soda. However, the other four mocktails – Sunrise Meadow, Citrus Delight, Midsummer Breeze, and Apple Bliss – were quite enjoyable.
Cozy Bed in the Air:
In contrast to the Airbus A350, where the bed tends to be too firm, the lie-flat bed in this Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 Business Class offered a pleasantly comfortable sleep. Surprisingly, the recliner mode was even cozier than I had anticipated. I managed to catch a few hours of sleep after indulging in that incredible in-flight dining extravaganza.
Onboard Amenities:
The Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 Business Class seat features 2 USB ports, power outlet, control buttons, handheld remote control, ample storage compartments, and tray table.
The lavatories were commendably maintained and featured a foldable baby changing table, along with amenities like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and lip balm. Unlike the conventional practice of distributing amenity kits to all passengers, Singapore Airlines has taken an eco-friendly step towards reducing waste by offering these kits only upon request. Upon our requests, the friendly flight attendant happily brought us 2 Penhaligon bags containing the amenity kits.
In-Flight Entertainment:
Singapore Airlines’ entertainment system offered a comprehensive array of options, including the latest movies, TV shows, LinkedIn Learning, Wellness content, a library, games, and Duty-Free shopping. There’s something to keep every passenger entertained throughout the journey.
Pre-Arrival Food & Beverage Service:
About two and a half hours before landing, we encountered severe turbulence, leading to the suspension of the second food and beverage service. It made me wonder about the intensity of the turbulence outside to shake such a massive aircraft. The second round of food and beverage service later occurred about an hour before landing, and the food was simply outstanding. My choice for this round was the Supreme Soy Sauce Fried Noodles, which came with a delightful combination of seafood and vegetables.
The crew on this flight deserves special mention for their outstanding service. They were unfailingly courteous, friendly, and succeeded in creating a welcoming atmosphere onboard. Their thoughtful touch of gifting our infant a personalized teddy bear was a gesture that won our hearts.
Our flight touched down at JFK airport at 11:01 am, concluding what was undeniably the second-best flight experience I’ve had with Singapore Airlines. The first, naturally, remains the unforgettable birthday celebration I enjoyed in the First Class Suites a few years ago.
Final Thoughts:
In summary, this Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 Business Class from Frankfurt to New York provided us a memorable experience. From the moment we boarded until our arrival at JFK, the journey was marked by exceptional service, delectable dining, and a comfortable in-flight environment. Singapore Airlines continues to impress, and this is undoubtedly a solid redemption. Being able to redeem 100K Alaska miles for 3 flights to 3 countries in Business Class made it even more solid.
What are your thoughts on this?
Nigeria-born, California-based.
Kayode currently holds higher status on multiple airlines and hotel programs. He has visited 4 continents, 30 countries, and 35 of the 50 US states.
He began his adventure journey after selling his first cellphone ever, and used the money to apply for his first passport. He said to himself, “I’d rather have a passport than a cellphone”. And since then, he has been globetrotting.