Singapore Airlines SQ8 First Class Service between Singapore and Los Angeles via Seoul Inchon is one of Singapore Airlines newest routes. Singapore Airlines flies twice daily between Singapore and Los Angeles on Boeing 777-300ER with First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy class cabins. SQ 8 flies via Seoul whereas SQ 12 flies via Tokyo-Narita. My flight was SQ 8 and departed from Singapore at 2:45 am. The day that I was flying, the flight was 30 minutes delayed due to a passenger who opted not to fly and his baggage had to be offloaded.
Read: Singapore Airlines First Class Seoul to Los Angeles.
Singapore Airlines First Class Pre-Departure
I arrived at the boarding gate from Singapore Airlines “Private Room” at the scheduled boarding time. The flight was already mostly boarded and the crew welcomed me on the plane as I approached the aircraft. As a first class passenger, the steward escorted me to my seat and made sure I was comfortable. He then took my beverage order of my choice, where I asked for the 2006 Dom Perignon Brut.
As we awaited take off, I heard another bottle of champagne pop and I knew that the Krug Grande Cuvee had been opened. As the lovely Singapore Girl refilled my glass a second time, I asked to do a taste comparison on the ground between the two champagnes. I definitely preferred the Dom, but in all honesty, I would take either one any day, as long as I wasn’t paying!
Pre-flight service concluded and finally we were ready to take off to Seoul. I had drank 2.5 glasses of bubbles and was feeling great! In addition, service included the delivery of Pajamas, an amenity kit, and extras. Socks, an eye mask, and slippers were provided and my book the cook meal order was confirmed on the ground with the option to eat after takeoff or before landing in Seoul. I opted to eat immediately after takeoff, after all i wanted to sleep with a full belly! Also hot towel service was plentiful! Both immediately after finding my way to my seat and again before takeoff. Feel refresh and clean, a must on Singapore Airlines First Class.
SQ8 First Class Inflight
Shortly after takeoff, not even before hitting 12,000 feet, I had another glass of Dom. The Singapore Girls were on it! Not missing a beat, “Mr. Horan, another glass of champagne for you?” As she was pouring it! Even if I didn’t want it, I was going to indulge! Thank god, a girl who actually after my heart, she is probably the first and the last! Warm mixed nuts were provided and I sipped my bubbles and snacked on warm nuts.
Another warm towel warmed my hands and refreshed my face and minutes later my dinner was served. Indonesia King prawns for the win! The food was fresh but the meal was lacking substance. Singapore to Seoul is slightly over 5 hours and the meal was only the main course. No bread, no appetizer, nothing! Just a main dish! I could understand the lack of a substance in economy, but definitely not in first class, nor on Singapore Airlines! I was disappointed by the meal service. Singapore Airlines First Class “Supper Service” down right sucks. My shorter breakfast flight in First from Hong Kong was grander!
As I was eating dinner I switched to the $25 bottle of chardonnay to mix things up and try something different. It was nice to mix it up from the Dom Perignon, but I honestly did not care for the wine. I knew I had more expensive taste! As it was a bit to oaky, and not my style, but I could see why people would enjoy it. After all I’m from a double-wide trailer, I should be thrilled to drink $25 wine! After I finished my book the cook meal, I was still hungry. After all It was only a small dish and I had not eaten in hours. I inquired about another meal, as mine was lacking vegetables. Two pieces of cauliflower and broccoli hardly counts! Thankfully the salad menu item was available and I indulged in the dinner salad sans the meat.
The dinner salad, another disappointment. The salad was small and pathetic! Seriously, that’s a main course? Singapore Airlines, what are you doing here? I’ve had better meal in economy on Asian carriers! If I was paying for this flight, as the other three passengers were likely doing, I’d be extremely disappointed! Eating is a huge part of the flight experience for me, and these meals were lacking! This was not a Doublewide experience by any means! Singapore Airlines was clearly watching my waistline for me!
Sleeping in First
After my “two dinners” I requested my bed to be transitioned and I knocked out for the remaining 2.5 hours of flight. The lead purser transitioned my chair into a comfortable bed with extra pillows, a mattress pad, and a big comfy duvet. Among the most comfortable beds possible at 35,000 feet, sleeping the rest of the flight was a non-issue. In my cozy pajamas and under the duvet, the late night hours overtook me and I slept till Seoul.
The Singapore Airlines First class seat is wide, but it doesn’t seem as long when laying down. I’m 5’10” and although the bed is advertised at 6 feet 9 inches, when laying on my stomach I stretched from end to end. I think if I was any taller the seat would have felt cramped. Of course this could have been due to the fact I sleep on my stomach. While on my stomach, my feet are hyper-extended making me longer. In addition, the pillows take up a good six to 8 inches due to their width.
About 30 minutes before landing in Seoul, I woke up and was greeted by a flight attendant that was all smiles. I freshened myself with a bottle of water and a warm towel and changed out of my pajamas back to my street clothes. My first segment of two on Singapore Airlines was ending and it was time to call it a night.
Singapore Airlines First Class Cabin
The Singapore Airlines first class cabin is small but intimate. With only four seats in one row, the new first class offers privacy and a cozy environment. The cabin is among the smallest in the sky, reminding me of a TAM first class cabin with more privacy. Of course TAM retired their first class on Oct 31, 2015 and I was on the last first class flight.
On Singapore Airlines B777-300ER the seats are staggered, so the privacy walls make you feel as though you’re one of the only passengers in the air. The window seats, 1A and 1F are slightly off center, about six inches behind the center seats. This allows for more privacy as first class does not have privacy doors like on the A380. In addition, by off centering the seats, it allows for a walkway behind the center seats. The off balance cabin is brilliant as it allows the flight attendant to move freely around all sides of the cabin.
The fine leather seats are classy and refine. The color scheme is warm, and feels top end! Each seat includes a number of storage cubbies, lights on both sides of the seat and on the ceiling and has a superb configuration. For example, there are reading lights on both side of the seats. So no matter which way one leans, the light will highlight the book. In addition, both sides of the seat also has audio pins. This allows the Bose headsets to plug in on whichever side is more comfortable. It’s the little things that matter! The final highlight of suite, other than the oversize HD TV and easy to use controls, is the vanity mirror. Pluck your eyebrows, apply lipstick, or check yourself out, the mirror provides instant access at the seat without the need to go to the bathroom!
The cabin is open and airy, with no overhead bins. The curvature of the aircraft makes the cabin feel larger and more open. Each seat also has large open spaces under the footrest which allows for storage of even the largest carry-on bags. The only downside, the seats do not allowing dining for two. There is also several cubbies for storage for both items large and small which all can be secured behind closed doors.
Final Thoughts
Singapore Airlines First Class offers a good hard product and a decent soft product. Nothing about First Class on the B777 is ground breaking and it’s not the best in the air. In fact, I argue early last week that Singapore Airlines First Class is overrated. Despite this, if you’re flying from Southeast Asia or on a 5th freedom route, consider Singapore Airlines, but do not pay a premium for it!
