Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class Review: SYD to SIN

When a business class routing to Asia popped up via Sydney, I was eager to experience two things: the United Polaris business class for the first time and Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class.

Fresh from an exceptional experience with Emirates A380 business class and having previously enjoyed Singapore Airlines business class, I was excited about this lengthy detour. However, the Singapore Airlines A380 business class experience did not meet my high expectations in all areas.

Here’s a detailed look into my Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class review, including my observations and comparisons with other airline products.

A380 Singapore Airlines Business Class Review Key Takeaways

• Exceptional Service: Singapore Airlines is renowned for its top-notch service, which was evident throughout the flight. Friendly and attentive staff made the journey pleasant despite some seating issues.
• Comfortable, Yet Varied Seating: The A380 Business Class seats offer great comfort but are not uniform across the cabin. Bulkhead seats, especially at the back, may have less storage and less comfort than others.
• In-flight Entertainment and Wi-Fi: While the in-flight entertainment system and Wi-Fi are generally satisfactory, there were connectivity issues that detracted from the experience.
• Cuisine: The menu on the Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class is diverse and high quality, with excellent food options that align with the airline’s reputation for fine dining.

Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class Ground Experience

My Singapore Airlines A380 experience began with a lengthy connection in Sydney. After a 16-hour flight on United Polaris from San Francisco, I had an eight-hour layover. Originally, I planned to explore the city but was disappointed to learn that the eight-hour transit visa exemption for Canadians only applied to the transit area of the airport. This unexpected restriction meant I had to spend my time in the airport.

With this newfound time, I opted to split my visit between the Air New Zealand Lounge and the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Lounge. Located next to each other, these lounges offered contrasting experiences.

The New Zealand Lounge quickly became my preferred choice with its more extensive space, better food, superior bar, and impressive showers. The barista and customizable drink orders were standout features. The Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Lounge, while offering comfortable cubby-style seats and Asian cuisine, did not impress as much.

For a complete review of both lounges, including more pictures, see my detailed post on Air New Zealand vs. Singapore KrisFlyer Sydney Lounges.

Boarding Process

The convenience of the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Lounge is that they announce boarding for their flights. No screens exist, or at least I didn’t see any, so pay attention to the announcements or follow the crowd. My flight departed from Gate G61, a short walk down the escalator and to the right from the lounge. Business class passengers enjoyed a dedicated walkway to the upper deck of the A380 and were onboard and seated within minutes.

I was excited to see how the A380 compares to Singapore Airlines’ other products, such as the A350-900 so I appreciated the speedy boarding process.

A380 Seat Map Singapore Airlines

Business Class: Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class occupies the entire upper deck of the aircraft. The configuration is 1-2-1, with a whopping 82 seats spread across 97 rows! While the A380 seat map may suggest uniformity, my experience revealed seat comfort and layout differences.

Premium Economy: Located on the lower deck, Premium Economy Class features a 2-4-2 configuration. This class provides a more spacious seating arrangement than Economy, with additional legroom and wider seats. The Premium Economy cabin offers a more comfortable experience with dedicated amenities that cater to passengers seeking a balance between luxury and value.

Economy Class: Economy Class seats are distributed across three main sections on the lower deck, arranged in a 3-4-3 configuration. While this is the most densely packed cabin on the Airbus A380, it still benefits from the aircraft’s overall spaciousness. Passengers in Economy enjoy ergonomic seating, although the density of this configuration can affect personal space compared to the premium cabins.

Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class Seat

Similar to other last-minute flights booked on this Aeroplan around-the-world tour, when it came time to select seats, options were limited. Despite so many business class seats, the only window seats available were the very last rows. Initally, I selected 97K at the rear of the cabin, however when I boarded I found it didn’t line up with the windows well, and it was next to a busy gallery.

With that, I opted to switch to the bulkhead seat 96K, which offered more space but, oddly less storage. I also found this seat much firmer which was also odd.

The Singapore Airlines A380 business class seats are known for their futuristic design and ample storage options. The cocoon-like pods offer comfort and privacy. Folded out flat, the bedding is very spacious and more than comfortable enough to catch some sleep.

Service and Amenities

Service in Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class was exemplary. Upon boarding, I was welcomed with a choice of champagne, orange juice, or a Bellini. The crew provided a hot towel and took meal and drink orders as we reached cruising altitude.

The staff’s attentiveness and friendliness were noteworthy, and the service manager even answered my questions about the A380 and the bulkhead seat differences before takeoff.

In-flight turbulence was handled with care, with frequent announcements. This cautious approach was likely influenced by a recent incident involving severe turbulence and injuries Singapore Airlines experienced in the same region.

In-Flight Entertainment and Wi-Fi

Singapore Airlines offers free Wi-Fi to all passengers, with business class requiring only seat number and name for access. However, I faced connectivity issues despite achieving near 18 Mbps download speeds.

The entertainment system on the A380 is robust, with various new releases, though the selection was not as extensive as what I encountered on my Emirates A380 flight. There was a notable emphasis on anime and K-pop. The system includes a large screen and a wired remote control similar to what you will find in most business-class hard products. There is no wireless remote or table like what you will find in Lufthansa’s new Allegris business class or Emirates’ fantastic 777-200.

WiFi was available on this Singapore Airlines flight, but it proved to be hit or miss. When connected, the download and upload speeds were impressive, offering great potential for in-flight browsing and streaming. However, the connection was inconsistent, which made the service largely unreliable and frustrating to use.

Singapore Airlines a380 Business Class Lavatory

The lavatory in Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class is spacious and well-appointed, offering a touch of luxury to your in-flight experience. Notable amenities include facial mist and lotion, which I found myself using frequently throughout the flight to stay refreshed and hydrated. The lavatory is kept impeccably clean, with a modern design that adds to the overall comfort and convenience of the journey.

Singapore a380 Business Class Food and Drink

The food and drink service on Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class was a highlight of the flight. Having had positive experiences with Singapore Airlines in the past, I was eagerly anticipating the meal service. The menu did not disappoint, featuring a variety of gourmet options like roasted duck, pan-seared salmon fillet, and an array of delicious desserts.

Each dish was expertly prepared and beautifully presented, reflecting the airline’s commitment to quality. The beverage selection was equally impressive, offering a range of fine wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options to suit every taste.

Singapore Airlines a380 Business Class Menu

The Singapore Airlines A380 business class menu was more elaborate compared to other airlines. The menu featured a selection of gourmet dishes, including roasted duck, wok-fried beef with black bean sauce, and pan-seared salmon fillet. Dessert options included a blood orange sorbet and lemon meringue tart which were good but no where near the beautiful tarts I had on my EVA Air 777 business class flight.

I chose the roasted duck, which was a quarter duck rather than a breast, and it was filling. The sorbet was a refreshing end to the meal. The drinks menu included a selection of champagne and wines, though the Bloody Mary I tried was rather bland.

I wrapped up my Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class meal service with a double espresso, which capped it off nicely. Served in a nice cup and saucer set, this final touch satisfied me and reinforced the quality of the in-flight dining experience.

Wrapping Up This Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class Review

While my experience with Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class had its share of drawbacks with the seats, it’s essential to weigh these issues against the overall quality of the service and amenities. Although firm, the bulkhead seat was spacious, especially laid out as a bed. I was able to get some sleep and even arrived at my Yotel Hotel in Singapore refreshed and ready to explore the expansive Jewel at Changi Airport.

The service on this flight was consistently attentive and friendly, with staff going out of their way to ensure a pleasant experience. The food quality, featuring a diverse and well-crafted menu, was exceptional and lived up to the high standards one expects from a top-tier airline.

Singapore Airlines continues to stand out in the business class sector (2nd best in the world in 2024 as per Skytrax) thanks to its dedication to excellence in service and product offerings. The airline’s reputation as one of the world’s best is well-deserved, as it consistently delivers a premium travel experience despite minor issues that may arise. The A380’s design, with its spacious upper deck and futuristic business-class pods, remains a testament to Singapore Airlines’ commitment to passenger comfort and innovation.

In summary, while there were areas for improvement, the overall experience was positive and reinforced Singapore Airlines’ position as a leading player in the business class arena. The combination of excellent service, high-quality food, and a luxurious cabin environment ensures that Singapore Airlines remains a top choice for travelers seeking a premium flying experience.

A380 Singapore Airlines Business Class FAQs

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