Airline review: Singapore Airlines business class, Singapore to Dusseldorf

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This was published 7 years ago

Airline review: Singapore Airlines business class, Singapore to Dusseldorf

By Julietta Jameson
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THE PLANE

Airbus A350-900 (Singapore is currently also flying the A350 on its Melbourne route until October 22)

THE ROUTE

Singapore Airlines A350-900 business class.

Singapore Airlines A350-900 business class.

Singapore to Dusseldorf

THE LOYALTY SCHEME

Krisflyer (Star Alliance airlines)

DURATION

13 hours

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FREQUENCY

Three times a week

THE SEAT

Business class 17A. The business class cabin features a 1-2-1 layout. Seats have a 28-inch (71-centimetre) width and fully flat, extend to a 78-inch (198-centimetre) bed.

BAGGAGE

In business class, up to 40 kilograms (two x 32 kilograms for Brazil- and USA-Singapore only), plus two carry-on items, up to seven kilograms each.

COMFORT

Each private booth-style seat has an ottoman that means feet can stay up, even during takeoff and landing. The Scottish leather seats are at their best when in lounging position with options that include "the Lazy Z, a cradling position that ensures your weight is centred and balanced when you're sitting down, and the Sundeck … so you can stretch and rest your legs on the ottoman".

A large family of three kids and two adults travelled in the four middle seats across from me, with one child behind. She moved over to join her sister in the one seat while watching movies. They looked very comfortable indeed.

These seats excel also in the storage factor. In addition to a big overhead locker, there's a deep shelf for shoes and bags, a compartment for headphones on the side arm rest, another little cupboard in the back of the seat in front for miscellaneous bits, a makeup mirror that lights up when its cover is slid open, and another shelf near your head for your laptop.

Lying flat to sleep is, of course, bliss, especially with two pillows and a quilt. The bed, however, is a little hard. Maybe a thicker pad would help. It folds up and down easily, taking the bedding with it.

ENTERTAINMENT

Krisworld features more than 1000 entertainment options and the 46-centimetre screen and noise cancelling headphones make enjoying them easy, as does the simple-to-navigate touchscreen control. Each seat has universal power and USB points.

SERVICE

Singapore Airlines takes very seriously its service as a point of difference. The men and women in our cabin were attentive, unflappable, ever smiling and impeccable, and little touches, like pushing toilet doors open for us as we staggered during the middle of the night and bringing on-demand espresso were appreciated.

FOOD

How's your lobster thermidor at 30,000 feet? Lovely, thanks for asking. This offers SIA's cool Book the Cook service (but not on DUS-SIN) which lets you order from a long list of gourmet dishes pre-flight that are not on the regular menu.

The entree was a king crab and mango "tian" that tasted fresh and served at a good temperature. I chose the thermidor for dinner – though eating it at around 1am Singapore time felt a little indulgent. There was cappuccino creme brulee for dessert, a delicious cheese trolley and pralines, all of which I passed on in favour of sleep. I woke to the poached eggs I ordered from Book the Cook but the menu offered a Singapore fried carrot cake, buttermilk pancake with maple syrup or cheese and spinach frittata with sausage, mushrooms and hash browns.

Real coffee was a welcome bonus.

ONE MORE THING

Singapore Airlines doesn't hand out amenity kits, but it does supply an eye mask and socks to your business class seat. You can request ear plugs and there are toothbrush kits in a drawer in the toilet, along with moisturiser, a face spritz, cologne and mouthwash.

THE VERDICT

Dusseldorf is a great little city with an excellent airport that's an easily navigable hub for several inter-Europe airlines. It provides easy driving access to the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany's Middle Rhine tourist areas. Flying a fabulous airline such as SIA there is a great start to a holiday.

Tested by Julietta Jameson who flew as a guest of Singapore Airlines.

See also: World's best airline for 2016 named: Skytrax awards

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