SQ222/322 SYD-LHR 26 Feb 2010
Posted: 27 Feb 2010, 20:13We arrived at the airport full of sadness that we were leaving our good friends in Sydney but sooooooo excited at the prospect of flying in the A380 for the first time. Check in was a breeze. I had travelled out with my full 3 x 32Kg suitcase allowance with Virgin but coming back SQ only allow 1 x 30kg! Luckily they were in a good mood as the published $60 per Kg excess would have found me in the divorce courts! Fast track security was exactly that and we quickly found the SQ lounge.
The lounge is away from the main terminal shopping area but close to the SQ gates and this area also has a shopping area. A tip, when you buy something in one of the airport shops they give you a voucher for 20% off additional purchases, I wanted to buy two t shirts so bought the first, then waited for the shop assistant to change and went and bought the 2nd using the voucher!
I was told on this trip that when flying SQ on a VS codeshare in Business you can only bring a guest into the SQ lounges unless you are Au. The Sydney lounge is quiet and comfortable so we stayed there until the flight was called.
When boarding the A380 you are divided into 4 lines Suites, Economy lower deck, Business and Economy upper deck. Boarding was surprisingly quick considering the number of people, I was told at check in that business was full and there were 30 empty economy seats. Every business passenger was welcomed by name and escorted to their seat. Hot towels were given out throughout the flight and even though you had bottled water glasses were also replaced regularly. The seat space is enormous but the design is such that the large TV screen is to the right of the seat whilst the foot rest is on the left. This means you have to sit or lie diagonally which I found a little uncomfortable. However, given the space I was able to curl up on the seat which solved the problem.
To the left of the screen there is a pull down storage compartment and underneath are the USB and various sockets including UK. To the right is a very useful lighted mirror and magnifying mirror for makeup etc and below that a cup holder. There are single seats by each window that also have two floor level storage boxes per seat. I think I remember having these between the seats when Virgin first started . I tried to see if the double seats in the middle had similar storage but it wasnt obvious.
The bathrooms were very impressive. Much bigger than VS with plenty of shelf space for even a large bag, full size mirror plus drawers containing toothbrush & paste, combs, tissues etc and lots of LOccitane lotions and potions. The floor feels very comfortable to walk on akin to carpet so doesnt stay wet!
The IFE was easy to use but fewer films so Virgin win there. Yet again the headphones did not work but they were replaced as soon as an attendant noticed I was having problems.
Take off was very smooth, I still dont understand how it manages to fly but very happy when it did.
After take off we were given eye shades and blue bootees which were surpisingly comfortable but no amenity kit or sleep suits. I was surprised but I suppose the bathroom has supplies as required.
Food was delicious:
Prawns with mango relish, Prosuito ham, melon, mozzarella & tomato
Book the chef Singapore chicken with rice
Vanilla bean ice cream & chocolate sauce
Cheese
Fruit
After supper I went for a bit of a walk. The business cabin feels very private and exclusive. It is divided into two sections on the upper deck with 4 seats across (a single by each window and a double in the middle). Economy take up approx the last third of the upper deck. There us a galley between the two Business cabins and another before the Economy. At the front of the upper deck I found an enormously impressive staircase the width of the plane going down to the suites. It was sectioned off for the whole flight so I couldnt go downstairs and not sure who uses it or when?
I wanted to stay awake for this leg so didnt convert the bed. Like VS you can only go back so far in the seat position and have to get out of the seat to fold it flat when you want to sleep.
We were a bit late coming into Singapore but again despite the number of passengers we disembarked quickly.
SIN-LHR
On arrival at SIN we had 2 hour before our LHR flight so headed for the SQ Business Lounge. It is very central, big but very comfortable with showers and business facilities.
There is a buffet area offering very tasty hot and cold food and drinks with an all day breakfast area too. It was immaculately clean with staff popping up everywhere to clear plates and glasses as soon as they were empty.
I had a not at all significant birthday during the holiday and we had agreed that the trip would be my present. With 30 minutes to go before boarding J totally out of character suggested we leave the lounge to go shopping. Imagine my surprise and delight when he marched me into Cartier where he had arranged for me to pick up a beautiful gold watch!
Boarding was very similar to the Sydney experience but the new crew seemed to be briefed about those carrying on to London. As I approached the door the FSM without seeing my boarding pass held out his hand and said welcome aboard again Mrs Dunlop let me show you to your seat, I believe it is the same as before?
Later on in the flight he personally spoke to all Business Passengers as he handed out the express passes for LHR security,
I passed on supper but it all looked very good. As with VS I kept the menus if anyone wants a full list of menu options.
On this leg I wanted to sleep, so soon after take off my bed was turned down (literally as it is just case of pulling the seat back down and opening out the undersheet ). The design as discussed earlier means the recess for your head is diagonal to the space for your feet. Personally as far a the flat bed position is concerned I slept better on the Virgin flight and would be interested to know if anyone else had a similar experience?
I also found the cover too thin as it was very cold in the cabin. It then became very hot so I expect it is just an air conditioning issue.
Whilst not intrusive the staff were readily available throughout the night and even brought me a hot chocolate when they noticed I was not sleeping.
In the morning I chose the continental breakfast which was a very tasty fruit platter, pastries, yoghurt with honey and coffee. Others opted for Spanish Omelette and/or cereal.
We landed 30 minutes late, you really appreciate why the A380 needs such a long runway as it takes an age to stop.
I thoroughly enjoyed the sheer space and facilites offered by the SQ A380. The service is awesome and the food excellent. The overall business class seat and TV screen size is a big plus but the IFE options are not as good as UC and if the UCS was 6 inches wider the VS flat bed design would get my vote for comfort every time even without the vanity mirror!