A350/900 Singapore Airlines review, traveling from Rome to .... Copenhagen
Singapore Airlines holds the record for the longest scheduled flight in the world, namely the Singapore New York. This review [...]
Singapore Airlines
Star Alliance
FCO
Singapore Airlines holds the record of the World's longest scheduled flight, namely the Singapore New York. This review, however, is about what is probably the shortest scheduled flight, among those operated by Singapore Airlines, with its flagship: the Airbus A350/900.
In this article:
- Specifications
- Aircraft:
- A350/900
- Class:
- Business
- Treat:
- FCO - CPH
- Price:
- 250€
- Book
When news came out in recent weeks that the Asian company would operate a "fifth freedom" flight between Rome Fiumicino and a stopover in the Danish capital of Copenhagen, I decided it would be a great way to visit the Little Mermaid City. Too good a chance to travel on one of the most modern planes in one of the best business classes in the world, even if only for a couple of hours, but still better than flying in any 737.
Reservation
Singapore Airlines is an American Express partner, this means that it is possible to transfer the Membership rRwards points into Krisflyer points and book an award ticket. I did, however, opt for a paid ticket in an effort to complete the challenge for Become a Star Alliance Gold member through the Infinite Journeys program.
So I decided to pay 250€ for a one-way business class ticket, a totally competitive price when compared to what non-low-cost airlines charge for a business class ticket and especially taking into account the fact that I was flying on a widebody plane, in one of the best business class seats in the world (and not on a 737 with an empty seat next to me).
At the airport
I arrived at the airport after spending the night at the Hilton hotel connected directly to the terminal. Being for all intents and purposes an EU connection I had already checked in online, but I still went to the counters to pick up the good old paper boarding pass.
Business passengers enjoy fast track, although I must say there was not too much of a queue at the regular gates.
Right now at Rome Fiumicino all flights are operated from terminal 3 by far the best in the airport and the most modern. Singapore Airlines does not have a lounge in Rome and neither does the Star Alliance, so I was advised to go to the Premium Plaza Lounge.
The lsala was practically deserted, I got a cappuccino and then went to the gate to try to get on the plane as soon as possible and take some pictures.
The assigned gate was E23, practically at the end of the terminal.
When I arrived, the A350/900 was already attached to the finger, ready to welcome passengers.
I must admit that I expected far fewer people for this flight, but instead many must have wanted to take the same chance as me.
By airplane
Singapore's business cabin is really mammoth, the shape of the seats is very striking unlike British Airways' Club World Suite gives an impression of grandeur.
The choice not to have a hat rack above the middle row, which is common with many other companies, makes everything very spacious, and the lighting complements the show.
There are two business class cabins, the first is larger with 32 seats, the second more intimate with only 16 seats. The alternating leather color of the seats really has a nice rendering.
Then there is the premium economy cabin, with the classic 2-4-2 configuration.
Followed by a first, small economy cabin, and then all the other tourist seats with 9 seats per row.
Even in economy, passengers have a 15″ in-flight entertainment screen to which they can also connect their own device.
If you are traveling as a couple, and you want to stay close together, the best seats are the central ones.
I was traveling alone and therefore chose seat 15K, in the right side of the plane.
Singapore thought of everything when designing this cabin, for example, to provide more privacy for passengers the center rows of seats are misaligned from the seats near the windows, resulting in better isolation for passengers.
Not that it was a problem on this flight, since we were only 3 passengers in business.
The seat is among the widest to be found among all airlines; it is more than half a meter wide and could easily accommodate an adult and a child.
The only real flaw is the legroom when in bed mode, the "hole" goes under the front passenger seat I must admit that compared to the size of the seat here Singapore has reduced the space to the bare minimum.
One of the many things I love about the A350s are the portholes-they are huge compared to those found on older generation aircraft like the B777s and A330s, not to mention the portholes on the 747s.
The seat
Frequent flyer rankings in hand, this is one of the best seats around. Not the best, but definitely in the top5.
Everything is large in size, from the seat to the TV. From the many compartments to store your belongings to the small details, such as the small mirror hidden at the side of the monitor.
There is a button to do everything, move the seat tilt or manage the leg support. Turn off the TV or activate the button to tell the stewardesses not to disturb.
Finally, it is possible to manage the many illuminations in the seat, which of course in a 2-hour daytime flight I could not appreciate.
There are spaces designed for all kinds of uses, such as one dedicated to a PC, a tablet or a book. Where there is another light point.
Lifting the flap, there is the console for charging one's devices, or connecting them to the entertainment system via cable.
The table is generously sized, but has the defect of being not very mobile, so it is difficult to get up without having to fold it back.
Hidden in a small but deep compartment at the side of the seat are headphones, a water bottle and the ever-present care kit.
In the kit are masks, a sanitizing gel and wipes to sanitize the station, which, of course, is perfect, neat and clean when boarding.
Then there is space to store shoes under the seat.
That for other items such as wallet, or cell phone.
The mirror and a small shelf where you can place your tea cup or champagne flute.
And then there is the armchair that becomes a single bed. The special feature is that unlike almost all armchairs of this type, it does not extend to become a bed, but thanks to the intervention of the staff it is converted, as if it were a sofa bed. This solution allows sleeping on a more comfortable surface than the classic armchair upholstery. In contrast, however, one must ask the staff to "make the bed."
There remains the uncomfortableness of having to lie at an angle and having to tuck your legs into a space that is too narrow compared to everything else in the post.
IFE and connectivity
The 18-inch screen is nice, but not beautiful. The worst thing, however, is that it is not touch, and so a couple of times I found myself clicking on the monitor like when I switch from Ipad to Macbook.
Hundreds of movies, TV series, podcasts, music, and some games. Live TV channels were not available as well as totally missing webcams to admire the view outside the plane. UNACCEPTABLE!!!
You can see the route and through the touch remote control, with which you control the whole system manage the views as you like.
The system in general is not the most intuitive, definitely one step behind that offered by competitors.
Most interesting, however, is the interconnection between the Singapore APP and the passenger's seat; one can log in and associate one's device. This will allow you to access your favorites, watch the movies you chose the night before departure to even stream the content on your device on your TV.
The nicest aspect is that of being able to save your bookmarks. If you didn't finish a movie on the outbound flight, just press a button and, when you board for the return flight, you can pick up where you left off, just like with MySky on your TV at home.
Of course, w-ifi connection is present. It is not the fastest nor the cheapest, actually it is expensive and most importantly it is charged by traffic and not by time. This means that on a 12-hour flight if you want to stay connected you have to spend a lot. Business passengers get 100mb free, to me it lasted just long enough for the 2-hour trip and without much usage.
The headphones are sealed and two protectors are provided to fit over the earpieces. Unlike other carriers that have partnered with well-known manufacturers, these headphones are anonymous and on a scale of 0 to 10 they reach sufficiency, but if you really want to isolate yourself from the (little) noise of the A350 better bring your own.
While watching a movie, the controller monitor acts as a second screen with the ability to see other information than what is shown on the TV.
Food & Beverage
This is where the experience cannot be compared between a 2-hour morning flight versus a 14-hour intercontinental trip.
It could not be otherwise, in any case Singapore tries to give a quality product even if it is a light breakfast, as in the case of my choice.
Normally one would go on the TV to choose what to eat, as in a hyper-technological restaurant.
I ended up just ordering tea, but I think there would have been no problem if I had ordered champagne or the company's signature cocktail.
The service
The staff in the beautiful uniforms are ready to respond to any of the passengers' needs, which is not a given for such a flight.
As is well known, Singapore does not distribute a courtesy kit, or rather does so at the request of passengers.
While many products such as creams, toothbrushes, razors, combs and so on are available in the drawers in the bathrooms reserved for business class passengers.
Upon arrival in Copenhagen all passengers are disembarked, even those continuing on to Singapore. This is because the flight is operated as a Schengen flight and therefore passengers must go through passport control before being boarded again, but for all intents and purposes it is a second and separate leg and one can also choose a different seat if desired.
In conclusion
This route will be operated until mid-October, when Singapore is then expected to reactivate its direct connection to Rome, whereas today it only flies direct to Milan. If you want to go to Copenhagen for a weekend, it is definitely worth trying, even in economy because the cost is not much different from other airlines but the experience is totally different.
Pro
- The chair
- The service
- Silence and space for everything
Against
- Little leg room when lying down
- The screen is not touch
- There are no external cameras
- Wifi is expensive