King for a day? Well, at least for the next 18 hours or so. Here is my throne: the First Class seat on Singapore Airlines 777-300ER.
This flight was our first experience on Singapore Airlines, made possible by the computer system upgrade in July 2012 that opened up premium space to Star Alliance partner airlines. After nearly a year, it was finally time to fly. Upon boarding, we were welcomed on board by name, and escorted to our seats. For this leg, we were seated in the middle section, seats 2C and 2D. First impressions of the seat were that it is extremely wide, and nice for sitting. There is ample storage. Bags can be stored below the ottoman, and there are several shelves, and some storage for small items under the armrest. There also is a small rubbish bin under the armrest.
Singapore Airlines First Class on the 777-300ER
The cabin itself is small, with only 8 seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration. There are 2 lavatories in the front of the cabin between the forward most doors of the plane. There are no overhead bins, but there is closet space available for hanging items, and presumably additional storage if needed. The seats don’t have particularly high walls, but there are no doors to enclose the suite. There is decent privacy when seated, but leaning forward other passengers in the same row can be seen. Since seats face forward, there is not the sense of privacy as on a Cathay Pacific First Class seat which face at an angle, making it more difficult to see other passengers.
Artwork on the back wall of the cabin, which separates First from Business Class.
On this leg, there were 4 of 8 seats in First Class filled, with each passenger seated in row 2. Service was provided in First for most of the flight to Seoul by the leading stewardess, although other flight attendants did assist on occasion as well.
Singapore First Class Amenities
Once seated, several of the cabin crew introduced themselves. They also offered a mix of reading materials, both newspapers and magazines. A large menu in a leather folder was provided. They also offered an amenity kit, some slippers, socks and pajamas.
The amenity kit is unisex, containing various lotions and cremes made by Sothys. This is not a brand that was known to be beforehand, but I am certainly no cosmetics expert. This is a recent change, since I have seen reports of Kiehls products as recently as April 2013. As a standalone kit, this has pretty minimal contents, but there are more items available in the lavatories, including combs, brushes, toothbrushes, cologne, hand lotion, and razors. Darren at Frequently Flying has a very detailed review of this amenity kit here.
The kit contains 4 items; body lotion, softening emulsion, light hydrating creme, and lip balm. I’m not sure what softening emulsion is for, and the only item I really used in flight was the lip balm. I preferred Ferragamo lotion in the lavatory, and it just made more sense since I just washed my hands, plus I preferred the Tuscan Soul scent to that of the Sothys products.
The pajamas are Givenchy branded (as are many other components of the first class service, including the china used for meals). The unisex pajamas are soft cotton, and a bit heavy weight, with a half zipper on the top and a drawstring on the waist.
Also while boarding, we were offered a drink. We were on holiday, so we both opted for the same:
2003 Dom Pérignon
I’m not a big champagne drinker, but its not often I have the opportunity to drink Dom Pérignon, so it didn’t take much arm twisting. I have had the 2003 Dom before, when I flew Thai Airways First Class last year. Its tasty, and much better than the sparkling wine served on United and elsewhere, but it would be hard for me to say its 10-15 times better, given the price difference.
The menus were extensive, in English and Korean, and broken into each service offered on the flight.
The finer things in life
Matthew Moran (Australia), Sanjeev Kapoor (India), Carlo Cracco (Italy), Georges Blanc (France), Yoshihiro Murata (Japan), Suzanne Goin (USA), Alfred Portale (USA), Sam Leong (Singapore) and Zhu Jun (China)
In our tradition of providing our passengers with unprecedented luxury, we are delighted to present World Gourmet Cuisine, specially created by our acclaimed International Culinary Panel. Carefully selected from around the world, our award-winning chefs bring with them their passion for the culinary arts and unique influences from diverse cultures to create the most exquisite cuisine, accompanied by our equally discerning selection of fine wines and champagnes. So sit back and savour the Singapore Airlines experience.
our menu
Dining Delights
For your flight from San Francisco/Seoul to Singapore, we shall be serving lunch, light meal and dinner. Our cabin crew will prepare your meal at your preferred time. (Meal orders will be accepted up to two hours before flight arrival time.)
Between Meals
Snacks are available throughout the flight. Please select from our light bites menu and make your choice known to our cabin crew.
Beverages
Compliment your meals with a selection of premium wines, champagnes, gourmet coffees and teas from our wine & beverage list.
Our menu features a range of specially created dishes to enhance your dining pleasure. These include dishes prepared but our International Culinary Panel chefs and a healthy choice of either a low carbohydrate, low cholesterol or meatless main course.
We have available on this menu
* A dish exclusively created by our International Culinary Panel chef
+ A healthier choice – lower in carbohydrate and calories
Please accept our apologies if your choice of meal is not available.
Champagnes and wines
Champagnes
Dom Pérignon 2003
Krug Grande CuvéeWhite
2011 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand
2009 Migues Torres Marimar Estate ‘La Masía’ Don Miguel Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, USARed
2007 Château Léoville-Poyferré, Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France
2006 Mitolo Reiver Shiraz, Barossa, Australia
2008 Louis Latour Château Corton-Grancey Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune, FranceSweet White
2009 Château Filhot Sauternes
Port
Taylor’s Twenty-Year Old Tawny Port, Douro Portugal
Please accept our apologies if your choice of wines is not available
Cocktails
Mix of the Month
Tropical Fizz
Singapore Airlines’ Unique Creations
- Silver Kris Sling
- Sunrise Breezer
- Kris in Love
- Rumba
- Skyhigh
- Screwdriver
- Apple Bliss
- Awaiting the Golden Dawn
- Golden Spice
All – Time Favorites
- Dry Martini
- Singapore Sling
- Solitare Dreams
- Fruit Spritzer
- Citrus Royale
Appetising Apertifs
- Campari
- Dry Vermouth
Spirits
- Macallan 12-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky
- Hennessy Cognac XO
- Johnnie Walker Blue Label
- Jack Daniel’s Tenessee Whiskey
- Bombay Sapphire Gin
- Belevedere Vodka
- Bacardi Superior
- Premium Ginjo Sake Tamanohikari
Liqueurs
- Cointreau
- Bailey’s Original Irish Cream
- Choya Umeshu
Beer
- Tiger
- Miller Regular
Beverages Enjoy a selection of hot and cold beverages, anytime you wish.
Gourmet Coffees
- Brazil Santos Bourbon
- Columbian Supremo
- Jamacian Blue Mountain
- Kenyan AA ‘Kilimanjaro’
Specialty Coffees
- Brewed Coffee
- Café Royal
- Espresso
- Cappuccino
- Café Latte
- Café au Lait
- Decaffeinated Coffee
- Mocha
Other Beverages
- Chocolate
- Ovaltine
- Milo
International Teas *
- Royal Darjeeling
- Earl Grey
- English Breakfast Tea
- Paris-Singapore Tea
- Moroccan Mint Tea
- Chamomile
- Decaffinated Earl Grey
- Rooibos Red Tea
In-House Tea Selection
Asian Teas *
- Indian Masala Tea
- Sencha
- Korean Ginseng Tea
Chinese Teas
- Jasmine
- Oolong
- Pu-Erh
Herbal Infusions
- Peppermint
- Ginger Lemon Tea with Honey
* Available hot or with ice
Cool Refreshments
Mineral Water
- Sparkling
- Still
Fruit Juices
- Apple
- Orange
- Pineapple
- Tomato
- Cranberry
Soft Drinks
- Bitter Lemon
- Coke
- Coke Light/Coke Zero
- Ginger Ale
- 7-UP
Milk
- Full Cream
- Low Fat
After takeoff, I changed into my pajamas. I actually opted for size XL. The L size pants were much too short. The XL shirt was very large, but it seemed like the best combination.
I also had a cocktail, and felt like trying something different, in this case a Silver Kris Sling, “One of our special touches made with gin, Cointreau, orange juice and pineapple juice, topped with Champagne“.
Silver Kris Sling
Singapore dining on demand
Meals can be served whenever desired, so I opted to wait a little bit before dining. I began to explore the extensive options on the Kris World entertainment system, and settled on a movie. There is an impressive selection of movies from all over the world, and many TV shows and a customizable playlist from very extensive music options. Rather than the options here, I’ll link to the landing page on Singapore’s website. The monitor itself is quite large, at 23″ wide. There are also lighted vanity mirrors on either side of the monitor that can be opened.
I requested lunch a few hours after takeoff, and due to extensive details of this meal, plus 2 other services on this flight, I will discuss this in a separate post. Singapore Airlines First Class Meals
Photo prior to touchdown in Seoul
This flight was a bit more than 11 hours. It was my first experience with Singapore Airlines service. It was very nice overall, but as I would soon find out, not as good as the famed Singapore service could be. The flight attendants were excellent by most standards, but they just weren’t particularly warm. We had to go through transit security at Incheon Airport, then we returned to the terminal about an hour before our plane would continue to Singapore with an excellent new crew.
