Heaven In the Air
Written: Dec 06 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Food, entertainment, available attendants, nice color scheme
Cons: um static-y blankets
The Bottom Line: If you have to fly, fly Singapore.
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| Darkmistress's Full Review: Singapore Airlines |
Our first trip on Singapore Air between Seoul and San Francisco was about a year ago now. I was so delighted with the experience that I managed to get my flight back to Korea on the same airline.
That first flight was booked by our boss because he was paying for it. It was the cheapest flight to get us home (or rather to our vacation stop before going home.) When you take into account our previous boss' feelings toward us and the Korean concept of acceptable customer service, it's enough to freeze the soul. I fully expected 10 hours in hell. Imagine my happy surprise when I read positive reviews. Imagine my even happier surprise when I arrived at the gate.
We always arrive at the gate about 40 minutes before take off, partly because we have nothing better to do and partly because my husband believes it will help in some way. On the of day of our first flight, we arrived at the gate at the customary time to find the passengers were already lined up for boarding in an orderly fashion. Now boarding a plane in Korea (and in fact a subway car, a bus or trying to get food at a McDonald's) involves a lot of pushing and shoving, but not here. I think it had a lot to do with the presence of the helpful and kind, but obviously in charge flight attendants in their truly snazzy uniforms. They managed somehow to be both pleasant and in charge.
The interior of the plane was obviously designed carefully. The purple and blue seats looked attractive and comfortable. They weren't as comfortable as Lazy Boys, but they were comfortable for airplane seats. The blankets are very soft purple and blue plaid, made of a synthetic material which does get clingy unfortunately. Nothing like getting tangled in static cling in the confines of an airplane seat.
One of the reviews I read said that the food was spectacular. I can't say that, but it was certainly better than anything else I've had in the air. We had a choice of honey roasted chicken, shrimp curry or a vegetarian Indian selection. Breakfast options were equally good. There were scrambled eggs, channa dahl and something else. I had the eggs which I thought tasted a little dehydrated-rehydrated-product-y, but that meal included a fruit salad that was lovely. Each meal also came with yogurt. Between meals, the attendants regularly appeared to ply us drinks or snacks. Drinks included alcohol, mixed drinks, juice, water and pop. Snacks included Chinese made Snickers (with coconut syrup instead of corn syrup), fruit, crackers and little fist sized sandwiches, either tuna or veggie.
Now do the math. On a 10 hour flight we had 2 meals, 2 rounds of drinks and 2 rounds of snacks. We were well fed.
We were also well cared for. On every flight I've been on in Asia, they've brought around hot towels. Singapore Air is no exception, but these were by far the hottest towels I've ever had. I had to toss it back and forth like a cartoon character before I let it near my face. And the brought me one special when I dropped chocolate on myself mid-flight because there was always an attendant in sight. At the beginning of the flight we were also given soft purple slippers and a toothbrush and tiny toothpaste. And I swear every time I went to the bathroom there was an attendant checking to make sure they were stocked and clean.
But far and away the best thing about Singapore Air was the entertainment. They have movies on demand, watched in an adjustable screen set in the headrest of the seat in front of you. In the seat pocket is a catalogue of movies, TV shows and documentaries. I can't imagine anyone not being able to find something they want to see. Personally, I couldn't get to everything. There were documentaries on travel, cooking and history, movies ranging from stuff that just left the theater to movies from the 80's, and TV shows like House, CSI and Malcolm In the Middle. Who needs sleep? Unfortunately, the screen is somewhat reflective so you have to train yourself to watch the movie and not yourself.
I think I might be in love with Singapore Airlines. They kept me fed, entertained and as comfortable as possible on a Transpacific flight.
Now if only they could do something about the turbulence.
Recommended:
Yes
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Darkmistress
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Location: Concepcion, Chile
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