Trip Report: Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK (Singapore to New York via Frankfurt)
Airline: Singapore Airlines | Aircraft: 777-300ER | Class: Business | Flight: SQ26 (SIN-FRA-JFK)
After taking a long break from international travel (due mostly to the whole COVID-19 pandemic), I was finally ready to depart Singapore again on a trip to the US. While I did have to prepare a set of documents prior to departure (e.g. pre-departure test results, attestation form, and vaccination certificate), getting through immigration at Changi Airport was rather seamless. On this trip, I had the opportunity to check out the relatively-new SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 3 of Changi Airport and even though I had wanted to do a lounge review, it was really busy during my visit so perhaps I will leave that for another time.
Laksa
SilverKris Lounge Terminal 3 - Changi Airport
The SilverKris Lounge does get pretty busy due to capacity limitations at the moment - Star Alliance Gold members currently utilise the same lounge since the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge is not yet ready so you may expect high volumes of travellers during your visit (especially if your flight is departing at night). The word from the grapevine is that the Private Room will open in two months so that is definitely something you should plan for if you have any flights in Suites booked. I was pretty impressed with how the new SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 3 turned out - it looks effortlessly modern with different pockets of space for travellers. As mentioned earlier, the lounge was really busy during my visit and so I ended up in the dining area of the lounge for my entire stay but I will definitely drop by the bar area on my next visit to check out the list of cocktails on offer. After taking a two years break from traveling, ordering the Laksa and enjoying a glass of Champagne (from Champagne Jacquart Mosaique Brut for those of you who care about labels) in the lounge was customary.
Seat 20A
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
This was a revenue ticket and I actually booked the flight using my American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card which gives me 8.5 HighFlyer points per dollar (equivalent to almost 8.5 mpd) - you will earn 2.5 HighFlyer Points per dollar on the total spend, but 6 HighFlyer Points per dollar on the fare component of the ticket after taking the flight. Singapore Airlines deploys a 777-300ER for this route from Singapore to New York via Frankfurt. The Business Class cabin has been fitted with the 2013 J class products and they offer 55' of seat pitch (as compared to 38" and 32" in Premium Economy and Economy respectively) as well as a seat width of 28". There are a total of 48 Business Class seats on this plane and it was completely full on my flight in late March 2022.
Business Class Cabin
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
Every Business Class seat on the 777-300ER comes with direct aisle access as it features a 1-2-1 seat configuration. I will not go too much into the hard product as it has not changed over the years but the flight experience is definitely slightly different in a post-COVID world. Firstly, pre-departure drinks are no longer offered but a cabin crew did come around to confirm my meal choices (from the Book The Cook menu) as well as my preference for a drink that will be served after take-off. Mask-wearing on the plane was still required but passengers may remove it when drinking or eating during the flight - they would have to keep the mask on otherwise; even while sleeping.
SIA Care Kit
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
While personal amenities such as socks, slippers, sleep masks, and earplugs used to be placed on the seat, they are now only handed out upon request - a strange thing to do if you ask me since they do not really cost that much and I think most passengers would want a pair of disposable slippers on a 13-hour flight to Frankfurt. Penhaligon-branded Business Class amenity kits are also offered on flights above six hours but these are also only available upon request - each kit comes with a hand lotion (30ml), lip balm (4g), and a facial mist (7ml), as well as a voucher for a 100ml sample at a physical Penhaligon store. Located in one of the bins near the stowed-away table are a bottle of water and an SIA Care Kit which comes with an anti-bacterial wipe (so you can do #TheShutterwipe and tag me on Instagram), a bottle of hand sanitiser, and a disposable face mask.
Champagne and Nuts
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
Shortly after the seatbelt sign has been turned off, my choice of beverage (Champagne, obviously), as well as some nuts, were served. I am always up for a proper pour and unlike wine, a half-filled Champagne glass is not something you should expect - the pours from FRA-JFK were a lot more generous but more on that later. One thing that I do like a lot about Singapore Airlines is how everything runs like clockwork and to be honest, this is also one of the main criticism that I hear a lot from frequent travellers as the streamlining of the process makes it more challenging to provide tailored service (but hey, there's always First Class for that).
Hot Smoked Salmon Salad
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
The crew began supper service shortly after that and if you are traveling to New York via SQ26, I highly recommend that you try to stay up as much as possible to minimise the impact of jetlag. I am pretty disciplined when it comes to traveling and I will usually set my clock to the destination city's time zone (GMT -4) so I can try to adapt as quickly as possible. Even if you are not planning to eat, do try to stay up and leave most of the sleeping for the FRA-JFK leg (or whenever it is time to sleep in New York). It has been slightly over two years since I have enjoyed a meal on a plane (with the exception of Restaurant A380 @ Changi in 2020 of course) so I was pretty excited about it. An appetiser of Hot Smoked Salmon Salad was served alongside an assortment of bread and obviously, garlic bread was a straightforward choice. Do note that a lot of these dishes are served alongside a plastic lid or cling wrap at this point due to the COVID-19 situation but they are expected to go away in the near future when more restrictions are lifted.
Lobster Thermidor
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
Passengers traveling in Business Class from Singapore to Frankfurt on SQ26 have the following choices for the main course:
Parmesan and Herb Crusted Chicken Breast
Thai Rad Nar Talay
Song Fa Bak Kut Teh
While I was tempted to go for the Song Fa Bak Kut Teh (only because it feels ridiculous to eat something like that onboard), I made the decision to try out the newly-improved Lobster Thermidor with Fondant Potato and Buttered Seasonal Vegetables (only available on flights with a flight time of more than 3.5 hours) from the Book The Cook menu. While the presentation of the meal can be improved (and having said that, I have actually seen worse on Instagram) the taste was actually a whole lot better than what it used to be. If you look past the idea of the lobster tail looking a whole lot like an offspring of Lumpy Space Princess, this dish is actually delicious and it is certainly less carb-heavy for those looking for a slightly lighter alternative.
Sticky Date Pudding
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
For dessert, a Sticky Date Pudding was served and while I was tempted to have a double espresso to help me stay awake for longer, I decided to stick with Champagne. With a full belly and an intoxicated liver, I started to watch some of the movies that I have always wanted to (but never found the right motivation to go to a cinema) on KrisWorld. If possible, you should always try to find out the timing of the meal services so you can wake up slightly ahead of everyone to use the lavatories. As mentioned earlier, the Business Cabin was running at full load when I traveled from Singapore to Frankfurt and there are only four lavatories for 48 seats - imagine the madness when everyone wakes up at the same time (and most of us would spend a few minutes freshening up).
Double Espresso
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
I did end up taking a short 2-3 hour nap after supper and woke up a couple of hours ahead of everyone so I had plenty of time to brush my teeth, freshen up, and even get a double espresso at some point (I always try not to have coffee until it's almost time for the cabin lights to turn on in case the smell wakes them). Flying in one of the premium cabins on Singapore Airlines is always such a treat as you are usually well taken care of by the team (especially if you have a great IFM on the flight).
Sliced Fruits
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
Breakfast service started about 90-120 minutes prior to landing in Frankfurt and a platter of sliced fruits was served. I was also offered some muesli and yogurt after the fruit platter but I have decided to skip that starter course as I do have a pretty heavy main course coming up.
Croissant
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
An assortment of bread was also offered by one of the cabin crew - do remember that garlic bread is not offered during breakfast service so if you have been meaning to try out your first Business Class experience (and obviously the garlic bread is a rite of passage), you should consider booking an afternoon or evening flight to get the full experience.
Bar Chor Mee Soup
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
There were three options for the main course on this flight during the breakfast service:
Scrambled Eggs with Chicken Sausage
Pancake with Back Bacon
Assorted Dim Sum
Having seen the in-flight menu ahead of time (you should always check this via the Singapore Airlines app), I have decided to prebook the Bak Chor Mee Soup from the Book The Cook menu ahead of time - I have such fond memories of this dish when I used to fly frequently during pre-pandemic days but sadly, this dish was quite a disappointment on this flight. There was barely any dried sole fish and the pork lard was stale in this Bak Chor Mee dish. I would probably give it another try in the near future on a medium- or long-haul flight but there are better options to choose from.
When landing in Frankfurt, make sure you have all the necessary documents (e.g. ESTA, passport, pre-departure test results, and the notarised vaccination certificate) on-hand as they will be checked before you are allowed entry into the gate hold area of the airport. Business Class passengers are typically invited to use the Lufthansa Business Lounge at Frankfurt Airport while transiting (and make sure you walk fast since the layover is only about an hour) but if you hold any Star Alliance Gold status (e.g. KrisFlyer Elite Gold), you may consider going to the Lufthansa Senator Lounge instead. The Lufthansa Senator Lounge is typically reserved for First Class passengers traveling on Singapore Airlines but it is also open to Star Alliance Gold members - the offerings are not fundamentally different across both lounges but the latter lounge is likely to be less busy.
Since I still hold the KrisFlyer Elite Gold status, I have decided to head straight to the Lufthansa Senator Lounge for a quick shower and some coffee. The shower suites at the lounge are great since it comes with an attached bathroom and a rainshower (complete with bath amenities from L'Occitane en Provence).
Depending on the time your flight from Singapore lands at Frankfurt Airport, you might have anywhere between 45-90 minutes to utilise the lounge facilities so make sure you plan your time wisely. I would suggest skipping the food at the lounge entirely (especially since they are mainly light bites) to enjoy the in-flight meal service instead.
Frankfurt Airport
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
After spending approximately 40 minutes in the Lufthansa Senator Lounge, I decided to head back to the boarding gate for my flight from FRA to JFK. Boarding of passengers was pretty quick and the load in Business Class was comparatively lighter (approximately 60% full) on this segment so it felt a little better (and the wait times for lavatories were a lot more reasonable).
Seat 20A
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
I found myself back in Seat 20A and I love daytime flights since it allows me to leave the window shades open (without attracting strange glares from other passengers) to enjoy the natural daylight (which helps in combating any potential jetlag) and the view from above.
Inflight Amenities
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
Similar to my previous flight, slippers and other personal amenities are only provided upon request as the airline attempts to reduce waste (and save cost) across its fleet. Strangely enough, I was given a pair of slippers, a pair of socks, and a sleep mask even though I have only requested slippers.
Post Departure Beverage
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
As expected, pre-departure drinks were not offered but my meal selections were confirmed by a cabin crew as they went around to find out what our preferred beverage of choice was after take-off. The Champagne pour on this segment was a lot more generous and in line with expectations. I also love that the Champagne temperature was just right as it really makes a difference - nothing worse than being served warm Champagne!
Business Class Amenity Kit
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
Business Class amenity kits are typically offered on flights of more than 6 hours but you will have to request them as they will not be placed on your seat (unlike most other airlines). The Penhaligon-branded amenity kits are actually quite nice and even though they do not come with too many things inside, the bag itself is great as you can repurpose it to hold foreign currencies, loose cables, your passport as well as all the documentation (folded, of course) that you need to get through immigration quickly.
Singapore Chicken Satay
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
At some point, you were able to have the SIA Signature Satay delivered to your home if you were willing to pay S$98 for 48 pieces of satay. Honestly, that’s pretty wild and I would very much rather enjoy them in-flight. A canape of Singapore Chicken Satay was served on my flight from FRA to JFK and honestly, it has been almost a year and a half since I have had them - they were as good as I remember them to be!
Starter
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
Next an appetiser of Marinated Prawns with Apple-Celeriac Remoulade was served - this highly-photogenic dish was just as good as it looks. Honestly, the quality of food out of FRA so far has been rather impressive as the prawns were all properly deveined, plump and fresh. Obviously when one of the cabin crews went around with the bread basket, I opted for the garlic bread once again - they were slightly different from the flights out of Singapore but I guess that is due large to the supply of bread.
Prawn Wanton Noodle Soup
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
Business Class passengers have the following choices for the main course on the FRA-JFK segment:
Roasted Chicken Breast with Black Truffle Jus
Steamed Halibut Filet in Soy Ginger Garlic Sauce
Pnang Nuer (Thai Beef Curry)
While the Roasted Chicken Breast with Black Truffle Jus sounded great, I have actually pre-booked (yet another) Book The Cook meal for this flight - the Prawn Wanton Noodle Soup. Unfortunately, this dish was a disappointment (and maybe having two prawn dishes successively might not have been a good idea in hindsight). The dumpling skin was doughy and powdery, and the broth has no depth to it at all.
Black Forest Gateau
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
For dessert, I went for the Black Forest Gateau (which is really my favourite kind of cake) and the Sliced Fresh Fruits but passengers also have the option of Gourmet Cheese Served with Garnishes as well as the Movenpick Lemon Lime Sorbet. I also had what I think was my fifth cup of coffee since Singapore but soon drifted off to sleep as it was nighttime in New York (and I was trying my best to adapt).
View from Seat 20A
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
Traveling internationally after taking two years off is difficult and I honestly felt like I have lost some of that momentum throughout the years. Still, once you get to your seat, everything feels almost like second nature - you remember how to operate everything in your seat, you know what is acceptable and what isn’t but most importantly, looking out of the window to the view makes it all worthwhile.
Ham and Cheese Toasties
Singapore Airlines Business Class SQ26 777-300ER - SIN to JFK
Prior to landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport, we were served (yet another) snack of Ham and Cheese Toasties with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and olives. Flying from Singapore to New York is always tiring regardless of cabin class but I am glad to be flying on Singapore Airlines again - the food and service are as good as I remember them to be, but most importantly, it makes international travel so much more bearable when you have got a solid hard and soft product in the air.
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