A couple of years back, Singapore Airlines used to operate flights to Moscow, with an onward sector to Houston. However, the airline has since assigned the onward fifth freedom route out of Moscow to Stockholm. Flights to Houston will involve a stop in Manchester instead.
It was busier than usual at the Business Class check in counters that evening at Singapore Changi Terminal 3, but when I got to the front of the line, everything was as expeditious as ever.
With enough time for some last minute duty free shopping, I headed to the SilverKris Lounge for some light refreshments prior to boarding. The lounge was operating at near full capacity that evening, as you can see from the crowd, as a result of the evening peak departures for Singapore Airlines flights. Also bear in mind that the lounge is accessible to passengers travelling in Business Class on Star Alliance partners.
As my flight was boarding at Gate C1 located just after B10, it was quite a walk to the gate. Upon arriving at the gate, screening was straightforward, and Business Class passengers were called upon to commence boarding.
As usual, the cabin crew were always ready to assist the passengers with finding their seats.
I was lucky to score a seat in row 19, which is a bulkhead row seat.
Notice how much more spacious these seats are when compared to the non-bulkhead row ones. You essentially enjoy a lot more legroom where the bassinet is supposed to go, for passengers travelling with infants. Bear in mind though that while you may put in a request for these seats, the airline may reassign you to another seat if there are passengers travelling with infants who need them more than you do.
Once again, I’ve got no problems whatsoever with the 2013 Business Class product, which is currently the backbone of Singapore Airlines long-haul Business Class cabins.
While the rest of the passengers continued to board, the cabin crew proceeded to serve some pre-takeoff beverages, as well as the usual socks and slippers for greater comfort during the overnight flight.
I also had a look at the menu for the supper and breakfast meal offerings on the flight.
Singapore Airlines takes pride in ensuring on time departures, and it was no different on this flight. The doors were closed on time, and we proceeded with the pushback and start up before taxiing to the runway. The cabin lights were progressively dimmed and we took off on schedule.
At cruising altitude, the cabin crew commenced the supper service, starting with an after takeoff beverage, and a salad of colossal crab, served with mango and citrus dressing.
I had decided on the lobster thermidor from the Book the Cook menu for the main course, and found it as good as ever.
For dessert, we were served chendol with coconut ice cream, a perfect finale to the meal service.
I was already tired as it was way past midnight in local time, so I decided to get as much sleep as possible. For this seat, simply flip the seatback over to reveal a fully flat bed. For a bulkhead row seat like this, just look at how much space you’ve got for yourself when the seat is configured as a bed!
Even if you don’t wish to sleep, the bed offers a tremendous amount of space to accommodate various seating positions too.
Absolutely love the mood lighting onboard the A350 just before the cabin went all dark for the night.
I slept through almost the entire flight, and woke up just in time for breakfast, starting with a selection of sliced fresh fruits.
This was followed by a cup of fruit yoghurt.
For the main course, I had selected the Angus beef burger from the Book the Cook menu. It can be tough to get a burger right even on the ground, but I found this burger pretty awesome.
At the top of descent, the captain chimed in on the latest arrival information. Soon all the seatbacks were in the upright position, trays and bags stowed, and window shades raised, for an on-time arrival into Moscow on a beautiful morning.