Singapore Airlines operates non-stop flights between Singapore and Los Angeles, but as much as possible, I tend to prefer the alternative one-stop service between the two cities via Tokyo Narita. After all, it’s great to be able to disembark and stretch one’s legs on such a long journey.
On this first sector on flight SQ12, we arrived at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 in good time for the flight. The crowd at the Business Class check-in desks was manageable, and we were issued our boarding passes in no time. We were also informed that we were invited to the SilverKris Lounge, so no surprises there.
After some snacks, a light meal and some drinks at the lounge, we proceeded to the gate in good time for boarding.
Boarding commenced starting with First Class, followed by Business Class and PPS Club members, and we were invited to board through door 1L. Once again, we managed to snag the bulkhead row seats in row 15, offering much more space than other seats in the same class. Note that these are effectively bassinet row seats, but they may still be assigned to passengers not travelling with infants.
The Business Class onboard B777-300ER aircraft in the Singapore Airlines fleet all feature the 2013 Business Class seat. This seat is wide and spacious, and continues to serve the airline well even to this decade. The seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, which is industry leading for its class.
Arriving at our seats we found some slippers, socks and eyeshades.
I also had a quick look at the menu and was glad to find both Japanese and international selections for the meals. There was to be one meal on the Singapore to Tokyo sector, and two meals for the Tokyo to Los Angeles sector.
We were both served pre-departure beverages, and I settled into my seat and tuned into the IFE system, also known as KrisWorld.
This seat has abundant storage options. In the centre console, you’ll find a compartment for your laptop. This is also where you’ll find a reading light, and power sockets and USB ports for your devices. There is also a divider that you can manually extend for more privacy if you’re a solo traveller.
Also on the centre console, you’ll find the IFE controller, and a deep compartment for your other personal effects, which can also fit a bottle of water.
In front, right next to the IFE screen, there’s a little vanity mirror and a coat hook as well.
Here’s another look at the abundance of space for this bulkhead row seat, with my legs stretched out as we taxied to the runway.
As we climbed out of Singapore after an on-time departure, we could smell the meals being warmed up in the galley. Upon reaching our cruising altitude, the cabin crew commenced the meal service, starting with a post-takeoff beverage and some of the airline’s signature satay!
This was followed by the Japanese Hanakoireki selection with sashimi and soba.
The crew was then nice to allow me to hop over to the international selection, where I was served a Nicoise salad.
For the main course, it was back to the Japanese selection, and this was presented in the form of a beautiful bento box with flavoured rice served with clams and scallops, together with a medley of vegetables. This was paired with smooth sake!
This was followed by dessert, which was a lovely chocolate truffle cake and some fresh longans from the fruit basket.
For the remainder of the flight, I elected to get some sleep on perhaps one of the largest lie-flat bed in Business Class. Folding the seat back down reveals this large sleeping surface, made more comfortable with a soft mattress padding and plush pillows.
After a couple of hours of sleep, the captain chimed in on the PA system to provide the latest arrival information and weather, just a few moments before our descent into Tokyo Narita.
For passengers continuing on to Los Angeles, there were prominent signs posted in the terminal to guide transit passengers to re-clear security after disembarkation, as the plane was prepared for the next sector. Yet another wonderful and flawless flight with Singapore Airlines! Eligible passengers were also invited to the ANA Lounge before re-boarding, but more on that in another post.