From Singapore to Siem Reap, Cambodia I flew on Singapore Airlines on a beautiful new Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft in business class. For someone who mostly flies within the USA, it’s simply amazing what Singapore Airlines manages to pull off on a flight under two hours long.
Singapore Airlines 737-8 MAX Business Class Review
I booked my ticket about 26 hours before departure for 20,000 Air Canada Aeroplan miles and 99.70 CAD in taxes and fees. The same ticket was 45,000 United MileagePlus miles or 24,000 Singapore KrisFlyer miles.
After visiting the SilverKris Business Class lounge and KrisFlyer Gold lounge in SIN, I boarded my 828-mile flight to Cambodia. Boarding began 30 minutes before takeoff.
Even in the orderly city-state of Singapore, boarding was slow and rather inefficient. I wish folks would step out of the aisle while getting settled onboard.
Singapore 166
Singapore (SIN) – Sieam Reap (REP)
Thursday, March 23
Depart: 2:30 PM
Arrive: 3:45 PM
Duration: 2hr, 15min (actual flight time 1hr, 50min)
Distance: 828 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 737-8 MAX
Seat: 11A (Business Class)
Onboard, I was warmly greeted by two flight attendants, one of whom pointed to my seat in the first row of business class.
Seat
The 737 MAX 8 is Singapore’s first narrowbody aircraft in many years, unless you count its former Silk Air subsidiary. Business class features 10 Thompson Aero Vantage seats arranged in an alternating 2-2, 1-1 pattern (there are three rows of business class).
“Throne” seats:
Regular seats:
Seats are 22 inches wide and convert into a 76-inch lie-flat bed. “Regional” bedding was provided including a pillow and large blanket.
Individual air vents are available in the passenger service unit above the seat and each seat has a universal A/C plug plus two USB-A sockets.
Singapore begins numbering its business class cabin with 11, so my first row seat was 11 and throne seats were in row 12. An American couple had reserved the throne seats…something I would have done too if traveling with my wife. The throne seats offer more privacy and personal storage, but have less room for your feet than the “standard” seats, especially in row one (the bulkhead provides extra foot room).
As an aside, Singapore Airlines calls rows one and three “business class seats with shared console” and row two “business class seat with two side consoles.” This is the same seat (sans doors you will find in JetBlue Mint class.
What a shame my seatmate across the aisle had no manners…
Business class went out booked 6/10.
Food + Drink
Since I booked more than 24 hours before, I was able to pre-reserve a meal from the “Book The Cook” menu, and I chose my personal favorite dish, rack of lamb.
Prior to departure, drinks were offered and menus distributed.
All three menu options sounded appetizing, but I was excited for the rack of lamb…and it did not disappoint (though I would have liked a second and third portion…).
The meal was served on a single tray and included a seared pepper-crusted tuna salad, main course, bread, and a chocolate dessert (different from the menu, which said sticky date pudding with cream sauce).
I enjoyed a glass of French red wine with my lamb. The lamb rack included mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, parsnips, carrots, spinach, and garlic on the side.
Although cooked a bit too long, it was still tender and nicely flavored.
The lamb was served with a mint sauce and butter sauce on the side, neither of which were necessary.
A choice of bread was offered along with butter, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil.
Yeah, I’d say I enjoyed my meal:
Lavatory
I used the lavatory to wash my hands before lunch and found it very clean, though very small. I loved the cloth towels and facial mist and hand creme from Penhaligon’s (a British perfume house).
IFE + Wi-Fi
Each business class seat has a 16-inch touchscreen with a massive “KrisWorld” library of movies, games, TV shows, and music.
High-quality noise-cancelling headphones were distributed.
In addition to the touchscreen, a handheld passenger service could be used to control the screen.
I spent the flight listening to Andrea Bocelli and looking out the window…it was a beautiful day for flying.
Wi-Fi onboard was complimentary for business class passengers.
While not super fast, the speeds were certainly workable.
Service
The flight attendants onboard could not have been better: they were kind and extremely attentive. It is amazing to think that everything above was pulled off on a flight that was in the air for less than two hours.
Of course, the business model and competitive landscape in East Asia is quite different than in North America, but oh how wonderful it would be to be able to fly from Los Angeles to Denver and enjoy similar service onboard…
CONCLUSION
As we neared Cambodia, landing forms were distributed.
We landed ahead of schedule at the now-closed Siem Reap International Airport (REP), which opened in 1932 and served Siem Reap and Angkor until recently. Now Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI) has opened and this airport is closed.
The new airport has jetbridges, but not REP…
Shorthaul flying on Singapore Airlines is such a pleasure. I could not have asked for anything more on my flight and the 737-8 MAX is quite comfortable in business class.
I flew Siem Reap – Singapore on this aircraft in Jan 2023 and agree with everything you said, Matt. It was a true pleasure.
I haven’t flown the max but I did fly a year and half ago on a Singapore 737-800 and loved the service. Puts domestic first class to shame.
Happy to see they had 22″ wide seats; makes the whole experience even better !
You would think the airline choose to serve satays with peanut sauce in such a short flight.
Which was one of the Book the Cook options.
I eat the satays with beer , not the peanut sauce . I learned my lesson .
How many flight attendants in total were onboard the aircraft?
US airlines could totally do this type of service but not with 4 flight attendants especially if SQ also served meals in coach.
On several occasions I’ve flown on Delta’s former Lion Air 739s and those aircraft have 7 jumpsuits and I was told (not sure if its true or not) that Lion Air would operate their 739s with at least 6 flight attendants and 7 flight attendants on other flights. Delta only using 4 total flight attendants on those same aircraft.
Five FAs – two in J, three in Y.
US carriers don’t provide service that good on Ultra long haul flights. They could; however, serve meals and drink refills on much shorter flights than they do. BA serves meals in J on LHR-BRU/CDG. Those are very short flights, often with large business cabins, and a much fairer comparison than SQ. The real shame is the lack of desire or effort that US FAs put forth.
I guess the big difference between Europe/UK and Asia is the seating…real J seats versus blocked middles.
United served meals on flights of similar length until a few months ago…it just wasn’t the same. At all.
True, but regardless, even in Europe on shorter flights the service is better in terms of the FAs working more.
But even putting aside both Europe and Asia, a better comparison to the US domestic experience is comparing it to Australia in terms of what you get on their domestic short term flights.
How many miles would have cost you if you booked in coach? Just wondering if it made sense to spend more miles for business class on a less than 2 hour flight.
10K (versus the 20K for J).
My wife and I took the same flight in February and enjoyed it immensely. The new airport is pretty nice although it’s a bit of a haul from town. I hope you stayed at the Park Hyatt. It’s an impressive hotel.
How did you get the clean cabin photos if you weren’t first to board in SIN?
After landing.
“For someone who mostly flies within the USA, it’s simply amazing what Singapore Airlines manages to pull off on a flight under two hours long.”
Flying Air Asia, a low cost carrier, or Cebu Pacific, or Citilink, in Asia provide a better experience than flying domestic in the US.
“something I would have done too if traveling with my wife”
Wouldn’t you want the regular seats so you could sit together?
We both like to look out the window and the extra space.
“they were and extremely attentive”
“The new airport has jetbridges, but I did not.”
Spending a few minutes proof-reading before posting wouldn’t be a bad thing…
It’s sad how you get more service on an *economy class* 1 hr domestic hop here in East Asia than a 2 hr flight in domestic First in the US.
I flew Bangkok Airways BKK – CNX in economy. The flight was about an hour long, and we got a full hot meal and a choice of coffee/tea/orange juice on this morning flight. The flight attendants hustled to serve everyone, but we’re still friendly. United will offer you a drink and a snack basket in First on a flight twice as long.
This attests to the undeniable fact,USA and European airlines today reek of stingy,possible exception of LX and LO long haul economy.TK is an example how a slight cultural shift makes an enormous difference in catering in all classes.
I didn’t think you’d have a problem with your seat mate and his feet up. Not on the screen or anything. I’ll have to watch myself next time!
Labor is much more expensive in the USA and Europe. First class cabins are going out full at full price. Not sure what the incentive is for LH and AA to change things up. It’s sad but tough to bemoan. Can always compare to Indian or African domestic flights too
Singapore is one of the wealthiest nations on earth with income levels to match,old chap.
If only that were true.
https://www.jom.media/the-singapore-dream-fades-for-the-sandwich-class/
There’s a huge divide between the rich and poor in Singapore. Have you seen the nanny culture and what they earn? And the nationality of the SIA flight attendants?
It’s astonishing that cabin crew in Asia are still wearing masks. To me this should be banned, certainly in business class. Totally destroys the vibe, and removes any element of friendliness.
And please don’t lecture me with lies. “All Asians have always worn masks.” This is a total lie.
I spent years in Asia before covid and masks were rare then. At this point, it’s mass mental illness.