Review: Singapore Airlines 777-300ER First Class

After a successful photo finish in San Francisco to connect just as the doors were closing, my uncle and I settled into the eight-seat first class cabin dripping in sweat. Talk about first class…

Note, this trip report covers my 2013 journey. This is the first time this report has been published. Details on my I publish old trip reports here.

SQ 0015
San Francisco (SFO) – Seoul (ICN)
Tuesday, May 28
Depart: 2:20PM
Arrive: 7:55PM+1
Duration: 12hr35min
Aircraft: 777-300ER
Seat: 1C (First Class)

The lovely Hu introduced herself and offered a cold towel and choice of beverage served with macadamia nuts as the aircraft door promptly shut behind us. There were only two other passengers in first class and a staff of three to take care of us.

Singapore Airlines 777-300ER First Class Seats

The first class cabin featured eight seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. The seats are extremely wide and although not fully enclosed, quite private. Two notes. Singapore is the process of re-configuring its 777-300ER with Premium Economy. In doing so, Singapore will remove half the first class seats leaving just a single row of four seats. Also note that the leather on the seats has been updated to a new style since my trip. But the seats themselves are still the same.

The cabin was only half full, so each passenger had their own seat and the window seat adjacent to them was turned into a bed. Singapore’s oversized first class seats do not transform into beds with the press of a button—the bed must be manually prepared. Although it was only the late afternoon west coast time, our beds were prepared (in the adjacent window seats) and I was able to take an extended nap, about five hours in length.

The beds are comfortable, spacious, and with an added padding also soft. The bedding and pillows were plush and I slept well.

Singapore Airlines 777-300ER First Class Amenity Kit + Pajamas

An amenity kit from Kiehl’s, eye cover, pajamas, slippers, and Bose noise-cancelling headphones were disturbed along with a menu and wine list. I promptly changed into my pajamas just before pushback and the purser was waiting by the door with a hanger to hang my shirt and trousers.

My Pierre was refreshed after takeoff and served with more macadamia nuts. The feast was about to begin. I regret that I left the menu and wine list behind on this flight and therefore am unable to include them in this report.

Singapore Airlines 777-300ER First Class Dining

I used Singapore’s Book the Cook feature on this trip to select main meals online for my Uncle and me on all five flights. For this flight, I chose stuffed chicken breast for the first meal main course. The several other courses remained the same.

Smoked salmon to begin, followed by caviar with all the garnishes and choice of bread.

Krug and a 2003 Vintage of Dom Perignon were offered, but I opted for red wine instead. It was an incredible Bordeaux.

A soup and salad course next—with generous portions. The cream of mushroom soup was excellent and the salad (with feta cheese, pistachios, raisins, and artichokes) was a main course in itself.

Finally came the main course and the stuffed chicken was simply tremendous. Moist, tender, and full of flavor, I was very pleased with my special order.

My uncle had ordered lamb tenderloin and also enjoyed his meal.

After five courses, I opted for a light dessert of fresh berries—it hit the spot.

My uncle had ice cream and cake:

As we neared Seoul, a second full meal service began. I could have skipped it, but Hu insisted that I eat a little something. The first course was a cheese and deli plate with an exquisite pesto spread. Next came the main course. I had ordered sea bass and it was amazing—brimming with flavor. The cooked tomato, asparagus, and potatoes that accompanied it were also perfectly done.

My uncle ordered pork and found it be only mediocre, though perhaps that was because he was still stuffed from lunch.

For dessert, I enjoyed a panna cotta…not that I needed it. Delicious, though.

Food on Singapore Airlines is absolutely delightful in first class.

Singapore Airlines 777-300ER First Class Service

The purser stopped by after the meal service to make small talk and I mentioned that on the return from Australia we would spend a couple nights in Singapore and it would be our first time leaving the airport in Singapore. He lit up and said he would prepare a list of things for us to see.

But he never did, which was the one disappointment on the flight. It was not so much the list that was important as was the purser following through on his promise. I believe he just forgot, as he remained warm and friendly throughout the fight, referring to us by last name and checking on us often, but I would not have expected even this minor service lapse in Singapore First Class.

The crew was amazing, though, including the two ladies who took good care of my uncle and me. Does my uncle’s face not say it all?

Singapore Airlines 777-300ER First Class Lavatory

FAs kept the lavatory spotlessly clean. Ferragamo amenities sat on the counter.

CONCLUSION

The sun finally began to set as we neared Seoul. I finished up watching Jack Reacher (not a bad film) and the purser stopped by to thank us for flying on Singapore and explain the transit process in Seoul. Though the flight continued on to Singapore, all passengers were required to disembark and take their belongings with them.

Despite a slight delay in takeoff…thanks to us…we arrived into Seoul slightly ahead of schedule. I quickly headed to the lounge to catch up on e-mail after being disconnected for 11hrs.

This was my uncle’s first time in international first class and it was a pleasure to see how much he enjoyed the trip. It was also the first time in his life he had tried caviar. His verdict: meh.

This was my first flight in Singapore Airlines first class and I began the journey with extremely high expectations. With the small exception of the purser failing to follow through on his recommendation for Singapore restaurants and attractions, every aspect of the flight met my expectations. Service was great, food was great, and the seat was great—and I would have expected nothing less.

But would the next flight be similarly good? Stay tuned.