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sshank · Member Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 377 Location: NYC

EWR-SIN-CGK on SQ

I have been meaning to write a trip report since my epic (in terms of screw up) journey to India last December which included a unplanned 48 hours sojourn in UK and a detour to Manchester (well I spent exactly 1 hour there – which in my opinion is more than enough) thanks to UK’s BAA's inability to keep LHR open after a “blizzard” that dumped all of an inch of snow. And to think these guys ran half the world a mere 70 years ago! The simple EWR-LHR-BLR trip turned out like this: EWR –MAN (divert) –LHR (via Virgin train/Heathrow express) –DEL – VNS as I needed to meet up the rest of my family who were by then already in Varanasi on vacation. Given that the UK visa costs a fortune I guess I should consider this a complementary mini vacation courtesy BA, as I did get to meet some extended relatives I had not seen in a while (that is after I decided I had had enough of the airport hotel).

It was not all bad – I had a BA first award (which helped me get on the first departure to India which was to DEL). On the way back I was on the 77W from BOM with the new F product and which was very good in a understated BA sort of way (similarly BA club is one of my favorite business offering – they don’t go overboard with service etc but still do it in a relaxed classy way that only BA can pull off).

OK now to last month – I had to make a business trip to Jakarta. The Indonesian economy is doing well (like many emerging markets) and it was time to pay a visit. My options from New York were what you would expect – connect in one of the major asian hubs Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul and Singapore. Singapore offered the best connections and was a clear choice, with the added bonus of flying the longest nonstop hop currently operated.

SQ 21 EWR - SIN

The itinerary

At the gate after check in. The gate area is deceptively empty for a widebody departure. Well there are only 100 folks to begin with - our load was 70 odd, and most were at the lounge.

On board the A345, a first for me (now only the pesky A380 remains on the list). Boarding was fairly relaxed - first the PPS folks were boarded, then it was pretty much everyone else!

My lonely planet as I have a day in the end to do some sightseeing.

There was not much by way of traffic at EWR at that hour (11:00 PM) and after a fairly short taxi of <10 minutes it was our turn.
Take off from 4L, I was seated 4A, which meant that I had a view of wonderful Newark NJ! NYC is on the right for those not familiar with EWR.

A mere 17:29 to go at that point.

We would head directly north via the polar route.

I am not exactly sure what this is. This was part of the AVML meal. I think SQ needs to find a new vendor for its AVML meals. Given that even CO's catering on its India flights are leaps better, this is unacceptable.

Was slightly more recognizable and though it was as tasteless as the appetizer. My guess is it was made by some one who has never tasted Indian food, so he mixed up all the right ingredients but somehow missed the taste window. I must say thumbs up to CO for really going the extra mile. CO desi food in business out of EWR is even better than what they manage out of BOM.

View of the northern Canada /arctic region. The rest of the polar region was cloud covered and is most of the time.

Time for a nap. The top part of the seat comes down and makes a bed (as in the side berth in Indian railway sleeper), only this was not as comfortable as the sleeper. I may be in the minority here, I found the SQ seat not that great for sleeping compared to supposedly inferior offerings from the likes of SA, CO, and even BA club. Its gets pretty narrow around your legs and I felt I could use another couple of inches of length.

Trying to get some work done in time for the the second meal roughly 8 hours into the journey. This was admittedly a little better.

Part 2 of the meal. All said, service was as you would expect from SQ, impeccable, the FA was there when you needed and gone when you did not.

View of the interior of the A345, its strange to see such a configuration. 4 across just seems wrong! And to me at least it did not deliver the seat experience I expected.

Its 20 minutes to 5 AM on Wednesday (I left Monday night from EWR) and we make landfall over SIN. I have always found the ships anchored off the sea a lovely sight (pardon the crappy pic).

We landed a few minutes ahead of schedule and made our way to T3. My flight to CGK would be from T2 and I end up on the inter-terminal shuttle soon after.

At T2 looking for the gate for SQ 922.

I could go to the SQ lounge, or do something different. Since this is SIN, I decide to find a good desi breakfast instead. I remembered vaguely that there was a proper south indian place somewhere (and there it was at the upper level). 'Kaveri' is not open yet, and I am told at 6:00 AM sharp I can have my breakfast. So I wait.

Well, here it is!

On board SQ922, operated by 777-300 in with the regional business class. Its a fairly short hop so I guess its no big deal.

Lining up for 20C behind a TG 777.

Soon we are off and a nice view of SIN - a of greenery here!

A better view of all the anchored ships - I guess its no wonder as SIN is now the world's leading port.

Now thats a proper breakfast Smile

Approach to CGK - we seem to be flying over a major distribution center of some sort.

Touching down - looks very India like. CGK turned out to be busy, hectic city - almost a poor mans Bangkok. However, the people were really friendly (more so that say BKK or even SIN).

Overall SQ delivered what I expected - decent product, impeccable service and a very efficient transit at SIN. However, I was not blown away by the hard product and their catering out of EWR, and left me with a new appreciate for how competitive CO's businessfirst is despite its tacky name and the EWR check in experience that is downright disgraceful.

PAL@YWG · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 5:37 am Post subject:

Nice crisp TR, Sshank! Nice pictures!
Disappointed by the layout and look of SQ's business class seating, looks dull!
17.29 hours Non-stop...that's quite an achievement by my standard! I did couple of times YYZ- DEL on AC's 343 & 345s and that's almost streaching to 15 hours. With AC's appalling service in those days, after a certain point of the journey, I just wanted a ladder to get off the plane Laughing

!
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sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Thanks for sharing this nice trip report with us, sshank!
This is also the first trip report on this forum covering the SQ business-only flight, which also is the longest non-stop flight, and CGK!
I remember EWR circa 2005: it was certainly not impressive, to say the least. Not too many power-ports around in the waiting area, too - at that time. I agree with Mr. Pal here on the tired look of the SQ business-only flight - yes, the interiors do look very ordinary. There would have been power ports for laptops/cameras on board, right? The regional business class on SQ does not look very attractive - no PTVs, no power-ports also, I guess. As regards the breakfast - well, the upama, vada, utthapa - all must have been very tasty, but the sambhar - it was served on a paper plate? One would have expected at least a bowl or a container of some sort. For an airline that has food given the final touches on the flight itself, I wonder why they do not consider what would happen if for instance, the vada got soggy.
Cheers, Sumantra.

GuyFromBOM · Member Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 544 Location: VABB

Nice report, with great pics..!
I must say, the seating & meals appear to be a turn-off. My boss prefers CX over SQ, if not a desi carrier, when travelling to the East.

Thanks for sharing, sshank!
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sshank · Member Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 377 Location: NYC

All, thanks for the comments. None of the NYC area airports are what you would call world class (couple of JFK terminals are OK), but CO does an especially poor job with its check in area. Even checking in for businessfirst you do not have one agent per terminal - there is this roving agent you have to flag for passport / visa verification and luggage tagging. Its pretty pathetic actually.

Yes the interiors did look pretty mediocre - but you had a full set of powerport (i.e. you did not need any adapters of any sort). The regional business class is pretty much par for the course - CX offers something similar as well.

The food, I think are just clueless with desi food in terms of handling, so I will give them a pass on that one.

avbuff · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5031

Lovely TR and pictures sshank .... you took the worlds longest flight!

thanks for sharing.

Nimish · Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:45 pm Post subject:

Great report and a routing I'd love to be on at some time Smile

. Of course I'm in the Y only category right now, so I can only dream for now! The unique thing about this flight is probably the low number of pax - boarding must be fun and quick.

Loved the pictures too - esp that initial one with the time remaining!!!
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stealthpilot · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB

Nice TR. 17:29 mins phewww.
The 1-2-1 seating is SQ's new standard for J correct? Any more detail about the seat + area layout?
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