After 12.5 hours with Singapore Airlines on SQ 351 from Copenhagen, we finally touched down in Singapore Changi Airport, the world’s best airport. I had 4 hours of layover to spare until my last flight home – Singapore Airlines SQ 912 from Singapore to Manila on a Boeing 777-300 aircraft. Join me in today’s flight report as I walk you through this remarkable 3-hour economy experience on a 15-year old aircraft.
Now that I am on my last flight to Manila, let me walk you through my 19-day European trip last October to November 2019. I started my journey in the Netherlands, around Amsterdam, Utrecht & North Holland. After a few days, I took the bus & went down to Belgium & explored the cities of Brussels, Bruges & Ghent. I flew to Czech Republic & spent 4 days walking around Prague, Kutná Hora & Český Krumlov. Then, I flew to Copenhagen where I spent my last days in Europe. I shared my experiences in these cities in this blog & I placed it under the Going Solo in Europe category.
I also shared by previous flights with Singapore Airlines on my flights from Manila to Singapore, Singapore to Amsterdam & Copenhagen to Singapore under the flight report category. Make sure to check them out! Let’s jump back to this last flight to Manila.
Singapore Airlines
As mentioned in my previous SQ flight report, Singapore Airlines is Singapore’s national carrier. The airline is based in the world’s best airport, Changi Airport in Singapore. This multi-awarded 5-star airline flies to over 60 destinations in more than 30 countries across 5 continents. They are one of the leading carriers in the Southeast Asian Region with the help of their subsidiaries – Silk Air (which operates to some regional destinations) & Scoot (which operates on a low-cost business model). The airline flies both Airbus & Boeing jets & boasts a young fleet of new generation aircraft.
Singapore Airlines is a full-service carrier. They offer free 30-kilogram check-in baggage allowance, in-flight meals & have personal entertainment screens in all of their flights. Please note that their subsidiaries, Silk Air & Scoot, do not offer the same services as the mother airline. The airline is a member of the Star Alliance & has a loyalty program called Krisflyer.
Airfare & Inclusions
As mentioned in my Copenhagen to Singapore flight report, I got this promotional ticket from Manila to Europe via Amsterdam, Netherlands & back from Copenhagen, Denmark for $719.23. My bank charged me ₱37,669.40 for the ticket, including foreign currency conversion charges.
The $720 ticket includes 30-kilograms baggage allowance for all flights, meals (up to 2 in long flights) & snacks on all legs & personal entertainment screen with movies, series & songs on all aircraft. Flying 3 hours each from & to Manila & 12+ hours each to & from Europe for ₱38,000 pesos with an airline like Singapore Airlines was definitely a steal!
Flight & Aircraft Information
This flight from Singapore (SIN) Changi Airport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila, Philippines took 3 hours & 27 minutes. It flew 2,377 kilometers non-stop to Manila. We left Singapore Changi Airport 7 minutes early & arrived Manila Airport 20 minutes earlier than the scheduled arrival time.
This flight was operated by a 15.3-year old (that time) Boeing 777-300 aircraft. It was delivered to Singapore Airlines in 2004 & consistently has been in their fleet. It has 284 seats in total – 8 seats in first class suites (old layout), 50 lie-flat seats in business class (their old game-changer design) on a 1-2-1 layout & 226 economy class seats on a 3-3-3 configuration. Singapore Airlines uses this aircraft only in their short-haul Asian market.
Airport & Transit Experience
Unlike my Copenhagen to Singapore flight, I didn’t have to go through check-in process & immigration again. I already checked-in for this flight when I was in Copenhagen & I was only in Singapore as a transit passenger. Singapore Changi Airport is an excellent airport to transit on. It has facilities & amenities which passengers can enjoy while waiting for their onward flights. Upon arrival, I took the train to Terminal 3 to check Jewel. It was unfortunately not yet operational that day. I went back to Terminal 2 & sat in one of those comfortable chairs with charging outlets & a watched football in the big screen. I fell asleep for an hour & woke up in time for boarding.
Our flight boarded from Gate E26 in Terminal 2. All gates in this terminal have their own final security check before entering the boarding area. Business class, Krisflyer & Star Alliance status holders boarded the plane first. The passengers in the rear economy cabin came next & those in the forward economy section boarded last. Boarding process took about 30 minutes.
In-Flight Product
Seat – Economy class seats on this Boeing 777-300 aircraft are 1 inch bigger than those from the Airbus A350-900 ones at 19 inches. Seat pitch is at 32 inches. Seat recline is generous. Each seat features an adjustable headrest. All economy class seats have the old-style personal entertainment screen with the old-generation remote control. These seats also have a fold-able table with the signature mirror, individual reading light, separate cup holder, coat hook, USB charging outlet & seat pockets full of in-flight literature. The seat was alright for me – the space is great but the ‘look & feel’ is better on the new generation economy class seat.
Meal – Singapore Airlines served a full meal on this 3-hour flight. There were 2 options – fish & chicken meal; I went for the chicken one. This chicken with mashed potato came with tuna salad, bread roll with butter, chocolate mousse for dessert, a cup of water, coffee / tea with milk & another drink of choice – red wine for me. Before I forget, the meal service started with hot towels, crackers & drink of choice (wine again for me) for all passengers.
In-flight Entertainment – All seats on this 15-year old Boeing 777-300 aircraft feature the old-generation 10.6 inches touch-screen personal entertainment screens. The IFE features the old-layout thus hard to navigate. The content (music, movies, series & features) are the same with that of from the Airbus A350-900. I had the flight map open throughout the flight.
Flight Amenities – All economy class passengers were given pillows & earphones for this 3.5-hour flight. Blankets are available upon request. The airline doesn’t give out menu cards & amenity kits for this short-haul flight but has the complete amenities in the toilets.
Cabin Crew Service
Singapore Airline assigned a hospitable set of cabin crew on this flight. They welcomed all passengers with all smiles & made sure everyone is having a great flight. The crew offered snacks after take off & then started with the meal service about an hour into the flight. I didn’t have any issues with the crew on this flight.
Flight Experience
It was another remarkable flight with Singapore Airlines. I was tired from that 12.5-hour journey from Copenhagen to Singapore yet I didn’t mind taking another 3-hour flight with them. Transit & airport experience in Singapore Changi Airport was excellent – no wonder they’re the world’s best airport for a few years now.
This flight was operated by a 15-year old (that time) Boeing 777-300 aircraft. Due to its old age, some of the seat features didn’t work up until the engine was turned on. The entertainment screens were still off & the IFE system was also hot. The seats didn’t have individual air vents. It was hot inside the plane during boarding process. It took a while for the cabin temperature to reach the bearable ‘cold’ point.
These aircraft shortcomings were then overturned by the amazing cabin crew hospitality & the onboard service. Meal service was quick. It started off with hot towels, followed by crackers & drink of choice & then the full meal – all done in 1.5 hours after take-off. It was a full flight so the crew did a great job there. I asked for another round of their signature Singapore Sling drink after the meal service & I was served by the flight crew with his best smile.
The seat was great as always – legroom was good, recline was generous. The personal entertainment system was outdated but its contents were up-to-date. I don’t see the point of refurbishing these seats / IFEs if this aircraft won’t be used in the next 10 years or so. I just prefer the entertainment systems in the newer planes.
No doubt, it was a lovely flight with Singapore Airlines. I didn’t feel I was tired from that 12.5-hour Copenhagen to Singapore flight. Everything, except the aircraft’s age & features (which were inevitable), was great. I look forward to flying with the airline again in the future; I just don’t know where will that be.
For those of you who want to know the technical details of the flight, please see below:
Airline: Singapore Airlines
Flight Date: 10 November 2019
Flight Number: SQ 921
Route: Singapore (SIN) to Manila (MNL) Philippines
Duration: 3:27 hours
Seat Number: 51K
Aircraft: Boeing 777-312
Aircraft Registration: 9V-SYI
Aircraft Engine: 2 x Rolls-Royce Trent 892
Age: 15.3 years old (on the day of the flight)
Year Delivered: 2004
Have you ever flown with Singapore Airlines in the past? How was your experience? Which type of aircraft do you prefer flying with them? Share you thoughts & experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about the flight or the on-board service? You may also send them to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I’ll answer them as soon as I can.
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PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.