Singapore

Flight Report: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 114 – Singapore to Kuala Lumpur – Delayed Short Hop on One of the World’s Busiest International Routes [June 2022]

In 2019, OAG, the world’s leading provider of digital flight information, hailed the Singapore to Kuala Lumpur route as one of the busiest international routes in the airline industry. According to a report made by Simple Flying, in 2019 alone, this route catered to almost 30,000 flights & offered 5.5 million seats on 9 different airlines. The numbers have gone down since the start of the pandemic but according the OAG’s report for the busiest routes for July 2022, this route is the third busiest for the month with 307,848 offered seats. It is also the busiest in Asia, overtaking the previous busiest Hong Kong-Taipei route.

Last 29 June 2022, I had the chance to fly this busy route from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ 114. How did this connecting flight go? Check out the newest flight report below.

In case you missed it, I also flew with Singapore Airlines on the SQ 915 flight from Manila to Singapore before actually taking this flight. Check out the SQ 915 flight report here.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is Singapore’s national carrier. This award-winning world class airline is based in one of the world’s best airports – Singapore Changi Airport. The airline starred as Malayan Airways in 1947; it then re-branded & commenced operations as Singapore Airlines in 1972. The airline has been a top contributor in terms of the world’s revenue passenger kilometers & the number of international passengers carried worldwide.

The airline currently flies to over 60 destinations in more than 30 countries across 5 continents. Singapore Airlines is one of the leading carriers in the Southeast Asian Region with the help of its low-cost subsidiary, Scoot. The airline’s previous regional subsidiary, Silk Air, has been incorporated into SQ’s operations as of March 2021.

Singapore Airline flies a modern aircraft fleet consisting of Airbus A350, Airbus A380, Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 737 Max & Boeing 737-800 NG. The airline is the world’s largest Airbus A350-900 operator with 60 currently in service & 5 more on order. 7 of the 60 Airbus A350’s in service have the ultra-long range (ULR) premium (only business & premium economy class) configuration. These ULRs are mostly used in the North America routes.

Singapore Airlines is a full-service carrier. It means that every flight includes all the necessary in-flight amenities & services you can think of. All SQ tickets include free check-in baggage, meals & in-flight entertainment. The airline has a frequent flyer program called KrisFlyer & PPS Club. The airline is a member of the Star Alliance – one of the world’s biggest airline alliance networks.

Singapore Airlines is not a new airline on this website. In fact, it is the 2^nd most reviewed airline after Cebu Pacific Air.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Airfare

As mentioned in my previous SQ 915 Manila to Singapore flight report, I only paid US$146.69 for the return ticket from Manila to Kuala Lumpur via Singapore. The ticket initially cost US$199.70. I redeemed 7,665 KrisFlyer miles (which I earned back in 2019 from my trip to Europe) & got the ticket for the lower price mentioned above.

My bank charged me ₱7,926.12 including foreign currency conversion charges. As mentioned in my previous post, I think it was really a great deal from Singapore Airlines. The ticket already included 25 kilograms baggage allowance on all 4 flights, inflight meals, inflight entertainment & 5-star cabin crew service from one of the world’s best airlines. Believe it or not, this SQ ticket was cheaper than the tickets sold by the country’s low-cost airlines at the time of booking. The tickets from these LCCs cost around ₱10,000 without any add-on.

This Singapore Airlines ticket was definitely a steal! Glad I thought of using my KrisFlyer miles before they even expire.

In case you missed it, I post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA Air, Indonesia Air Asia, Singapore Airlines , Philippine Airlines & Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Travel Requirements

Malaysia is now open to tourists. However, it’s not like before that you can enter with only your passports. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the country has imposed some entry requirements for all arriving passengers. Entry protocols depend on the person’s vaccination status.

As of 1 May 2022, fully-vaccinated passengers are exempted from providing a negative RT-PCR test result. They also don’t need to undergo quarantine upon arrival & to present proof of travel insurance. Fully-vaccinated passengers only need to register to the MySejahtera mobile application. They also need to verify their vaccination status in the application & fill-out the traveler section at least 3 days before the trip. Each fully-vaccinated passenger will be issued a Digital Travelers Card (Blue Traveler Card) which will be checked during check-in.

Partially-vaccinated or unvaccinated passengers are required to provide a negative RT-PCR test pre-departure; take a supervised antigen test within 24 hours of arrival & undergo 5 days of quarantine upon arrival. They also need to download & register to the MySejahtera mobile application. Partially-vaccinated or unvaccinated passengers will be issued a Digital Home Surveillance Order (Red Traveler Card) which will be checked during check-in.

Please take note that Malaysia has a different definition of vaccination status depending on the type of vaccine you received. For more details about this & for the country’s updated entry requirements, you may head to the government’s MySafeTravel website. You may also check Singapore Airline’s Covid-19 Information page for additional information.

Before The Flight

Like my Manila to Singapore flight on SQ 915, I also received an email reminding me to check the entry requirements of my destination country. The e-mail arrived days after booking this flight & contained helpful links where I can find the said entry requirements.

I did not receive an upgrade offer for this flight (the business class cabin was full) but I got a check-in reminder from the Singapore Airlines mobile application 48 hours before this flight. I checked in for this flight together with the Manila to Singapore leg & had the chance to choose my seat free of charge.

Flight Information

This Singapore to Kuala Lumpur SQ flight was operated by a 7-year-old Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft. This 737 NG aircraft was originally delivered to then SQ subsidiary, Silk Air, in August 2015 & was converted to a Singapore Airlines aircraft in April 2021. The plane has 12 business class seats & 150 economy class seats.

The plane took off from Singapore Changi Airport an hour behind schedule at 1:49pm & landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at exactly 2:32pm. This short international flight only took 43 minutes & covered a distance of 297 kilometers or 185 miles.

Ground & Airport Experience

This Singapore to Kuala Lumpur flight is a continuation of my first flight from Manila to Singapore. I only stayed on the airside of Singapore Changi Airport.

CHANGI AIRPORT TRANSIT EXPERIENCE

Transit process during this flight was back to pre-pandemic times – no negative Covid-19 test result of proof of vaccination required. Passengers must have both flights under 1 booking or itinerary & have their checked-in luggage tagged from their airport of origin to their final destination to enjoy a seamless transit experience at Singapore Changi Airport.

My flights to Kuala Lumpur were booked under one itinerary (shown above) & my bags were already tagged up to Kuala Lumpur when I checked in for the flight in Manila Airport. I had a very quick but fun transit experience at Singapore Changi Airport before this flight to Kuala Lumpur. I walked around Terminal 3 for a few minutes & checked out the shops & restaurants in the terminal. The airport facilities are still one of the best in the world – very modern & efficient. Too bad Jewel Changi Airport was not accessible (even via inter-terminal trains like before) to transit passengers.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After walking around Changi Airport Terminal 3, I went straight to our assigned gate. Our boarding gate opened an hour before the flight. I went through final security, then waited for boarding. Gate A16 shares a spacious waiting area with other gates. These gates were mostly used for smaller regional flights departing Singapore. At 12:33pm (18 minutes after the scheduled boarding time), the ground staff announced that boarding will be further delayed by 15 minutes due to the late aircraft turnaround.

BOARDING

Boarding started late at 12:55pm. Business class passengers, KrisFlyer, PPS & Star Alliance status holders boarded the aircraft first. Economy class passengers seated in the rear cabin came next. Forward economy class passengers, including myself, boarded the plane last. The boarding process lasted for 30 minutes. Cabin doors were closed at exactly 1:25pm.

Inflight Product & Experience

SEAT FEATURES

This Singapore to Kuala Lumpur flight was operated by a Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft. The plane has 12 business class recliner seats on a 2×2 configuration & 150 regular economy class seats on a 3×3 configuration. According to SeatGuru, each business class seat has a seat pitch of 38 inches & a seat width of 22 inches. On the other hand, economy class seats have a pitch of 30 inches & seat width of 17 inches.

All seats have adjustable headrests, individual reading lights & air vents. Seats also feature a tray table, seat pocket with aircraft safety card & universal power outlets under the seat. Pillows, blankets & earphones were not provided on this short flight.

INFLIGHT DRINK SERVICE

Singapore Airlines stated in the ticket that this flight won’t have a meal service due to its short duration. Instead of meals, the cabin crew gave out drinks after the seatbelt sign was turned off. Choices included apple juice, coffee, tea & water. Passengers also had the option to request for special drinks like soft drinks or beer. Crackers were also available by request.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

The Boeing 737-800 NG used for this flight doesn’t have personal entertainment screens. Passengers can enjoy KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines’ entertainment system, on their own personal devices. They only need to connect to KrisWorld after take-off. Passenger safety video was shown on the foldable screens found under the overhead cabins.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft are not equipped with Wi-Fi. This includes the aircraft used for this flight.

LAVATORY

This short hop to Kuala Lumpur only lasted for 43 minutes. I didn’t have the chance to visit the lavatory because I was seated in a window seat.

Cabin Crew Service

The cabin crew assigned on this aircraft were lovely, polite & service-oriented. The greeted all passengers upon boarding & during disembarkation with their best smiles. They catered to all the needs & special requests of passengers during the drink service.

Disembarkation & Baggage Claim

All passengers disembarked in an orderly manner. Those seated in the forward economy cabin disembarked first. All passengers had to take the airport train to the main terminal building to clear immigration. After immigration, all bags were already ready for pick-up in the assigned baggage belt.

Final Thoughts

It was a so-so flight with Singapore Airlines. The flight remains outstanding in terms of the hard product & services offered onboard, but its lacking in some aspects.

I enjoyed the following because of the following. First, the transit experience at Singapore Changi Airport was smooth & efficient. No additional documents & tests are required. Second, the lack of personal entertainment screens didn’t hinder the airline from providing onboard entertainment options. KrisWorld was still accessible on passengers’ personal devices. Third, they provided onboard refreshments / drinks for this short 43-minute hop to Kuala Lumpur. They had a great selection of drinks to choose from & even had some available by request. Fourth, the cabin hard product remains competitive in this 7-year-old aircraft. The seats remain comfortable & the headrests are useful. Lastly, the cabin crew hospitality on this flight was topnotch.

This flight also had areas in which they could further improve. First, the ground staff didn’t provide updates about the flight status. We were scheduled to board the aircraft around 12:15pm but we were only told about the delayed boarding schedule at 12:33pm. The delay would have been bearable if ground staff had kept the passengers informed of the flight’s status. Second, the boarding process was chaotic. Only the business class passengers & status holders boarded the plane in an orderly manner. Some economy class passengers didn’t follow instructions & boarded at their own convenience. This resulted to longer waiting times on the jet bridge. The whole boarding process took 30 minutes, slower than my Manila to Singapore flight that only took 26 minutes with almost double the number of passengers. Lastly, I hope the airline can improve their snack service on board this short flight. I’ve flown other airlines which offered nuts (Malaysia Airlines) or cookies (Philippine Airlines) plus drinks for flights less than an hour.

Nevertheless, it was an okay flight with Singapore Airlines. I don’t mind flying with them again in the future. In fact, if there’s an affordable ticket to anywhere with the airline, I will still grab it.

For those who want to know more details of this flight, check out the items below:

Airline: Singapore Airlines
Flight Date: 29 June 2022
Flight Number: SQ 114
Route: Singapore (SIN) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
Duration: 43 minutes
Seat Number: 51K
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800 Next Generation
Aircraft Registration: 9V-MGL
Engines: 2 x CFM International CFM56-7B27E
Age: 7 years old
Delivered: August 2015

Have you recently flown Singapore Airlines on their Singapore to Kuala Lumpur route? What do you think of the airlines offerings on the said route? Feel free to share your comments & recent experiences in the comments section below. Do you have a question about the airline or this flight? You may post them in the comments below. If you are shy to post below, you may send your questions, experiences & thoughts via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report! Watch out for my onward flight from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur also on Singapore Airlines. In the meantime, you may check out my previous flight reports here. Before you go, can you visit my social media channels –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Flight Report: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 915 – Manila to Singapore – First International Flight After 31 Months [June 2022]

You read the title right! After 31 months of being in the Philippines, I finally flew out of the country again. The last time I went out of the Philippines was when I flew to Europe in 2019 via Singapore. Believe it or not, my last flight out of the country was also on Singapore Airlines SQ 915 back in October 2019. How does this recent SQ 915 flight compare to the pre-pandemic Singapore Airlines flight experience? We’ll find out in this flight report!

Singapore Airlines

Airfare

Late May 2022, I randomly saw an affordable ticket to Kuala Lumpur on Singapore Airlines for travel within 30 days. With borders now opening & Malaysia dropping the test entry requirements, I decided to immediately book this ticket to Kuala Lumpur.

The return ticket initially cost US$199.70. I used up my KrisFlyer miles (earned when I flew with Singapore Airlines to Europe in 2019) before they expire in the next 12 months. The ticket price went down to just US$146.69 including 7,665 redeemed KrisFlyer miles.

The ticket included 4 flights in economy class – Manila to Singapore, Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur to Singapore & Singapore to Manila – with 1.5-hour layovers at Singapore Changi Airport both ways. The ticket also includes 25-kilogram baggage allowance on all sectors, inflight meals & snacks & even inflight entertainment on board.

My bank charged me ₱7,926.12 including foreign currency conversion charges. It was a really good deal from Singapore Airlines considering the current world market situation & inflated fuel prices. For context, other airlines’ ticket prices were around ₱10,000 to ₱15,000 return at the time of booking this SQ ticket. Some of these airlines don’t even include baggage & meals in the ticket prices.

Travel Requirements

I am only transiting at Singapore Changi Airport & I’m flying to Kuala Lumpur afterwards. On the day of the flight, Singapore does not have any requirements for transiting passengers as long as the passenger has an onward connecting flight under the same booking reference number. Those with split bookings will be required to fulfill the entry requirements of Singapore. Check out the requirements for my flight to Kuala Lumpur & transit in Singapore as per the airline’s website a day before this flight.

Singapore Airlines regularly updates their travel requirements page. You can find the latest destination & transit requirements on this page.

Before The Flight

Days after I booked my flight, Singapore Airlines sent an e-mail reminding me to check the entry & transit requirements for my trip. The e-mail had links where I could check the entry protocols for each flight.

3 days before my flight, the airline sent an e-mail informing me about mySQupgrade. It is their instant upgrade program from economy to business class for a hefty price. The instant upgrade offer cost around ₱30,000 – almost 4 times the price of my return ticket. I did not avail of this upgrade offer.

2 days before this flight, the Singapore Air mobile application notified me that my flight is already open for online check-in. I immediately checked-in for my flight to Singapore & onward flight to Kuala Lumpur & chose forward section seats for both flights. The airline allows passengers to choose their seats for free during online check-in.

Flight Information

This Manila to Singapore Singapore Airlines flight was operated by an Airbus A350-900 aircraft delivered in February 2021. This A350 has the airline’s 2-class regional configuration with 40 seats in business class & 263 seats in economy class.

The flight departed Manila at exactly 8:00am from Runway 06/24 & landed Singapore Changi Airport at 10:58am. It only took 2 hours & 58 minutes to reach Singapore. The flight was generally quiet & stable; not much turbulence happened.

Airport & Ground Experience

AIRPORT CHECK-IN

Singapore Airlines segregated check-in counters per cabin class & frequent flyer status. KrisFlyer & Star Alliance status holders & business class passengers have dedicated check-in counters. Economy class passengers have their own queues as well. Economy class passengers who checked in online have a separate & a faster queue.

I already checked in 2 days before so I lined up at the internet check-in queue. The lady at the counter checked my vaccination certificate & travel requirements for Malaysia & then issued my boarding passes to Singapore & Kuala Lumpur. She also weighed my carry-on bag & advised that passengers are only allowed up to 2 carry-on bags each. The whole check-in process took about 25 minutes; it was not as fast as my previous SQ 915 flight in 2019.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After immigration & security check, I walked to Gate 110 where we’ll board our flight to Singapore. The airline divided the pre-departure area into groups according to their assigned seats on the plane. KrisFlyer & Star Alliance status holders & business class passengers were assigned at Groups 1 to 3. Economy class passengers seated at the rear of the aircraft were placed in Group 4. Those in the middle were assigned to Group 5. I, together with the other passengers assigned in the forward economy cabin, were placed under Group 6.

BOARDING

Boarding commenced 30 minutes before the flight at 7:10am. Business class passengers & status holders under Groups 1 to 3 were asked to board the aircraft first. Passengers who require assistance & those traveling with kids & infants boarded next. Economy class groups 4 & 5 followed. Our group, group 6, boarded the plane last.

Economy class passengers were offered earphones at the jet bridge, just a few steps before the aircraft door. The friendly Singapore Airlines cabin crew welcomed every guest & directed them to the aisle where they will walk to their seats. The whole boarding process only took 26 minutes. Aircraft doors were closed at 7:36am.

Inflight Product & Experience

Singapore Airlines is a full-service airline. This means that the airline features personal entertainment screens, has a more comfortable seat & provides inflight meals & drinks. Check out what Singapore Airlines offers on this flight from Manila to Singapore.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

SEAT FEATURES

This Manila to Singapore flight was operated by an Airbus A350-900 with 40 lie-flat business class seats & 263 standard economy seats. According to SeatGuru, each business class seat has a 60-inch seat pitch & 28-inch seat width. The seats have a 1-2-1 configuration, with each seat having direct aisle access. All business class seats are equipped with a large personal entertainment screen paired with noise-canceling headphones. Each seat also includes a pillow, a blanket, several storage spaces & a large tray table.

Economy class seats have a seat pitch of 28 inches & seat width of 18 inches – slightly bigger than the Boeing 787-10’s 17.5 inches seat width. Each seat comes with a spacious leg room, an adjustable headrest & a personal entertainment screen. Seats also feature a seat pocket with inflight safety cards, a fold-able tray table with mirror, a coat hook, small storage space below the screen, a fold-able cup holder, a USB charging outlet & a universal power outlet in between seats. Pillows & blankets are now available by request.

Check out the screenshot below for the amenities available on this flight:

Singapore Airlines’ economy class seats provide more than what you actually need for a 3-hour flight. The seats & adjustable head rests were comfortable.

INFLIGHT MEAL

The airline offered a complimentary hot meal on this flight to Singapore. Physical menus have been phased out & meal menus can be accessed through the airline’s onboard connectivity service. Passengers had 2 options – Chicken Adobo & Egg Tortilla. I chose the Chicken Adobo meal & was surprised that it still came with a yogurt, a bread roll with butter & drink of choice (coffee, tea, wine, beer, water or juice). I know Singapore Airlines announced in 2020 an enhanced economy class dining experience for short haul flights under 3.5 hours. I expected meals to come in food boxes with sustainable tableware, but I guess the Manila-Singapore-Manila routes were not included in the said changes. I’ve added screenshots below of the menu for this flight.

The chicken adobo tasted great; the meat was full of flavor. The food portions were just right for a 3-hour flight. The crew went around after the meal service to offer a 2^nd round of drinks to passengers. An hour after the meal service, I asked for their signature Singapore Sling drink – still their best drink onboard.

I love how the airline continues to use metal cutlery on this route instead of disposable plastic tableware. I hope they can find an alternative for the plastic cups. Oh, one thing! I noticed that they had already removed the towel service before the meal service.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Krisworld, Singapore Airline’s entertainment system, offers thousands of options to choose from. They have hundreds of movies & TV shows to watch, thousands of songs to listen to, games to play & a few local media content to check out. All these options can be accessed via the touch screen personal entertainment screens found in front of every seat. The touch screen screens were responsive & easy to navigate. It also showed the flight path & even details of onward connecting flights. The provided earphones were alright. They aren’t noise canceling but they did its job.

Krisworld also gives frequent flyers the option to personalize their experience. The system asks for the passengers KrisFlyer membership number & then shows the passenger’s favorites or the last song, movie to television show he/she watched / left unfinished. I hope Singapore Airlines install cameras in their A350’s which passengers can access / view during flights.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

Singapore Airlines offered Wi-Fi service on this flight. PPS Club members & business class passengers are given 100MB of data to use up during the flight. The airline also gives complimentary 2 hours of messaging service to KrisFlyer members in economy class. Non-members can opt to either register to KrisFlyer to avail of the data plans on board. Check out the data plans below (rate as of writing this blog) as per the airline’s website.

LAVATORY

I didn’t get the chance to visit the lavatory on this short hop to Singapore. I got a window seat; my neighbor by the aisle was asleep most of the flight.

Cabin Crew Service

Cabin crew service is one area where Singapore Airlines excels the most. The crew on this flight to Singapore were super friendly & accommodating. They welcomed all passengers with their best smiles, served the meals with the happiest faces & catered to the passenger’s needs with utmost attention. They made sure all passengers had an enjoyable onboard experience. The cabin crew service made this flight even more memorable. Thank you, SQ!

Disembarkation & Baggage Claim

Passengers disembarked in an orderly manner. Business class passengers headed out first, followed by economy passengers in the forward cabin. The rest of the passengers came next. I didn’t go straight to baggage claim since I was in Singapore only for transit.

Final Thoughts

It was another memorable flight with Singapore Airlines. Aside from it being my first international flight out of the Philippines since the pandemic, it turned out as how excellent flights should be – with or without the current crisis. The pandemic may have changed some onboard amenities, but it didn’t stop Singapore Airlines from offering a world-class flight experience on this flight to Singapore.

I enjoyed this flight because of the following. First, the ticket price was cheaper than the Philippines-based low-cost carriers. It even provided more value than those from LCCs. Second, the cabin is clean & very modern. Third, the cabin crew service was topnotch. Fourth, the pandemic may have happened, but the airline has not downsized meal service on their Manila to Singapore flights. It had the same portions, 2 options & sides & even retained the metal cutlery with it.

Fifth, they offered a 2-hour complimentary messaging service to KrisFlyer members. The Wi-Fi service was good. They had connectivity issues but overall worked fine. Sixth, the entertainment system remained updated & competitive. They have the latest movies & TV series seasons. They even had the list of connecting flights & respective boarding gates for those with connecting flights. Lastly, the pandemic has forced the airline to digitalize some onboard amenities. Inflight menus & magazines are now digital.

I noticed some services have been downsized compared to how they were pre-pandemic. First, the towel service prior to the meal service has been omitted. Second, pillows are no longer provided in every seat. They are now available by request. These are only minor & have not affected the overall flight experience.

So happy I was able to try their signature Singapore Sling drink onboard. Can’t wait for the next!

At this stage, I will choose to fly with Singapore Airlines over any Asian airline. I’ve had high expectations from the airline & I can confidently say that they delivered. I cannot wait for my next flight with them. Thank you, Singapore Airlines for this enjoyable flight to your home country, Singapore!

Allow me to share with you the technical details of the flight & the aircraft used. Please see below:

Airline: Singapore Airlines
Flight Date: 29 June 2022
Flight Number: SQ 915
Route: Manila (MNL) to Singapore (SIN)
Duration: 2 hours & 58 minutes
Seat Number: 44A
Aircraft: Airbus A350-941
Aircraft Registration: 9V-SHU
Engines: 2 x Rolls-Royce Trent XWB
Age: 1.4 years old
Delivered: February 2021

Have you recently flown with Singapore Airlines? What do you think of their service after the dark ages of the pandemic? Feel free to share your recent experiences in the comments section below. Do you have a question about the airline or this flight? You may post them in the comments below. If you are shy to post below, you may send your questions, experiences & thoughts via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

P’s List: 6 Asian Countries To Revisit After The Pandemic

7 months into the lockdown, we’re still stuck at our own homes. While some provinces have restarted tourism, leisure travel to most countries remain prohibited. I don’t know if restrictions will be eased soon but I hope you are coping well with the pandemic. Our health & well-being is far more important than anything today.

Last August, I shared with you the list of Philippine destinations I won’t get tired of visiting. I hope I can visit these destinations or at least go home to the province soon. While I’m still suck here in Manila, allow me to share with you these 6 Asian countries I plan to visit after the pandemic.

JAPAN

First in my list is the land of the rising sun, Japan. Well, Japan is Japan. I’ve visited this country more than any other country I’ve been to & I keep on coming back. Japan has a perfect mix of cultural preservation & societal development. The country is advanced in all aspects & at the same time has the most preserved culture & tradition. I can’t wait to go back to the bustling shopping street of Shinsaibashi-suji & Dōtonbori in Osaka, the peaceful town of Fujikawaguchiko & the busy Shibuya crossing in Tokyo. I also plan to visit for the first time the cities of Himeji, Kanazawa & Toyama.

Aside from Japan’s culture & advancements, the other reasons why I want to go back to Japan are because of their food, groceries & public transportation. I’ve always loved Japanese food; I am a big fan of it. I love eating out in authentic ramen restaurants, in popular wagyu places & even in small food stalls.

I miss going to Japanese supermarkets & buying my favorite 1-liter Lipton milk drink. I also miss going through the interesting food & non-food items I see & buying them because I found them nice. The country’s public transportation system is my favorite in the whole world. Their public transportation system is efficient, on time & clean. I normally don’t take buses outside the Philippines, but I don’t mind taking them all the time in Japan.

JAPAN Blog List:
The 2015 Japan Series | 1 of 3: TOKYO
The 2015 Japan Series | 2 of 3: KYOTO
The 2015 Japan Series | 3 of 3: OSAKA
How I enjoyed a 9-day 2015 Japan trip for less than ₱40,000 ALL IN!
2016 Going Solo in Japan Series: NAGOYA
2016 Going Solo in Japan Series: HIROSHIMA
2016 Going Solo in Japan Series: KYOTO & OSAKA
2016 Going Solo in Japan Series: NARA & KOBE
2016 Going Solo in Japan Series: FUKUOKA
2016 Going Solo in Japan: 13 days & 7 cities for less than ₱50,000
2017 Outside Popular Japan Cities: FUJIKAWAGUCHIKO – Mount Fuji In Its Glory
2017 Outside Popular Japan Cities: TAKAYAMA – Gifu Prefecture’s Little Kyoto
2017 Outside Popular Japan Cities: Fujikawaguchiko & Takayama On A Budget – 7 Days For Less Than ₱35,000
2018 Hokkaido Winter Series: SAPPORO – A Winter Paradise City
2018 Hokkaido Winter Series: OTARU – An Afternoon In The Nearby Historical Harbor City
2018 Hokkaido Winter Series: SAPPORO TEINE RESORT & HOHEIKYO ONSEN – Recommended Day Trips From Sapporo City
2018 Outside Popular Japan Cities: Fujikawaguchiko & Takayama On A Budget – 7 Days For Less Than ₱35,000
Japan Highlights 2019: TOKYO – 36 Hours In The Land Of The Rising Sun’s Most Famous Metropolis
Japan Highlights 2019: NAGANO – 48 Hours In The Inland Prefecture Of The Snow Monkeys
Japan Highlights 2019: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN – A Theme Park That Brings You Back To Being A ‘Kid’ Just For A Day
Japan Highlights 2019: KYOTO – Japan’s Ancient Capital In One Day
Japan Highlights 2019: NARA – A Morning Visit To The Deer Park
Japan Highlights 2019: MATSUMOTO & FUKUOKA Stopovers
Last-Minute 2019 Japan Weekend: 48 Hours in FUKUOKA For Less Than ₱12,500 – Flights & Hostel Included

TAIWAN

The second country in my list is Taiwan. I’ve been to this country thrice & I am still amazed by its beauty. The country has an amazing cities & countryside, an interesting history & a nice bunch of locals. One thing I enjoy about the Taiwan is their long list of street food & restaurants to try.

Once the pandemic is over, I will fly back to the country for a weekend only to eat – to have beef noodles, xiao long bao, pepper buns, bubble tea & a lot more. The country has extended their visa-free scheme to Filipinos until July 2021 so anyone can go. Who’s with me? Let’s go!

TAIWAN Blog List:
Throwback Thursday Treat: 2015 Yay Hey Taipei
2017 TAIPEI Revisited: 3-Day Weekend in the Heart of Asia (Less than ₱15,000 all in!!!)
2019 TAICHUNG Photo Blog: Picturesque Places Outside Taipei
2019 YEHLIU-JIUFEN-SHIFEN Klook Tour – Perfect & Hassle-Free Taiwan Northeast Coast Day Tour
2019 TAIWAN All Over Again – Family Long Weekend In Taipei
P’s List: 12 Taiwanese Treats Worth Lining Up For

SOUTH KOREA

I’ve been to South Korea twice (Seoul for 11 days in 2014 & Seoul & Busan for 13 days in 2015) & I feel like it’s time to go back to the country. I already miss walking along & shopping Myeong-dong’s retail street, hopping around Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung & Deoksugung Palaces & having my favorite gyeran-ppang (egg bread), odeng (fish cake), bibimbap, dak-galbi (spicy stir-fried chicken), pajeon (green onion pancake) & chicken & beer. We have nice many nice Korean restaurants here in the Philippines but we can’t beat the authentic experience when in the Land of Kimchi. Anyone fancy a spring or autumn shopping & food-trip weekend in Seoul?

SOUTH KOREA Blog: Tuesday Tip: 8 GO-TO PLACES in SEOUL during AUTUMN

THAILAND

I visited Bangkok, Krabi, Ao Nang, Koh Lipe, Phuket & Ayutthaya in the past & I can say I’ve had great memories in these cities. From cheap but really nice hostels, authentic 40-baht pad thai to crazy party nights around Khao San Road & Ao Nang, Thailand is the best place to have a good time. It also has beautiful sights such as the Grand Palace in Bangkok & the different temples in Ayutthaya. I’m dying to visit Wat Arun (yes, I haven’t been there), Chatuchak Weekend Market & Chao Praya River. I was supposed to visit Bangkok last August but the pandemic happened. I also want to take a side trip up north to Chiang Mai for some quiet time with nature.

THAILAND Blog List:
IT’S THE SHIP 2018 – 4 Days & 3 Nights Of Non-Stop Parties On Board Genting Dream Cruise
Throwback Thursday Treat: Bangkok Weekend – All About Reunions, New Friends & Unplanned Adventures
Throwback Thursday Treat: KOH LIPE – The Maldives of Thailand

Singapore is my second most-visited country Japan. I’ve been to this country many times & I still keep on coming back. I may not have stayed longer than my previous visits, but I make sure to have a quick hop around the city. A visit to Singapore won’t be complete without going to the Merlion statue, Marina Bay Sands complex, Gardens by the Bay, Haji Lane, Bugis & Orchard Road.

A weekend in Singapore is ideal after the pandemic – a time to visit some friends, to have some Hainanese chicken & chili crab & to experience some organized city chaos – if you know what I mean. I also fancy a visit & walk around their beautiful Changi Airport.

SINGAPORE Blog List:
Throwback Thursday Treat: 2016 New Year in Singapore
2018 SINGAPORE Stopover: Quick & Packed 24 Hours In The Lion City
IT’S THE SHIP 2018 – 4 Days & 3 Nights Of Non-Stop Parties On Board Genting Dream Cruise
Tuesday Tip: SINGAPORE Tipid Hits – 9 Ways to Explore On A Budget

VIETNAM

I may not have been to Vietnam as many times as the countries above but Vietnam is definitely on to-go list after the pandemic. My first & last visit to the country was a trip to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in May 2014. I fell in love with the people’s simple way of living & the country’s food. Vietnamese food is amazing – it’s tasty, affordable & good for the health! I can’t wait to have a hot bowl of phở and/or bún bò huế partnered with fresh or fried spring rolls & a bottle of Bia Saigon Lager.

My friends & I were supposed to fly to Saigon days before the lockdown last March but we were forced to cancel it last minute. I need to go back to Saigon to watch the water puppet show, to eat more Vietnamese food, to visit some friends & to visit Hoi An. I also plan to fly to the country’s capital city, Hanoi, to see what the northern city has to offer. I’ve heard some good stories about the city; I’m excited to experience them first hand.

VIETNAM Blog: Throwback Thursday Treat: 2014 N9 Weekend in Saigon

Do you also have these countries in your post-covid travel list? If yes, which one do you plan to visit first & why? Share your plans in the comments section below. Who knows, we might see each other in one of those countries above! Do you have questions about anything mentioned above? Don’t hesitate to send them via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Please please please also follow me on my social media pages – Facebook & Instagram.

Let’s do our part by going out only when needed & by wearing face masks when going out. I know we’re all stuck here but I believe we can all go back to travelling in the right time. For the meantime, stay indoors, safe & healthy! ❤️

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC One M8, HTC Re & HTC U11.

A Dream Come True: 19 DAYS Around NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, CZECH REPUBLIC & DENMARK for Less Than ₱120,000 – Airfare, Accommodation & 12-Hour Singapore Stopover Included

Last October to November 2019, I flew to Europe all by myself for 19 days & went around Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark. I never thought this trip that took 7 years to plan would finally happen & that I would do everything alone & DIY – no help from any travel agency, consultant or whatsoever. If you’ve been following me the last few months, I’ve shared every single detail of this Euro trip from city itineraries, flight reports, to hostels & even local food. You can find all posts under the Going Solo in Europe category.

Going to Europe for a long trip like this is not a cheap trip to do. Some people spend hundreds of thousands on airfare & accommodation & add probably another hundred for food, pocket money & tours. I didn’t have that much savings for this kind of expensive trip so I did a lot of research to make it happen in a relatively affordable budget. AND I DID IT! I flew to Europe for 19 days around 4 countries including airfare, accommodation & a 12-hour Singapore stopover for less than ₱120,000 all in. Let me share with you how I made this trip of a lifetime possible.

Disclaimer: There are ways to make this trip even cheaper than what I spent – staying in cheaper hostels, taking low-cost carriers / buses with cutting trips, etc. – but I wanted to make it special (as a first time) & splurged a bit on some parts like food (& beers), high-rated hostels & better transportation options. Also, I only chose to visit 4 countries instead of hopping on from one country to the other after a day or two to have a better appreciation of every country / city. I am not a fan of rushed trips; I enjoy staying longer in one place or country.

In case you missed it last week, I posted an article on 11 Europe thrift hacks that I did on this trip. These thrift hacks helped me save on some expenses like food & tours. Check out that article here.

Air Tickets

I took the risk & booked a return ticket to Europe with Singapore Airlines during their January promotion with BPI Credit Cards. I got the economy class ticket from Manila to Amsterdam via Singapore & Copenhagen to Manila via Singapore for only 719.23 USD. The ticket includes 30-kilogram baggage allowance on all sectors, in-flight meals & snacks, personal entertainment screens & their 5-star Singaporean hospitality. My BPI credit card charged me ₱37,669.40 including foreign transaction fees. Not bad for a ticket to Europe considering it’s with Singapore Airlines, right?

Months before the trip, I figured out the route I’ll take & the countries I’ll visit. Then, I booked air tickets for my inter-European transfers. Train tickets were more expensive & would take a few changes while bus trips, even if cheap, will take ages & a few transfers before you reach the next city / country. I paid €67,40 for a plane ticket from Brussels, Belgium to Prague, Czech Republic on Brussels Airlines. I booked another ticket from Prague, Czech Republic to Copenhagen, Denmark on Czech Airlines for 1,588 Kč. Both tickets include 23-kilogram check in baggage. I got charged ₱4,000.85 & ₱3,658.88, respectively for these 2 tickets.

I booked these 3 tickets without a Schengen tourist visa. Some people don’t recommend this, but I took the risk & did it. I was confident that time that I will be granted visa for this trip & luckily, I got one.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Europe is not cheap. A dormitory bed in a hostel costs about €30 to €40 a night, depending on the room configuration & location. Hotels & private rooms are more expensive. I can’t afford them. I booked my hostels 4 months into the trip. All these hostel bookings had free cancellation options if I don’t push through. I became picky with the hostels I’ll stay with since it was my first time in Europe. I stayed in popular & high-rated hostels found in central & well-recommended locations.

I stayed with Generator Hostel in Amsterdam (₱8,885.82 for 4 nights – paid in Philippine Peso), Sleep Well Youth Hostel in Brussels (€122 for 4 nights – paid during check-in), DREAM Hostel in Prague (1,790 Kč for 4 nights – paid via credit card on check-in) & Steel House in Copenhagen (US$ 116.24 for 4 nights – paid via Agoda). I paid ₱26,117.54 for 16 nights in these 4 countries – roughly ₱1,632.25 per night in Philippine Peso or €28,49 per night in Euros. I think I still got a good deal from these hostels! It would’ve been cheaper if booked my stay at least 8-10 months before.

Travel Insurance

Schengen tourist visa applications require a travel insurance with up to €30,000 medical coverage for the duration of the trip, some even up to 15 to 30 days after the trip. I got my travel insurance coverage online from Standard Insurance; I got their Travel Protect Policy which covers up to €37,500 medical coverage for 19 days. I paid ₱1,918 for the 19-day coverage.

Tourist Visa

I applied for my own Schengen tourist visa with VFS Netherlands. The visa fee cost €60 (₱3,420) + ₱901 VFS handling fee. I opted for the passport delivery service instead of picking up my passport in the VFS office. I paid a small fee for the courier service. I previously shared in this website how I got my Schengen tourist visa without the help of any tour agency. Check out that Tuesday Tip post here.

Internet Sim Card

Traveling around Europe alone isn’t easy. I made sure I was connected to the internet for the whole duration of the trip. I bought an internet sim card from Pinoy Traveler’s Unlimited Data Sim Card on Facebook. The sim card was operated by Three UK & it included 12 GB of 3G/4G data & unlimited call & text in Europe & UK & 9 GB of 3G/4G data outside Europe & UK for 30 days. The sim card cost ₱1,600 with free shipping. The data, call & text services worked well during my stay in Singapore, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark.

Travel Tax

All Philippine passport holders are required to pay a travel tax of ₱1,620 before going out the country for holiday. I paid the travel tax right before I checked in for my flight from Manila to Singapore.

Daily Budget & Unexpected Expenses

I mentioned in my Europe thrift hacks post that I set a daily budget of €40 for food, transportation & entrance fees. I spent more in some days but I was traveling on a €30-€35 per day budget. There were days where I had to buy last-minute museum tickets (Heineken Experience & Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam), join guided tours (Canal Tour in Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken in Holland & Kutná Hora in Czech Republic) & go on side trips (Utrecht, Bruges, Ghent & Český Krumlov) which cost me more. I also bought last-minute train & bus tickets in Belgium & Czech Republic – the downsides of not following an itinerary.

I splurged on beers in all 4 countries; I paid more for food in Denmark (food there is expensive) but I’m happy I still had about €120 cash left at the end of the trip. I counted all my expenses from pocket money, to credit & debit card transactions & debit card withdrawals for 19 days. I spent ₱34,327.78 (around €600) for 17 full days (travel days not included) on food, transportation, walking tours, entry tickets, guided tours & beers – about €35 per day on average.

Singapore Stopover

My flight from Manila to Amsterdam had a 12-hour layover in Singapore. I took this time to meet 2 friends – one for lunch + milk tea & one for early dinner. I also used this time to walk around the beautiful city, check out a city library & walk around The Jewel at Changi Airport. I spent around S$50 (₱1,859.4 conversion that time) on this 12-hour stop – food, drinks & transportation included.

Summary of Expenses

After all the costs & numbers mentioned above, let’s see how much I actually spent for the trip.

Exchange rate at the time of trip: €1 = ₱57.3 Exchange rates of purchases & withdrawals vary. There you go! I spent ₱117,092.85 pesos for a 19-day trip around 4 European Countries – Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark – with air tickets, accommodation costs & a 12-hour Singapore stopover included. If you’ll include the transportation expenses during the visa application process, to & from the airport when I left & arrived, it’ll be somewhere around ₱118,500 – still less than ₱120,000!

Don’t get me wrong, ₱117,092.85 is a very big amount but we’re talking about a 19-day trip to Europe here flying with one of the world’s premium airlines – Singapore Airlines & visiting first world & expensive countries like Netherlands, Belgium & Denmark. I couldn’t believe this when I listed all my expenses after the trip. I wanted this trip to be fun, memorable & spontaneous & I’m happy it turned out to be a trip of a lifetime. This solo trip to Europe is so far my longest, most expensive & most memorable experience I’ve had in my life. Every single peso spent was worth it!

Blog List

In case you’re interested in the posts about this trip, check out the blog list below.

FLIGHT REPORTS ✈️

SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 915 – Manila to Singapore – 5-Star Economy Class Experience In A New Generation Boeing Dreamliner
SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 324 – Singapore to Amsterdam – My First Ever 13-Hour Flight That Didn’t Feel Like One
BRUSSELS AIRLINES SN 2811 – Brussels to Prague – Belgium’s Flag Carrier & My First Ever European Airline Experience
CZECH AIRLINES OK 502 – Prague to Copenhagen – Czech Republic’s National Carrier & World’s Fifth Oldest Operating Airline
SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 351 – Copenhagen to Singapore – Cozy & Enjoyable 12-Hour Window Seat Economy Class Flight Back to Asia
SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 912 – Singapore to Manila – 3-Hour Remarkable Economy Class Experience Aboard A 15-Year Old Aircraft

HOSTEL FEATURES 🏨

GENERATOR AMSTERDAM – An Old University Building Turned Award-Winning Economy Accommodation
SLEEP WELL YOUTH HOSTEL BRUSSELS – Eco-Friendly City Center Hostel with Excellent Free Buffet Breakfast
DREAM HOSTEL PRAGUE – Stylish & Budget-Friendly Backpacker Hostel in New Town
STEEL HOUSE COPENHAGEN – 4 Nights in Danish Capital’s New York-Inspired Industrial Style Luxury Accommodation

VISA APPLICATION & TIPS ✍️

Do-It-Yourself SCHENGEN TOURIST VISA Application With VFS NETHERLANDS
11 EUROPE THRIFT HACKS You Should Know
10 THINGS TO KNOW Before Traveling To Europe

NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱

AMSTERDAM – Beautiful Canals, Colorful Houses & Interesting Museums In A Bustling City
UTRECHT- Unplanned Afternoon Visit To Netherlands’ Underrated Canal City
NORTH HOLLAND COUNTRYSIDE – A Day Trip To The Cheese Farm & Clogs Factory, Windmills & Waterlands
6 Dutch Delis I Enjoyed

BELGIUM 🇧🇪

BRUSSELS – Belgium’s Center, Europe’s Capital & Most Boring City?
BRUGES – Cobbled Alleys, Gingerbread Houses & Pretty Canals in Belgium’s Picture-Perfect City
GHENT – Belgium’s Underrated Port City
5 Must Try Belgian Treats

CZECH REPUBLIC 🇨🇿

PRAGUE – Europe’s Most Beautiful Capital City
KUTNÁ HORA – Day Trip To Central Bohemia’s Medieval Silver Mining Town
ČESKÝ KRUMLOV – Czechia’s Quaint Fairy Tale Town
4 Czech Eats To Savor

DENMARK 🇩🇰

COPENHAGEN – Walking Around Denmark’s Wonderful Capital City
7 Danish Delicacies Not To Miss
7 Interesting Observations About Denmark

Thank you for joining me in today’s Euro trip summary. I’ve made use of the pandemic to finish all the posts about this trip. It’s a shame that my next planned trip to Europe this October won’t push through, but it won’t stop me from planning my next trip to this beautiful continent. We may all be stuck in our own homes but we’ll surely go back to the time when travelling is safe & sound. It’s never too late to give up on your dream trips to Europe! Make use of this downtime to research about the cities & countries you want to visit & plan out the route you’ll take.

Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Is there anything you want to ask how I planned the trip in general? Or maybe how I did it? Feel free to post your questions in the comments section below. You can also send it via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Feel free to follow me on my social media channels for more information on cheap fares, thrift hacks & fun itineraries – Facebook & Instagram. I’ll finish the post with this.. I DID IT – 19 DAYS AROUND NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, CZECH REPUBLIC & DENMARK FOR LESS THAN ₱120,000 ALL IN & I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Flight Report: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 351 – Copenhagen to Singapore – Cozy & Enjoyable 12-Hour Window Seat Economy Class Flight Back to Asia

After 2.5 weeks of going solo around the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark, it is time to fly home. I flew out of Denmark from Copenhagen Airport to Singapore’s Changi Airport onboard Singapore Airlines. Today’s feature will be about this enjoyable Singapore Airlines SQ 351 flight from Copenhagen to Singapore on its Airbus A350-900 new generation aircraft. Find out everything about the airline’s ground & in-flight service, the aircraft used & flight information on this newest flight report.

In case you missed it, I also flew with Singapore Airlines from the Philippines to Europe in October 2019. I flew with their new-generation Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner on my 3-hour flight from Manila to Singapore & took another 13-hour flight from Singapore to Amsterdam, Netherlands onboard their newest (that time) Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Check out those 2 flight reports to know more about those excellent flights.

For sure by now you’re aware that I went solo around 4 countries in Europe late last year. I spent the first few days in the Netherlands, around Amsterdam, Utrecht & North Holland. I went down to Belgium & explored the cities of Brussels, Bruges & Ghent. A few days after, I flew to Czech Republic. I had the craziest nights around Prague & the quietest days around the beautiful towns of Kutná Hora & Český Krumlov. I finished my European journey in Denmark – around Copenhagen, living like a Dane & meeting up with a friend. This solo trip is my best yet & I cannot wait to go back there after all these world happenings. I posted a lot about this trip to Europe, check them out under the Going Solo in Europe category. Now, let’s go back to the flight report!

Singapore Airlines

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 first Singapore Airlines flight report, I got this return ticket to Europe from Singapore Airlines & Bank of the Philippine Islands credit card promotion. The return economy class ticket from Manila to Amsterdam (via Singapore) & from Copenhagen to Manila (via Singapore) cost me $719.23. My credit card charged me ₱37,669.40 including conversion charges.

The ticket includes 30-kilograms check-in baggage allowance in all sectors. It also provides access to complimentary in-flight meals & snacks (drinks & liquor included) & a personal entertainment screen in front of every seat. Add to that the airline’s excellent service & hospitality. Not bad for a 5-star carrier, right?

Flight & Aircraft Information

This flight from Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH) to Singapore (SIN) took 12 hours & 24 minutes. It flew 10,713 kilometres non-stop from Denmark to Singapore. We left Copenhagen on-time & arrived Singapore 24 minutes late. We had a delay because we had a last-minute route change causing extra flight time.

Singapore Airlines used a 3.5-year old Airbus A350-900 for this long-haul flight. The aircraft was delivered to the airline in late 2016. The plane has 253 seats across 3 classes – 42 business class lie-flat seats on 1-2-1 layout, 24 premium economy class seats on a 2-4-2 seat configuration & 187 economy class seats on a 3-3-3 layout. This flight used the same aircraft type (not exactly the same body) I flew with on my Singapore to Amsterdam SQ flight.

Airport & Ground Experience

Singapore Airlines flies out of Copenhagen Airport Terminal 2. Their check-in desks are found on counters 88-94, near the escalator up to security check. The counters are sorted according to class – economy class, premium economy class & business class plus an additional lane for those who checked-in online.

This is Singapore Airlines’ check-in area in Copenhagen Airport Terminal 2. Not busy, no queues.

The airline offers online check-in 48 hours into the flight. Passengers who use this option can choose regular seats at no extra charge. I checked-in before the flight & chose window seat 53A. I normally prefer aisle seats for long-haul flights like this but there were no aisle seats during my check in. I didn’t want to end up in the middle seat so I opted for the window one. Check-in process didn’t take long. The guy on the counter was friendly & accommodating. I checked in for both Copenhagen-Singapore & Singapore-Manila flights. I left my heavy luggage in Copenhagen & picked it up in Manila Airport upon arrival.

Copenhagen Airport has a very efficient airport security screening process. I finished the whole security check in less than 5 minutes. There was also no queue in immigration. It didn’t take long for me to clear the border control. My flight’s assigned gate was gate C37 – one of the farthest gates of the airport. It took me around 10 minutes to reach the gate. I also saw an Emirates Airbus A380 arrive & park near our gate.

Singapore Airlines boards its passenger by class. Business class passengers & Krisflyer & Star Alliance status holders boarded first, followed by premium economy class passengers. Economy class passengers boarded the plane last – those seated at the rear part of the aircraft went in first, followed by us in the middle rear part of the aircraft. Forward economy class passengers boarded the plane last. The boarding process took less than 30 minutes.

In-Flight Product

Singapore Airlines is known for its quality in-flight product. Check out what this flight offered to its passengers.

Seat – Singapore Airlines’ economy class seat on the Airbus A350-900 has a pitch of 32 inches & width of 18 inches. Seat recline is generous enough. Each seat has an adjustable headrest & a foldable footrest. Leg room is adequate for an average person like me. All seats feature a touch-screen personal entertainment screens with remote. Seats also had USB & power outlets & many seat pockets in front of the passenger. Seats also have a foldable table with the signature mirror. It also features a coat hook & a separate cup holder. Seats are comfortable to sleep especially for this long-haul flight.

Meals – The airline gave 2 full meals for this flight with unlimited snack & drink options in between. The started the meal service with the menu & a hot towel for all economy class passengers. They gave out crackers & drink of choice while the main meal is being prepared. They gave out lunch about 1.5 hours into the flight. The crew offered snacks & drinks almost every hour. 2 hours before landing in Singapore, they served breakfast for everyone. The meal servings were just right but they tasted great.

I got the sweet & sour pork with rice & vegetables option for lunch. What a complete meal by SQ!

Had raspberry ice cream for dessert. It was really good. I’m happy to see SQ use metal cutlery! 🙂

In-Flight Entertainment – All seats in this Airbus A350-900 have decently sized personal entertainment screens. The system had a separate remote control but its touch-screen feature responded very well. Krisworld, Singapore Airlines’ entertainment system, offered over 100 recent movie choices & television series to watch on this 12.5-hour flight. It also had over 800 music albums to listen to. I didn’t get bored on this flight like I usually do on other ones.

Flight Amenities – Singapore Airlines offered a long list of amenities & features in this flight. All seats had earphones, newly cleaned pillows & warm blankets upon boarding. The crew gave out menu to all passengers & offered hot towel to all passengers. Passengers can personalize an amenity kit (from those available in the menu) & ask it from the crew. The lavatories had complete amenities – dental kit, moisturizer, mouthwash, hand soap & tissue. It was also spot clean throughout the flight.

Passengers can ask for amenities such as eye shades, earplugs, comb & a small kit from the crew.

This particular SQ flight from Copenhagen to Singapore offered a complimentary 30 MB internet chat access to all its premium economy & economy class passengers. The free data allocation was valid for 2 hours after log-in. This promotion / offer was only available for a limited period last November 2019.

All premium economy & economy class passengers on this flight got a free 30MB internet session.

Cabin Crew Service

Like my previous Singapore Airlines flights from Manila to Singapore & Singapore to Amsterdam, cabin crew service on this 12.5-hour flight from Copenhagen to Singapore was outstanding. The crew welcomed all guests with their warmest greetings & smiles. They checked on everyone before take off & landing. The set of crews on this flight was friendly, nice & hospitable.

This is my favorite drink on every Singapore Airlines flight – their signature Singapore Sling! 🙂

The crew made sure passengers don’t get hungry & dehydrated throughout the flight. They served snacks & drinks between meals. They gave out chocolate biscuits midway through the flight. Water service runs almost every hour. They granted by request of crackers & Singapore sling about 7 hours into the flight. They even gave me a glass of water with it – even if I didn’t ask for it. Cabin crew service was top-notch!

Verdict

It was another enjoyable flight with Singapore Airlines. I never thought I’ll enjoy this 12.5-hour flight from an economy class window seat! Let’s start with my airport experience. Check-in process, security check & immigration queue didn’t take long. If I remember it correctly, I arrived in the airport 2 hours before the flight & made it to the gate (after long minutes of walking) after 45 minutes. Copenhagen Airport has a very efficient passenger flow system.

Seating at 53A gave me amazing views of the A350’s wing & winglet. The windows were huge; it gave me beautiful views of the clouds & sunset somewhere in the Middle East. I sat beside a friendly & nice Danish couple who were on a holiday. The seat was pitch was just right. It was also comfortable to seat in for a 12.5-hour flight. The footrest & adjustable headrests helped me have a good sleep during the flight. I particularly liked the separate cup holder & the small mirror found in the foldable tray table. It was a simple but nice touch from Singapore Airlines. The entertainment system was alright – not the best in the market but it had decent movie, series & music choices. The earphones were so-so.

Food portions & service were excellent. It started with a hot towel, crackers & drink of choice – I went for red wine. I chose the sweet & sour pork with rice & vegetables option for lunch. It came with salmon salad, bread roll with butter & cheese with crackers. It also came with a delicious raspberry ice cream & a drink of choice. I got full up to the point where I only had crackers, chocolate & Singapore sling for snack. For breakfast, I went for the stir-fried noodles with prawn, chicken & vegetables served with fruit bowl, bread roll with butter & fruit-flavored yogurt. It came with a glass of water & orange juice. Oh, we used metal cutlery & reusable food containers for both meals. Overall, these are pretty nice meals by Singapore Airlines.

Went for the stir-fried noodles with prawns option for breakfast. I really liked the yogurt here! 🙂

The lavatory was clean & well-maintained. It had enough amenities throughout the flight. The free 30MB internet allocation was a plus! Connection was fast even if we were above the clouds. I used it to connect with my family & friends back home & those I met in Europe. Two things I didn’t like about the flight were the following: Too much use of plastic & lack of individual air vents per seat. The flight used a lot of plastic throughout the flight, from blanket covers, to cutlery covers & plastic cups. I hope they reduce the use of plastic in the future. The seats didn’t have individual air vents. It’s always a struggle for people who easily sweat like me. Good thing I already removed my jacket before seating down & only wore a shirt throughout the flight.

The flight’s highlight was the cabin crew service. The crew on this flight were passenger-friendly, accommodating & outstanding. They truly cared for the passengers & I felt it. Thank you, Singapore Airlines for another amazing flight with you; thank you for making this 12.5-hour flight enjoyable. Will I fly Singapore Airlines again in the future? Definitely. I was supposed to fly with them to Melbourne & from Brisbane last April but I didn’t push through because of the risks of Covid-19. I still look forward to flying with them once the pandemic is over.

Here are some details of this flight I took with Singapore Airlines:

Airline: Singapore Airlines
Flight Date: 9 November 2019
Flight Number: SQ 351
Route: Copenhagen (CPH) Denmark to Singapore (SIN)
Duration: 12:24 hours
Seat Number: 53A
Aircraft: Airbus A350-941
Aircraft Registration: 9V-SMH
Aircraft Engine: 2 x Rolls-Royce Trent XWB
Age: 3.5 years old
Year Delivered: 2016

It was another excellent flight with Singapore Airlines. I never thought I’ll enjoy that long-haul flight from a window seat. Have you flown with Singapore Airlines on their long-haul sector? How was your experience? Share your experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about this flight or the airline in general? Feel free to shoot me an e-mail with those questions to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Stay up-to-date with all my recent posts & blogs by following my social media pages – Facebook & Instagram. Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. Don’t forget to check out my posts under the Going Solo in Europe category. Thanks again & please stay safe.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.