Recently I needed to fly from Brisbane to Singapore. You’ll know by now that my favourite Star Alliance airline is Singapore Airlines. They offer a considerable range of Business Class seats across the fleet, including the Airbus A350s.
These days, you’re always guaranteed a fully-flat bed when flying from Brisbane. But what that bed looks like can vary from flight to flight. And don’t even think of booking a business class flight from Perth to Singapore, as those seats are usually the old-fashioned ones that don’t lie flat.
Choosing my flight strategically, I opted for the direct Brisbane – Singapore flight with Singapore Airlines’ best Airbus A350 Business Class seat. That’s SQ246, the overnight service: exactly where you’d want the most comfortable bed.
With Singapore always a popular destination for Australians, and as pre-flight testing requirements are now eased, here’s what it’s like to fly from Brisbane to Singapore with Singapore’s home carrier.
Flight Details:
Airline: Singapore Airlines
Route: Brisbane (IAH) – Singapore (LHR)
Flight: SQ246
Aircraft: Airbus A350
Class: Business Class
Depart: 23:41
Arrive: 5:25
Duration: 7 hours 42 minutes
Krisflyer Miles Earned: 2,413
The Check-In Experience
Arriving at Brisbane Airport, I found the Singapore Airlines’ Business Class check-in counters with absolutely no queue in the premium lane. Check-in was a breeze and my bag was promptly tagged through to Singapore, and my boarding pass handed to me.
Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 Business Class Brisbane to Singapore
Singapore Airlines Krisflyer Lounge at Brisbane Airport
Brisbane’s SilverKris Lounge opens for every Singapore Airlines flight. It features productivity pods enabling customers to work in privacy and comfort, showers, free WiFi, and Singapore’s usual decent selection of food and beverages.
Location: Level 4, Departure Hall, International Terminal, Near Gate 81
Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350 Business Class In-Flight Experience
Singapore Airlines offers two very distinct Airbus A350 Business Class seats between Brisbane and Singapore, and there’s a reason why you should consider the SQ246 service. You see, on some flights, there’s the cosier and less-impressive ‘medium-haul’ seat, but on the overnight SQ246 service they use the ‘long-haul’ seat, which we’re reviewing here. Both provide a fully-flat bed, so you’ll always have that basic wish checked off. But the long-haul version is significantly wider.
SQ246 Business Class Initial Thoughts
The ‘long-haul’ seat is so spacious that two people can comfortably sit side by side and watch a movie. And that thought certainly didn’t escape Singapore Airlines’ design team as the seat has two headphone plugs, one on each side of the seat cushion, to make this possible.
The cabin’s 1-2-1 seating layout guarantees direct aisle access to all Business Class passengers and when it’s time to doze, your seat folds forward to reveal the mattress and the staff will make your bed for you.
Simlarly to Singapore Airlines’ other business class products, storage is excellent and even your shoes have their own place. You won’t be left wanting in the way of storage, with several nooks around your space for items whether large or small, and there’s a bench beside you which is a handy place to keep other items within reach. There’s even a mirror for a quick hair or make-up check.
You can customise your seat position and lighting via the comprehensive control panel, and also hit ‘do not disturb’ to rest or work without interruption. Each light can also be controlled individually – including whether you’d like soft or bright light.
Singapore Airlines’ A350 Business Class food and beverage
As an overnight flight from Brisbane with a scheduled touchdown into Singapore before 6am local time, the focus on this leg is sleep. But you can certainly combine that with Singapore Airlines’ highly regarded Business Class hospitality on these Airbus A350 flights.
While pre-departure drinks are currently paused, requesting a glass of Champagne is effortless after take-off. Singapore Airlines previously served Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve as its Business Class staple. But that’s now moved on to vintage Piper-Heidsieck Brut: 2014.
If I’m going to eat on overnight flights like this, it’s usually dinner on the ground and breakfast in the air. However, I’m offered almonds and cashews alongside my bubbles. While they’d look nicer in a bowl, the packet means they can be enjoyed later in the flight if desired.
On this service, you can choose to enjoy supper after take-off or breakfast before landing. Having planned ahead and enjoyed a few dinner bites in the lounge, I’d pre-ordered breakfast to guarantee my preference.
That’s the beauty of Singapore Airlines’ Book The Cook service. There’s no such thing as missing out on your preferred option, and from many airports, you can even pre-order dishes not normally found on the standard inflight menu.
But my simple breakfast pick really hit the spot. The omelette was light and fluffy, together with beautiful baked potatoes and a tasty chipolata. Baked tomatoes, roasted asparagus and baked beans complete the dish. A croissant arrives while I’m enjoying the meal, as does a strong cup of coffee. I finish with a sweet fruit salad.
For an overnight flight where sleep is the priority, I wouldn’t have wanted anything more.
Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350 Business Class entertainment
When you’re not maximising your rest, there’s a vibrant entertainment screen at every seat. Peruse the latest movie and TV selections, or check where you are in the world via the moving map. Interestingly, you can’t control the screen by touch, even though it’s directly in front of you. There’s instead a touchscreen remote control, which can be taken out of its shell at the press of a button. And that works just fine.
If you’re enjoying TV in bed, press the large button above the screen and it’ll tilt down for a better view. You can also get comfortable with socks, slippers and an eyeshade ready and waiting for you. There’s a small amenity kit too with the basics stocked inside. But extras like earplugs or a hairbrush are only on request.
Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350 Business Class service
Service-wise, crew are always approachable, and use passenger names in most interactions for that personal touch. The one time I need to press the call bell – to order another coffee when the cabin is dark – a crew member arrives promptly. Otherwise, there’s little need for the buzzer. Simply making eye contact with a passing crew member achieves the same result.
Wi-Fi is also available, with 100MB of data complimentary for Business Class passengers. It works perfectly while I’m connected.
After what feels like such a quick flight, Singapore’s city skyline comes into view. My Business Class voyage aboard Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350 has been a comfortable ride and before long, I’m stretching my legs at Changi Airport.
We pull in at the far end of Terminal 3. This makes a short hop aboard the terminal’s Skytrain a handy shortcut to reach passport control even faster.
Final Thoughts on Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class
Singapore Airlines offers a variety of Business Class seats across its Australian routes – with two different products flying on its Airbus A350s alone. The ‘long-haul’ seat experienced here also appears on the carrier’s Boeing 777 flights, so may look familiar if that’s the plane you’d normally take.
It’s certainly a big step above the ‘medium-haul’ seats found aboard some Airbus A350s, as well as Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 787s. The width of the ‘long-haul’ seat alone makes working, dining and relaxing more comfortable. And when it’s time to rest, having that extra space around the shoulders certainly helps as well – even if the footwell is a narrower affair.
Of course, Singapore Airlines’ newer Airbus A380 seats are a cut above this one. But on the direct Brisbane-Singapore route, on which that Airbus A380 doesn’t fly, this ‘long-haul’ Airbus A350 seat will please most.