my first glass of the world's famous Dom PerignonWhen arriving at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), I had remembered, from those on ‘flyertalk’ whom have transited through this airport, that it was best to utilize other airline lounges in satellite terminals before check heading over to the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), assuming that I have ample time between my flights. This is simply because TBIT is a passenger “zoo” with more than dozens of international flights departure at the same time, if not within minutes of each other. Plus, for premium passengers traveling in business or first class on airlines departing from TBIT, the options of airline lounges are mediocre at best in terms of amenities, food, and space provided at these so-called premium lounges. So, I decided to stay at the United Airline’s International First Class Lounge as I was allowed access per possessing an international first class ticket on United Airline’s partner airlines. The lounge, compared to the lounges in TBIT, was extremely spacious with very few passengers and well stocked with a good selection of finger foods and snacks, not to mention extremely comfortable lazy-boys. It is too bad that United Airline’s Red Carpet Clubs, lounges for business class passengers and club members, are not anything close to this lounge in terms of amenities provided.
Having spent about two hours of my four hour layover in LAX in this lounge, I decided to head over to the TBIT to check-in with Singapore Airlines as United Airlines was not able to check me all the way to Singapore. Fortunately, my luggage was checked all the way to Singapore so I was free from the burden of having to drag three large bags around terminals at LAX – there were some passengers on my transit bus who seemed to be carrying their “bedroom” with them, having very difficult time getting on and off the bus and maneuvering around the terminals for their connecting flights. Once at TBIT, I went straight to the Singapore Airline’s counter where the friendly first class check-in agent greeted me and processed my boarding pass all the way to Singapore. As I received the crimson first class boarding pass from her, I soon realized I was one security clearance and few hours closer to the dream of first class flying.
There is a reason why I am so anxious and excited about this and go far as to calling it a ‘dream.’ I am sure many who have flown frequently would agree that first class products offered by airlines differ amongst airlines. Furthermore, the first class experience between domestic and international flights is a world apart in all aspects. Nonetheless, among all international first class products offered by airlines, no airline, perhaps a very select few, comes close to the level of the Singapore Airline’s first class experience. While some may think that little attention to details such as greeting the passenger by the name, with sir and ma’am prefixes, or serving hot towels after each course of a meal is not significant enough to vastly improve the passenger’s in-flight experience, I am here to proclaim that attention to little details is what makes a first class experience unique compared to, say, business class, aside from the seat and cabin comforts. As airlines are continuing to implement more comfortable and innovative business class products by introducing improved lighting and lie-flat seats that are on par with most of first class seats nowadays, airlines must and are putting efforts to make their first class unique from their business class service. Otherwise, many airlines have already made decisions to eliminate first class service. Hence, a five star service on a five star airline – Singapore Airlines – is something that could make any Singapore Airlines first class flyers fervent about his/her upcoming flight.
As I wanted to be the first one on board the jumbo jet, I left the lounge early and walked almost a mile – with some exaggeration – to the gate. Fortunately, my flight did not require bus transfer to remote gates for boarding as with most international flights out of TBIT due to the terminal’s busy schedules. Upon boarding, I was greeted by a wonderful “Singapore Girl” in green kebaya – indicating a leading stewardess – with my name. “Mr. Sohn,” she said with perfect pronunciation, she asked me if it was my first time on Singapore Airlines First Class, When answering yes, both the leading stewardess and the in-flight supervisor wearing a grey uniform ensured me that I will be well taken care of over the next twelve or so hours to Tokyo as well as to Singapore and on my remaining Singapore Airlines flights. Their promise has yet to contradict itself even after five first class segments with Singapore Airlines during this trip. Such consistency in in-flight hospitality and attention to detail, I thought, is what makes Singapore Airlines the most desired airline to fly in all service classes.
Aside from the Singapore Airline’s signature service, the seat and cabin ambiance of the Singapore Airlines First Class never seems to be outdated, especially considering that the seats were first introduced in the similar period when United Airlines first introduced their own new first class sleeper “suites” in the late 1990s. Brown toned color, matching luxury wood decorative and leather appointment of the first class seat is very welcoming to the passengers and gives a distinct impression of a true luxury upon boarding. While the seat seems to lack privacy, with an exception to an exclusive seat at the nose of the aircraft, seat 1B, Singapore Airline’s First Class seats turn into a flat bed that is parallel to the ground, providing bed-like comfort. Furthermore, having a choice of changing into a Givenchy designed pajama and full turn down service with duvet comforter and bed liens makes the first class experience no different from a five star hotel experience.
Completing this five star first class service is the multi-course meals resemble five star restaurant experiences. From the Singapore Airline’s exclusive Givenchy designed table liens and dish sets to meals catered by superstar chefs of all culinary disciplines around the world, Singapore Airline’s first class meal service at 39,000 feet above the ground was a unique dinning experience one can have when flying. Of five first class segments on Singapore Airlines during my trip, I was able to utilize the airline’s “book the cook” program which gave me the ability to pre-select designer dishes for specific flights departing from Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Singapore. My choices included a wide selection of Japanese traditional Kyo Kaiseki meal, Beef Sukiyaki, Lobster Thermidor, and Rack of Lamb with yogurt sauce along with selections of appetizers such as beef/chicken satey and chilled malossol caviar with traditional condiments. Having never had caviar before, I was curious of its taste and the proper way of devouring it. Thanks to those experienced travelers in Singapore Airlines First Class, I used plastic spoon and appropriate mix of condiments to make the most of my first caviar experience. Along with caviar, Dom Perignon and Krug Champaign, on separate occasions, properly supplemented the caviar taste.
Continuing on to Colombo, I was also able to experience the airline’s regional first class service as well as the first class ground service in the Singapore Airline’s hub airport, Changi International Airport. Singapore Airlines provides an exclusive First Class check-in service at Changi International Airport where the first class passengers are invited to private first class check-in lounge that could almost double as the first class departure lounge only lacking in catering. This select service also provides the customers with private porter service upon arrival at the airport, relieving the passengers of the stress of having to drag heavy bags across the terminal for check-in. The check-in lounge staff also takes care of everything once you provide them with all necessary travel documents, freeing the passenger with the hassles of check-in process. For my trip to Colombo, I had an occasion to witness the true hospitality of these wonderful Singapore Airlines staff in retrieving my lost jacket that I left at the hotel. I had noticed during check-in that I had forgotten my jacket at the hotel and upon inquiring to the lounge staff, they were more than happy to call the hotel to locate my lost jacket and have them deliver to the airport. If such happened in the US with United Airlines or any other US airlines, I am sure I would have been given a smile of condolence and told that I am at my own loss with no way of retrieving my lost article.
As for my flight to Colombo, while the seating features may seem vastly inferior at first to that of the Sky Suites featured on Los Angeles/Tokyo/Singapore flights, the level of comfort of the seat was more than adequate for my four hour flight to Colombo. Moreover, consistence in the excellence in in-flight service provided by the Singapore Airline’s cabin crew on my flights to and from Colombo along with the luxury of on-ground service amenities at Changi International Airport made me realize the insurmountable effort the airline and its employees are putting towards making each passenger’s experience as unique and enjoyable as possible. As I look back at my experiences with Singapore Airlines during this special trip, I worry that my future travels and expectations are ruined as first class flying, at least for me, is not an everyday ordeal. With a trip being in plans for Paris this November, I am most likely be traveling again on Singapore Airlines, but only in economy class. I can already see myself being envious of those sitting in front enjoying the caviar and Dom Perignon service and yearning the good early days of my travels with Singapore Airlines First Class.
Note: Exclusive photos of my first class experience on Singapore Airlines can be found on my online photo album: http://www.dhjsohn.shutterfly.com/
Having spent about two hours of my four hour layover in LAX in this lounge, I decided to head over to the TBIT to check-in with Singapore Airlines as United Airlines was not able to check me all the way to Singapore. Fortunately, my luggage was checked all the way to Singapore so I was free from the burden of having to drag three large bags around terminals at LAX – there were some passengers on my transit bus who seemed to be carrying their “bedroom” with them, having very difficult time getting on and off the bus and maneuvering around the terminals for their connecting flights. Once at TBIT, I went straight to the Singapore Airline’s counter where the friendly first class check-in agent greeted me and processed my boarding pass all the way to Singapore. As I received the crimson first class boarding pass from her, I soon realized I was one security clearance and few hours closer to the dream of first class flying.
There is a reason why I am so anxious and excited about this and go far as to calling it a ‘dream.’ I am sure many who have flown frequently would agree that first class products offered by airlines differ amongst airlines. Furthermore, the first class experience between domestic and international flights is a world apart in all aspects. Nonetheless, among all international first class products offered by airlines, no airline, perhaps a very select few, comes close to the level of the Singapore Airline’s first class experience. While some may think that little attention to details such as greeting the passenger by the name, with sir and ma’am prefixes, or serving hot towels after each course of a meal is not significant enough to vastly improve the passenger’s in-flight experience, I am here to proclaim that attention to little details is what makes a first class experience unique compared to, say, business class, aside from the seat and cabin comforts. As airlines are continuing to implement more comfortable and innovative business class products by introducing improved lighting and lie-flat seats that are on par with most of first class seats nowadays, airlines must and are putting efforts to make their first class unique from their business class service. Otherwise, many airlines have already made decisions to eliminate first class service. Hence, a five star service on a five star airline – Singapore Airlines – is something that could make any Singapore Airlines first class flyers fervent about his/her upcoming flight.
As I wanted to be the first one on board the jumbo jet, I left the lounge early and walked almost a mile – with some exaggeration – to the gate. Fortunately, my flight did not require bus transfer to remote gates for boarding as with most international flights out of TBIT due to the terminal’s busy schedules. Upon boarding, I was greeted by a wonderful “Singapore Girl” in green kebaya – indicating a leading stewardess – with my name. “Mr. Sohn,” she said with perfect pronunciation, she asked me if it was my first time on Singapore Airlines First Class, When answering yes, both the leading stewardess and the in-flight supervisor wearing a grey uniform ensured me that I will be well taken care of over the next twelve or so hours to Tokyo as well as to Singapore and on my remaining Singapore Airlines flights. Their promise has yet to contradict itself even after five first class segments with Singapore Airlines during this trip. Such consistency in in-flight hospitality and attention to detail, I thought, is what makes Singapore Airlines the most desired airline to fly in all service classes.
Aside from the Singapore Airline’s signature service, the seat and cabin ambiance of the Singapore Airlines First Class never seems to be outdated, especially considering that the seats were first introduced in the similar period when United Airlines first introduced their own new first class sleeper “suites” in the late 1990s. Brown toned color, matching luxury wood decorative and leather appointment of the first class seat is very welcoming to the passengers and gives a distinct impression of a true luxury upon boarding. While the seat seems to lack privacy, with an exception to an exclusive seat at the nose of the aircraft, seat 1B, Singapore Airline’s First Class seats turn into a flat bed that is parallel to the ground, providing bed-like comfort. Furthermore, having a choice of changing into a Givenchy designed pajama and full turn down service with duvet comforter and bed liens makes the first class experience no different from a five star hotel experience.
Completing this five star first class service is the multi-course meals resemble five star restaurant experiences. From the Singapore Airline’s exclusive Givenchy designed table liens and dish sets to meals catered by superstar chefs of all culinary disciplines around the world, Singapore Airline’s first class meal service at 39,000 feet above the ground was a unique dinning experience one can have when flying. Of five first class segments on Singapore Airlines during my trip, I was able to utilize the airline’s “book the cook” program which gave me the ability to pre-select designer dishes for specific flights departing from Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Singapore. My choices included a wide selection of Japanese traditional Kyo Kaiseki meal, Beef Sukiyaki, Lobster Thermidor, and Rack of Lamb with yogurt sauce along with selections of appetizers such as beef/chicken satey and chilled malossol caviar with traditional condiments. Having never had caviar before, I was curious of its taste and the proper way of devouring it. Thanks to those experienced travelers in Singapore Airlines First Class, I used plastic spoon and appropriate mix of condiments to make the most of my first caviar experience. Along with caviar, Dom Perignon and Krug Champaign, on separate occasions, properly supplemented the caviar taste.
Continuing on to Colombo, I was also able to experience the airline’s regional first class service as well as the first class ground service in the Singapore Airline’s hub airport, Changi International Airport. Singapore Airlines provides an exclusive First Class check-in service at Changi International Airport where the first class passengers are invited to private first class check-in lounge that could almost double as the first class departure lounge only lacking in catering. This select service also provides the customers with private porter service upon arrival at the airport, relieving the passengers of the stress of having to drag heavy bags across the terminal for check-in. The check-in lounge staff also takes care of everything once you provide them with all necessary travel documents, freeing the passenger with the hassles of check-in process. For my trip to Colombo, I had an occasion to witness the true hospitality of these wonderful Singapore Airlines staff in retrieving my lost jacket that I left at the hotel. I had noticed during check-in that I had forgotten my jacket at the hotel and upon inquiring to the lounge staff, they were more than happy to call the hotel to locate my lost jacket and have them deliver to the airport. If such happened in the US with United Airlines or any other US airlines, I am sure I would have been given a smile of condolence and told that I am at my own loss with no way of retrieving my lost article.
As for my flight to Colombo, while the seating features may seem vastly inferior at first to that of the Sky Suites featured on Los Angeles/Tokyo/Singapore flights, the level of comfort of the seat was more than adequate for my four hour flight to Colombo. Moreover, consistence in the excellence in in-flight service provided by the Singapore Airline’s cabin crew on my flights to and from Colombo along with the luxury of on-ground service amenities at Changi International Airport made me realize the insurmountable effort the airline and its employees are putting towards making each passenger’s experience as unique and enjoyable as possible. As I look back at my experiences with Singapore Airlines during this special trip, I worry that my future travels and expectations are ruined as first class flying, at least for me, is not an everyday ordeal. With a trip being in plans for Paris this November, I am most likely be traveling again on Singapore Airlines, but only in economy class. I can already see myself being envious of those sitting in front enjoying the caviar and Dom Perignon service and yearning the good early days of my travels with Singapore Airlines First Class.
Note: Exclusive photos of my first class experience on Singapore Airlines can be found on my online photo album: http://www.dhjsohn.shutterfly.com/
