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Having travelled on Singapore Airlines Business Class from Singapore to Beijing on the 777-300ER, we decided to do a comparison with the A330-300 Business Class by flying SQ from Incheon to Singapore. In this review, we’ll show you the offerings of the SQ Business Class A330-300, its book the cook menu as well as the differences as compared to the Business Class of 777-300ER. Read on to find out more!
The Singapore Airlines (SQ) Business Class Check-In
Having spent a 10 hours overnight transit at Incheon International Airport, we thought we’ve learnt it all. But there are still a couple things that we’ve learnt during this trip…
1. SQ counters at Incheon Airport is not always open. We realised that unlike checking-in at Singapore Changi Airport, where we can pretty much check-in several hours in advance (to do duty free shopping and enjoy lounge privileges), you can’t do that at Incheon Airport. This time, we arrived at 12:30pm for our departure at 4:30pm (we were earlier during our Singapore Airlines First Class Flight to Japan :P). However, we realized that the SQ counters only opened at 1:30pm. So this means that Singapore Airlines counters at Incheon Airport only opens 3 hours before the flight.
2. You’ll need some time to pick up your Lotte/Shilla/Shinsegae duty free shopping. If you’re picking up your duty free at Incheon Airport Terminal 1, the location is close to gate 121. For terminal 2, it is at 4F, opposite gate 252. We actually took some time to locate the pick up area and waited 20 minutes before our number was called…
3. No more SilverKris Lounge at Incheon International Airport 🙁 This was the official notice put out by Singapore Airlines…
As part of Seoul Incheon International Airport’s redevelopment plan, Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge at Seoul Incheon International Airport will be closed until further notice starting from 18 January 2018 after flight SQ007 departs from Incheon to Singapore on 18 January 2018.
During the closure period, Singapore Airlines’ Business Class, PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members as well as Star Alliance Gold members travelling on SIA flights will be invited to the Asiana Business Class Lounge. First Class Customers will be invited to the Asiana First Class Lounge.
Unfortunately for us, we were not able to enjoy the experience of home away from home. That was why, this SQ business class review, includes a lounge review at Asiana Business Class Lounge.
SQ Biz Class Privilege: Asiana Business Class Lounge Incheon Airport Review
Singapore Airlines Business Class passengers can access the Asiana Business Class Lounge at Incheon International Airport. After a quick registration, we noticed that there are 2 entrances to the lounge. One to the left and one to the right. As both areas are not inter-connected, we had to walk pass the registration counter to walk from one area to the other. We preferred the area with a grand piano and high library feature/seating area. Next up, the facilities inside the Asiana Business Class Lounge @ Incheon International Airport.
Facilities wise, there’s a private rest area, a business centre and also shower facilities. However, in terms of food and drinks selection, we were actually quite disappointed. There were only sandwiches, salads and two hot food selection – a chicken fried rice and a vegetable (ratatouille). Alcohol selection had the usual wines and hard liquor. However, the draft beer dispenser was out of beer and it wasn’t replenished.
Soon, it was time to board our flight aboard the A330-300 business class flight from Incheon back to Singapore!
Singapore Airlines Business Class A330-300 Review
The very first thing that we noticed was that the seats were much narrower as compared to the business class seats of the 777-300ER. Nonetheless, we were still greeted with the same warmth and quality service – a signature of Singapore Airlines. Warm nuts with Charles Heidsieck champagne greeted us shortly after we settled in…
Next, we checked out the dinner menu…
Singapore Airlines Business Class Menu
The flight from Singapore to Seoul, includes
Appetizer: Chicken Salad
Main Course: Korean Galbi Jjim
Dessert: Sesame Panna Cotta with Korean Strawberry Coulis
As we’re taking the flight from Seoul to Singapore, there’s a full dinner menu that includes
Appetizer: Signature Satay Plate
Main Course: Halibut, Singapore Chicken Rice or Pan Roasted Lamb
Dessert: Haagen Dazs Ice Cream
Selection of Cheese
Fruit
Assorted Bread Rolls & Gourmet Breads
Parlines
The Korean (Hansik) version includes
Appetiser: Seared Tuna with fine Mesclun and Yuzu Dressing
Main Course: Grilled Pork Belly with Bean Sauce, Leafy Salad and Steamed Rice
Dessert: Corn Mousse Cake
We actually sneaked a peak at the hansik version and found it to be pretty appetising. Nonetheless, we had already made our orders through Singapore Airlines’ Book the Cook menu for the Grilled Norwegian Salmon Steak and the Stir Fried Pork Belly with Ginger Spring Onion…
For appetizers, we had the Singapore Airlines’ signature satay plate and smoked salmon/fish roe. Before the flight, we’ve always wondered about buzz surrounding Singapore Airlines’ signature satay. This time, we finally understood. Somehow the smokiness of a satay could be tasted and both chicken and beef were delish. The highlight? Definitely the satay peanut sauce. It was nutty with a rich flavour and depth. So good that we almost wanted to lick up the satay sauce 😛
The Grilled Norwegian Salmon Steak was a little salty for our taste but the flesh peeled off neatly in layers – an indication of freshness. The Stir Fried Pork Belly was tender and had fragrance of the spring onion. Yum! At this point in time, we were actually quite full already (remember that the champagne and riesling flowed – though it was a little ridiculous that champagne could run out on a Singapore Airlines Business Class flight -_-). Next came the refreshing yet rich green tea matcha ice cream and cheese selection before rounding up with fruits and chocolate pralines…
At this point, we were SOOOOOOOOO FULL!!!! We then laid back, fully extended the seat into a flat bed and watched the movie Early Man. The cool thing about the Singapore Airlines Business Class seats is that it can be fully flat just by a press of a button. No need to request for the air stewardess to help with the conversion.
As with all Singapore Airlines flights, we were thoroughly impressed with the service aboard. The air stewardesses were attentive and took note of our preferences. Nonetheless, we found several noticeable differences between the Singapore Airlines Business Class flight on the 777-300ER vs the A330-300.
Differences between 777-300ER and A330-300 Singapore Airlines Business Class
1. A330-300 and 777-300ER Seat Comparison. As you can see from the picture above, you will notice that the seats aboard the Singapore Airlines A330-300 Business Class seats are markedly narrower compared to its 777-300ER counterpart. However, the A330-300 SQ business class seats allows you to extend your legs straight fully while the 777-300ER business class seats only allow full extension of legs into a corner. Next, the business class seats aboard the A330-300 can be fully flat with just a press of a button (you have to press and hold though) while the 777-300ER can only be fully flat by converting it manually with the help of the air stewardess. Lastly, the 777-300ER leather seats were definitely more plush.
2. Limited selection of food for Book The Cook Menu aboard the A330-300. The most obvious difference for us was the absence of the Classic Lobster Thermidor from the Book the Cook Menu of the A330-300 flight. Not only that, the choice was alot lesser compared to the 777-300ER business class.
Although both business class flights costs 43,000 miles for redemption, we noticed that the cost of the flight was actually very different. The Singapore Airlines Business Class flight from Singapore to Beijing aboard the 777-300ER costs $3,800 while the business class flight from Incheon to Singapore costs only $1,700. This makes us come to the conclusion that it is not as worth it to redeem miles aboard the A330-300 as compared to the 777-300ER or the A380.
Otherwise, getting home on Singapore Airlines is always a great way to fly…
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