Flight Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class A380

Introduction

Singapore Airlines has one of the best business class offerings with some of the widest business class seats available.  With thick padded seats that convert to a fully lie flat bed and excellent food offerings, Singapore Airlines almost feels like first class.  Additionally, since Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles are so easy to earn, booking a business class flight is easily possible.

While Singapore Airlines is in the process of modernizing their business and first class offerings aboard their A380s, the JFK to FRA route still has the older seat configurations.  Nevertheless, these seats are still amongst the best in the industry.

Booking

Singapore Airlines recently increased the amount of miles required on their award chart making business class bookings somewhat less attractive.  However, cash fees were also reduced which means less money is required for an award booking.  Transatlantic Business class flights between JFK and FRA go for 65,000 KrisFlyer miles which isn’t too bad considering how easy it is to earn KrisFlyer miles.

Miles can be transferred from the Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi Thank You Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, and American Express Membership Rewards programs.  Furthermore, miles can be earned on the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program by flying on Star Alliance partners.

Award availability can be sparse for business and first class seats under the “Saver” redemption rate.  Often times seats can be waitlisted and with some luck, the seats will become available prior to departure.  In my experience, business class seats often become available after being waitlisted, however I have not had any luck with first class seats becoming available.

I’ve been trying for years to get a first class seat at “Saver” award rate with no luck.  Even after calling daily two weeks prior to the flight and by placing a “tracer” with the airline, I’ve had no success getting the first class seat.

Flight to JFK

Singapore Airlines 25
New York (JFK) to Frankfurt (FRA)
Cabin: Business
Seat: 91D
Aircraft: Airbus A380
Duration: 7h 45m

Plane Atmosphere (5/5)

As with most A380 configurations, the plane felt open and spacious.  The 4 seats across configuration on such a wide plane felt less crowded than most other business class configurations.  Also, being an A380, the cabin pressure was comfortable and engine noise was quieter than on other aircraft.  The comfortable seats also had the added benefit of making everyone pass out and sleep, which made to cabin pretty much silent for most of the flight.

Food (5/5)

Singapore has some of the best food in the world and its no surprise an airline based out of Singapore had amazing delicious food.  Be sure not to sleep through meal service.

Seat Comfort (5/5)

These seats are unbelievably wide and comfortable with a decently large entertainment screen.  Leg room was ample with a wide foot rest since I booked a seat behind a bulkhead.  Seats not behind a wall have a narrower footrest.

When its time to sleep, the chair gets converted into a bed which was the most comfortable bed in business class I’ve ever experienced.  This was due to the extra width of the seats providing much more space to relax.

Service (5/5)

Flight attendants were well trained, friendly, and efficient.  Meals were served quickly and with food trays being removed promptly after meals were consumed.  Even with a large amount of business class seats in the A380, the service was not diminished.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the points rates have risen for Singapore Airlines business class award offerings, 65,000 miles for a business class seat, which could almost be considered first class, isn’t too bad of a deal.  Especially when considering how easy it is to earn Singapore Airlines miles.  The seats are huge, atmosphere comfortable, and food delicious.  So, if planning a trip between JFK and Frankfurt, Singapore Airlines is the way to go.

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• Hotel Review: Grand Hyatt Seoul
• Touring Seoul, Korea
• Flight Review: Korean Air Business Class
• Flight Review: Japan Airlines Business Class
• Flight Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class