By Taylor Guglielmino
Trip Report: Singapore Airlines Short Haul Business Class
This flight is the second in a series of flights that took me around the world so I could fly on the world’s longest flight and despite being only one hour in length it may have been the best of the bunch.
The check-in experience in Jakarta was lovely, I arrived about 30 minutes before check-in opened but the staff were able to get me checked in. After I received my tickets I made my way through to immigration and security. Immigration in Indonesia had a hard time understanding why I was only in their beautiful country for a matter of 5 hours. After a brief explanation that I was a writer and YouTuber my passport was stamped and I was on my way to find the lounge
Singapore Airlines uses the Plaza Premium Lounge in Jakarta. At the time it was being shared with Japan Airlines and was fairly empty at 5 o’clock in the morning. The lounge had plenty of seating space and ample self-serve food options but what really made my morning was the live cooking station with a chef preparing meals from scratch. I opted for the noodle soup but omelets and other breakfast options were available. I found a private corner near a window and enjoyed my breakfast.
- Plaza Premium Lounge at CGK | Taylor Guglielmino
- Breakfast at the CGK Plaza Premium Lounge at CGK | Taylor Guglielmino
Boarding for SQ953 started 10 minutes late, a delay that the gate agents profusely apologized for over the PA maybe 10 times. Walking down the jet bridge to a 777 for a flight that is only one hour long is something that I will never get tired of. It is worth noting that SQ does actually have a regional wide body fleet that was supposed to be employed on this flight but there was a last-minute equipment change that led to this flight being operated on the long-haul product. Business class on this flight was relatively empty but the world-renowned cabin service was the best of the entire trip (foreshadowing). I was promptly greeted by the two (TWO?!?!) cabin crew that would be taking care of me on this short flight and I settled into seat 20A.
Singapore Airlines Business Class Seat Abaord a 777 | Taylor Guglielmino
Shortly after takeoff, one of the cabin crew came by to confirm that I had preordered the Soya Noodle dish and to prepare the enormous tray table that the meal service would be placed on. Moments later my hot lunch was dropped off along with fresh fruit and yogurt. For this short flight, I chose to stick with water and orange juice. As I dug into the delicious noodle dish that laid before the cabin crew once again came around, this time with garlic bread. The food was great and U.S. mainline carriers could learn a thing or two about service, again this flight was in the air for only an hour but I was served a hot meal with drinks and garlic bread.
Lunch Aboard SQ953 | Taylor Guglielmino
After departing this short flight with SQ I thoroughly understood why they are held in such a high regard in the world of luxury commercial aviation. The crew was fantastic, the food was top notch and the seat comfortable. Singapore Airlines hit a home run with this flight and it left me feeling excited for my next flight, SQ24, the longest flight in the world.
Incredibly comfortable Seat | Taylor Guglielmino
