REVIEW: Singapore Airlines 777-300 Business Class (JFK – FRA)

Revised October 20, 2024

After spending a couple of days eating my way through Flushing/New York City, it was time to head to Germany and make my way onto the MSC Poesia for my first comped cruise from the casino status match jackpot. But up first was a business class flight on Singapore Airline

FLIGHT INFO

HOW I BOOKED 

_{Beautiful Tip: It is important to keep up to date on miles/points expiry as it was a use or lose situation with my SQ miles. For example, you can pay to extend KrisFlyer miles only ONCE.  While not the most convenient routing, the sale gave me a great option to use those miles.}

HOW TO EARN THE POINTS FOR REDEMPTION

AIRLINE TRANSFER PARTNERS: 

• American Express Membership Rewards: 1:1 transfer ratio; xfers typically take less than 24 hours
• Capital One: 1:1 transfer ratio; xfers usually instant
• Chase Ultimate Rewards: 1:1 transfer ratio; xfers typically within a day but I have heard of wait for up to a week
• Citi ThankYou Rewards: 1:1 transfer ratio; xfers typically take less than 24 hours

CREDIT CARDS: These cards are currently offering great sign up bonuses that would allow you to transfer to KrisFlyer!

• Capital One Venture 
• Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve – ENDING SOON 75K BONUS!
• Chase Business Ink Cards

_{Beautiful Tip: Sometimes the best value for booking an award flight is to NOT book directly with the airline. Crazy right? For a long time, you were only able to book Singapore premium cabin awards through KrisFlyer but it is now possible to book business class with their partners, specifically Air Canada Aeroplan. And this is where it gets interesting, booking through AC would only be 60K Aeroplan miles + CA$78 VS 81K KrisFlyer Miles + $5.60 which is almost the 30% discount I had booking the Spontaneous Escape promo fare! Biggest difference is ability to book significantly further ahead ie I’m finding March 2025 SQ business seats now through Aeroplane for the 60K price!} 

CHECK IN/SECURITY/LOUNGE ACCESS

Some great perks when booking business class tickets are the extras that help make the entire flying experience better, smoother and more luxurious.  

For example, you would use the business class counter which is normally significantly shorter than economy class to check in. Typically there is also a higher baggage allowance with increased number of bags and weight limits with these tickets. For this flight, SQ business class allows two pieces of luggage up to 32 kg/70.5 lb each.  Interestingly, it is also listed that you are allowed to carry on two pieces of luggage that weigh up to 7 kg/15.4 lbs.  I am a fairly light packer but even that is not doable for me!  Luckily there was no issue in bringing on my normal carry on bag + personal items that were definitely over that weight limit as no one even looked at much less weighed my items.  

Once you’re checked in, getting through security is easier through the premier access line. 

I personally can’t speak to how the experience at JFK was with the above items was as I checked in online + as #teamcarryon, didn’t check bags and used the Clear + TSA Precheck line (and shout out to JFK as this was incredibly fast!).  

And pre-flight, you’ll be able to relax in a lounge ~ I am not sure which one you are able to use with this ticket, as I went to check out the new Chase Sapphire Lounge.

CABIN CONFIGURATION/SEAT:

The 777-300 has 48 business class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. There’s a smaller three row cabin behind first class with galley space between it and the second larger nine row cabin which is where I was situated. 

The seats are incredibly wide at 28” across with 55” pitch and convert into a 78” fully flat bed.  There is a wraparound section on the seats that gives some privacy especially when seated. You are a bit more exposed when the seat is converted into a bed. But this is really in comparison to other business class seats that have doors which afford more privacy.  If you have been flying economy or premium economy, the amount of space, lie flat seats to sleep in and any privacy will be light years ahead of what your other flight experiences have been like.

Some of the quirks are that the footwell is angled* (it’s a space saving measure and many airlines’  business class seats have this feature) and the seat doesn’t recline past 25%. You need to move the entire back of the seat forward in order for it to go completely lie flat and it’s not intuitive how to accomplish this.  

Once the seat is configured into a bed, a mattress pad is placed on top along with bedding (an additional pillow, top sheet and comforter). As someone who is petite – exactly 5’0”, I can’t speak to the adequacy or lack of leg space since it’s a non issue for me.  The bed/seat is firm and the mattress pad is fairly thin which may not be to some people’s liking but I found it to be fairly comfortable.  I had no issues as a side/stomach sleeper who tosses and turns was able to sleep well during the flight (even with my seat belt on) and woke up feeling pretty refreshed.

No amenity kits were given but slippers, socks and an eye mask were provided at each seat.  In the app, it was listed among the items that you can request from the crew.  Toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving kits, hairbrush/combs, sanitary napkins were stocked in the restrooms.

It was a well designed space with the amount of storage space and large tray table as welcomed + useful features.  In the cubby next to the table, there was a bottle of water and headphones (along with disposable covers for the ear portions).  There’s a large cubby that fit my laptop along with books, glasses, etc that I was easily able to access from both the seat and bed configurations.  There’s an additional cubby + mirror that is next to the IFE system. And there’s more! Underneath the ottoman, there’s room for a shoulder/laptop bag (my backpack fit into this) and a dedicated place for shoes. 

_{Beautiful tip is to keep slippers or shoes accessible when converting to bed mode.  Otherwise trying to dig for them when going to the restroom can make for a frustrating experience!} 

*Well not all the seats, those  in row 11 and 15 do have full width benches but SQ reserves these seats for those KrisFlyer status. I believe that row 15 for those traveling with a baby would be able to book regardless of status as they could accommodate a bassinet. 

Unfortunately the “hack” that I had been reading of requesting for these rows was not successful as I was told via chat and on the phone at 96 hours that they were not available. And at 48 hours check in, I was unable to select those seats. Interestingly, row 15 was completely empty for my flight and I didn’t check the front business cabin to see if row 11 also remained empty. I had forgotten about these seats until I boarded the plane or otherwise I would have asked the gate agents to reseat me when I went to do my passport check.

IFE/WIFI

18” LCD monitor with a very diverse mix of selections and over 1,800 movie and TV selections.  

The internet was free of charge for the flight with my business class seat.  The speed wasn’t great and I can’t imagine it would have supported any type of streaming as TikTok and Instagram videos didn’t always play.

FOOD/DRINK

One thing that I love to do is check out the food and drink menu pre-flight to pysch myself up for my premium cabin flights.  And this is definitely something that you need to do if you are planning to eat on the plane.  Most airlines close meal selection 24 hours before a flight departs so select your meals prior to that to ensure that it is loaded onto the plane and available for you. 

In addition, Singapore has a ‘Book the Cook’ section that will only be available if pre-ordered. I was a bit bummed that flying this route meant that I wasn’t getting either the satay or the lobster thermador – IYKYK.  I preordered the Prawn pork dumpling noodle soup from the Book the Cook menu. 

The appetizer course (Valley Hot Smoked Trout and Aerofarms Salad) was phenomenal and definitely the best thing that I ate on this flight (and actually ranks in my top five food plane items this year.) The noodle soup was tasty but made me question if I should have gotten the sea bass instead.  I had ice cream for dessert so I was happy and content with that choice.

I am still avoiding drinking with my knee situation but I can’t resist when offered so I had a glass of champagne otherwise did not partake in the alcoholic drink choices.

FLIGHT EXPERIENCE 

I have always loved the service on Singapore Airlines and this crew was great as others .  Meals were served promptly with good pacing and beverages were refilled often.  My flight attendant was attentive and also very proactive in ensuring a lovely experience.  When dessert was being served, she inquired about sleep times so she could set up my bed for me and informed me of all the amenities available in the WC.  But when she noticed that I was headed to the restroom to brush my teeth (about 30 mins before the time I had told her), she came by to ask if she could have my bed set up for me so as to not inconvenience me later.  It is a strange thing to have people open an airline bathroom door for you but that seems to be an Asian airline business/first class thing. That I am not sure I will ever get used to.  Besides that, I found the service to be warm, attentive without veering into being obtrusive.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 

It’s a lie-flat business seat that I got for free from putting all my spend on a credit card and getting a big welcome bonus, so can’t really complain about the price.  It was a great value with being able to book it at the promo rate of 56.7K KrisFlyer miles and especially since I would have lost them otherwise.  Honestly I can’t remember which flight in 2016 I canceled to even have them in the first place as it’s fairly common that I change my mind about trips – if you’re wondering why I felt like this made the most sense for a redemption, I knew I had to be in Berlin for the start of the cruise in a few months. Otherwise, there’s always a strong chance plans would change and I would lose out on the miles.

I would absolutely fly this route again if it fits into my travels but would first look to save points by booking through Aeroplan next time.