As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Well, it applies perfectly to this flight. Logically, my Air France flight in the first class between Paris and Singapore should have been matched by a return flight in the same cabin in the opposite direction.
Unfortunately, not everything goes according to plan. Having received a shock on the tarmac, the aircraft that should have brought me back to Paris had to undergo a thorough examination and by the time the engineers arrived on site, my flight was postponed for 24 hours. The good news in the story is that Air France immediately re-routed me on Singapore Airlines which gave me the opportunity to try their prestigious and very famous suite on board the 380.
So I won’t have to dwell on the Jetquay “CIP Lounge” which welcomes Air France passengers in Singapore and which is far from being at the level of what is offered at CDG out of Paris.
In addition, you get a musical visit of Changi because to get from the lounge to the Singapore Airlines lounge I had to cross the airport from end to end. 15 minutes in an electric buggy through the hallways. Video reduced to two minutes after editing.
Let’s get to the highlights of this flight.
– The lounge
The “Private Room” dedicated to Suite passengers is spacious, sober and warm.
It exudes rigor, but perhaps too much so. It lacks a little something personal, human, warmth (not in the sense of warmth of materials used but human warmth).
– Catering (on the ground and in flight)
The dishes are impeccably made, presented and served.
However, do not expect any gastronomic creativity. It is in the international standard, intended to please the greatest number. As for the lounge, this is classism pushed to its paroxysm.
– The cabin
Although it is no longer fresh, it continues to be an example and a standard for the market.
Here again it’ s very sober. I hate the bling of the First class cabins of some Gulf airlines but this is maybe a bit too much in the other direction. Too dark, it lacks cheerfulness.
The bedding is not up to the level of Air France’s Sofitel MyBed.
Nothing to say about the IFE. The remote control looks “old” but for the rest the system is pleasant to use and works well. The screen is of good size and quality.
– The staff
I wonder if anyone ever makes a mistake at Singapore Airlines. Everything meticulous, perfect, processed. At the limit of robotization.
But this has a counterpart: if you expect a warm and caring relationship you have come to the wrong place. Not that they are not attentive…but because one has the impression of an almost mechanical perfection where finally the humanity and the “non operational” relationship with the customer has no place.
– Final comment
It is close to perfection. Only close because it lacks, according to my conception of the service at this level of range, a little warmth, humanity, that would not be too much. Singapore is all about sobriety, quality, classism and efficiency, but to such an extent that one feels a certain frustration. By eliminating all rough edges, by wanting to eliminate all risk of deviation, we lose warmth and creativity.
Now you are probably wondering what is the best first class on a direct flight between Paris and Singapore? The answer in a future post.
You can find the full story of the trip on flight-report.
The pictures of the flight areon flickr.
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