Singapore Airlines revamps premium economy meals and champagne
It’s the Star Alliance member’s most wide-reaching upgrade to premium economy in almost a decade.
By Chris Ashton, March 15 2024
Singapore Airlines’ premium economy experience is set for a sweeping overhaul this month in what the airline describes as the first “comprehensive revamp” since the in-between cabin’s introduction in 2015.
Lifting off from March 31 are new rotating menus featuring more than 200 dishes, together with eco-friendly amenity kits from US brand Out of the Woods, upgraded tableware and a broader selection of drinks.
The latter includes a glass of Charles de Cazanove Brut Tradition NV champagne served shortly after takeoff, as well as Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand’s Marlborough region and a St Hallett Faith Shiraz from the Barossa.
Hard copy menus also detail the available offerings onboard.
Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice President of Customer Experience, Mr Yeoh Phee Teik, says consumer feedback and market research guided the overhaul, with the goal of delivering “a personalised and world-class in-flight experience” for modern travellers.
A choice of two mains is offered on every flight, complemented by an expanded range of Book the Cook meals, which can be selected up to 24 hours prior to departure.
Among the appetisers are:
- garlic roasted prawns with aioli and spanish fried potatoes
- broccoli salad with hot smoked salmon
- seasonal variations of Japanese cold noodles
Thai-style crab curry with seasonal vegetables and rice.
These are joined by mains including:
- beef Bourguignon served with bacon, mushrooms, vegetables, and potato gratin
- Japanese teriyaki salmon don
- Bak Chor Mee (minced pork noodles)
- Thai-style Crab Curry served with jasmine and brown rice, plus seasonal vegetables
- chicken satay with nasi goreng kampung
Rounding out the meal are decadent desserts such as:
- chocolate feuilletine cake
- apple crumble cheesecake
- mascarpone cream cake
All meals are accompanied by chocolate, cheese and crackers, while additional snacks such as almonds and cashews can also be enjoyed throughout the flight.
For breakfast, herbed omelette, sausages and sautéed mushrooms.
Crockery is receiving a welcome upgrade too, with the hard plastic plates and bowls of old being switched out in favour of a more attractive, glazed porcelain tableware.
Passengers jetting off on flights of seven hours or more will also receive an new Out of the Woods amenity kit stocked with lip balm in biodegradable packaging, plus eyeshades and slippers made from recycled PET material.
The new amenity kits are made from eco-friendly kraft paper fabric.
This retooling of Singapore Airlines’ premium economy is sure to be welcomed by travellers, bringing it back into line against rival airlines such as Emirates, which introduced its own take on premium economy in 2022.
Singapore Airlines offers premium economy to 31 destinations, including Sydney and Melbourne to Singapore, as well as London-Heathrow, Paris and Frankfurt.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Sep 2012
Total posts 234
I hope that they expand the offerings in Economy to 3 meal choices instead of their typical two, especially for flights to eastern coast of Australia. Or allow Economy passengers to select Book the Cook - perhaps with less selection choices than Premium Economy.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Sep 2012
Total posts 234
Wow I didn't realise that there are people who don't want an airline to improve their offerings and flight experience. I wouldn't be surprised if the downvoters happen to be fanboys of a certain red tailed kangaroo carrier.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 711
Dude, do you really think red tailed roo-boys would come to the defense of SIA? No. Here's why. Your post sort of reads like a whine about SIA not offering a choice of 3 meals in Eco, when in the meantime in Premium they also get only two. Last time I looked Premium fares were . . . at a premium to Eco, so the latter aren't likely to get a superior meal choice to those in Premium who paid more, are they? As for 'Book the Cook', that's complimentary above Eco, so if you want it expect to pay for it separately from your airfare, NOT as an inclusion. BTW, I support the idea of Eco getting access to 'Book the Cook' menu structure on a par-per-meal basis, because I'd definitely pay for it if flying back there.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Jedinak, its Friday arvo on East cost of AUS, Beer O'clock began about 40 minutes ago (I know I'm not alone) and I've just finished a can of Johnnie Walker & Cola pre-mix (can you believe I had to walk to the bar fridge MY-SELF!). So . . . rant over, let's reload and go back to hunting for those red-tailed roo-boys. :-) Haveagoodweekend.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2013
Total posts 57
Johnnie Walker and Cola pre-mix? Boeing-Tragic, you really should get out more.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 711
In my defense, I blame proximity of the Board bar fridge to the 'Executive Work Station' here in the office. But . . . as it's now gone past 5pm AEDST . . . . last one to leave please turn off the lights!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2013
Total posts 57
Cheers!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Sep 2012
Total posts 234
Boeing Tragic, Hahaha thoroughly enjoyed reading your comment. I do see your points re. 3 meal choices in Eco when they still offer 2 in Premium Eco. Perhaps if they offer Book the Cook at extra charge like you've suggested while keeping two meal choices in Eco that feels reasonable. It's good that they are improving Premium Eco catering overall, just suggesting other areas that they could look at to improve. Because at the end of the day whether one is a loyalist or not, competition helps to innovate and improve the product so that the customer wins.
Hope the Johnnie-Walker and Cola pre-mix satiated your beer cravings! Have a good weekend too!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 May 2019
Total posts 39
The choice of alcohol is low end and nothing to crow about. Hopefully the food will be good.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 711
Hmmm, not so sure, Blackwell wines are, IMHO, amongst the top-5 in the Barossa (each to their own). But, your point is a good one, given its Premium Economy, I'd have thought the Barossa Blackwell Shiraz could have been Butchers Cart or even Stuart Blackwell special (but Faith ???).
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 711
The choice of St Hallet Faith has been doing my head in all week-end, and I've now discovered why, IMHO, it was chosen. See following link (WARNING: this link leads to graphic content that may disturbing and/or offensive to wine aficionados who, until now, think wine only comes in bottles):
https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_494620/st-hallett-faith-shiraz-bagnum-1-5l?isFromSearch=false&isPersonalised=false&isSponsored=false&pageName=category_page&state=1
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
26 Sep 2018
Total posts 9
As someone who has done more than 250 flights on SQ, this is welcome news. Up until post - covid I had never had a bad flight on them and was their biggest advocate. Since then the downgrading in service offerings across all classes must ultimately affect their brand. Why you would have arguably the best airline in the world and then penny pinch and destroy the brand is beyond me. I do notice in that photo the tacky cup for coffee - like the tacky paper cup I was given for a beer in economy recently. Sell it to me that it is to save the planet all you want. It is typical corporate lies - it is to add to the bottom line. Downgrading the brand is stupidity in my opinion. Fortunately the crew are as great as ever.
09 May 2020
Total posts 571
You didn’t mention their “trial” of paper meal packaging; most trials are permanent IMHO so the backlash must be so bad they didn’t go ahead. And nothing green about paper food packaging except they are single use but too impractical to recycle.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 974
I wouldn't just say SQ has downgraded the services, I would say every company and every industry has downgraded services which is a real shame.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jun 2020
Total posts 11
Plastic cup and paper cups , still not premium enough for me , maybe they need to fly on emirates or qantas see understand premium food service , bottled water for meal service ,,,,, really
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2013
Total posts 57
Premium food service on Qantas? Yeah...nah.
It hasn't been remotely premium in Business Class for years. Toasted chicken schnitzel sandwich anyone? Then earlier this month I flew QF70 Business Class A330 from Delhi to Melbourne, and had the worst dinner ever on Qantas, and that's saying something. The entrée was sliced cold chicken breast on a pile of shredded lettuce with a dollop of commercial Thai sweet chilli sauce on top. Not at all premium, but at least it was edible unlike the main course. For main I had to choose chicken again as the alternatives didn't appeal, and it was a crumbed chicken cutlet with a coating that was peculiarly flavoured with Indian spices. Weird spicing aside, the chicken defied knife and fork being as tough as my hiking boots, dry and ridiculously overcooked. I managed to get my knife through enough of a corner of it to have a small taste and it gave my choppers plenty of jaw-straining exercise on the way down. I left the rest as did a fellow traveller. The pleasantly affable steward, busy clearing several similar barely touched serves of the same, asked what I thought of it. I said AWFUL and he scurried away. I felt sorry for him having to serve up such indigestible stuff.
21 Nov 2014
Total posts 4
I'm a PE guy
I never worry too much about the food
For me it's dedicated class toilets-not so much the actual sharing of amenities but the passing foot traffic you have to endure from economy passengers traipsing forward to the loo
And seat comfort?I dont fly economy too much but I've had much much better seats in economy around the World than some of the PE seats I've endured-even budget airlines like Jetstar do a decent seat.Just because the seat is bigger doesnt mean its more comfortable
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Mar 2024
Total posts 1
Went premium economy Perth/LHR return a couple of years ago. Very disappointed. Hard to tell difference from economy.
Also I'm quite surprised by how highly rated Singapore Airlines is. They've lost my luggage on last two trips.
On my last trip they flew my wife to Singapore then told us they didn't have seat for her on onward leg to the UK. Luckily we had several hours to sort it out, but in the process were told by heir customer service people they couldn't find another seat on that or any other plane. Months later after several reminders, they apologised. Wow! Flying premium economy and with Virgin gold by the way.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Sep 2015
Total posts 26
For Premium Economy on a premium airline is it too hard or just not practicable to serve drinks in glass and tea/coffee in a China cup/mug? I would have thought it would make a world of difference in the presentation. I appreciate that so much might have to do with space limitations but to me it kind of looks a little on the cheap side using paper cups in a "premium" cabin.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2013
Total posts 57
Space limitations and weight issues are the things here I suppose, as china cups and wine glasses do weigh a bit and take up plenty of space. I would much prefer they economise on the cups and "glasses," cardboard or whatever, and instead serve reasonable wines instead of the many sweet-sour, passionfruit-juicy sauvignon blancs, and oaky, harsh cabernet sauvignons we have to endure.
09 Dec 2022
Total posts 1
I hope they upgrade their seats so the food is less important. This is the Worst Premium economy seat I have ever been in. They do everything else well.
BA Gold
01 Apr 2012
Total posts 192
Are the promo shots in the article the 'new' offerings?
Looks good but a pity SQ didn't take the opportunity to get ride of the plastic glasses and paper coffee cups.
07 Feb 2022
Total posts 27
They are indeed the new offerings.
BA Gold
01 Apr 2012
Total posts 192
@yorkdm. You struggled to see the difference between Premium Eco and Eco on PER - LHR!?
I will premise this by saying I am far far from a QF flag flyer but if they do ONE thing well, it's Premium Economy. Economy is meh and Business meh. But Premium IMHO is one of the best out there.
But being specific, differences you may not have seen between Eco and Prem Eco.
- Completely different seat, similar to domestic J.
- Three choices of meal on crockery with a decent starter and dessert. In economy, you do not even get a tray let alone a starter. It's a main course served in a plastic tub and a piece of bread.
- Same wines as business class.
- Silverware, glassware and proper crockery coffee cups.
- Two dedicated crew that look after the 30-odd seats on the 787.
- Access to an extensive hot refreshment menu including ham and cheese toasties.
27 Sep 2023
Total posts 6
All these Kevins and Karens in the chats paying PE but having expectations to the likes of business class is hilarious 🤣🤣
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
19 Jul 2014
Total posts 29
Flew P/E on SQ last year SYD/FCO RT. Apart from 3 inches increase in seat pitch it was a very bottom of the bucket experience, rude off handed service never again for us. All fluff no substance..
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1518
PE nowadays looks pretty much like economy 30 years back. Question is what is economy nowadays looks like? And mind you that we have plenty to go down from economy like LCC and there Jetstar is far from being the worst. Meanwhile proper Business is by far better than First 30 years ago. Gap is already in size of Great Canyon and each iteration make this gap only bigger and bigger.
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