Review: Singapore Airlines business class, SQ288 Sydney-Canberra-Singapore
By David Flynn, May 3 2018
Route
Sydney - Singapore
Aircraft Type
Boeing 777-300ER
Airline
Singapore Airlines
Flight
SQ288
Cabin Class
Business
Seat
17K
Notes
The Good
- SQ's great business class seat
- Book the Cook meals
The Bad
- Transit at Canberra
X-Factor
- Overnight from Sydney to Singapore
Introduction
Singapore Airlines’ rejig of its Canberra flights has seen the failed Wellington-Canberra-Singapore 'Capital Express' route (launched with great fanfare in September 2016) replaced by a daily Sydney-Canberra-Singapore service.
It’s a win in almost every column.
Singapore Airlines gets a fifth daily Sydney flight, increasing its appeal over the two daily Sydney-Singapore flights of Qantas.
The schedule for SQ288 gives Sydney business travellers the option of an overnight flight, departing Sydney at 9.20pm for a 5.15am arrival at Singapore’ Changi Airport – even if this means a bit of a detour via Canberra.
ACT travellers get to trade up from the older Boeing 777-200 of the Capital Express to Singapore Airlines’ flagship Boeing 777-300ER with the airline’s latest ‘open’ first class suites (albeit just four of them) and business class seats.
And everyone headed to Singapore can easily transfer to Singapore Airlines' morning wave of departures to Europe as well as many regional SQ and SilkAir flights.
Australian Business Traveller joined the inaugural flight of SQ288 from Sydney to Singapore to see how it stacks up.
Lounge
As we’ve previously detailed, Sydney has two Star Alliance lounges available to Singapore Airlines' business class passengers (and Star Alliance Gold-grade frequent flyers): these are the Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand lounges, handily situated next door to one another at T1’s southwest pier, near gates 58-59.
(There's a handy shortcut towards this part of the airport once you're through customs and security – veer left and cut through the corridor which leads to the TRS Tax Refund office.)
A flash of your boarding pass will get you into either the SQ or NZ lounges, and indeed you can visit both before your flight.
The main drawcard of the Air New Zealand lounge for evening flights is the tended bar, which serves up a decent range of beer, wine, spirits and cocktails along with excellent barista-pulled coffee.
The bar closes at 8pm – so if you get to the airport before 8pm, this is your first port of call.
There’s a lot less going on in the food department at the AirNZ lounge in these late hours: during our visit you could choose between pork & chorizo meatballs, spiced eggplant, some sandwiches and a range of salads.
The desserts were tempting, however.
In our experience the Air New Zealand lounge also has much faster WiFi: the SQ lounge's Internet feed is as slow as a wet week in Wagga, so if ploughing through work is high on your pre-flight to-do list, choose your lounge accordingly.
Almost all of Singapore Airlines business class passengers on SQ288 will, naturally, default to the airlines' neighbouring SilverKris Lounge.
In the coffee stakes, Singapore Airlines' SilverKris lounge relies on machine-made coffee (although it also has T2 teas) but bests its Kiwi cousin in most other respects.
Around 8.30pm we found it quieter than the Air New Zealand lounge, and the semi-private ‘productivity booths’ are built with business travellers in mind: there’s room for your laptop or tablet (with AC/USB power sockets), a plate of food and a drink.
Speaking of which, the SilverKris business class lounge has far better supper fare than the Air New Zealand lounge.
During our stay we sampled the Cajun chicken thigh fillets, beef vindaloo & coconut rice, and carrot & ginger soup; there was also yellow curry basa fillet, penne pasta with pesto and sun-dried tomatoes, plus smoked salmon and salads.
I'd suggest you take advantage of a meal at the SilverKris lounge because apart from a light snack served on the Sydney-Canberra leg, you won't see 'dinner' proper until around midnight after SQ288 heads from Canberra to Singapore.
Given that most business class passengers will likely be in the Sydney lounge 90 minutes before the flight departs, 8pm sounds about right for dinner and a drink.
Flight
If you’re joining SQ288 at Sydney it’s business as usual – make your way through immigration and security, then head to the lounge.
If you’ve come through from Singapore and are continuing to Canberra it’s a bit more involved: you get off the flight at the arrivals level, go through the transit section and head up to the departures level to reboard your flight (or duck into the SQ SilverKris lounge if there’s time enough and you’re so inclined).
The first leg of SQ288 is a nominal 30 minute sprint from Sydney to Canberra.
The schedule posits a full hour in the air (from 9.20pm to 10.20pm) so there’s quite some padding – in our case the trip had an estimated flying time of 29 minutes but saw us arriving at 10.15pm.
It has to be said, there’s something quite novel about flying from Sydney to Canberra in a mighty Boeing 777-300ER (and before you ask, no, SQ isn't allowed to sell the Sydney-Canberra segment as a domestic leg on its own).
Once the flight lands in Canberra, everybody gets off, and passengers bound for Singapore show their boarding pass before heading upstairs via escalator to the departures area.
This is where everybody spends the next hour or so.
There’s no dedicated lounge for business class travellers or frequent flyers, although Canberra Airport has done a good job of creating space with plenty of seating for solo travellers, couples, larger groups and those who need to plug in their laptop or tablet and get some work done.
There are two parts to the departures area. The first is directly ahead when you step off the escalator and features a bar selling drinks and snacks, and looks to be the busiest and noisiest area.
But beyond that, across from a small duty-free store, is another wing of the departures lounge which during our stopover was far less patronised and thus a lot quieter.
While there's only an hour at most in this departures area, I felt that Singapore Airlines could have done something a little more for its business and first class passengers, such as reserving a section of seating and offering a free coffee or tea at the bar upon showing you boarding pass.
The second and longer leg of SQ288, from Canberra to Singapore, saw us called to reboard the flight from 11pm in time for an 11.30pm departure
Business class passengers get a pair of socks, slippers and eye-mask for the overnight leg, with further amenities (including dental and shaving kits) stocked in the bathroom, although no pyjamas are handed out.
After a 7½ hour trek north-west to Singapore, we touched down at a still-dark 5am.
(Business travel trivia: this entire service carries a single flight number of SQ288 because it effectively runs as a Singapore-Sydney-Canberra loop rather than be broken up into two discrete legs, each with their own flight number.)
Seat
Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 777-300ER is fitted with the airline’s Next Generation business class seats, which made their debut in mid-2013 and have since been carried over to the newer Airbus A350 jets.
Arranged in a forward-facing (not angled) 1-2-1 configuration, the design affords plenty of space.
A raised section under the foot-cubby provides space to stow your carry-on bag during take-off and landing…
… as well as your shoes during the flight.
Other smart storage touches include an amenity storage area above the cocktail tray…
… and a laptop nook conveniently located next to the AC and USB sockets.
Flipping over the back of the 28-inch wide seat converts it into a 78-inch (2 metre) long flat bed complete with mattress, topper and pillow.
The bed is skewed to an angle rather than straight ahead, which means some taller travellers prefer to sleep on their side with a bit of a bend at the knees.
Coupled with that bed, the 'Do Not Disturb' button comes in very handy on the Canberra-Singapore leg.
Meal
Despite the very short flying time between Sydney and Canberra, business class passengers enjoy a refreshment en route: on our inaugural flight it was a smoked duck salad.
This had barely been served before the PA announcement advised to prepare for landing and stow the tray tables, and it almost felt like a race against the clock – I’m not sure that the Sydney-Canberra leg even needs a meal squeezed in.
Following our 11.30pm departure from Canberra, supper was served just on midnight. SQ terms this a ‘sleeper service’ with just a main course and a small fruit plate – there’s no fancy appetisers or side dishes.
The meal can be served just after take-off as a very late supper, or two hours before arrival as a very early breakfast.
The business class menu on our flight included braised chicken in saffron & tomato sauce, mushroom quiche, a selection of dim sum., an ‘American breakfast’ (scrambled eggs and chicken sausage served with tomatoes and spinach and potatoes) and a lighter continental breakfast.
Passengers can also choose a dish from Singapore Airlines’ more extensive Book the Cook menu before they fly: you can peruse the full menu here, from which I chose the Tasmanian salmon in wild-lime butter sauce with steamed green beans and pasta.
It would have looked better – and certainly as good as it tasted – without that single soggy lettuce leaf atop the pasta.
Breakfast was available from 3am in Singapore-time, two hours before landing. Hitting your seat’s Do Not Disturb button will go some way towards maximising your sleep, although not everybody can snooze through the brighter cabin lights and the clatter of plates, cups and cutlery – that said, on this flight almost nobody had breakfast.
Entertainment & Service
I’d question if anybody would be watching inflight movies when there’s less than 7 hours for sleeping, and most of the passengers in the business class cabin seemed to agree – after the meal (and sometimes without it) it was time to bunk down.
But if you do want to relax with a video, especially on the flight’s Singapore-Sydney return leg, the massive 18 inch video screen and extensive library with several latest release over and boxed set TV series will keep you happy.
Inflight Internet is also available on Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 777-300ER, with 30MB free for all business class passengers (good for a quick hit of email, online news or social media).
After that 30MB vanishes all-too-quickly you have a choice between three data-capped plans: US$7 for 15MB, US$13 for 30MB and US$20 for 50MB. But the connection proved so slow that I’d suggest it isn't worth signing up for.
Service on this flight was typically Singapore Airlines: prompt yet unobtrusive. Especially on the Canberra-Singapore leg the crew seemed well aware that sleep would be a premium, so they bustled the meals out within a half hour of our departure.
Summary
The flight itself was typically Singapore Airlines and hard to fault for business class. The challenges come from the route and the timing: passengers leaving from Sydney won't be able to sleep until after departing Canberra coming up to midnight, although that's roughly the same 7½ flying time as a straight Sydney-Singapore trip.
Of course, you’ll likely want your accomodation sorted for an early checkin at the hotel after that 5.15am arrival into Singapore – this might mean having your room booked from the day prior.
That given, SQ288 will be a good fit into the schedule of busy Sydney business travellers who want to zip straight from their office to the lounge, while Canberra’s corporate flyers can have a relaxing dinner at home and even tuck the kids into bed before making their way to the airport.
David Flynn travelled as a guest of Singapore Airlines
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
05 Mar 2012
Total posts 26
Why do they feel the need to do a breakfast service on such a flight? Do any airlines completely forgo such a service on red eye flights?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2204
People like having the option of eating, even if they might decline to.
However, abbreviated meal service on a red-eye is not a new concept:
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
02 Feb 2015
Total posts 40
NO Harm in saying " No Thank you " , I have done many times. But it is great to get the option !! Thx SIA
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
Irrespective of mode, it's preferable that bright lights only get switched on an hour before arrival. I assume cabin crew would say it's a safety issue but surely they can carry food and drink with just a small amount of lighting, perhaps at 'half' if there's such an option, or the 'stars' arrangement seen on some more recently introduced frames.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2204
Absolutely--it's the light that makes all the difference, so I'm a huge fan of mood lighting to create a slow and gentle "sunrise". The "starry night" mode is really nice, too--EK have this.
I find that I sleep much better with the later departures out of SIN. Before it was axed with the return of QF2 via SIN, QF6 SIN-SYD in Y was an excellent example, with a hot midnight snack served on takeoff and then a proper breakfast at a civilised hour before landing.
People will always like having the choice of taking the food, but getting the food/sleep balance right without it coming across as el cheapo cost-cutting is difficult, particularly in J.
06 Dec 2017
Total posts 110
off the topic I kind of remember flying home from HNL twice in a row in my life when the planes left in the small hours of the new day home to Sydney.a supper at some ungodly hour thanks to the time difference and a breakfast two hours out of sydney and that was a slightly longer flying time.there was the option of not eating at all or partaking.it's an odd ball thing with redeye flights
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jul 2015
Total posts 219
Wet week in Wagga! Bit hard on Wagga there even if true.... SQ really taking it to QF with five Sydney flights. May well be looking at Star Alliance soon.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
SQ also now has four daily Melbourne flights. It's not world best airline for no reason.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1209
Pricing is interesting on this new route. It tends to be about $500 less than direct SYD-SIN service in J & W and $150 less in Y.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
reeves35, interestingly in the latest month's figures I've seen (Feb 2018), SQ's passenger numbers between CBR and WLG had risen compared to Feb 2017 and were fairly good.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 May 2018
Total posts 4
Actually, before SQ288 was launched, SQ did operate a fifth SQ251/252 frequency on some days of the week (daily during the peak season). That flight operated an hour or so before the SQ231/222 rotation.
24 Dec 2013
Total posts 97
Did you notice how many premium passengers originated in Canberra?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
I didn't count, but I daresay that numbers for an inaugural are not the best indicator of anything other than that particular flight.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
02 Feb 2015
Total posts 40
Was Parliment sitting ? There are always more hangers on at that time !
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Dec 2014
Total posts 43
No, not a parliamentary sitting week
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2014
Total posts 157
Wow $20 for 50MB of internet? In business class? Are they kidding? And its so slow its almost useless? I really like SQ but they need to sort that out. The pricing is outrageous.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
14 Mar 2017
Total posts 152
Some of their aircraft had a much more reasonable $25 unlimited for the flight price, which I even used for video conferencing, but they seem to have ditched that. Disappointing.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
Yes, SQ has different pricing schemes depending on the aircraft and service provider – on its Airbus A350s you can indeed sign up for the whole flight for US$22.
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 177
I agree that SQ needs to make better provision for business class and first class passengers at CBR. Roping off part of the lounge and maybe even having a crew member take coffee orders from those passengers and bring them their free coffee, just a small thing like this would add that 'premium' feeling.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
Terrific photos (and text) with the shot of the food at the SQ Sydney lounge capturing the lighting correctly - not always easy.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Apr 2016
Total posts 22
Did anyone else notice that delightful "swan" in the coffee?
05 Mar 2012
Total posts 26
Lounges in Australia and New Zealand really hit it out of the park when it comes to coffee. Is there a barista service at a lounge anywhere else in the world? I can’t think of one...
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
14 Mar 2017
Total posts 152
I vaguely recall getting a barista coffee at the GVK Lounge in Mumbai, but it was nothing to write home about.
07 Dec 2016
Total posts 37
Hi David,
07 Dec 2016
Total posts 37
Oops that should read, 'if one boards SQ 228 at Canberra'!!!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
14 Mar 2017
Total posts 152
Virgin keeps the lounge open for those departing Canberra, and you can stay till quite late as there is never a line for immigration.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
24 Jan 2013
Total posts 30
In what way exactly was the Capital Express a "failed" route , bit of kiwi bashing! considering the claimed loadings and the fare levels i struggle with this comment. If WLG is so bad why bother replacing it , however frankly MEL is a much more attractive dest than CBR. and we also dont really appreciate the 15 year old aircraft but we are happy to have SQ make no bones about that . Other than your somewhat ill infoirmed remark unless SQ was telling porkys a great review
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
You can always look at the loadings yourself by referring to the BITRE's monthly international airlines report. Just go to the last major table and you'll see that Canberra - Wellington (which had only one airline, SQ) will will show how many passengers used the sector in say Feb 2018 v Feb 2017, separately identified for inbound and outbound.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
24 Jan 2013
Total posts 30
thank you for that and i will cos this has been something of a "go round in the media" here . we need longhaul believe me going via akl is just ruibbish
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
24 Jan 2013
Total posts 30
very intersting reading
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
24 Jan 2013
Total posts 30
so last thing dont those stats show that CBR int uplift was a big increase YOY i havent quite broken it down yet but seems there is demand there. beintersting to see how MEL works for sq
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
rich5011, I'm in furious agreement that there was 'demand' for (SIN)-CBR-WLG and return but the key is it had to be at what the airline regarded as a 'sustainable' (read: profitable) yield.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 May 2018
Total posts 4
I sort of deduced from reading the press releases that came out when they announced these changes that both markets were growing but maybe not at the same rate, with CBR growing quite a bit faster than WLG was.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
14 Mar 2017
Total posts 152
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
14 Mar 2017
Total posts 152
Actually, it's late and I've failed at math. It's more like 15 flights a month...
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 595
My maths says 8 if 1300 was each way for the month.
06 Dec 2017
Total posts 110
the thing with wellington is that it was the wrong aircraft.the a330 was more than enough for them in capacity and still a good plane.it's like they treat second grade cities like that.the rest gets the latest and greatest and smaller places miss out.WLG IS LIKE ADL AND PER.ALL YOU NEED IS A A330 and honestly the 777's on those services were getting old.fine within Asia but you would not want to be doing canberra or melbourne or sydney in one.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 595
They wanted the extra J capacity that 777-200 gave over the A330.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
17 Nov 2014
Total posts 102
May I ask for SYD-CBR sector, was any food or drink offered in this short flight?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
That's covered in the review.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Apr 2012
Total posts 57
Wagga Wagga never Wagga is a great place !
qf
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 8
Nice to have choice of flight times from Australian cities to Singapore in reference to taking on Qantas. One needs to understand, SQ have a major hub in SIN with connecting flights to all parts of Asia, Middle East and Europe. As an ex employee for SQ I can tell you that up to three quarters of their passengers are connecting to other ports. Not too many passengers are going only to Singapore. Without that Singapore Hub, SQ would not be operating their shcedule as it is currently. Same goes for airlines like CX, TG,EY, EK, etc. They all have Hubs at heir home ports. Hubs they can use significantly. Most QF passengers are only going to Singapore and as a consequence, they only operate a limited number of flights.Most of these airlines, SQ, and others, are nice to fly with, but they do have significant hub benefits they are able to take advantage of.
09 Nov 2011
Total posts 88
Any idea on whether there is another round of CIQ in Canberra? For example, am I allowed to buy duty free liquor when I board at SYD, transiting through CBR and onwards to SIN?
31 Dec 2014
Total posts 46
Lounge access in CBR would be good, but an arrivals lounge in SIN would be much better. It's a major oversight in such an impressive airport. Nowhere for an SQ J passenger to grab a quick shower before heading into town for the day.
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