Singapore Airlines Business Class Airbus A350-900ULR | San Francisco to Singapore

Airline: Singapore Airlines (SQ)
Flight Number: SQ33
Route: SFO-SIN
Class: Business Class
Aircraft: Airbus A350-900ULR
Registration: 9V-SGC
Delivered: October 2018
Flight Duration: 16 hours 35 minutes
Distance: 8,448 Miles
Blogpost: travelingfoody...
Overall Impression:
We were thrilled to have the opportunity to fly business class on one of Singapore Airlines' (SQ) ultra long haul routes. SQ is widely recognized as one of the top airlines in the industry, and we were curious to see how their business class experience compared to other carriers. Overall, our experience was positive, although not flawless. The A350-900ULR planes that SQ uses for long haul flights have a 2-class configuration, with 67 business class and 94 premium economy seats; there is no economy class cabin on this plane. The business class cabin is divided into a forward and aft section, featuring SQ's proprietary seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. While the seats are comfortable for dining and lounging, they are a bit quirky, requiring passengers to get up to convert them into a bed.
The in-flight service was attentive and refined. While we enjoyed the experience overall, the in-flight catering was somewhat hit-or-miss. My beef short rib main dish was a bit salty, and my companion's baked lobster was overcooked, but we thoroughly enjoyed Chinese dishes we ordered for breakfast.
What I Liked:
The in-flight service - Our in-flight experience on this recent flight was positive overall. The crew displayed attentiveness to our needs during meal service and even personalized their service by addressing us by name. Although there were some moments where their demeanor seemed robotic, it did not diminish the overall quality of their service. Moreover, the crew was responsive and mindful, checking in with us regularly to ensure that all our needs were met including a pre-departure beverage and turndown service.
The Catering - The catering on this flight was satisfactory, although it didn't quite measure up to the high standards set by airlines like JAL or Qatar. While there was a wide variety of beverages available, the food selection was rather limited. Unfortunately, the beef short rib main dish I ordered for dinner was overly salty and my companion's baked lobster was overcooked and tough. However, the wonton noodle soup and egg noodles with Yu Xiang Pork that we ordered for breakfast were delicious. Overall, while the catering didn't exceed our expectations, it was still decent and provided a decent dining experience.
The Seat - The business class seat on SQ's A350-900ULR is impressively wide and comfortable for sitting, lounging, and dining. However, I found the seat a little cumbersome as it requires getting up to convert it into a bed. Additionally, the seat pitch is a bit tight, so lying down diagonally is necessary for your feet to fit comfortably in the foot well.
What I didn't Like:
The lack of Personal Air Nozzles - One drawback of SQ's A350s is the lack of personal air nozzles, which can sometimes make it challenging to get comfortable, if the cabin temperature is too warm. However, on our flight, the crew was kind enough to keep the temperature cool, making for a more comfortable flight.
The IFE System - The Krisworld IFE system is impressive. The IFE screen is large and bright, and decent-quality noise-cancelling headphones are provided to business class passengers. The interface is user-friendly, with easy navigation and a wide variety of media content to choose from, making the 16-hour flight more enjoyable. The only downside is that the IFE is not touchscreen, which means passengers must use the remote control to navigate the system.
It's OK, I guess...
The United Polaris Lounge at SFO - SQ uses the SFO Polaris Lounge, which offers an expansive space for passengers to relax before their flight. The lounge features plenty of comfortable seating, as well as shower rooms for those who wish to freshen up. Guests can enjoy a full bar and a decent buffet spread, as well as a sit-down restaurant with freshly made dishes. However, during our visit, the wait for a table was over an hour, which may deter many passengers. The lounge was also overcrowded and chaotic, detracting from the overall experience.
The Amenities - Although we were flying on one of SQ's longest routes, we found the business class amenities to be somewhat lacking. At our seats, we were provided with noise-cancelling headphones, pillow, and bottled water, but the amenity kit, eye shades, socks, and slippers were only available upon request. While the bed was pre-made with a few extra pillows and a duvet, pajamas were not provided for business class passengers. Though the crew did do a good job in keeping the lavatories clean and well stocked with toiletries, toothbrushes, shaving kits, and hairbrushes.

[@stevenelson3515]

I’ll be taking the night flight SFO-SIN on Halloween, so it’ll be the non-ULR 350. We took SQ business once before, when SQ1 used to fly the route SFO-HKG-SIN on the 777-300ER. That was a magnificent plane. My only experience on the SQ non-stop was in PE, again on the non-ULR flight, and that was the reverse direction. It was comfortable enough and service was good. That was at the end of 2019 just before the CoVid lockdowns. Our post-CoVid trips have been on a mix Thank you for the video!of ANA and JAL (ANA in PE and JAL once in PE and once in business), so it’ll be interesting to see how post-CoVid SQ measures up.

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks for watching and enjoy the flight on SQ! Hoping it will be a top notch experience for you.

[@rod_at_adelaide5766]

Great review as always!

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks my friend!

[@astardustparade]

Wow!! Looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the experience with us!

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks for watching!

[@TripReportaviation]

Amazing trip report. I thought SQ only uses their A350-900 ULR for flights to New York, so I'm a bit surprised to see it flying from SFO. Because I have high expectation for them, dinner didn't look too good; and I don't like the fact that amenity kit was provided when you requested

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks for watching! Considering most people have high expectations of Singapore AIrlines, our experience was indeed a tad bit disappointing on this flight. :/

[@Vegas0Drew]

I took that flight. My only comments other than yours were the "do it yourself" flat bed seat -- you can't just use the seat control buttons as on EVA, you have to get out of the seat to create the bed -- and mid-flight it is difficult to get back up for a snack or anything. The flight attendants were WILLING to help but it was clear they expected us to figure it out. You did mention the somewhat lackluster catering, and one had to ask for an amenity kit. Last of all, the counter-intuitive restroom signage! 🙂 Despite the forward cabin sign, there are no forward restrooms.

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks so much for watching and for sharing your experience as well. Safe travels!

[@pcmacintyre]

Thank you for the video and the blog post. I'm looking at this flight for later in the year. I hadn't realized the ULR was ever used out of SFO. (I thought just to Newark). I know that other SQ flights have an economy section. I'm sorry the dinner Book the Cook options were lackluster. That wonton noodle soup for breakfast looked great. I think this is the first video I've seen showing the United Polaris Lounge. SFO has a dearth of lounges. The Polaris lounge has to handle all the G gates Star Alliance business class flights. How was the burger, btw?

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks so much for watching! I was also surprised that they use the ULR for this flight. The Polaris Lounge in SFO was OK but gets really crowded. We waited an hour to get a table. The burger was just OK for me. I wish SQ has better food selection in flight though considering this flight was over 16 hours.

[@dlandis8146]

Took the Sin-SFO flight 2 days ago - 14 1/2 hours in economy. It was tough but Singapore staff are top rate. Economy food was good but too tired/sleepy to enjoy.

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks for watching and safe travels!

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

I Have Not Try Out Singapore Airlines A350-900ULR.Great Trip Report

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@askdluk]

Thanks for the video. Do you remember if you're able to connect bluetooth headphones to the in flight entertainment? Or for the 3.5mm jack, do they use 1 or 2 prong jack?

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks for watching! I actually used my Bluetooth headset using my Bluetooth transmitter. The headphone Jack is 2-prong so make sure you get an adapter.

[@kevinl9911]

Hi, my trip is coming soon and I get same seat 16A like you. What is your experience with it? Is it more noisy because it’s in front of lavatory?

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks for watching! The proximity to the lavatory didn’t take away from the experience at all. It was a very good flight. Safe travels!

[@joanm9839]

Thanks for the video! I am flying Singapore airlines business class. Are Singapore Airlines business class customers allowed to use the United lounge??

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks for watching! Yes, Business Class passengers have access to the United Polaris Lounge at SFO.

[@daniarevalochocron2985]

Have you ever taken the flight from New York To Singapore

[@travelingfoody]

Sadly no, but I hope to someday. Thanks for watching!

[@kbroadhead10]

No satay? Looks the typical solid SK service overall, although that seating seems tighter than I expected.

[@travelingfoody]

Sadly no satay service on this flight. Service was polished as always but the seats were very disappointing.

[@random1883]

Good meal selections. Does SQ offer you a set of pajamas?

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks for watching! Sadly SQ does not offer pajamas in business class.

[@o.c.g.m9426]

Do people above 9 years old wear pajamas to bed ?😂. I've been offered pajamas on all 1st & and business class, and I always turn then down.

[@rod_at_adelaide5766]

@@o.c.g.m9426 They are nice though as most people over 9 don't wear their street clothes to bed....... keeps your clothes looking half nice when you arrive.

[@llxlliexfairy]

Hi did you booked the cook?

[@travelingfoody]

We did. Thanks for watching!

[@sharmainedeleon4249]

Wait. You got 2 main meals for dinner for book the cook?

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks for watching. The other main was my companion's.

[@sharmainedeleon4249]

Got it. Nice content :) Keep it up

[@lch2195]

I hope sq can provide smoking room on board....

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks for watching! Sadly I think days of smoking on board are long gone.

[@rod_at_adelaide5766]

@@travelingfoody Ahh they were the days, waiting impatiently after take off for the seat belt sign to go off so you could light up!

[@davidmcmahon5809]

So did you have to figure out how to get the lie flat bed into position on your own? I would expect the attendants to GLADLY help. I’ll be flying business class from LAX to Singapore in January 2024 and I’m very excited to try it.

[@travelingfoody]

Thanks for watching! I asked the crew to help me make my bed and they gladly obliged. Enjoy your flight!