Sunday, May 17, 2015

Lounge Report: Singapore Airlines Silverkris Business Class Lounge Changi Airport T3

SQ's flagship lounge is still as 'glam' as before. But a facelift would be nice. One wonders why SQ decided to launch its new 'Home Away from Home' lounge concept in Sydney first.  Anyway, if there is ever a gripe for SQ, it sucks that the lounge gets very crowded in the evenings even though the carrier restricts entry to the lounge in a big way.

I will say though that the lounge is the perfect opportunity to learn and understand that just because some people get to fly premium cabins, that does not show breeding of any kind. Some take the word lounge as a verb, as in something you do at home. Yuk. When I look at old Pan Am pictures, I wish people would still see travel as a luxurious privilege and come to airport appropriately so.

Anyway, coming back to the SQ's lounge, I will just let the pictures speak for themselves. At the end of the day, any seasoned traveler would really regard a lounge just as a place to escape the hordes outside, until they meet hordes inside (I'm talking LH lounge Mumbai!). And of course SKL Changi T3!
It started with Check In.
Empty as usual 
The airport had tacky Chinese New Year decorations
I wondered if they had the license to use Disney characters
Really cute mobile displays
Vaguely familiar. Changi might have been doing the time honored Singaporean tradition of 'lifting' established designs and IPs and appropriating them without having to pay fees
Never saw this before, or never noticed
Nice display though
Another media wall outside the lounge
Inside, dark, luxe, and cramped
That night was like a bumper crop of hotties and everyone seemed to have lived in the gym...er hmmm...lats anyone?
Papers....like anyone bothers to read them
The way to the showers and restrooms
Bread and Salad bar...maybe...can't remember if there were any greens there
Fruits and dessert....weakest part of catering
Food from every major culture in Singapore, from Malay to Indian to of course Chinese
Rendang, sweet and sour fish, sushi and chicken drumlets
DIY cold soba
My fave tea when I fly SQ...there is a uniqueness to the blend that just reminds me of SQ

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

KLM OVER THE RAINBOW: IT GETS BETTER

I am so PROUD of KLM.

I did not realize that a major carrier in this industry would have such an inclusive program, and have it so openly publicized.

I have heard strong community groups in the field of finance worldwide. But this must be the first for me.

It is a challenge and a mission for anyone to find validation, recognition and acceptance of who they are, whether they are gay or not.  No one on this planet can ever admit that they have never felt judged or persecuted for who or what they are at least once in their lives. And so no one should feel like they are alone.

Programs such as these can help reduce suicide rates.  So way to go KLM!

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Life of an SQ Girl: How Singapore Airlines treats their staff

And this is why I don't write in crew members.

But er hm, girlfriend, your English.  Teruk Laaaaa...

Link:

Trip Report: SIngapore Airlines Business Class 777-300ER LHR - SIN


Flight: SQ 305
Route: LHR - SIN
Equipment: 777-300ER
Class: Business
Seat: 16A
Buh bye London!

Ya know...

I may sometimes gripe about SQ on a lot of levels. Especially when I get to meet their management or ex-management once in a while. It may be for sentimental reasons, but I do have a soft spot for our national carrier.

As pedantic as their methods may be, the fact is the SQ brand translates well to travelers from all classes.

This flight was no exception.

After a near disaster at the Queen's Terminal (which by the way, sounds like the location for a sequel to Priscilla), we were just so happy to be on board.

I failed to get my favorite mini cabin.  And when the opportunity came up to get 14A, it was honestly a struggle. It was the infamous seat next to the galley. Which pretty much is dependent on whether the crew is mindful of that guy in that seat.

I decided not to chance it. It was a long flight back. And I needed to zzzz.

Obviously that row would be snapped up. A guy that reminded me of my ex-TV colleague, came in shortly after me and quickly settled in. He didn't seem to mind me taking some pictures but for the life of me, I cannot find them. Sorry.

This trip report won't be jammed with pics as well. I have written about this product before and pretty much my impressions still stand.

The crew of course made a huge difference and hey, it's the Singapore Girl. And I always have a good time with SQ girls. Except for that dizzy twit in First once. I will NEVER forget her. Or that leading steward from my flight from BOM-SIN who exemplified Singapore's tow the line culture and whined about my carry on...while I was being hoisted in a wheelchair in the back of the plane via crane.  Let's just say in both instances: me + Chief Crew = service recovery + pleasant flight.  But no, I didn't write any of them in. I never do that to SQ crew members.

This flight, the more senior blue noticed how I knew my way around, and was independent in setting up the bed. She asked if I was an ex-crew member. Not the first time.

I have to say the crew was very creative in finding solutions. When they realized we didn't eat pork, and the breakfast menu had lots of them, they went to the galley and did what I knew was an F privilege: freshly made scrambled eggs. Amazing.

On top of that, I got my SQ teddies as usual. And towards the end of the flight, we got a note thanking us for flying SQ (something I thought only CX does), plus two little Flounders from The Little Mermaid. Or at least I think it's Flounder.

It was excellent as usual. I had hoped I would be able to fly in the new J, but that will have to wait.
Hello Product & Services (aka Inflight Experience), it's weird to sleep at an angle!
First row? Yup, galley noise. And flapping of curtains.
Meals on board: Some hits, some misses. The vietnamese beef salad was yums, the celebrated BTC from the new chef from Milan was such a miss the crew offered me another selection, which also fell flat.
London flights have an English tea service. So nice!
Cabin mood shots:
Hallo: they don't interfere with navigations
Arrival into Singapore. You know you are near the city, when you see tankers below you!
On the ground. SQ birds are so beautiful! Inside Changi was pretty quiet for a late afternoon arrival.