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28 March 2024

First-class reaches new heights

Published
By Reena Amos Dyes

 

 

Many people are afraid of flying. But Singapore Airlines has installed suites on its A380s that will not only cure passengers of their fear, but also promise to make them fall in love with travelling in the skies.


Not convinced? Just look at what you can expect when you travel in one of the suites. Each is an exclusive cabin with sliding doors and self-adjustable roller-blinds, so passengers can have control over the level of privacy they desire. Customers can relax in a luxurious leather chair, upholstered by world-renowned Poltrona Frau, while watching a film on their personal 23-inch LCD screen, the biggest in the airline industry yet.

While these chairs can be adjusted to fit any sitting or lounging position, you won’t have to sleep in them as the suites come with a standalone full-sized bed. The bed does not convert from the seat itself but uses separate sleeping and sitting surfaces. The intelligent design offers guests the choice to rest in their preferred sleeping positions, and also allows them to sit and lounge in bed to read or watch a movie. The beds come with a plush mattress and Givenchy-designed duvets and cushions. And if you are travelling with your spouse, then the beds in the middle two seats can be converted to an optional double bed.

The Singapore Airlines suites also boast features like a chaise lounge for seating and socialising. Each has state-of-the-art Bose noise-cancelling headphones, adjustable reading and dining lights, personal luggage stowage within the suite, coat closet with wardrobe lights, vanity mirror with non-intrusive LED lighting and a compartment for glasses and other items within comfortable reach.

Passengers on long-haul flights receive an exclusive Ferragamo amenity kit, featuring the latest fragrance, F by Salvatore Ferragamo, so they come off the flight smelling and feeling fresh.

Meow Seng Lim, general manager for Singapore Airlines, Gulf, told Emirates Business: “The suites were designed by leading French yacht designer Jean-Jacques Coste. During the conceptualisation of the suites, Singapore Airlines looked at various novel ideas and worked with various designers from different industries to push the boundaries of cabin design and create something more exciting, plush, fresh and comfortable for customers. These suites are the result of all that hard work and research.

“Apart from the luxuries the suites offer, customers can expect service to be even more personalised, attentive and discreet. They may indulge in sheer culinary bliss, available at any hour. Our exquisite menus are created by the Singapore Airlines International Culinary Panel, comprising the world’s most awarded chefs.

“Elegantly patterned tableware, exclusively designed by Givenchy for the Singapore Airlines Suites, is a fitting setting for each gourmet masterpiece.”

That’s in the air, but do these suites buy you special privileges on the ground too? Meow Seng Lim said: “Our suites, first- and business-class customers are also able to enjoy the comforts of our airport lounges. In particular, our customers travelling from Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 will be able to enjoy the comfort and luxury of the specially designed new lounges there.

“Customers using the first-class section in the SilverKris lounge will also get greater exclusivity than ever. They will have their own private driveway leading into the first-class check-in reception at terminal three, with porters to assist them with their luggage as service staff complete their check-in.

“Clearing immigration will be a breeze, thanks to a dedicated Singapore Airlines first-class departure immigration lane, set-aside exclusively for these customers. Located steps away from the exit of the first-class check-in reception, this dedicated lane allows eligible customers to bypass the main immigration channel, thereby making the process from check-in to boarding a seamless and hassle-free one.”

It’s no wonder the airline has won the Business Traveller Middle East Award for the sixth consecutive year and has been listed as one of the top 20 World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune Magazine, apart from being listed as one of the best airlines by Forbes.