UPGRADED! With miles =)

JANUARY 29, 2019

SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ1

SFO - HKG
DEPARTS 12:05 am
ARRIVES 07:00 AM (January 30)
Seat 1F First Class (4 seats)
Boeing 777-300ER (77W) 4 class
Redeemed with 104000 Krisflyer miles, one way. Transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards.

This time I was taking Singapore Airlines from San Francisco to Hong Kong to see my parents during Chinese New Year 2019. I did first class on SQ 2 HKG to SFO before and thought 12 hours was a little too short to enjoy all of what Singapore Airlines had to offer. On this route, I also had the chance to check out the new-ish Polaris Lounge in SFO.

I noticed there were a couple of Asian eateries along the way of the G gates. If you do not like airlines lounge food, these were good paid options. I will post SFO United Polaris Lounge photos very soon.

MumFresh - Vietnamese Fast-food along G gates

Tomakazu - Japanese fast-food along G gates

The aircraft was already parked when I arrived at the gate area. As usual, Singapore Airlines ground crew maintain a very organized and tiered boarding process. There was no confusion at all. I was in one of the 4 first class seats and wondered why there were already 4 people lining up at first class line when I wasn't even there! Turned out a good son was accompanying his parents to get seated in first class first, then he retired to business class.

Singapore Airlines' SQ 1 Boeing 777-300ER (77W) parked at gate

Gate G102 right before boarding

Gate G102 - boarding beginning! Who's taking my first class seat?!

I was addressed by last name and led to my seat 1F in no time. 2004 Krug was served. I am not much of a drinker but a bit of Champagne never hurts.

Seat 1F on the starboard side on the plane

I noticed that the noise canceling headphones were switched from BOSE to Bang & Olufsen. Flight attendant claimed that they sound much better, I do agree after testing them out. Still corded though, I wonder when airlines will begin bluetooth technology on airplanes. But then they would become much easier to steal. This first class seat has sound outlets on both sides to make it easier for everybody.


B&O noise canceling headphones

Shortly after take off, pre-meal service drinks and nuts were served.


Coke Zero and warm nuts.

Not going to lie, I get most excited about the food being served on upper class cabins. However, the number one criteria is that I can lay down flat when I sleep, even angled lie flat is fine with me. I just cannot sleep when seated in economy with a few inches of recline.

I've always loved how careful the table is set on CX and SQ first class. I know everything is just re-heated and plated in the galley but I can dream!


Table set for first course

Having tried garlic bread on multiple CX and SQ flights I must conclude that garlic bread on SQ first class is superior. CX F and J class garlic bread are often dry and rock hard at the edges. This time on SQ F, the garlic bread was perfect - crunchy on the outside but not hard, and moist on the inside and full of garlic flavor.

The little cylinder of butter is just soft enough to spread. On CX F and J the butter is always (ALWAYS) rock hard and impossible to spread. I find it very disconcerting but then if left out for too long butter may cause food-poisoning?


Garlic bread

I did not choose the lobster appetizer because I already order Lobster Thermidor via Book the Cook 2 days before the flight. I opted for the salmon. It turned out to be the highlight of the meal. The cured salmon slices were creamy and had a bit too much fat but the apple cider jelly cubes and the sprinkled on pomegranate seeds had just the right amount of acidity to cut through the salmon fattiness. There was also just before ripen peach julienne alongside with the jelly. I was in heaven.

Cured Salmon and Apple Cider Jelly with fennel puree, molasses and lemon vinaigrette.

The doubled boiled (double compartments, steamed over a hot water bath) chicken soup was always a favorite of mine. It was served in a bowl with lid designed by Wedgwood just for Singapore Airlines. Soup had intense and deep chicken flavor and yet felt soothing and pure as it went down.

Chinese Soup with lid on

Double Boiled Chicken Soup with papaya carrot and snow fungus

Snow Fungus in Chinese Soup

Unfortunately, the Lobster Thermidor was a fail for me. I ordered the lobster because it seemed like the most expensive item on the Book the Cook menu. I would have chosen the duck breast instead, next time. The lobster meat was probably 10 min overcooked and was drenched in this cheese sauce. The ginger/tumeric/saffron rice had minimal flavor I suspected it was just yellow coloring. I was still happy to have had lobster for dinner on an airplane though! It was no basis to complain. It could just have been perfect if executed correctly. Not a big deal, after the lobster I was so full I did not have any room to try anything else or switch to another entree.

Book the Cook - Lobster Thermidor

Dessert was fine, nothing to rave or write home about. Presentation was nice, much better than the lobster.

Warm Cashew and Coconut Tart with mango sauce and chantilly cream

The last course was a cheese plate. They were all decent, albeit not life changing. Sometimes I wish when flying on first class, every step of the way there's a life changing experience but that might be too much to ask. The Kaiseki meal out of Tokyo on way to Los Angeles Suite Class was life changing!

Cheese Selection - Camembert Chatelain brie, Goat Humbolt Fog blue, Yellow Cheddar Kerrygold Reserve, Marin Schloss

One aspect I cannot complain about was Singapore Airlines' tea selection on Business and First Classes. I do not remember what sort of tea they serve in economy but the Phoenix Dan Cong and Iron Goddess I tried on First Class this time were top notch. Teas from TWG brand are usually fine, not spectacular but decent enough. I believe TWG sells mostly because of their branding and packaging. It just makes you want to buy!

Iron Goddess tea


Wedgwood Chinese tea cup designed exclusively for Singapore Airlines

Wedgwood Chinese tea cup designed exclusively for Singapore Airlines

Egg Noodles with prawns veggie & oriental stock

Breakfast cut fruits

Pre-ordered Japanese Breakfast - Uni and Ikura

Pre-ordered Japanese Breakfast

Pre-ordered Japanese Breakfast - Crab Claws, Fish Roe and Tomago

Pre-ordered Japanese Breakfast - Tempura, Salmon, and steamed rice

Tempura shrimp, crab stick and veggie

Salmon Shioyaki

Tofu on ChoiSum in dashi broth

Pickled burdock and carrot

Pickled daikon and squash

Napkin has an eye for shirt's button

Overview of pre-ordered Japanese breakfast

Steamed Japanese mustard green served cold

I tried to take the menu with me but the flight attendant claimed that they did not print enough for the onward flight from HKG to SIN so I settled with taking photos of the entire menu!