Every trip must come to an end, and ours ended quite dismally (through nobody’s fault but our own).
But this was also the time that Singapore Airlines‘ service really outshone all others we’ve flown recently.
You see, spending 10 days in Singapore and Hong Kong, we ate a LOT of Asian food. As much as we love Asian food, we were all dim-summed out.
So when we reached Hong Kong Airport and had a couple of hours to go before boarding, we hit the most non-Asian food we saw:
Er yes, the antithesis of everything else we ate the past 10 days. Popeyes is a fast food chain that serves deep fried cajun / Southern stuff like breaded fried chicken, biscuits, gravy and onion rings.
We should have known better than to do this. In no time, Zombie was doubled over in gastric pain. Zombie has the most sensitive stomach. We both have our health downfalls when travelling — I have my whacked respiratory system (but I’ve a stomach of steel!) and Zombie has his very sensitive stomach (yet could withstand extreme cold and has great immune system).
We tried to get antacid tablets at the airport pharmacy but we all know too well that when Zombie has had one of these attacks, he will definitely be knocked out for a day and he will be ok again. (We’ve had several tests done before, endoscopy, etc but nothing was found)
It was going to a long evening, we just hoped that the flight back will be as smooth given the situation.
HONGKONG to SINGAPORE
SQ 871
Depart: 1955 Arrive: 2340
Aircraft: B777-200
Flight time: 3 hours and 45 minutes on Economy
As we were waiting to board, with Zombie curled up next to me silently in pain, I watched the crew enter the aircraft. They were in good spirits, chattering excitedly to each other. It’s hard to explain but they radiated a positive aura. This lifted me up a bit. As a former cabin crew, I know that every flight has a certain crew group chemistry. You are usually randomly paired and there are certain flights when everyone got along well, and this radiated in your service. I felt that when I saw the crew of SQ 871.
(Same goes the other way around, when the crew group camaraderie isn't right, this will affect the service, and passengers will definitely feel that.)
And this is what I love about Singapore Airlines – the service is consistent from ground to air. When my accident happened, I immediately informed Singapore Airlines and in all 4 flights, they ensured I was assigned a bulkhead or an aisle seat (where the left leg can be free). There was no need to repeat this request at the check-in desk.
The very roomy bulkhead seats really does make a great difference (same as our other flight from Hong-Kong to Singapore)
After take off, one of the flight attendants on our zone immediately noticed that Zombie didn’t look very comfortable. Take note that we didn’t call their attention or help. She asked if he was ok, and when Zombie told her what was going on, she immediately went to the galley and bought out a box of antacid chews, and thoroughly explained how to take it.
She must have informed the entire crew in the zone because an hour later, a different crew (later I am to find out she was the Chief Stewardess) came up to us and said that she found a row of seats free so that Zombie could lie down. Again, we didn’t request this at all nor did we call for more attention or help after the first crew gave the box of antacid chews. We of course took the offer. Zombie left and I stayed in my seat. Then the same cabin crew approached me and asked me to come along because she found 2 rows of 3 seats each, next to each other.
How’s that for thoughfulness?
And so for the duration of the flight, Zombie slept while I also enjoyed the 3 seats to myself just next to him.
Again, the efficiency of the crew came to place because:
- Due to us moving seats and me having a special meal, the cabin crew who moved us immediately informed the rest of the team so during meal service, they delivered my meal straight to my new seat without any hiccups.
- Zombie told me that the last thing he wanted was to eat so I told the same cabin crew that he won’t be eating. Again this was advised throughout the team because not one of the crew asked him or me. They already knew.
As the flight was only 3 hours and 45 minutes, only 1 meal was served
A very generous, full hot dinner.
As Zombie was out of commission I cannot show you the regular meal.
SEAFOOD MEAL
Seafood meal consisted of a tuna salad for entree, dinner roll, crackers, cheese and butter. The main meal was steamed prawns and vegetables in garlic sauce with pasta. This was really good, and as I already ate an early dinner at the airport, I ate just the prawns and vegetables.
And just as I thought that the dessert of sliced fresh fruits were great, in came the real dessert:
Entertainment
After meals, the flight time left was too short to complete a movie so I just listened to Katy Perry (Double Rainbow is nice!) and read this book:
I was in the middle of reading this book that I picked up in Singapore (which by the way is highly entertaining. Initally annoying but has a nice moral lesson in the end), when I was tapped gently on the shoulder.
It was the Chief Stewardess. I asked for her name: Audrey Chan. Audrey very worriedly asked how Zombie was feeling, and I told her she shouldn’t worry, that they’ve done everything they could to make his flight comfortable. I explained that with his stomach condition, nothing can be really done but just to rest it over (which is what he was doing.)
After I gave a bit of history on this, Audrey shared that her husband, who happened to be on the flight as well (I’m unsure if he is also a cabin crew in business class or a pilot) has the exact same condition. She said that she always keeps Gaviscon for him on her bag so she was going to look inside her bag, and if not, search his bag as well. I told Audrey not to go to any trouble but she said it will be easy for her and she was really worried for Zombie
A few minutes later:
Audrey, thank you so much! You and your team have really shown genuine concern and care for both my husband and I on this trip.
Guys, believe me the Singapore Girls of Singapore Airlines– they are more than just pretty faces!
Speaking of which, I was browsing through the in-flight magazine when I saw the colour-code of Singapore Airlines cabin crew uniform:
Update: Though still groggy, Zombie was feeling better after touchdown.
We rushed to our next flight which was boarding in 40 minutes:
Singapore to Sydney
SQ 231
Depart 00:45, Arrive: 10:25
Aircraft type: B777-300ER
Flight time: 7 hours 40 minutes, Economy class
I noticed immediately that this aircraft, though also a Boeing 777 seemed to be an older model than the other 3 previous flights we’ve taken (all brown/tan scheme in Economy)
*editor’s post note: I stand corrected after a couple of readers (and I myself confirmed this through further research) , that the Boeing 777-300 ER is actually newer than the B777-200. The USB port and lights in the entertainment system was a giveaway that it’s newer but I just felt the seats were narrower, (leading me to think it was older).*
I wasn’t able to get a bulkhead seat this time as the flight was full but it didn’t matter because everyone just wanted to tuck and sleep given the very late hour (almost 1am)
While the entire IFE (In flight entertainment) system seemed clunkier and older, I do like that it has a USB port! (the others didn’t) and that beneath the monitor is a light beam, which is handy for looking for little things you may have dropped in the floor or buried in the back seat pocket along the flight.
Meal:
For a flight that’s 7 hours and 40 minutes, there are 2 meal services on this flight. Refreshments (or midnight snack) and breakfast.
Zombie got the seafood option of the regular meal which is the double deck tuna sandwich, and for my seafood meal I received a tuna and caper sandwich. Initially it looked like one of those rock-hard plastic-y bread but it was really good! It was soft and the tuna pieces were really chunky which I like. And not dry at all.
Breakfast
We both got the ‘eggy’ breakfasts – I loved my salmon omelette was the salmon were actual chunks and not meager flakes.
For the regular breakfast meal (by this time you can tell Zombie was well on the mend as he’s eating) Zombie got the Omelette with chicken sausage and potatoes.
Both breakfast trays were accompanies by tubs of yogurt, breadroll, fruit and muffin.
This flight overall, was very quiet and uneventful. I guess this is the joy of travelling a red-eye flight. Everyone just wants to sleep!
Overall:
I’m so glad that I experienced first hand Singapore Airlines’ renowned world-class service. We flew economy but the service we received specifically from the crew of SQ 871 (Audrey Chan and her team) was premium class.
The meal service, even on shorter flights, are never just dry snacks or meals that will leave you wanting more.
There is a reason why Singapore Airlines has a stellar reputation, and it is well-founded.
—
When we arrived at Sydney airport we were greeted immediately by Blacklane limousines, which I’m so glad to have booked prior to our trip. Between my busted ankle and Zombie’s gastric pains, this was definitely a nice welcome home.
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Have you ever been sick on a flight? How did you deal with it?
Hi Jean this was a awesome record of your holiday. I love the information you have supplied in great detail. You are very good at this and it is really helpful for people wanting to travel on Singapore airlines. I’m sorry to hear about your Husband with the upset Tummy. I have had it before in the Dominican republic. I love the Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream. Thanks for sharing Tony & Laura sending You and Husband all our love and happiness and wish him a speedy recovery… xxx
Hi Tony, thank you very much, glad you read till the end! 🙂 Yes, its a bugger having an upset stomach especially on a flight , but I suppose that’s better than missing on a wonderful day trip whilst you are still on vacation! Zombie (happy snapper) is well and good, he was back to happy snapper mode the same afternoon we landed 🙂 Thanks and safe travels to you and Laura!
It’s so true isn’t it how long flights are made & broken by the cabin staff. Glad it all went so well considering the challenges. Great review too, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Anna, yes that is so true! So glad too that we went through the flight as best as it could given the circumstances.
Hi Jean,
Poor Zombie!!! I’m glad he’s ok. its terrible feeling sick when you have to fly and its lucky he was able to lay down properly.
I absolutely love Singapore airlines! The service is very impressive!
Can’t wait to fly with them soon!
Thank you Sam! Yes, he’s ok now the spells are usually over in 24 hours. Yes very lucky for us that he was able to lie down otherwise it would have been excruciating for him. I can’t wait to see how you go with them, I’m sure nothing short of impressive!
What brilliant service-nice and thoughtful. I was really sick on a flight-the woman next to me smelled so bad that I threw up my entire stomach contents (note to self: I can fit a lot in my tummy!). The Emirates flight was full but the FA was lovely about it and did what he could.
Hi Lorraine, wow sitting next to someone that smells is tough! How can you say “she’s making me sick!” but smells really trigger air and seasickness in many people, including me. Glad to know the Emirates FA helped you out 🙂
I enjoyed reading your experience on SIA- they are hands down the best air line we have flown with. My husband flow on his own once with our then 4 year old from Sydney to Singapore on SIA, when on shortly before boarding our son had run off from hubby and ran into a luggage bay, promptly splitting open his eye area….Stewardesses all came forward for medical assistance (before the ambulance and police all came) and once our son’s eye had been taped up, they held the flight so they could still make it…once I had found out as I was at work, SIA rung the plane throughout the flight to up-date me of his condition…my son got special treatment on the flight and a visit from the pilot : ) Unfortunately we fly next week with another carrier, to which we know will not be the same flying experience- the attitude of all the SIA staff is always immaculate. Glad you also got to experience their service!
Oh your poor son he must have been in so much pain! But the action that SQ took to not just see to his safety but also to give you round the clock information is really impressive. Have a great flight next week , you’ll never know when you get amazing customer service 🙂
I have to totally agree with you about how fantastic the service is on Singapore Airlines, the flight attendants go above and beyond!
Back in 2009 I had been studying in Italy and I managed to put my back out the night before my flight so I was in total agony, I managed to pick up some ibuprofen when I was in Rome but it wasn’t enough to dull the worst of the pain and I couldn’t sit down for too long so when I arrived at Rome Fiumicino I explained to the attendant at the check in counter what had happened and asked if it was possible for an aisle seat as I’d need to get up regularly, she was lovely and when I got on to the flight she had managed to score me 3 seats together so I could lie down the entire flight to Singapore, while I was on the flight the FA checked on me to make sure I was ok and as I’d been seated in a middle seat for my next flight from Singapore to Perth I asked if she knew whether I could get a seat change when I arrived in Singapore, she let me know to just see the customer service desk and they’d help me which they did and I managed to get an aisle seat again but as I was walking back towards where my gate was I ran into the same FA that I’d spoken to on my last flight and she checked whether I’d been successful in changing my seat but she also told me to see the staff at the boarding gate and let them know I’d injured my back which I did and they changed my seat again and gave me priority boarding with 3 seats together! (I felt a bit embarrassed about the priority boarding because everyone was giving me dirty looks, I started limping just to make it look like I was badly injured lmao!)
The staff on Singapore Airlines are amazing, I’m wishing I was able to afford to fly with them for my next flight to Italy but I’ve had to go with Etihad.
Hi Angela, thanks for sharing your experience , that must have been tough and you were on a long haul flight too! Yes I agree that’s one of the most impressive things- the wonderful service is consistent from ground to air. Have a great flight to Italy I hope you get amazing service with Etihad (they sometimes do too 🙂
Jean, so glad you had a wonderful experience with Audrey Chan. I couldn’t believe in my eyes when I read her name in your review, because she was the chief stewardess on my flight from JFK to Frankfurt. I was a lucky to have the entire suite class to myself during the flight, and boys, Audrey and her crews spoiled me rotten.
Wow I’m so glad to hear that Audrey’s wonderful and caring professionalism goes across all classes! I’d love to experience the suite one day too, I’m sure they really would have spoiled you there 🙂
You are absolutely correct! Singapore crews are the best I’ve ever experienced. I usually take their US-Europe flights. I’ve always thought there was something about the dynamic of the crew, and you’ve named it! It’s the aura! Can’t recommend Singapore Airlines enough!
Hi Miles yes, the working camaraderie amongst the crew members are amazing! Good to know I’m not the only one who feels it 🙂
I was flying from London to NZ in 2012 and had a meal at the fancy seafood place before boarding. I had done before but this time…..not long into my flight I started feeling queezy and then before I knew what was happening got really sick and didn’t even have time to get the sick bag open. It was horrible but the staff were amazing. They helped get me sorted out and cleaned up and didn’t make too much of a fuss – just the right amount. They kept coming to check on me and brought me cups of a special herbal tea they said would help – and it seemed to do the trick to be honest! Couldn’t have really asked for more.
Oh no, that sounded painful Caroline. And on a long-haul flight too! I’m so glad that the crew helped you immediately without making a fuss! It’s good they gave you herbal tea, they can be soothing for upset stomachs.
Actually the 777-300ER are as new as they get, save for the Airbus 330. 😛
Thank you for letting me know, you are quite right and I have made a notation in the post 🙂
Hi Jean, flew on sq before and yes have experienced almost the same kind of treatment. Im like your hubby, have very very bad gastric probs. For that particular flight I was vomiting all the way. The staffs came over and checked on me and even offered meds to help but I was pretty much allergic to anti vomiting meds, so can’t. Even when leaving the plane, the staffs made sure to asked again if I was feeling better.
But then again said, ive experienced my share of flight with SQ which really disappointed much. Stewardess stood in the aisle blocking the way and pretty much didnt bother to help us with the loading of the cabin bags into the overhead (yup I know they are not required to). But I would have appreciated for her to stand out of the way so at least we could load it properly.. but the bag actually dropped out of the overhead and the crew just let it dropped and exclaimed loudly “ouch”. Was actually quite taken aback. Then inflight wasnt working and checked with this stewardess to help but no help rendered. At this point of time, my aunt who was travelling with me was really really pissed off at the attitude of this stewardess. Being in the airline industry as well, my aunty knows its not easy to be in this service industry but the attitude and service of this stewardess was really bad. Anyway luckily the chief steward kinda saw what was happening and tried to resolve the situation. Offered to change seat for my aunty which she declined. He kinda upgraded her meal and also gave her flight vouchers and also some sq souvenirs and also kept coming back to her to check on her during the flight and also to apologise on behalf of the stewardess.
Its really impt to have crews who make your journey worthwhile!
Hi Tracy, thanks so much for sharing your experience. It’s tough having that stomach bug , you just don’t know what can trigger it! But I’m glad the staff took great care of you.
As for the second situation– wow that was terrible customer service. Unfortunately customer service depends on every individual crew so every experience is different. I’m glad that the cabin manager was able to ‘undo’ the negative service you received.At the end of the day being humans and working in customer service is very tough – a lot of factors involved : personalities, being in the job for the wrong reasons, having a bad day/tough patch in life etc,– and so I really admire those who stand above and beyond their duty.
The B777-300ER is the newer plane. The 10.1″ IFE with USB is the latest. You get all channels and can scrub to any part of the movie any time.
Thank you Keefe, I have made a post note on the article. The USB should have been a giveaway for me to know it was a later model!
Yes, Singapore Airlines was quite an experience to fly with for me too.
Those menure are great, so far I’ve never been with any other airline that has menus.
My flight was between Istanbul and Singapore:
http://www.escapehunter.com/escapes/singapore/flying-to-singapore-010611.php