The Philly Pho Fare: Trip Planning
Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge Terminal 4 SIN
Vietnam Airlines A321 Economy SIN-HAN
Qatar Airways B77W Business Class HAN-DOH
Qatar Airways A350 Business Class DOH-PHL
Aloft Philadelphia Downtown
Exploring Philly
British Airways Business Class Lounge PHL
Qatar Airways A350 Business Class PHL-DOH
Qatar Airways Arrivals Lounge DOH
Qatar Airways Complimentary Doha Stopover Package (Westin Doha)
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge DOH
Vietnam Airlines Business Class Lounge HAN
Silk Air B737 Business Class HAN-SIN
I was really looking forward to this flight, not necessarily from a comfort point of view but more for novelty as it would be my first time trying Silkairโs business class product. Narrow body premium cabins are rarely anything to get excited about (unless, perhaps, youโre on one of Qatarโs A320sโฆ), but I guess I was kind of hoping to see SQ-lite, or what SQ service would look like if they operated narrow body jets.
Todayโs flight was operated by a 737-800 that was configured 2-2 (what else) in business class. Although Silkairโs new 737 MAX 8 looks really nifty, that aircraft wouldnโt be deployed on a 3 hour route like Hanoi. Thatโs a shame because the business class on that plane looks marginally more comfortable.
On this older 737 you still had recliner seats, but older, more worn versions. This is more akin to what youโd find in domestic first class in the States, with a wide armrest in between the seats and manual recline.
There was not as much legroom as I was expecting but it was still more than adequate.
The cabin crew chief came around to introduce herself to each passenger in business class, following which her colleague distributed newspapers. I chose the Straits Times, because who wouldnโt want to read a newspaper which awesomely won 15 out of 18 journalism awards at SPHโs annual awards ceremony.
Although the seats are on the old side, each one still has in-seat power with a USB outlet.
Seeing the volume controls in the armrest brought me backโฆ
As did the seat controls. Unlike those you find in the vintage Ultimo seats, these are completely manual and really require that you put your back into it.
The crew came around to distribute a pair of slippers to each passenger
As well as a pair of headphones. Regrettably, Silkair doesnโt have proper headphones in business class but instead the same cheap single-use type that SQ distributes in economy.
A few quick points about the crew: some of the SQ service DNA has definitely rubbed off on the Silkair crew. You can see it through small things like addressing all passengers in business class by name or removing plastic wrap from your seat as soon as they see you unwrapping something.
IFE screens dropped from the ceiling to play Silkairโs safety video. Itโs not as posh as SQโs new and improved version, but it gets the job done.
While the video played, I amused myself with the Lenovo Yoga tablet that each business class passenger had in the seat pocket.
This is meant to be your entertainment hub with movies, TV shows and music.
The movies arenโt saved on the tabletโs HDD- instead they are streamed to the tablet via the aircraftโs WiFi network. If youโre in economy class, youโre still able to access the same entertainment via an app on your phone. Note that despite the fact that movies are streamed to your computer, you wonโt be able to surf the net.
There were a lot of movies. And I really mean a lot.
Thereโs a tab with airline info that leans more corporate press release than actually useful.
Always useful to know.
I was hoping the travel section might have one of those learn a language apps or some documentaries, but instead just listed Silkairโs route map, timetable and some listicle of trite travel tips.
Interestingly enough, the Silkair app doesnโt appear to lock down tablet functionality. I was still able to exit to the home screen as per normal.
If I were so inclined, I could even go into the settings and fiddle around. Youโd think theyโd want to stop that from happening.
Before takeoff the crew had come around with a menu to take passenger orders. Note that I say โa menuโ and not โmenusโ, because itโs literally one menu that the whole cabin shares. Itโs really more of a nicety than anything else because thereโs only one decision to be made- your choice of main.
Takeoff was uneventful and after the seatbelt sign went off the crew came around to fulfill drink orders taken before takeoff. Silkair does serve champagne FYI, but it does not serve warmed nuts (the horror).
My table was set with a very simple tablecloth and a tray was brought with the starter.
The main was probably one of the more interesting laksas Iโve ever had. A dry laksa, which seemed to be more like mee goreng. A hipster might call it โdeconstructed laksaโ. It tasted fine, if not more akin to an economy class meal plated on business plates.
Mid-way through the flight the IFE screens dropped from the ceiling again to play one of those silent โJust for Laughsโ gag TV shows. Really, anyone who finds these amusing needs to be chemically castrated.
Speaking of chemically castrated, hereโs the loo. There were a few Silkair branded toothbrushes, no fancy toiletries and a sink that wouldnโt quite drain properly.
Conclusion
Silkair may be SQโs little sister but itโd be unfair to call it the ugly one. The service was probably just as good as any I had on SQ, The IFE was more than sufficient and the seat is adequate enough for a regional flight.
I still donโt think regional business class, much less regional narrow body business class is worth redeeming for no matter what some crackpots say, but if youโre based outside of Singapore and combining Silkair into a long/medium haul SQ itinerary hopefully this gives you an idea of what to expect.
Youโre mentioned on OMAAT!
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2017/12/07/is-it-safe-to-buy-miles-from-brokers/
ipo time.
Thanks Aaron, the food looks appetising at least. How did you manage to eat with the ST next to you? The smell coming from it must have been pretty badโฆI use that newspaper to wrap fish I buy at the wet market.
Service might be bearable in J but they are often appalling in Y. I find silk airโs Y staff generally emotionless and cold very unlike SQ or even sometimes Scoot.
I feel that out thereโฆ..there are far worse airlines to travel in !!! Many people ARE SO SO SPOILT when travelling especially their very own airlines in their own countries really SUCK !!!!! From journalists to reporters or bloggersโฆ..it is GREAT TO MEET ALL YOUR MOST DISCERNING CRITERIA ON HOW TO FLY GRACIOUSLY . But discerning taste is very subjective and difficult to measure at times !!! What is most important in flying is NOT HOW COMFORTABLE THE SEAT IS, OR HOW NICE THE TOILET IS OR HOW HIGH TECH GADGETS IT HADโฆ..BUT SAFETY IS SO CRUCIAL A FACTOR MOSTโฆ Read more ยป