First Class now available on Singapore Airlines’ Frankfurt VTL flights

Singapore will be launching its inaugural Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) arrangement with Germany on 8 September 2021, offering two-way quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated travellers on designated VTL flights. 

If you’re looking to fly in style (and have a whole chunk of miles to burn), the good news is that Singapore Airlines has just opened up First Class space on the Singapore ⇄ Frankfurt route.

This flight is operated by a Boeing 777-300ER with a four-seat First Class cabin, but the cabin was not available for bookings with miles or cash until now.

Fly First Class between Singapore and Frankfurt

First Class seats are now available on SQ326/325 between Singapore and Frankfurt, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER (aka B77W) with the following schedule:

			Days
SQ326 B77W			S	M	T	W	T	F	S
SIN  1355	➤	FRA 2040	✔		✔			✔
SQ325 B77W			S	M	T	W	T	F	S
FRA 2200	➤	SIN 1625 (+1)	✔ VTL		✔ VTL			✔ VTL

Remember: the concept of VTL flights only applies for flights to Singapore; you can take any non-stop flight from Singapore to Germany and still be eligible for a VTL flight back to Singapore. 

Singapore Airlines has only four First Class seats on the B77W, configured in a single row at the front of the plane. 

It shouldn’t be surprising, therefore, that First Class seats are only available for immediate redemption in the more expensive Advantage redemption bucket, costing 220,000 miles in each direction (versus 125,000 miles for Saver). 

Up to three seats per flight are available for immediate redemption at Advantage rates. 

Waitlist opportunities for Saver space do open up from 14 September onwards, for what it’s worth. 

It’ also possible that Solitaire/PPS Club members may see additional award space, so try your luck if you’re part of that group.

Taxes on a round-trip First Class redemption will cost ~S$205 per person, depending on the prevailing exchange rates. 

What is the First Class experience like now?

220,000 miles is a hefty sum to burn, even for frequent flyers flush with miles right now. The key question is: will you get the full First Class experience, or something a bit more watered down?

Apart from this video, I’ve been unable to find any reviews of the First Class experience in the post-COVID era, so I can’t say how much things have changed. I’m hoping to do a full review as soon as possible- do look out for that!

What we do know that the on-ground experience won’t kick into full gear until December 2021, when the brand new Changi Terminal 3 lounges are expected to open. This S$50 million overhaul will see a 30% increase in passenger capacity, as well as upgraded facilities and a wider selection of F&B options. 

Very little information has been released about the updated First Class lounge, except that it will continue to feature a flagship bar with “carefully designed luxurious and intimate seating spaces suitable for both work and rest.”

In the meantime, all passengers (whether Business, First or elite members) are directed to the temporary SilverKris Lounge, which will become the future KrisFlyer Gold lounge in time. 

It’s more functional than luxurious, but it’s possible the airline has roped off a separate section with enhanced F&B for First Class customers. As an added perk, this lounge has individual private shower suites, which already makes it better than the previous First Class facility 😉.

We can also tell, based on other long haul First Class flights currently operating, that Singapore Airlines has simplified its service routines somewhat. The lunch service, for example, used to run: Canape ➤ Appetiser ➤ Soup ➤ Salad ➤ Main Course ➤ Dessert. 

Now the soup and salad have been combined into a single appetiser course (suggesting that it’s pick one, although I’m sure the crew would gladly serve you as many items as you wish), and based on the video I linked to earlier, dessert is served along with the main. If it’s any consolation, caviar still remains on the menu. 

For those intending to fly in First Class on SQ325 from FRA-SIN, note that since it’s a 2200 departure, you’ll be served the truncated Supper service menu instead of Dinner. It basically skips the satay and has fewer choices of desserts, though caviar is still featured. 

Book the Cook is still available for flights out of Singapore, but not Frankfurt. 

If nothing else, the hardware onboard will be the same as ever. I last flew on the B77W’s First Class product back in February 2020, and while it’s no longer the most cutting-edge seat out there (no door, “only” a 24-inch monitor compared to 43-inches on other carriers), it’s still a very luxurious experience.

The seats (introduced from 2013) show few signs of wear and tear, convert into a full-flat bed with plush bedding and duvet, and Singapore Airlines’ First Class service of course remains unrivaled. 

Review: Singapore Airlines B777-300ER First Class Tokyo to Singapore

Conclusion

While Singapore Airlines has been offering First Class service since June, the Frankfurt flights will be the first time a quarantine doesn’t await you on one end of the journey or another!

Advantage prices are steep, however, and would still be painful even if you’re sitting on a large pile of unused miles. I might redeem it one-way just for review purposes, but the priority is still to complete the Munich VTL report. 

If anyone’s feeling particularly rich and pulls the trigger, do share what First Class is like now.