Singapore Airlines opens First Class section in temporary SilverKris lounge

On my recent VTL trip, I had the opportunity to review Singapore Airlines’ temporary SilverKris Lounge at Changi Airport. This will eventually become the permanent KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, once the S$50 million renovation of the existing SilverKris Lounge finishes at the end of 2021. 

One drawback of the lounge was its one-size-fits-all solution. The temporary SilverKris Lounge served as the lounge for all eligible passengers, regardless of cabin or status. It was remarkably egalitarian, in a way, to have Lifetime Solitaire PPS members rubbing shoulders with lowly KrisFlyer Golds. 

But now there’s a new development on this front: Singapore Airlines has opened a First Class section with dedicated seating, table service, and perhaps most importantly of all, champagne.

SilverKris Lounge First Class section

Thanks to a Milelion reader, we have an exclusive look at the First Class section inside the temporary SilverKris Lounge. 

This is tucked away at the far end of the lounge, inside an area that I couldn’t visit previously as it was cordoned off for transit passengers only. I always thought this was a strange distinction, since transit passengers could still walk through the same lounge, use the same bathrooms and help themselves to the same self-serve beverages. Perhaps the rules have changed, because this area is now accessible to all passengers without restriction. 

Once inside, you’ll see the entrance to the First Class section on your right. A secondary lounge dragon checks boarding passes and grants access (you should be escorted directly to this area from the main entrance in any case). 

Operating hours follow those of the main lounge (i.e. 0500 to 0230 hours daily), and access to the First Class section is available to:

• First Class passengers departing on Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance flights (+1 guest on same flight)
• Solitaire PPS Club members departing on Singapore Airlines flights, regardless of cabin (+1 guest departing on Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance flight)

Since the A380s are still grounded, the only aircraft in Singapore Airlines’ fleet offering First Class are the B777-300ERs, which are currently flying to: 

• Frankfurt
• Hong Kong 
• Jakarta
• London
• Los Angeles
• Melbourne
• Shanghai
• Seoul
• Sydney
• Tokyo

As far as I know, the only other Star Alliance carrier offering First Class out of Singapore is SWISS (Lufthansa is bringing it back from 2022- thanks @starboi), so virtually every passenger you see in the lounge will be flying SIA. 

This First Class section is snug with seating for about 40 pax, but since each flight represents a maximum of four passengers, you shouldn’t face overcrowding unless a whole bunch of Solitaires show up. Some of the furniture here indeed looks like it was taken from the former SilverKris Lounge, though the tables are transplants from the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge. 

While it’s mostly armchair seating, a few proper height dining tables have been set up as well. 

Food is still ordered through a QR code (don’t bother scanning the one below, it’ll only work if you’re connected to the lounge Wi-Fi), but First Class passengers get a special menu with additional options. It’s not quite The Private Room stuff (don’t expect lobster), but at least an attempt has been made. 

Unlike in the main lounge where you order your food and collect it at the counter,  two dedicated servers offer table service in the First Class section. 

Here’s a copy of the menu for your reference:

The following items are exclusively for the First Class section:

• Laksa with Sea-Caught Tiger King Prawns
  • Rice vermicelli in a rich coconut curry broth, with sea-caught Tiger King prawns, hardboiled eggs, fish cakes and beancurd puffs
• Hot Sandwich
  • Flaguette grilled with truffle ham and mozzarella cheese. Served with chips and greens on the side
• Wagyu Beef Slider with Wedges
  • Juicy wagyu patty in slider size, served with wedges and sauteed greens
• Mushroom Soup with Truffle
  • A creamy blend of shiitake and button mushrooms, topped with truffle carpaccio

Some of the dishes are similar to the ones in the main lounge, but with additional flourishes. For example, the regular mushroom soup is jazzed up with an injection of truffle carpaccio, while the laksa receives an upgrade to sea-caught tiger king prawns. 

For better or worse, this Milelion reader was feeling like having simple pleasures, so you’ll have to make do with the following photos. 

But of course, there’s no better companion for simple pleasures than a bottle of Piper Heidsieck Rare Millesime 2006, which was also the default champagne in the former SilverKris First Class Lounge prior to COVID. This is an excellent pour, and don’t be shy to ask for refills.

The full wine list can be found below. Piper is without a doubt the star of the show, with the rest of the wines averaging around US$40 per bottle. 

• 2006 Piper Heidsieck Rare Millesime
• 2014 Chateau Cambon La Pelouse
• 2016 Clonakilla O’Riada Shiraz
• 2016 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc

Other Facilities

All guests share the same Wi-Fi network, which I previously clocked at 11 Mbps up and down, good enough for HD Netflix and Zoom video calls. 

However, since the First Class area seems to have been more of an afterthought, power outlets and USB ports are in short supply. If guests need these, they’ll have to head outside to the main lounge area. 

The First Class section does not have its own shower and restroom facilities, so guests will have to use the ones in the main lounge. Even so, the fact that they’re private cubicles makes them better than the former First Class lounge, where showers were located inside the toilet. 

For a full review of the rest of the temporary SilverKris Lounge, refer to the link below. 

Review: Singapore Airlines temporary SilverKris Lounge Changi Airport

Conclusion

It’s great to see Singapore Airlines finally opening a dedicated facility for First Class and Solitaire PPS passengers, the first time it’s had one since the start of COVID. It may not be anything fancy, but guests can at least enjoy an upgraded selection of F&B, with a very nice champagne to boot.

The real upgrade will of course come when the new First Class and Private Room open. The renders provided so far look promising, and hopefully we’ll hear something regarding a confirmed opening date as the year draws to a close.

If you’re passing through the SilverKris Lounge and have access to the First Class section, do send across more photos!