When Singapore Airlines debuted its Premium Economy cabin in 2015, it made a point to play up the fact that passengers received upgraded F&B offerings, including champagne.
And why not? Say what you will about marketing fluff, but champagne is more than a geographic region; it’s a world-renowned brand that commands a premium position in the minds of most people (certainly more so than cava or prosecco, as good as those can be).
Unfortunately, the bubble burst sometime in late 2021, as the airline confirmed that champagne had been removed as a Premium Economy Class offering. Coupled with the temporary suspension of Book the Cook, the catering gap between Premium Economy and Economy felt smaller than ever before.
But now there’s some news to toast to: Singapore Airlines is bringing champagne back to the Premium Economy cabin from mid-September.
Singapore Airlines brings champagne back to Premium Economy
As spotted by MileLion Telegram Community member Ming Zhi, Singapore Airlines is restoring champagne to the Premium Economy menu, effective 16 September 2022.
Remember, you can check the menu for your flight up to eight days in advance via the link below.
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| SIA Digital Menu |
Here’s an example from SQ306, a flight between Singapore and London.
The menu doesn’t specify the type of champagne, but Singapore Airlines has historically poured the following in Premium Economy:
| Champagne | Vivino Score | Description |
 Champagne Jacquart Mosaique Brut | 3.8★ | Fruity, perfumed and with a softness from the dosage, this wine is very accessible. The fruitiness and texture are well balanced, and the Champagne is ready to drink |
 Ernst Rapeneau Brut | 3.7★ | Intense and nice straw colour, fine bubbles, persistent mousse. Floral notes (white flowers), fresh lime and exotic fruits. This wine is fresh and frank with hints of warm biscuit and nuts aromas. |
 Nicolas Feuillatte Premier Brut | 3.6★ | Hints of vanilla and white chocolate on the nose; modest toast, herb and citrus flavors. Creamy mouthfeel and a clean, fresh finish |
| Vivino scores are rated out of a maximum of 5★ | ||
I can confirm based on a recent flight that the champagne served is Ernst Rapeneau Brut.
In line with the regular Premium Economy serviceware, champagne will be served in disposable plastic flutes (S$8 for 10 on KrisShop!). It’s not quite the Lalique crystal glasses of First Class, but it gets the job done.
Teetotallers may not appreciate the change, but in my humble opinion, meals in Premium Economy are merely Economy food with nicer plating, so champagne does offer a genuine point of differentiation.
| 💡 Fun Fact |
Singapore Airlines historically offered champagne in Economy Class for various periods in the 70s and 80s. The most recent case was in 2004, for passengers on the non-stop A340-500 flights to Los Angeles and Newark. This cabin was dubbed “Executive Economy”, possibly a forerunner of today’s Premium Economy. |
Don’t forget that 16 September is also the date where Singapore Airlines restores post take-off drinks service for Premium Economy and Economy Class passengers, on flights above four hours
Which Singapore Airlines flights offer Premium Economy?
As a reminder, Premium Economy is only available on selected Singapore Airlines aircraft, namely the A350-900LH/ULH, A380-800, and B777-300ER.
| ✈️ Cabins by Aircraft Type | ||||
| Y | PY | J | F | |
| A350-900MH | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| A350-900LH | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| A350-900ULH | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| A380-800 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| B737-8 | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| B737-800 | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| B777-300ER | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| B787-10 | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Y= Economy, PY= Premium Economy, J= Business, F= First/Suites | ||||
These aircraft operate flights to the USA, UK, Europe, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand.
While the A350-900LH may sometimes be deployed on regional routes like Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, the Premium Economy cabin is not sold on such flights. Economy passengers can select seats in Premium Economy, but the service will follow Economy Class standards.
Conclusion
Singapore Airlines looks set to restore champagne to its Premium Economy cabin from 16 September, after an absence of more than a year.
With airfares and load factors hitting pre-COVID highs, it’s good to see investment in the Premium Economy cabin product. And before you say it doesn’t matter, well, it certainly did to this guy.
Does champagne in Premium Economy make a difference to you?
Learnt a new word. I’m a teetotaller.
It is definitely a positive move but considering the fare difference btw economy n premium… nah
True! You could buy 10-20 bottles of those champagnes, depending on the route 😅
At most it’s a good reason to pull the trigger on one of these +-100 USD A380 SIN>BOM/DEL upgrade offers to premium economy
Blah all you get is a choice of 3 economy meals, 2 of those are exactly what the economy pax get. They don’t have a white cloth and cutlery out for you anymore. Once they realised is was economy pax upgrading and not business pax downgrading, it was easy to downgrade the service. And to top it off you only get icecream that the economy pax get. PS: if you’re taking a red eye, make sure you take a sleeping mask to block the light from those massive screens…. I find half of people just keep them on TV the… Read more »
Fully agree. Economy class flight but 2 1/2 the price. Unfriendly and no service
interestingly, Nicolas Feuillatte Premier Brut is KLM business class champagne of choice for their AMS-SIN-DPS sectors.
The service recently has been about the worst I have experienced on PE Class with SQ . No service, food and drinks served in plastic cutlery. Food same as Economy class. The general service has deteriorated to LCC level. Toilettes used to be cleaned several times during the flights. Now they are all a mess. Only water as refreshments between flights. Can definitely not recommend my once favourite airline. Flying back to NZ. with CX and Air NZ.
Considering my recent flights on SQ in Premium, the whole arrangement needs help. I gave them a good work out flying SYD/FCO/SYD, terrible service/Food. Never again
last Sunday Frankfurt-SG, PE, they told me they ran out of Champagne…. when i ask for 1, 30mins into the flight..