A first-timer’s guide to Singapore Airlines Suites & First Class

If you’ve just booked your first-ever Singapore Airlines Suites or First Class flight, congratulations!

You’re no doubt excited about what lies in store, and you should be. While we can have endless debates as to whether it’s really the best in the world, SIA’s top cabin is still going to be a fantastic experience, period. 

The question before us then, is: how can I get the most out of my experience?

In this post, I’ll explain what lies in store from the time the booking confirmation arrives in your inbox, to the time you step off the plane, your life hopefully forever changed. I’ve already completed a separate post for Business Class, which you can find below. 

A first-timer’s guide to Singapore Airlines Business Class

And if you’re wondering whether you should cash out your hard-earned miles for Business Class, or continue saving for First Class or Suites, here’s a detailed post that walks you through the key differences in the experience.

Singapore Airlines First Class vs Business Class: Which should you redeem?

Singapore Airlines Suites & First Class seats

First of all, what seat can you expect onboard? 

Singapore Airlines has one type of Suite, and one type of First Class seat.

Seat	Aircraft	Review
2017 Suites	A380-800	Review
2013 First Class	B777-300ER	Review

You may have seen other photos of Suites circulating out there. This is the first-generation Suites product, which was retired with the older A380s during the pandemic. Outside a museum, you’ll never encounter this again.

So the equation is simple: if you’re on an A380-800, you’re in Suites. If you’re in a B777-300ER, you’re in First Class. The entitlements, service and catering are exactly the same; the only difference is the hard product.

After you’ve booked

Pick your seats

While there’s no such thing as a “bad” First Class seat, it still doesn’t hurt to choose them as soon as you can- especially if you’re flying in Suites!

A380-800

A380-800

Singapore Airlines has six Suites on its A380-800, arranged in a 1-1 configuration with ‘A’ seats on the port side, and ‘F’ seats on the starboard.

In terms of size, not all Suites are made equal. Row 1 is the largest, followed by Row 2 then Row 3. Keep in mind you’re still talking about 35 ft² in Row 3, more than any regular First Class seat out there (for comparison, Etihad’s Apartments and Emirates’ new First Class suites measure in at around 40 ft² ).

1A (54 ft2)	1F (54 ft2)
2A (43 ft2)	2F (43 ft2)
3A (35 ft2)	3F (35 ft2)

Seats 3A and 3F are known as the “solo” Suites, while 1A/2A and 1F/2F are the “couple” Suites, since they can be converted into one large room. 

If you’re travelling as a couple, you’ll want to select 1A/2A or 1F/2F as soon as your tickets are issued. If you see that these seats are already blocked, don’t lose hope. There’s a chance they’ve been taken by individual travellers, and in that case, the cabin crew may gently ask them if they’d consider moving so you and your companion can have the double suite.

Once again, I want to emphasise the may aspect. It’s certainly not an entitlement, and if the passenger refuses, don’t be too disheartened. You’ll still have a great time.

B777-300ER

Singapore Airlines has four First Class seats on its B777-300ER, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration with ‘A’ seats on the port side, ‘F’ seats on the starboard, and ‘C’ and ‘D’ in the middle.

Therefore, it’s not rocket science. If you’re solo, pick A or F. If you’re a couple, pick C or D.

I need to warn you though, even if you pick C and D, you won’t be in for a very social experience. That’s because of the way the First Class seat is built. It has large privacy ears that wraparound the seatback, which means you’ll need to lean forward to hold hands, share food,  swap bodily fluids, or do whatever it is that happy couples do.

Browse the inflight menu

Ahead of the flight, whet your appetite by checking out the meals served onboard. This can be done via the Manage Booking function, or you can visit this page within eight days of departure. 

In terms of what you should expect:

Breakfast service is a three-course service with:

• Sliced fruits
• Starter (cornflakes, Bircher muesli or yoghurt)
• Main course

Lunch, dinner and supper service is a seven-course service with:

• Satay (not offered for supper)
• Caviar (not offered on flights to/from Delhi, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Mumbai, Shanghai)
• Salad
• Soup
• Main course
• Dessert
• Cheese

Sleeper service is only for flights departing after 10 p.m to Asia or Australia. This is a mash up of supper and breakfast items, to allow passengers to eat after boarding then sleep till landing, or sleep after boarding then eat before landing (or just eat all the way through- in First Class, no one questions your choices!). 

Here’s a sample sleeper service menu.

As an added bonus, sleeper service has featured a separate caviar course ever since 1 September 2023. 

Singapore Airlines now offers caviar on supper and Sleeper Service flights

While course-by-course dining should be expected on medium and long-haul flights, meals may be served on a single tray on shorter flights like Jakarta (albeit in two movements- the appetiser and dessert first, then the main course replaces the appetiser).

First Class passengers can browse the Inflight Menu in advance of their flight, and pre-select their main course within 15 days of departure. This guarantees you’ll get your first-choice option (though First Class is catered in a way that you’d have to be very unlucky not to get your first choice option even without pre-selecting).

You can browse the options by going to Manage Booking, then scrolling down to Meals > Inflight Menu.

Book the Cook

If none of the main courses on the inflight menu appeal to you, there’s always the option of selecting something from the Book the Cook menu. This is available on flights out of Singapore and selected destinations. 

If you’re departing from Singapore and selected medium/long-haul destinations, you can pre-order your Book the Cook meal all the way up till 24 hours before departure time (except for flights departing from Auckland and Newark, where the cut-off is 48 hours).

Do note that certain menu items are only available on flights over 3.5/4 hours.

Some of the more popular Book the Cook items include lobster thermidor, duck confit, and roasted lamb rack, but don’t feel like you must pick the classics. I’ll have you know that the hawker food items are very well executed too!

For more real-world photos of Book the Cook items, refer to this post.

Pack extra

Not a light traveller? No worries. When you fly First Class, luggage allowance should be the least of your concerns.

If you’re flying to the USA or Canada, the piece concept is used. You’ll be able to check up to 2 pieces of luggage, each of which can be a maximum of 32kg (versus 23kg for Economy).

If you’re flying to all other destinations, the weight concept is used. You’ll be able to check as many pieces of luggage as you wish, provided the total weight is 50kg (versus 25-30kg for Economy).

Now take this with a pinch of salt, but my experiences flying First Class tell me that the luggage allowance is effectively a serving suggestion. Provided you’re not shipping a ridiculous amount of stuff, the ground crew may close one eye when you’re overweight. 

All First Class luggage receives priority tags, which theoretically ensures they’re the first to come off the belt. Your real-life experiences may vary, but I’ve consistently seen mine pop out very quickly. 

Order a complimentary cake

If you happen to be marking a special occasion like a birthday, honeymoon or anniversary, you can request for a complimentary cake to be served onboard.

This cannot be done online, so you’ll need to call up customer service. Don’t overthink it, just say something like “hi we will be celebrating a birthday/anniversary/honeymoon/release from prison onboard, could you please help request a cake”.

Once onboard, the cabin crew should usually confirm with you that the cake has been loaded (and if they don’t, remind them ASAP- sometimes screw ups happen, but they can try to rectify it if given enough time), and ask when you would like for it to be served. 

The standard setup is to serve the cake along with two glasses of champagne, a pair of bears, some lights and dry ice. 

At the airport

Check-in (Singapore)

Singapore Airlines flights currently depart from Terminals 2 and 3 at Changi Airport, and the experience depends on which terminal you’re departing from. 

The only First Class flights that depart from Terminal 2 are to Jakarta, and the check-in facility here is relatively low key.

All other First Class flights depart from Terminal 3, where passengers can make use of Singapore Airlines’ exclusive First Class check-in area at Terminal 3, located just before Door 1 on the departure level.

On arrival at the facility’s private driveway, porters will assist with your luggage and you’ll be ushered inside to check-in. 

The reception area has plenty of seating —not that you’ll be staying here very long — and your bags will be checked and boarding passes issued. There’s no refreshments, but you’re just minutes away from the lounge anyway. 

Upon completing the check-in formalities, you’ll exit the First Class reception and head straight to a dedicated immigration counter for First Class passengers, where I’ve never seen a queue. 

Check-in (Overseas)

When departing from overseas, First Class passengers can make use of priority check-in counters and immigration, where available. 

This includes Gold Track access at airports where the service is available. 

Lounge (Singapore)

While almost all First Class flights depart from Terminal 3 anyway, even if you happen to be departing from Terminal 2 (i.e. Jakarta), I absolutely insist you visit the lounges in Terminal 3.

Why? Because Terminal 3 has The Private Room.

Now, I’m sure there are those who will say The Private Room pales in comparison to what other airlines offer their First Class passengers, like Air France in Paris, or Lufthansa in Frankfurt, or Qatar Airways in Doha. And maybe they have a point, but you know what? If this is your first time, I have no doubt you’re going to enjoy yourself. 

The 78-seater Private Room is the exclusive domain of Singapore Airlines First Class passengers. First Class passengers on other Star Alliance carriers and Solitaire PPS Club members are barred from entry.

Come hungry, because the highlight of The Private Room is the restaurant, which serves made-to-order items like Wagyu satay, lobster thermidor, or Kurobuta pork don, together with fine wines and champagne. Here’s a sampling of some of the items.

Wagyu satay

If you don’t see anything you like on the menu, don’t be shy to ask the chef if they can whip up something special. They’ll try their best!

As for wines, Singapore Airlines serves the following in The Private Room.

I’ve been told the red and whites are nothing special, but the champagne is very much so. Enjoy a glass (or four) of Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2012, one of three champagnes that will be available onboard.

Freshen up before your flight with a shower in one of three oversized suites, each with a GROHE Sensia Arena bidet toilet, rainshower, and Como Shambhala amenities. Pro-tip: ask for shower suite #3, which is almost double the size of the other two (in fact, it’s the largest shower anywhere in Changi!)

There’s also private rooms (yes, private rooms inside The Private Room) with single beds and work desks, perfect for anyone who needs a rest or a quiet space to work. In theory you’re limited to a two-hour slot, but the staff can arrange a longer stay if it’s a quiet period.

In addition to The Private Room, Singapore Airlines First Class passengers can also visit the SilverKris First Class Lounge (yes, I know the nomenclature is confusing), which offers additional amenities like a tended bar and productivity pods.

I personally feel the First Class Lounge is better for getting work done, since the chairs in The Private Room go for style over ergonomics. There’s also an additional four nap rooms here, in case the ones in The Private Room are all full. 

Detailed reviews of The Private Room and First Class Lounge experiences can be found below.

Review: Singapore Airlines SilverKris First Class Lounge, Changi Terminal 3

Review: Singapore Airlines The Private Room (2023)

Oh, and if you must see what the Terminal 2 First Class lounge looks like…

Review: Singapore Airlines SilverKris First Class Lounge Changi Terminal 2

Lounge (Overseas)

Singapore Airlines has SilverKris Lounges at 10 overseas airports, but only four of these have a separate First Class section.

Standard features in the First Class section include a sit-down dining area with table service and a small a la carte menu, as well as upgraded champagne options compared to the Business Class section. 

The following airports have First Class service, but do not have a SilverKris First Class Lounge.

I’ll level with you. Most of these are forgettable. Some of these (e.g. Auckland) aren’t even dedicated First Class lounges, so you can expect a level of crowding and F&B more on a Business Class level. 

If you asked me to choose, my two favourites would probably be the ANA Suite Lounges in Tokyo Haneda and Narita. Both offer (or at least they did prior to COVID, I’m not sure if it’s been restored yet) a “Dining h” facility, which serves an a la carte menu that’s prepared to exacting Japanese standards. 

If it’s any consolation, you’ll be able to visit The Private Room at Changi Airport on arrival- read till the end for details! 

If you intend to arrive early to enjoy the lounge, check the opening hours, and be aware that ground staff may not allow you to check-in earlier than three hours before departure, even if there’s an earlier SQ flight leaving that day.

Onboard the flight

Boarding

Suites and First Class passengers are always the first group to board, after those requiring special assistance.

Alternatively, you can hang out longer in the lounge and board at your leisure, but don’t leave it too late or you’ll miss some of the pre-flight pageantry. The crew will come over and introduce themselves personally (and you’ll always be addressed by name, of course!), they’ll offer to take your shoes and replace them with slippers, they’ll ask if they can hang your jacket and offer you a sleeper suit to change into. It’s a fawning level of service, and par the course for the real estate you occupy.

And they’ll of course pour you some pre-departure beverages, which means it’s time for…

Do a champagne tasting

Even if you’ve never flown Singapore Airlines First Class before, you must be aware of the famous “Krug or Dom?” question, which I swear the cabin crew are trained to say in such a professionally casual manner so it comes off as the most subtle flex ever.

Unfortunately, this question will need to be reworded now that Dom Perignon has become an Emirates exclusive, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

But cheer up, because there’s still plenty of good bubbles in store. Regardless of route, First Class passengers will have a choice of three champagnes.

Two of these are fixtures:

• 2012 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne
• Krug Grande Cuvee NV

The third is a rotating choice, offered under SIA’s “A Celebration of Champagne” programme till March 2024.

If you’re reading this in December 2023, there’s even more good news because the critically-acclaimed Krug 2004 is making an appearance for the latter half of the month. Krug Rose will also be served during the Christmas period.

Brand snobs may mourn the loss of Dom, but make no mistake: all of these are top quality pours. Assuming you’re not a teetotaler, you owe it to yourself to try all three. Don’t be shy; chances are they’re going to open one of each anyway, and any open bottles at the end of the flight have to be discarded.

Get your amenities kit

Singapore Airlines Suites and First Class passengers receive Lalique amenities kits on flights above five hours. However, there’s no harm asking even if your flight falls below that threshold, because there just might be some leftovers onboard. 

Lalique isn’t really known for skincare products — they’re a crystal designer first and foremost — but that doesn’t mean they make bad stuff. 

If you’re flying out of Singapore, you’ll receive either a male or female amenities kit. 

The his kit contains:

• Lalique Encre Noire Eau De Toilette (30ml)
• Lalique Encre Noire Body Lotion (30ml)
• Lalique Encre Noire Facial Mist (20ml)
• Lalique Encre Noire Lip Balm (6ml)

The hers kit contains:

• Lalique L’Amour Eau De Parfum (30ml)
• Lalique L’Amour Hand Cream (25ml)
• Lalique L’Amour Facial Mist (20ml)
• Lalique L’Amour Lip Balm (6ml)

If you’re flying into Singapore, you’ll receive a unisex kit. 

The unisex kit contains:

• Lalique Neroli Soap (50g)
• Lalique Neroli Room Spray (30ml)
• Lalique Neroli Body Lotion (30ml)
• Lalique Neroli Lip Balm (8ml)

Get your sleeper suit

Sleeper suits are distributed on flights above five hours. These are unisex and Lalique-branded, coming in four different sizes ranging from XS to L. 

The suits are made of comfortable material that retains heat well- a little too well in my opinion. If you’re afraid of overheating, maybe request a baggier size. 

You can keep your suit after the flight as a souvenir. 

(A380 only) Take a few bathroom selfies

Now that you’ve got a sleeper suit and several glasses of pre-departure champagne in you, it’s time to explore the bathroom.

If you’re on the B777-300ER, these are completely forgettable. They’re basically the same as the ones you’ll find in Business or Economy, just with fancier amenities.

But if you’re on the A380, your life is about to change (again).

For maximum effect, visit the port side (left, facing the front of the plane) first, which is already impressive in and of itself. Instead of the usual cramped lavatory with barely enough room to turn around, you’ll find plenty of countertop room for your personal items, a waterfall tap with one of the best flow rates I’ve seen on an airplane, plus a settee for wearing shoes without hopping on one foot.

Now head across the aisle to the starboard bathroom and take a deep breath. Not because of any unpleasantness (you’ll soon realise the cabin crew in First have an almost OCD approach towards restroom cleanliness, nipping inside between passengers to tidy and deodorise), but because of this:

Yes, it’s a lavatory so big you could do jumping jacks inside (in fact, why not?). It’s almost as if the designers ran out of ideas as to what they could fit here, since the main feature is a dressing table (a shower would have been nice, but you’ll need to fly Emirates’ A380 for that!)

I think this is as good a spot for a (tasteful) bathroom selfie as any. 

Ask for the bears

Singapore Airlines stocks teddy bears on its flights for its younger passengers, but they’re available on request to First Class passengers of any age. 

These can be quite the collectible item. I personally have more than two dozen at home, sporting different coloured T-shirts or aircraft. The latest collection features a pair of bears in chef’s whites, though that may have changed by the time you read this post.

Oh, and the bear does have a name: “Beary”. Still a better name than Budget Terminal, though…

Dine when you want

Suites and First Class passengers do not need to stick to the traditional meal windows. You eat whenever you wish, though keep in mind it can take up to 20 minutes to warm up the items, so try and give the crew some heads up. 

Since I’m likely to be stuffed from The Private Room, I usually request to take my meal later instead of straight after take-off. 

Peruse the snack menu

In addition to the main menu, passengers can enjoy a selection of snacks throughout the flight. I need to moderate your expectations, however, because snacks are a notable weak point of the Singapore Airlines premium cabin experience. 

If you’re flying to Asia or Australia, don’t expect anything more than potato chips, cookies, and instant noodles (albeit plated on fine china). If you’re flying to Europe or the USA, a few more options are available such as sandwiches and soups, but it’s still not much to get excited about compared to other airlines.

Frankly speaking, these aren’t what you should expect from a First Class experience!

For what it’s worth, SIA has recently added some hawker items to its snack menu, including a carrot cake and fried Hokkien mee (though I believe the latter is only available on non-stop flights to the USA, which do not have a First Class cabin). I haven’t tried these, but it’s good to see they’re trying to introduce more local flair to a part of the experience they’ve historically overlooked.

Singapore Airlines adds hawker items to snack menu

If you’re really hungry, I reckon you’d be better off asking the cabin crew if there’s any leftovers from the previous meal service. They’ll be more than happy to plate it for you if so, and that’ll probably be better than most snack options.

(A380 only) Try the double bed

Some people will say it’s a waste of miles to sleep on your first-ever First Class experience, and I suppose I can see where they’re coming from. But if you were lucky enough to snag Suite 1A/2A or 1F/2F, you should at least take a brief nap.

On cue, the cabin crew will push down the walls and open up a double bed, complete with luxuriously smooth sheets and fluffy pillows. And if you really don’t want to sleep, well you can always catch a movie with your companion (each suite has two headphone ports, so you can both hear the same audio). 

At the risk of bursting your bubble, I need to point out that despite the name, it’s more like two single beds pushed together. There is a hard, immovable divider between the two beds, which you’ll still feel even when covered with blankets. 

In that sense, it’s more like two single beds pushed together than a real double bed. But hey, in the cold light of day, you’re still enjoying an oversized bed in an oversized suite in an oversized aircraft. That’s an amazing feat, in and of itself, and would have been unthinkable at the turn of the century. 

After the flight

Priority immigration

Certain SIA destinations offer expedited immigration processing for arriving First Class passengers:

• Bangkok (BKK)
• Brunei (BWN)
• Delhi (DEL)
• Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
• Istanbul (IST)
• Jakarta (CGK)
• Male (MLE)
• Mumbai (BOM)
• Paris (CDG)

Of the list above, Singapore Airlines only offers First Class to Delhi, Jakarta, Mumbai and Paris. Be sure to retain your boarding pass so you can use the priority lane on arrival.

Visit the lounge in Singapore

Here’s a little-known but important fact: Suites and First Class passengers arriving in Singapore on SIA flights may use The Private Room and First Class SilverKris Lounge on arrival, regardless of where they originated from.

This means an opportunity to grab a very nice meal, freshen up with a shower, or even take a nap, if you didn’t sleep well on the plane.

There’s really no hard and fast rule on how long you can spend here, although if you have checked bags they’ll eventually be removed from the carousel and brought to lost-and-found. It’s not that big a deal, and you can always reclaim them later.

Conclusion

While everyone’s virgin Business Class experience will be special, Singapore Airlines First Class is a whole different ball game. Whether it’s the rarefied air of The Private Room, the liberal pours of vintage champagne, the fawning service, or the assortment of take-home souvenirs (especially for those on two-legged flights where you get two sets of PJs and amenities kits), it’s something you’ll remember for a long time to come.

If nothing else, it might keep the other half from complaining every time you admonish them to use the right card! 

Any other tips for first-time SIA First Class passengers?