Monday, October 25, 2021

What is the latest on Singapore Airlines? Are they still the best?



Heathrow airport, London, luggage trolley. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

 I flew from Heathrow airport in London, England, to Changi airport in Singapore. As usual I was taking care of luaggage. I always photograph it. Then if it goes missing I can describe it. Living in the Covid era, travellers now have to check on extra paperwork and allow extra time. 

The check-in staff at Heathrow were very good, but do allow extra time for the check-in part. They checked our vaccination certificates before we  joined the short queue to the check-in area.

The security staff were also extra helpful. They told us we could empty our water bottles and refill them later from water dispensers. Yes, indeed. But then we waited behind a family of two adults and three children who were re-filling all their water bottles.

The Singapore Airlines Lounge Breakfast

By the time we reached the lounge, we had barely enough time to order food. You can help yourself to croissants and smoothies. But there is no help yourself hot food any more. You have to order it. When our flight was called, I ran to ask if they could chase up the kitchen.

The food then appeared. My husband has the shellfish concoction. I am allergic to shellfish and had the English breakfast. 

Singapore Airlines Flight

As we boarded the flight we were offered a bottle of water. Very good. No plastic cup. 

I was seated in Economy. I had an aisle seat with an empty seat between me and another passenger. 

A good thing I had saved a little food from the breakfast. On the flight, the dinner was two courses, no starter.

I was hungry. I went to ask for snacks. The protein sandwiches or rolls with a processed meat or cheese filling were not supplied. Just Kit-kats, or crisps (which Americans call potato chips), or a packet of dried fruit, cranberries. 

No service of orange juice. I wish I had asked for extra with my meal. I should also have kept hold of my plastic beaker for the water.

Breakfast was served in the middle of the night. Apparently the cabin manager, or chief steward, decides on the timing. 

The aircraft still had a pack of playing cards on request for your entertainment. And white pads. And a pen. The pen I was give was completely dry, out of ink, had to be thrown away.

Everybody was asked to wear a mask except when eating. I had an aisle seat. The person in the window seat started coughing after eating and before putting on a mask. That worried me. However, by the time a member of staff walked past, the mask was on.

Entertainment

The best part of the flight? The films and the music. The choice is reduced. I could not find learning languages which used to be an option. I found two compilations of country music. 

I watched two good films. One was a murder mystery, with a double plot, and a twist end. On a lighter note, I watched The Chef. Humorous story of a chef in a restaurant and his battle with a critic who puts him our of business. Reconciliation and happy end.

Music

I looked through all the music offerings. I found some Amy Winehouse. But no Pavarotti or light opera, operetta, comic opera.

I finished with a few Country music songs, which inspired me to write one of my own. I saved the best songs by clicking on a star and hoped that meant those songs were saved to my playlist for the next flight.

Is Singapore Airlines still the best? Not as good as they once were. But good enough.

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About the Author 

About the Author

BIOGRAPHY

Angela Lansbury B A Hons ACG ALB PM5 EH5 DL5 VC5 
The Author of several books including  Etiquette For Every Occasion. Wedding Speeches & Toasts. How to be the Best Man. Quick Quotations. Who Said What When.

Blogs travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

translateforfun.blogspot.com

Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Club Vice President Public Relations (VPPR), Previous President

Join BHA 1st Wednesday 7pm and 3rd Saturday 2 pm Singapore time on bha.learncool.sg  

Vice President Public Relations (VP PR) of Tampines Changkat Advanced;

Secretary of weekly online Singapore International Dynamic Toastmasters Speakers’ Club;

Member and past president of Harrovians toastmasters club, UK; Past member of HOD Toastmasters, London. Past member in Singapore of: Toastmasters Club of Singapore (TCS); Tiarel; and Senja Cashew.

More details from Toastmasters International find a club.

Regular attendee at annual Swanwick Writers’ School, England.

Regular attendee at annual Writers’ Holiday, Wales.

Contributor to poetry readings, and after tea courses on: Speaking On Radio To Promote Books; and Plots And Character.

Winner of many club and area speaking contests in the UK and Singapore.

Language advisor to Empire Toastmasters club in Indonesia.

Language and speech workshops in Singapore.

Speaker on radio and TV in England, Scotland, the USA, and Australia.

Compiler of a school course on public speaking for teachers to prepare pupils for school open days with attending ceremonies before government ministers, Singapore.

Former member of Harrow Writers’ Circle, London, and two writing groups in Singapore.

Angela is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter. She would be delighted to link up with new friends.

 

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