Monthly Archives: June 2020

Singapore Airlines SQ919 777-300 MNL – SIN Old Regional Business Class

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This is a very different flight experience for me and I might have just encounter the first major incident throughout my travels where I could really enjoy the really core benefit of flying in premium cabins! This is my first ever flight on SQ regional business class, I have never fly a premium cabin for a short haul flight before since usually I am good toughing it out in Economy or even Budget. I am originally on the latest 2018 regional J Class that SQ have on both the 787 as well as the A350. As it turn out I got rebook to SQ919 which is an old place featuring the old regional business class due to the volcano eruption. As luck turns out I didn’t expect this is how I got to try the old regional business class. Just on my outbound flight, I saw how spacious the seats are and was actually keen to try these recliner dinosaur era seats. I was actually pretty tired on the flight after all the change of events and chaos. Check out my earlier experience in the lounge previously. For once, I am just glad to have a seat back home to Singapore rather than being stuck in Manila.

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First Class Run: Silverkris Lounge Manila Terminal 3

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Besides the main Silverkris Lounge in Singapore, SQ also maintains and operates a couple of them overseas, especially in key markets. Manila is one of them where you can find a Silverkris lounge in MNL airport terminal 3. This is not surprising given that Singapore Airlines flies 4 times daily to Manila, there is even a flight with First Class on it. Although this lounge is a shared first & business class lounge. There isn’t any particular space reserved for first class passengers as well. It is certainly great to have their own airline operated lounge since there are no good offerings from partners in this airport. For those who are interested in going on a lounge hop, there are a couple of contract lounges which you can access with Priority Pass in Terminal 3. None of them look particular nice. The only other interesting lounge I saw was the Cathay Lounge. The Silverkris Lounge is located one level above the main departure floor, there are clear signs leading to the elevators. SQ departing gates are usually just a short walk away from the lounge.

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First Class Run: Manila

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Oh well, Manila! How exactly did I come up with heading to Manila for a getaway! It all comes back to the Europe trip that I had last summer. I bought the ticket as part of it, from Europe to Manila. It would be nice to have a getaway in January using up this partial ticket. Little did I know that, Manila would be one of the most memorable trip I ever had, given that it is that one last hurdle prior to the COVID situation as well as me getting tangled by the Taal Volcano eruption. Writing this currently during the lockdown period makes me think of travelling so much! I do have to say that I did not do most of the things that I had planned in Manila and given that it is more of a “staycation” we did not do much exploring. Read on for my thoughts on Manila! Did I enjoy it?

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First Class Run: Conrad Manila – Bay View Diplomatic Suite

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I have just shared extensively on Conrad Manila in the previous post so do check out that out if you would like to hear more about the common area and the lounge. I was in the Bay View King Premier Suite previously, although on the last night I got a further upgrade to a Bay View Diplomatic Suite and would just like to share briefly on this amazing suite. It is so nice to have such great elite recognition as this property. I would share briefly on my thoughts regarding the suite as well as pointing out the main difference between the Diplomatic Suite and the King Premier Suite. I do understand that this is a very rare upgrade for hilton members. My new suite is located just round the corner from the Executive Lounge on the 7th floor which is a lot more convenient than my previous one given that it is far away from the lift. I am glad to have almost 12 hours or more in the suite. The Bay View Diplomatic Suite is even more luxurious than my previous one, coming at 95 Sqm it is super spacious and probably the largest suite that I have ever stayed in. Perfect for a party, this is a suite that easily goes for 560 SGD a night!

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First Class Run: Conrad Manila – Bay View King Premier Suite

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Be aware, this is going to be one long post as I share my experience at Conrad Manila. One of the best hotel experience I ever had or even the best. From interaction to service recovery as well as the property itself. A perfect hotel for a staycation. I arrived in Manila shortly after 4pm and immigration as well as bags collection were smooth. Manila International Airport is crowded but still alright, the only huge issue is the traffic here. Manila is known for it’s hideous traffic where simply a short drive could take ages. We took a grabhitch to the Conrad which cost 300 Peso, an alright 8.50 SGD. The hotel is actually nearby but traffic is a mess and it the drive took almost 30 mins. We waited ages for the car as well due to the heavy traffic around the airport. The Conrad is located by the Manila Bay around the SM Mall of Asia area. It is something like an integrated resort with the area full of hotels, restaurants and the huge mall. Surrounding the nearby area you can also find other casinos. The Conrad exterior is extremely striking and gorgeous. It is shaped like a cruise ship as well, fitting the white facade of the hotel. This is definitely the most unique and pretty hotel that I have ever been. The design is awarded winning as well. Although I have to say that it is very hard to get a picture of the place, I got this picture from the internet. Plenty more amazing stuff to come from this stay.

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Picture from Hotel Website

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First Class Run: Singapore Airlines SQ912 777-300 SIN – MNL Old First Class

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Never once have I got played so badly! Really badly! As what marriot members would like to say. I literally got “bonvoyed”! Singapore Airlines first class is exclusively located among their 777 fleet and there is currently two variants, one if the latest one which is introduced a couple years back. For this there is only 4 seats in the whole of First Class which makes it very exclusive and niche. They are mostly on the extended range 777 use on long haul flights and premium routes such as Hong Kong. They other product is the legacy ones currently only used on regional routes such as Jakarta and Manila. This is also the only 2 remaining first class routes that they have in South East Asia. I also went for the Manila one which makes your buck worth the most since it is a longer flight. I was continuing on my previously ticket from Zurich which means that this first class ticket only cost me 100USD and tax. Roughly about a week or so out I received a seat change email due to aircraft change, From the 8 seats first class to the new 4 seats one. I was so glad about it till I board the aircraft where another aircraft change bonyoyed me and the crew.

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First Class Run: Silverkris First Class Lounge Changi Airport Terminal 2

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A very different definition of First Class! This is what I will say! In a stark contrast to Terminal 3, there is no The Private Room in Terminal 2 and there is also no contrast on whether you are flying Star Alliance metal or SQ metal. The Silverkris lounge in Terminal 2 only have a general Business Class section and a First Class section. This is my very first time visiting the First Class section over in the Terminal 2 lounge. The lounge is certainly aged and not in a good way, this is definitely the oldest lounge of SQ over here in Singapore. SQ operated from both Terminal 2 and 3 and usually regional flights fly out of here as well as Silkair! Unlike the T3 one, the lounge here is not open 24 hours. It is open only from 5am to midnight.

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