Singapore Airlines' A380 Suites has a reputation as one of the most extravagant ways to fly commercially, and a new first-hand review of the Frankfurt to Singapore route confirms most of the hype — with a couple of honest caveats.
The headline feature is space. Each suite has floor-to-ceiling walls and a door, a large leather armchair that swivels and reclines, a proper table, multiple storage compartments and a big entertainment screen. Close the door and you effectively have a private room at 35,000 feet. The bed is not a converted seat: crew set up a separate mattress, and adjoining suites can be combined into a double for couples. The reviewer slept around four and a half of the flight's eleven hours and found the mattress firmer than expected — a rare knock against a product usually described as flawless. Another practical quirk: the walls don't reach the ceiling and the doors have small gaps, so privacy is excellent but not absolute.
Service and dining live up to the brand. The flight kicked off with a Singapore Sling (verdict: skip it, stick to champagne), caviar with bread — plus a pretzel, naturally, departing Germany — and a spicy Kai Krapow from the main menu. A mid-flight snack of San Sebastian cheesecake and Kway Teow got mixed marks, with the noodle dish judged a bit bland. Before landing, the reviewer used the Book the Cook service for a lighter lobster dish, though would choose an Asian option next time. Book the Cook lets passengers pre-order from a much wider menu than the standard onboard selection, and it's worth planning ahead if you're booking this cabin.
The champagne programme is arguably a highlight in itself. Current Suites service on this route includes Krug Grande Cuvée and 2014 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, with recent lineups also featuring Cristal, Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne — a list that would look at home in a serious wine bar. Glasses arrive at boarding, with dinner and before bed, which adds to the private-jet feel.
One genuinely useful takeaway: the reviewer thinks the product is best for solo travellers. The suite design centres on individual privacy, so couples sitting in separate suites may feel more apart than together, and sharing a meal isn't really practical. It's a minor criticism of what is still described as one of the most impressive ways to cross the globe — but worth knowing before you splash out (or burn points) for two.
For travellers weighing whether Suites justifies its premium over the airline's standard first class or business class: this is the pick if privacy, a real separate bed and a world-class wine list top your list. It's also one of the few places left to experience a dedicated first class cabin on the A380 at all, as the type gradually retires from other fleets. Booked on points, the reviewer calls it a dream flight — though wouldn't rush to repeat it at cash prices.