Singapore Airlines First Class Suites is by far the largest airplane “seat” that I’ve ever flown in – can you call it a seat?
- Route: JFK – FRA
- Plane: Airbus A380
- Cost: 143,500 Singapore Points + $5.60
- Departure: January 2023
Singapore Airlines First class on the A380 is hands down the largest airplane “seat” that I’ve ever flown it – if you’re wondering why I keep quoting the word seat, it’s because there is a separate bed and chair within the “suite” which is what it’s truly called and branded as, Singapore Airlines First Class Suites.
While this specific redemption isn’t as tough to book as some of the other bucket list flights out there, it is a bit more expensive in terms of point cost. I couldn’t find any of the Singapore Saver availability. Instead had to book a “Non-Saver” flight which cost a significant amount of points more than if you were to find saver availability. Either way, I saved thousands of dollars on this flight than what I would have if I paid cash.
Booking Method
To book Singapore First Class Suites, you need to use their own point currency and book through their KrisFlyer program. Luckily you can transfer the points over from American Express, Capital One, Chase, and Citi. This makes combining points across multiple programs to book this ticket a bit easier.
I transferred over 144,000 points from American Express to book the Advantage fare that cost 143,500 KrisFlyer miles. If you are able to snag saver award availability, you can book this flight for just 97,000 KrisFlyer miles, though finding award tickets that cheap can be difficult.
Either way, once you find the availability and get your flight booked, you are on a treat as you fly Singapore Airline’s flagship class, Suites.
Ground Experience: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at JFK
Singapore Airlines unfortunately does not have it’s own lounge at the JFK airport, and instead partners with the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (which I’d argue is one of the best lounges at JFK) for their services.
One of my favorite parts about this lounge is that this is a full service lounge compared to just buffet style. The lounge is a ton of fun and is more restaurant/bar like compared to your typical lounge, but has lots of private seating if you are looking to get some work done prior to the flight.
Give yourself plenty of time, and don’t eat or drink too much here as you’ll want to enjoy what comes next…
Seat & Amenities
There is no other way to say it, this airplane seat will be one of the largest you will ever fly in, and unless you fly in Ethiad’s The Residence will likely be the largest commercial seat anyone ever may fly.
That is the reason that Singapore doesn’t brand this as a “First Class Seat” but instead as the “First Class Suite.” Complete with a separate bed and massive leather reclining chair. Inside the seat you have multiple screens, including a 32″ TV, a separate closet inside the seat, and some of the best service you’ll ever have.
Singapore makes this a very fun flight from the beginning to the end as you’re served a pre-departure glass of champagne, given your pajamas and amenity kit, and then you’re off for an adventure of a lifetime.
Dining
Singapore Airlines has some incredible dining as well, their champagne of choice for first class flights is Krug, which is right up there with Emirate’s famous Dom Pérignon. Similar to Emirates I was not served Krug on the ground (this again is likely due to taxes that must be paid) so instead you are given a different type of champagne prior to takeoff.
After takeoff, the flight attendants will come around with a couple of courses, the menu was pretty extensive and they had a caviar course! The only time I’ve ever had caviar is when I use my points to fly first class, so anytime there is something like this, of course I have to say yes and try it all.
Unfortunately my flight was had a lot of turbulence during the main meal so I didn’t get too many great pictures of that, but I promise it was delicious and there are some great options to choose from!
Sleeping in a Separate Bed
The large differentiator of Singapore Suites compared to other First Class seats, is the fact that there is a separate bed within the suite so you don’t have to stay in one spot the entire flight. Whether this is a placebo effect or not (since other first class carriers and even some businesses classes have fully reclining seats) the best sleep I’ve gotten on any flight was from on Singapore Suites.
It’s also very nice to be able to stand up and walk around just a little bit to stretch your legs and still technically be in your own seat. Singapore Suites excels here at making this place feel a lot more than just an airplane seat, it really feels like a mini studio while you’re in the air.
A cool feature about Singapore Suites that I didn’t try was that if you are flying with a companion and book two seats next to each other, you can actually remove the partition and you’ll both be able to enjoy your own bed, kind of combining the suite in a way which is really cool for anyone flying together (of course it’ll be double the point cost!)
Overall Experience
Singapore First Class Suites is one of the most fun ways to fly, and due to the sheer size of the “seat’ it really is a game changer in the space, especially if you can truly manage to snag two tickets right next to each other.
I’d argue that Singapore Airlines has had some of the best service out of any airline I’ve ever flown with multiple people coming up and introducing themselves to me, and even giving me a handwritten note at the end, it’s the little things here that you really notice quite a bit.
Outside of the seat and service it may not be the “snazziest” compared to Emirate’s with their onboard bar and shower, but it definitely stacks right up against it as an extremely close competition for which one is truly the best that I’ve personally flown.
All in all, Singapore First Class Suites remains one of the best flights that I’ve ever taken. Just be sure to remember that the First Class Suites are not on every route and are specifically found on the A380.
