Does
Quick take: One of the world’s leading airlines delivers an impressive step up from economy, but there is still some minor room for improvement.
Pros
- Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) remains a fantastic ground experience for passengers.
- The small and intimate cabin contains just 24 seats with wide seats and generous legroom.
- Champagne is available, and hearty meals are served on beautiful ceramic plates.
Cons
- Passengers don’t get predeparture drinks, and during the flight, drinks are offered in plastic and paper cups.
- There are no dedicated crew or bathrooms for premium economy.
- Cash prices are at least twice the price of economy.
Can one of the world’s best airlines deliver a premium economy that’s up to snuff?
Singapore Airlines is renowned around the globe for its passenger experience, from its award-winning hub at SIN to its talented cabin crew in their iconic sarong kebaya uniforms (introduced some 50 years ago). The airline has a widespread route network, including the world’s longest flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to SIN, as well as various fifth-freedom routes across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Growing up in Adelaide, South Australia, Singapore Airlines was one of the only international airlines flying to my hometown of around 1 million people.
I’ve flown Singapore Airlines more times than I can count since I was a kid, and so far, I’ve never had a bad flight with the storied carrier.
The airline recently upgraded its premium economy product to include enhanced dining and new amenity kits, investing in what has become an increasingly popular class of service. So, I decided to try the product on its new route from SIN to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) on its Airbus A350.
Here’s what the experience was like.
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BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
How to book premium economy on Singapore Airlines
Round-trip cash fares in Singapore Airlines’ premium economy product are usually at least twice — and sometimes as high as three times — the cost of regular economy. Business class is usually around twice the cost of premium economy.
Singapore Airlines’ new SQ312 service to LGW operates four days per week. Flight All )
The new LGW service complements the carrier’s existing four daily flights to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Here are the ranges of airfare and award redemptions I could find in all three cabins on this route over the next year.
| Round-trip prices | Economy | Premium economy | Business class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | $1,070 to $2,580 | $2,860 to $4,140 | $5,450 to $8,170 |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles | 84,000 miles plus $183 | 142,000 miles plus $338 | 207,000 miles plus $338 |
| Air Canada Aeroplan points | 100,000 miles plus $250 | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Luckily, KrisFlyer miles are easy to earn and redeem. Singapore However, the airline partners with several major transferable rewards programs, including American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards, all at a 1:1 transfer ratio.
The following cards all currently offer strong welcome bonuses that you could easily convert to KrisFlyer miles:
Checking into premium economy on Singapore Airlines
If you’re departing from SIN, don’t miss The Jewel waterfall outside of security in Terminal 3. It’s a spectacular, free-to-visit indoor rainforest so popular that other airports seem to have taken inspiration.
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A premium economy ticket on Singapore Airlines (whether booked with cash or KrisFlyer miles) includes free seat selection and — for flights to and from North America — two checked bags weighing up to 50 pounds each. Premium The All While there was no line to check in, I was surprised at how low-key this priority check-in area was given that the airline operates premium economy on most long-haul routes and pitches it as an elevated experience.
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It’s easy to see why SIN is consistently awarded as the world’s best airport. The Gate In my case, gates A1 through A8 shared a single, large security checkpoint.
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While premium economy passengers were not offered a priority security queue, the process was smooth, calm and efficient.
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Only a few flights were departing from the large eight-gate space at this late hour, so hundreds of seats (complete with charging points) were available for passengers waiting to board.
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Staff called boarding by group numbers and instructed passengers to remain seated until their group was called.
Premium economy passengers boarded through the same lane as economy but were called to board with Group 3 (along with KrisFlyer Gold and Star Alliance Gold members). Regular economy passengers boarded afterward in Group 4.
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With a 13-hour overnight flight ahead of us, nobody seemed in a huge rush to board and start sitting, which made for an orderly process.
How comfortable was premium economy on Singapore Airlines?
Economy
Premium economy
Business class
Layout
3-3-3
2-4-2
1-2-1
Seat pitch
| 32 inches | 38 inches | 60 inches (78 inches in bed mode) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat recline | 6 inches | 8 inches | Fully flat |
| Seat width | 17.3 inches | 19 inches | 28 inches |
| Screen size | 11.1 inches | 13.3 inches | 18 inches |
| The premium economy cabin was surprisingly small, with just 24 seats spread across three rows directly behind the second luxurious business-class cabin. | BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY | The front row seats in row 31 have a little extra legroom due to the bulkhead in front; they are an especially good choice if traveling as a couple — although you won’t be able to stow a personal item in front of you. | BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY |
| At 6 feet tall, I found the legroom in row 32 generous, and I had a bit more personal space than in economy. | BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY | The small size of the cabin had both positives and negatives. | While intimate and exclusive, it also felt a little cramped, with walls at the front and back. The The seatback in front was also outfitted with a large and sturdy literature pocket along with a water bottle holder; this was already stocked with a bottle of water for each premium economy passenger. |
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There was a universal power outlet for each seat in the center armrest, a USB-A port next to the inflight entertainment screen and another next to the headphone jack between the seats.
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Unfortunately, this modern A350 aircraft did not have USB-C ports, wireless charging or Bluetooth connectivity.
A tray table that popped out of the armrest was large and sturdy enough for a full-size MacBook.
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I also liked the adjustable reading light next to the headrest; it was handy for reading the menu without disturbing passengers trying to rest on this overnight flight.
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Amenities in Singapore Airlines premium economy
A pillow and a blanket wrapped in plastic were waiting on each seat when passengers boarded.
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Both items were plush and larger than you would expect to receive in economy.
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The carrier also provided decent over-ear noise-canceling headphones — another luxury perk that made this long-haul flight more comfortable.
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One of the enhancements the airline has promoted in premium economy this year is a new amenity kit by the brand Out of the Woods. The It was better than nothing, though.
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More impressive was the large, crisp seatback touchscreen.
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It was filled with 43 new releases, including “Kung Fu Panda 4”, “Arthur the King” and “Dune: Part Two.” The The I It Instead, five bathrooms were shared with the economy cabin behind, and there were regular lines to use them.
They were kept clean but were tight to move around in.
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How was the food in Singapore Airlines premium economy?
I was surprised that I did not receive a welcome drink during the boarding process, as this is common in premium economy on other carriers — especially ones as well regarded as Singapore Airlines.
I was offered a hot towel that I gladly accepted after the sticky tropical heat of Singapore.
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Shortly after takeoff, the crew distributed printed menus and began serving dinner.
Since I was flying in premium economy, I could have used the airline’s Book The Cook service. This would have allowed me to choose from a much larger selection of entree dishes, provided I had selected it online more than 24 hours in advance.
While Book the Cook is an awesome perk available to passengers in premium economy and above, I decided to stick with the regular menu to try what most other passengers would be eating.
Given how long the flight was, I had expected the first service to be prolonged a bit; I imagined I would receive a round of drinks or perhaps a drink with some mixed nuts before dinner. The The The The However, I wish they removed the plastic and foil covers before handing the trays to the passengers.
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I was expecting a third main entree option — perhaps vegetarian or something without pork or red meat (which some customers avoid).
I chose the beef noodles, and they were excellent. The This gave passengers plenty of time to rest on the way to London.
Snacks — including sandwiches, fresh fruit, muffins, nuts and chips — were available from the rear galley between meal services. This It It was served three hours before arriving in London, with some bumpier weather expected a bit closer to landing.
Breakfast included strawberry yogurt with fresh fruit, a croissant and a choice of tea, coffee or juice with two entree options:
Vegetarian omelet with grilled mushroom, baked tomato, garlic and wilted greens
Chai tow kueh (a savory fried carrot cake with prawns and preserved turnips)
Again, I was surprised not to see a third option on the menu. All It I It It The The The Plus, receiving Champagne in premium economy was a real treat, as was the metal cutlery.
Still, Singapore’s premium economy has some room for improvement. This It The airline could add a third option to the entrees for dinner and breakfast, though next time, I would use the fantastic Book The Cook service.
Emirates and KLM remain the most impressive premium economy products I’ve flown, but Singapore Airlines would probably just scrape its way into the top five.
Since it tends to be at least twice the price of an already excellent economy product, I would probably be happy to stick with economy class on my next flight to Singapore. I would probably stick with economy class on my next flight to Singapore, since it is usually at least twice the price of an already excellent economy product.
