In an earlier post, I shared my virgin experience on Singapore Airlines Regional Business Class on an Airbus A350. It was the beginning of my winter holiday in Japan, which saw me flew to Hokkaido, before making my way back down to Tokyo on Shinkansen. As my Japan trip came to an end, it also meant that I would embark on my return flight from Tokyo to Singapore.
My flight back home on SQ635 was in many ways similar to that of my outbound trip. I would be flying out of Haneda Airport on the Airbus A350 again, which sported the Regional Business Class seats. Similarly, it was a red eye flight, so I would spend most of my time experiencing SQ’s famous full-flat bed.
The return trip would be different for obvious reasons – the crew. And indeed, this set of cabin crew created a different flight experience. I would also be sharing some aspects of the Regional Business Class cabin that wasn’t covered in my earlier trip report.
Trip Overview
Tokyo Haneda to Singapore (HND-SIN)
Flight Number: SQ635
Aircraft Type / Registration: A350 / 9V-SHI
Departure (ETD/ATD): 2255hrs (GMT+9) / 2322hrs (GMT+9)
Arrival (ETA/ATA): 0515hrs (GMT+8) / 0509hrs (GMT+8)
Duration (Estimated/Actual): 7h 20m / 6h 48m
Seat: 12K (Regional JCL)
Meal Service (Supper): Unagi Kabayaki (Eel with Rice)
SQ635 From Tokyo Haneda Airport At A Glance
We arrived at Haneda Airport early – as usual – and explored the beautifully designed airport. For example, there was an entire floor (Festival Plaza) that was designed to make one feel like they were walking through the streets of old Japanese towns. Crossing the Haneda Nihonbashi – a replica of Nihonbashi in the first half of the 19th century, made from Japanese cypress from Yoshino – was the expansive food court that was crowded. At that time, we were just emerging from Covid and many shops in the airport were still closed, so the food court was one of the few places one could go and kill time before their flights.
We also visited the open air observation deck. By then, it was dark, cold and windy. Air traffic was still low, so there weren’t many metal birds to see. We hurriedly returned to the warmth of indoors, and found ourselves traversing Tiat Sky Road, an aviation themed walkway and exhibition space. Avgeeks would go gaga over the aircraft models of every airline operating international flights from Haneda Airport.
Visiting ANA Lounge – Star Alliance Business Class Benefit
As there was no SilverKris Lounge at Haneda Airport, we headed over to the ANA Lounge. I had thought the SilverKris Lounge at Changi Airport was crowded. ANA Lounge proved me wrong. We could barely find any seats for 2. After wandering around the lounge several times, we settled at a counter seat. The lounge was uncomfortably warm, and the cleaner could barely keep up with the turnover of passengers. Luckily, there was still some decent food to soothe my overly stimulated senses.
With the lounge hopelessly crowded and dirty, we left early. Unfortunately, Haneda Airport in 2023 was a dead town, suffering from Japan’s slow opening up post pandemic. With nothing to shop, we were at the gatehold room 20 minutes before boarding.
Boarding the flight and Pre-Take Off
The incoming flight had arrived late and the ground staff were visibly anxious while herding the passengers into our respective queues.
5 minutes past the scheduled boarding time, the business class passengers were ushered in. However, it was just a workaround. The cabin wasn’t ready, so we were held up at the aerobridge for another 5 minutes.
That little hiccup wasn’t severe enough to douse my spirits. I breezed past the smiling cabin crew, found my seat and began to relive my business class experience on Singapore Airlines.
I should be the easiest passenger in the entire cabin. As I settled in my seat, I watched the crew scurrying around helping others keep their coats, or fetch bags for ladies to keep their handbags. The JFSS came around to confirm my supper order, while another cabin crew went around offering welcome drinks.
As the boarding ritual winds down, the safety briefing video fired up and we embarked on a long taxi to the runway at the edge of the airport.
SQ Regional Business Class Supper on Red eye Flight
Supper was served after take off. Before that, the IFM served a bag of nuts. Yes, you read me right. Instead of warmed nuts, I got a bag of cold nuts. After supper, I fully reclined my seat for the night’s sleep.
Even though we took off half an hour behind schedule, we still arrived in Singapore on time. Again, the pilot woke us up about 40 minutes before landing, hence began the orchestra of activities where passengers rushed to wash up and the crew scurried around to either finish the breakfast service (for those who opted to have their meals before landing) or to serve passengers their morning drinks. Yup, there wasn’t a pre-arrival meal, like I did on my ANA flights in Economy. Oh well…
Being at home ground, it was a breeze clearing the customs. On the flip side, the baggage couldn’t keep up. Henceforth I rounded off my business class experience with a 15 minute wait at the baggage belt.
Seat and IFE
I had covered the basics of the Regional Business Class seat on the A350 in my trip report on SQ636, Singapore to Haneda. The seats were impeccable and made what was a dreaded overnight flight pleasant.
This time around, I was seated at 12K, which was somewhere in the middle of the cabin. I’ve always chosen seats on the starboard side, as statistically, the aisle traffic would be lower than that on the port side. Since my seat was near the galley, I could hear the cabin crew’s chatter behind the curtains. Yes! Thankfully, the chatter only happened during the meal service. My seat was also by the window. Although it was a red-eye flight and there was no view so to speak, I still wanted to have the seat console between me and the aisle, which gave me a sense of security as I tried to catch some sleep.
Learning from my previous fumble, I took my take off and landing videos without my gimble. There was a lot of shaking, but at least my videos would not be tilted like a stiff neck!
Inflight Entertainment and WiFi on SQ A359 (Medium Haul)
Despite being on an overnight flight, I spent quite some time on their Inflight Entertainment (IFE). Most of it, well, was spent while waiting for my meal to come.
This time, I tried connecting my phone to the IFE system. This could be done by turning on the bluetooth and logging into my KrisFlyer account on my phone.
Unfortunately, as I was already in the air, I couldn’t access my Google drive to look for my KrisFlyer password. In the end, I gave up trying to control the IFE on my phone. That was a good idea with bad execution. Thankfully for SQ, they rolled out free WiFi for all KrisFlyer members a year later, which solved the issue I encountered.
On another note, all Business Class passengers get complimentary WiFi onboard. I didn’t make use of the service since I planned to sleep my flight away. Perhaps I will do another review when I’m next flying on Singapore Airlines Business Class.
A350 Business Class Toilet
In the Business Class cabin, there were 3 toilets, one at the pointy end behind the cockpit, and 2 in between the 2 sections of Business Class. As the one at the front was on the port side, it was difficult for me to reach despite being nearer to me. Therefore, I took the one behind seat 18F on both my flights.
In terms of size, the toilet was the same as those in the Economy. However, due to the low usage (there was 1 toilet to 13 passengers), it was visibly cleaner and neater.
Singapore Airlines Business Class Amenities Kit
In terms of the amenities kit, we got the identical stuff as the Japan bound trip. Welcoming me at the seat were the pillow and blanket, bottled water, headphones, slippers and eye shades. Back then, Singapore Airlines was still using the Penhaligon amenities kit, which was also placed in the seat at the time of boarding.
Unlike other 5-star Asian airlines, Singapore Airlines no longer provides pyjamas for overnight Business Class travellers.
Unagi on Rice for Supper
About an hour after take off, my supper was served. This time around, I ordered Unagi Kabayaki (Eel on Rice) via Book-the-Cook considering we were flying out of Japan. As a sleeper service on a regional flight, we were supposed to receive tray service. But my tray arrived before my mains, and it was almost another 10 minutes before my entire meal was assembled.
The highlight of the dish was, of course, the grilled eel. Without the sauce, the meat was soft and fluffy. Coupled with the sweet and savoury sauce, it felt like cotton candy on my tongue. The rice was surprisingly good, considering it was pre-prepared and reheated in the air.
Accompanying the main dish was a serving of cut fruits and a croissant. The latter wasn’t memorable; I’ve had better ones on board Cathay Pacific. In fact, the croissant on my flight wasn’t even warm.
I also learned my lesson from my previous flight and ordered Mimosa instead to pair with my meal. Compared to SilverKris Sling, Mimosa is lighter and went well with the light texture of the Unagi Kabayaki.
On hindsight, I realised why my meals on Singapore Airlines Business Class just felt like something was missing. Yes, they didn’t serve desserts to go with the meals. Alas! Something sweet and cold before my nap would really go down very well!
Crew Service
Unlike my previous flight, the team of cabin crew on my return flight had more stewardesses, helmed by a stern looking Inflight Manager.
However, like my previous flight, the crew weren’t engaging and felt like they couldn’t wait to return to hide in the galley.
Parting Words
To be honest, I was more in an “enjoy” mode than a “review” mode while on this flight. Therefore, without zooming in on technicalities and specifics, it was a rather enjoyable experience on SQ635.
The seat was comfortable enough to catch some sleep, albeit a light one. After all, when we’re on an overnight flight, the most important comfort factor would be the ability to stretch.
The biggest change that Singapore Airlines could do is to fly the aircraft with the usual Business Class products, instead of the Regional Business Class. After all, it’s a lengthy 6.5 hours of flight we’re talking about. Throw in the fact that it was a red eye flight, it was really peculiar that SIA would fly a regional product on this flight.
On another note, I found a nice new feature during the trip. Singapore Airlines started allowing passengers to have auto check-in. This would entail confirming our information, including passport details, on the SQ app. Because of this, I need not worry about forgetting to check-in while I was enjoying my holiday.
This post marked the end of my magical winter trip to northeast Japan. Be sure to check out my review on ANA Holiday Inn Sapporo Susukino and travelogues covering a night’s at the fabled town of Ginzan Onsen, catching the beautiful night view of Hakodate, visiting one of the last few original Japanese castles at Hirosaki, and tasting everything apple in Aomori.
For those of you staying for a longer time at Hokkaido, follow my adventure to the northernmost point of Japan – Cape Soya. The day trip up north will be worthwhile! I had stayed at and reviewed Kozankaku when in Ginzan Onsen.
Till then, stay wanderlust!
All photos and videos were taken using Google Pixel 4a, and edited with Google Photos.
