Review of Singapore Airlines Business Class – BusinessClass.com
Singapore Airlines is renowned for its service and inflight catering, which often varies based on the destination. An international culinary panel of celebrity chefs from around the world provide guidance and recipes to the airline’s inflight menus.
Since late 2020, Singapore Airlines no longer distributes printed menus in any cabin class. While it may not be to everyone’s liking, the digital initiative makes sense from a sustainability perspective. Digital menus and wine lists are now made available eight days before departure using the Singapore Airlines Digital Menu System and on the inflight entertainment system.
In addition to the onboard menu, Singapore Airlines also offers the popular Book the Cook concept, allowing passengers to pre-order their main dishes from an expanded menu. The service is available on most flights departing from Singapore and also on flights departing from more than 30 other airports, with the exact menu depending on cabin class and departure airport. The undisputed signature dish is Lobster Thermidor, although the menu includes a wide choice of cuisines including Singaporean, Western, Indian. Malay, Thai dishes, as well as healthy options branded as Deliciously Wholesome. A dedicated YUMMY! menu is available for children.
On many long-haul flights, lunch or dinner is preluded by drinks and satay service, a signature of the Singapore Airlines dining experience. Chicken and lamb skewers with peanut sauce and condiments are offered from a display trolley. Adding to the authenticity of the service, the satay skewers are charcoal grilled in Singapore and loaded onboard the aircraft along with the peanut sauce even for flights returning from outstations back to Singapore.
Following the streetfood-inspired satay service, tables are meticulously set with Narumi tableware, silverware, salt and pepper shakers and water glasses atop white starched linen tablecloths, always in precisely the same way. Trays are not used on long-haul flights.
Following the aperitif and satay service, an appetizer is served with warm bread. Don’t miss the airline’s famous garlic bread that is especially popular. The main dish is plated in the galley with great precision and attention to detail. Following the main event, dessert includes sweet pastries or cakes, ice cream and fruit as well as a selection of cheese. Singapore Airlines sources as much of its catering as possible from local producers under a “farm to plane” initiative.
On late-night departures, the meal service is abbreviated with fewer options in favor of more sleeping time. Meals are served at pre-determined times, which may interrupt sleep, especially on ultra-long flights. It can be hard for passengers to predict when meals will be served as it’s not consistently right after takeoff and prior to landing like with most carriers. Luckily, flight attendants are always happy to oblige special requests.
Pre-arrival meals vary based on the flight and can include a more traditional breakfast offering as well as heartier lunch or dinner selections. Special meals for dietary and religious requirements are always on offer.
Midflight snacks are available on request from a menu or a selection of items available in the galley. As with all things related to Singapore Airlines, the cabin crew will go out of their way to take care of passengers as best that they can. It is the airline’s standard and always-impressive approach.
Singapore Airlines offers complimentary birthday cakes, honeymoon cakes and anniversary cakes, a service very few airlines offer. Cakes come with a card signed by the crew and have to be requested minimum 24 hours in advance.
Insider tip: Singapore Airlines offers excellent noodle dishes from its Delectables midlflight menu – a treat for any noodle lover which may even be ordered in lieu of one of the regular main dishes for a meal.