2 hours ago
2
The airline: Singapore Airlines
- Route SQ 346, Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to Zurich Airport (ZRH)
- Frequency Seven non-stop flights per week
- Aircraft Boeing 777-300ER
- Class Business, window seat 11A, in a 1-2-1 configuration
- Flight time 12 hours and 20 minutes (a half-hour less than scheduled)
Checking in
Singapore Airlines’ departure times to Europe often tend to be late at night or, as per this flight, in the wee hours of the morning with a boarding time of 12.55 am. If you’re joining your flight in Singapore, having spent a few days there, it means you do get a full day to enjoy yourself in the agreeable city state. However, it can also mean a lot of waiting around in this airline’s often crowded Terminal 3 business class lounge. If your budget permits, consider booking a 6pm checkout at your hotel and have a decent dinner, meaning you can skip the in-flight feed in those ungodly midair hours.
Baggage
Business-class passengers flying with Singapore Airlines can each check up to 40 kilograms of luggage (with no item exceeding 32kg) and two carry-on bags up to seven kilograms each.
Loyalty scheme
KrisFlyer, with Singapore Airlines a member of the Star Alliance network of carriers. Virgin Australia’s Velocity members can also earn points on Singapore Airlines flights.
The seat
The business class seat on Singapore’s B777-300ERs continues to be one of the best, if among the least exciting, in the air. My direct aisle seat is forward-facing and one of a total of 48 in the business class cabin. Each of the attractive seats are handcrafted with Scottish leather, with a soothing colour scheme described as being “mocha, camel, and chocolate brown with accents in aubergine, taupe, or burnt orange.” It’s 28 inches (71cm) wide and extends into a fully flat 78-inch (198cm) bed, accompanied by a duvet, linen and pillows and a cushioned headboard for additional comfort. There’s a side console, positioned above the armrest for stowing laptops and tablets in both seat and bed mode as well as eXport, HDMI and USB ports for device charging.
Entertainment
Your reviewer dons the eye mask and the ear plugs (though you can also engage the provided noise-cancelling headphones) soon after the fearfully late 1.25 am (Singapore time) take-off hour on this extended overnight flight. The KrisWorld entertainment system offers more than 1800 choices on an 18-inch (46cm) LCD flat-screen, including new-release Hollywood flicks, TV shows, music, games and apps. The in-flight Wi-Fi service, complimentary in business class, is seamlessly reliable, unlike other carriers such as Emirates where it can be non-existent on certain routes and aircraft.
Food
Sleep, and as much of it as you can snare, is the dear friend of the long-haul traveller, so I skip the supper menu offerings which includes roasted chicken breast, fried Hokkien mee noodles and honey semolina cake. After a decent slumber, I’m wide awake, and hungry, for the breakfast service and choose the Spanish omelette with potatoes and smoked chicken sausage, accompanied by sauteed spinach and a roast tomato sauce. Lighter choices include a continental breakfast with assorted breads and preserves. Italian Illy espresso coffee is served with choices including caffe latte and cappuccino. Tea-drinkers can choose from a selection of deluxe brews from the Singapore-origin TWG brand.
Service
Singapore is the Switzerland of South-East Asia with its Swiss-like efficiency translating, as ever, to the gracious, caring and attentive business-class service by the cabin crew. As evidence the Singaporeans may have out-Swissed the Swiss, Singapore Airlines scored a number two ranking in the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards with SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines), its code share partner, coming in outside the top 10, but with a still respectable ranking of 11.
Sustainability
Singapore Airlines states that it is continuously exploring and investing in new generation fuel-efficient aircraft and lower-carbon fuels and that it strives to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. It also uses verified carbon offsets with passengers able to voluntarily calculate and purchase carbon offsets for their flights via the airline’s website. *
The price
From about $12,200 return from Sydney to Zurich, via Singapore. **
The verdict
If you’re flying to, or for that matter, from, a destination with a reputation for working like clockwork, you can’t do any better than this famous clockwork-like airline. A little like Singapore (and, for that matter, Switzerland) a little more personality, and the odd pleasant surprise or two wouldn’t go astray.
Our rating out of five
★★★★
The writer travelled as a guest of Inspiring Vacations’ 12-day Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, from $4799 a person, twin share, and with assistance from Singapore Airlines. See inspiringvacations.com; singaporeair.com
* For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org
**Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.
Sign up for the Traveller newsletter
The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.
