New video: Watch us fly the Singapore Airlines A350 in all 3 cabins
Every so often there's an intersection between AvGeek obsessions that offers up undeniable money-saving opportunities.
Firstly, there's the enticing intrigue of a fifth-freedom route. Fifth-freedom flying (one of the nine "freedoms of the air") allows airlines to fly between two third-party countries that are not their home. These flights are often very reasonably priced as they are not usually fully booked; they can also sometimes fly at less attractive times and non-daily frequencies.
Secondly — in this instance — comes the appeal of a wide-body jet belonging to an airline deemed one of the best in the world.
Earlier this year, Singapore Airlines announced it would be launching a new fifth-freedom flight between Barcelona and Milan serviced by its Airbus A350-900 jets. We were eager to get on board — and what better way to cover the entire experience than by trying out each of the three classes available on this aircraft at the same time?
We even took a special guest with us this time. Along with Liam and I (who were seated in business and economy class, respectively) was Adam Mach, a prolific Czech YouTuber and AvGeek.
Watch the full video below:
Need more? Read on for a breakdown of our individual experiences aboard Singapore Airlines' A350 service.
Business class — Liam Spencer
Seat: 15A.
We paid: $378.74.
It was a thrill to fly such a luxurious product on a route this short. The seat itself was extremely comfortable, and I enjoyed its unique design compared to other business-class products.
The crew members handed me a glass of Champagne shortly after I sat down, and they were attentive and friendly throughout. I was impressed at how quickly they were able to serve and clear away a full meal service on this one-hour hop.
Every item included with the seat was of the highest quality. From the bedding and pillows to the noise-canceling headphones, Singapore Airlines ensured all the amenities were of the premium quality you'd expect on a business fare.
However, the seat could have been a little comfier after it was folded out into a bed. The stairwell was fairly narrow, meaning my feet were at quite an awkward angle in the fully flat position, and the bed itself was a bit firm for my liking. The meal was also sadly a little disappointing for business class. There weren't many options to choose from, so I opted for a smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich. It was by no means inedible, just underwhelming.
Premium economy — Adam Mach
Seat: 33K.
We paid: $181.96.
As this was my first time flying a premium economy product, it really surprised me what an upgrade it actually was from regular economy.
The minicabin of three rows offered enough intimacy for a peaceful flight with quick service. The flight lasted one hour, so I was only given a croissant which left me wanting a little more of Singapore Airlines' supposedly brilliant catering.
My seat, 33K, was really comfortable and also reclined well. Together with an uplifted footrest, it created a great seat — comfy enough even for long-haul flights, which the plane also operates on a daily basis.
The pillow provided was huge, but the blanket was a little bit on the thin side.
Economy — Nicky Kelvin
Seat: 45K.
We paid: $92.19.
For an economy product at such a low price point within Europe, this experience was unbeatable. The flight was a similar price to those of other carriers, even the low-cost options, but the experience with Singapore Airlines included free food, a large comfortable seat, a spacious cabin and inflight entertainment.
Even though the flight was short, the Singapore Airlines crew was able to give a taste of what a long-haul flight with the airline is like. Because the cabin was so large, it also meant there were free seats, and I was able to stretch out in a way that is never normally possible within Europe.
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