Review: Singapore Airlines SQ 865 First Class Hong Kong to Singapore

Seat version: 2013 First Class
Frequent Flyer Program: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Cost: 17,500 miles + US$46.20

HKG-SIN is a high-frequency route for Singapore Airlines with a total of 7 daily flights. SQ 865 currently operates the Boeing 777-300ER and features the 2013 First Class seat. Singapore Airlines currently has 4 versions of First Class seats/suites: 2006 First Class seat, 2006 First Class suite, 2013 First Class seat and 2017 First Class suite. Three of these are available for this route.

At 35 inches, it is one of the widest airline seats out there, only losing out to Cathay’s First Class by 1 inch.

There is only one row in the First Class cabin with a total of 4 seats. I picked seat 1A.

Comfortable Bang & Olufsen headphones were available during the flight. Although this is not an enclosed seat with doors, the privacy is pretty good as I am not able to see any of the seated passengers when I stand up.

Before take off, passengers are offered one of two champagnes available on board along with warm nuts.

Book the Cook

Flying in a premium cabin with Singapore Airlines gives you access to Book the Cook where you can choose your in-flight main course beforehand. There are 12 dishes available for First Class flights departing Hong Kong and I went for Lobster Thermidor and Mashed Potatoes.

Hardware

With a 1-2-1 cabin configuration, the seat is large. It is also very comfortable. I wish that there is a privacy door attached. The toilet is about the same size as that of Economy Class. B&O headphones are good and comfortable. The 24-inch television is large enough. There is free WiFi for the first 100 MB for First Class passengers.

Amenity Kit

I was told by the cabin crew that there is no amenity kit or pyjamas for flights under 7 hours.

What’s the damage?

1. Full fare: $3,000
2. Redemption with SQ Krisflyer Miles: 40,500 miles (worth $688)
3. Redemption with AS Mileage Plan Miles: 35,000 miles (worth $770)

40,500 miles may seem like a lot but they are very easy to accumulate if you take advantage of some credit card sign-up bonuses:

1. American Express Krisflyer: 5,000 miles with 1 spending (any amount) or 10,000 miles with $1,000 spending within 3 months.
2. Krisflyer UOB Mastercard: 3,000 miles with no spending requirement.
3. Sign up for Kaligo and book one stay: 1,000 miles
4. Sign up for RocketMiles and book one stay: 1,000 miles

Airport lounges

Flying this ticket gives you access to United Club and the disappointing Silverkris First Class lounge in Hong Kong International airport and The Private Room in Silverkris, Singapore Changi Airport upon arrival.

Conclusion

If you got 40,500 Krisflyer miles lying around, this is a very affordable way to fly First Class on Singapore Airlines. I chose to take SQ865 as I have never tried out the 2013 First Class seat and will be flying the latest 2017 First Class suite in a few months time.

To fly the latest 2017 First Class Suite, you’ll want to book SQ856 or SQ861. This also happens to be the cheapest way (on miles) to experience one of the best First Class suites in the sky at the moment.

Ratings (vs other First Class seats)

Seat: 8/10
Dining: 9/10
Privacy: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Cleanliness: 10/10

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