Review: Singapore Airlines SQ 317 Business Class London to Singapore

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Seat version: 2017 Business Class (2017 J)
Cost: 25,000 miles + US$85.30 for SIN-LHR and LHR-SIN
Frequent Flyer Program: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Aircrafts with this seat

Singapore Airlines features their newest Business Class seat in some of its Airbus A380s. Only 7 of its 19 A380 airplanes feature this seat. If you are flying in an A380, the easiest way to check if you will be flying in this seat is by looking at the last row number of the Business Class cabin in that airplane when you choose your seat upon booking. If the last row number is either 24 or 97, you will be flying in this seat.

Please refer to the following table to know which Business Class seat you will be in beforehand:

Seat Version Aircraft Business Rows Seat Width Lie-flat? Screen Size
2006 J Boeing 777-200ER Any 30 inches Yes 15 inches (non-HD)
2006 J Airbus A380 11-27 30 inches Yes 15 inches (non-HD)
2006 J Airbus A380 11-27, 91-96 30 inches Yes 15 inches (non-HD)
2009 RJ Airbus A330 Any 20 inches No 15 inches (non HD)
2009 RJ Boeing 777-200 Any 20 inches No 15 inches (non HD)
2009 RJ Boeing 777-300 Any 20 inches No 15 inches (non HD)
2013 J Boeing 777-300ER Any 28 inches Yes 18 inches (HD)
2013 J Airbus A350 11-22, 10-29 28 inches Yes 18 inches (HD)
2017 J Airbus A380 11-24, 91-97 25 inches Yes 18 inches (HD)
2018 RJ Airbus A350 11-21 20 inches Yes 18 inches (HD)
2018 RJ Boeing 787 11-20 20 inches Yes 18 inches (HD)

Legend:
J = Business Class
RJ = Regional Business Class
Black Font = Average
Green Font = Above Average
Red Font = Below Average

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Airport lounge

Flying Business Class with Singapore Airlines from Singapore gives you access to SilverKris Lounge in London Heathrow Airport Terminal 2.

Seat features

My first impression on this seat was great. It looks very modern. I loved the sexy curves and enjoyed looking at the design details in this cabin. All storage compartments and controls are easily within reach.

At 25-inches wide, it isn’t the widest Business Class seat around. In fact, this seat is only 5.5 inches wider than that in Premium Economy. If you have a larger built, you may not feel comfortable sleeping in this seat and I can’t recommend the weak 2006 J seat either. The sleeping position is also very awkward. You will have to turn your body diagonally (towards the window) to sleep as if you are in a reverse-herringbone seat. However, I must say that the pillows are ridiculously comfortable.

This is also not the best seat for someone who enjoy window views. I had to almost get up from my seat to enjoy the views out the window. Having part of the window covered by the shell of the seat is a really poor idea.

This seat is also on the hard side and gets uncomfortable with prolong usage.


Seat 18A


Front view


Mini table top with vanity mirror and controls within reach


Fold-out arm rest


Contactless card reader, USB port, universal power socket and storage compartment under the window


Noise-cancelling headphones


Eye shades, socks and slippers


Pre-flight champagne (Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée)


Bed mode


View from the seat

Dining

Flying in a premium cabin with Singapore Airlines gives you access to Book the Cook (BTC) where you can choose your in-flight main course beforehand with a lot more options than those in the in-flight menu. I opted for Beef Short Rib for lunch. I enjoyed this dish and would recommend it if you can resist not picking the Lobster from BTC!


Appetiser: Smoked Tuna Nicoise Salad


Main: Beef Short Ribs (BTC)


Berry Cheesecake

For breakfast, I pre-selected French Toast from the in-flight menu. However, the cabin crew informed me that it was not in the system. Not a big deal as it was still available anyway.


Pre-flight meal selections


Appetiser: Selection of Sliced Fresh Fruits


Main Course: French Toast

Service

Service was great throughout the flight from the airline with the world’s best cabin crew. The flight was full from First to Economy but I never felt any decline in service standards. When a Singapore Airlines airplane depart Singapore’s Changi Airport, it carries 2 to 4 sets of teddy bears for the round trip journey before returning to Singapore. If you would like to have them as a memorabilia, you can get a pair (at no charge) by asking a cabin crew.


Singapore Airlines teddy bears

Conclusion

This 2017 J seat is everything the 2006 J is not. While trying to look cool, this seat sacrificed practicality. Is it among the best Business Class seats out there? No. Is it better than 2006 J? YES! In fact, this is my favourite Business Class seat by Singapore Airlines despite its shortfalls.

It has been 3 years since the launch of this seat but there are still only 7 airplanes featuring them. It is a difficult time for airlines all over the world but I feel that Singapore Airlines should come up with another new seat with doors and better practicality to replace all of its 2006 J seats once everything picks up. If they don’t, they will be competing only for Best Service Awards for many years to come.

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Ratings (vs other Business Class seats)

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

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4 thoughts on “Review: Singapore Airlines SQ 317 Business Class London to Singapore”

  1. Are you sure about the free SQ bears being complimentary? The last time I flew and asked about it, the first response from the crew was to have a look into the duty free selection – which meant to me not being free. (This was when I flew in J).

    Reply
    • SQ planes leave Singapore carrying 2 or 4 (if there is first class) of these bears for the entire roundtrip. This means that it is very limited and they prioritize giving them out to kids or guests celebrating a special occasion. You’ll stand a better chance of getting it if you are flying from Singapore.

      Reply
  2. Hi, is there a mistake in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan redemption of 25,000 miles + US$85.30 for SIN-LHR and LHR-SIN

    Reply
    • Hey there, I mentioned in a previous article that this was an booked when there was an error on Alaska’s booking engine late last year. I booked the round trip flights with just 25,000 AS miles.

      Reply

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