Here is the intro again with that winter-sun detail added naturally and smoothly.
Updated Intro
Singapore Airlines is known for calm cabins, polished crews and long haul comfort, so we were excited to try it for ourselves. We booked this A350 Business Class flight from Amsterdam to Singapore as the first leg of a longer Asia trip to Bangkok, mainly to escape the winter gloom and find some proper sun. The timing worked perfectly and the A350 always feels like a treat, so it seemed like the ideal way to ease into a long travel day. This flight delivered what Singapore Airlines does best, a comfortable cabin, thoughtful service and a peaceful ride across almost twelve hours.
In this review:
Flight Details
Flight No: SQ323
From/To: Amsterdam (AMS) to Singapore (SIN)
Departure time: 10:25
Ticket Class: Business
Flight time: 11 hours 56 minutes
Aircraft: 9V-SMF
Aircraft type: Airbus A350-900 type 2
Number of classes: 3
Number of seats in flying class: 42
Seat: 12A
Airport Experience
Amsterdam Schiphol was in one of its slightly chaotic phases, but once you survive the queues, the premium experience settles. Check-in for Business Class was quick, security moved at a steady pace and passport control behaved itself. Nothing wow worthy, but also nothing that made me consider turning around and going home, which is a win for Schiphol.
Singapore Airlines uses one of the contract lounges in Amsterdam and it is perfectly serviceable. Decent seating, plenty of plugs and food that keeps you going rather than food that inspires you. There was also a small area cordoned off just for Singapore Airlines Business Class passengers, separated by a rope and a branded sign. It was guarded with surprising enthusiasm, almost like an exclusive club within a club, even though you still had to pop back into the main lounge if you wanted the full buffet. A slightly strange arrangement, but it did add a bit of unintentional comedy to the pre flight experience. Just make sure you have your boarding pass if you’re coming in and out of the cordoned off area.
Boarding & Welcome
Boarding was calm and surprisingly efficient. Singapore Airlines loves order and they actually deliver it. A warm greeting at the aircraft door set the tone, crew were polite, professional and already armed with trays of drinks as passengers settled in.
Seat
At first glance the Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class seat looks impressive. It has width, smart design features and enough storage to hide several questionable purchases from duty free. The catch is the bed. You cannot simply recline it. You flip it over, much like the older Virgin Atlantic Upper Class seats.
Once in bed mode, it is genuinely comfortable, although the diagonal footwell requires a bit of flexibility if you are tall. If you love a wide seat, you will be happy. If you like a simple recline to sleep, it might take a moment to adjust.
Which is the best seat on Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class?
For the quietest ride, the mini cabin at the front is the sweet spot. If you want more privacy, the window seats with the deeper footwells tend to win. Seat 12A worked well, although next time I would lean towards a true window seat in the forward cabin for a calmer ride.
Also worth knowing, the bulkhead seats are the real gems for sleeping. They have larger footwells, which makes a huge difference when you are trying to stretch out without becoming a pretzel.
See the seating plan on AeroLOPA.
Onboard Experience
The crew delivered classic Singapore Airlines service. Polished, attentive and fast, although at times a little mechanical, like everyone had been through the same training video. You get everything you need and the cabin is kept spotless throughout.
The bathrooms were kept clean throughout the flight, stocked with Penhaligon’s products and refreshed regularly, which made them feel tidy and comfortable even after several hours in the air.
The Penhaligon’s amenity kit was simple but premium, with a light Quercus scented hand lotion, facial mist and lip balm. You need to request other essentials like pyjamas and slippers, but they are available nonetheless.
Beyond the pouch itself, the airline provides most essentials on request like dental kits, razors and eye masks. Slippers and socks are handed out separately and the washrooms are stocked with additional Penhaligon’s products. It is a nice combination of a branded kit plus extras when you need them, which keeps the overall experience feeling polished without overloading you with things you will not use.
Food & Drink
Presentation was excellent, very restaurant inspired with crisp linens and dishes that actually looked like they had been plated with care.
Here is the same shorter version, now with a clean mention of the snacks, still in your BG1 tone and staying tight.
Food and Drink
Singapore Airlines serves two main meals on this route, breakfast after takeoff and lunch before landing, with a decent range of snacks available throughout the flight.
Breakfast was simple and well presented. Fresh fruit, yoghurt and the main dish were light but tasty, a good way to ease into a long day in the air.
Lunch was the highlight. The signature chicken satay arrived hot, smoky and coated in a rich peanut sauce with cucumber and onion on the side. Still one of the best satay dishes you can get on a plane. The mains we ordered looked great on the tray and had proper flavour rather than the usual long haul compromise. Dessert was easy to finish and nicely plated.
Snacks were available, including noodle soups, sandwiches, muffins, nuts and a few sweet bites. We had a cheeky midnight snack which was tasty. Overall, the food was well presented and delicious, exactly what you hope for from Singapore Airlines on a long haul flight.
Singapore Airlines does not play when it comes to drinks. Two Champagnes, proper wines, a full cocktail list and all the spirits you could reasonably want at 38,000 feet. Service was smooth, glasses stayed topped up and it all added to the relaxed long haul vibe.
In-flight Entertainment
The IFE system worked smoothly with a clear screen and a great selection of movies and series. The headphones were decent quality and the touch controller did not require the patience of a monk. Plenty to keep you awake or plenty to help you drift off, depending on your mood.
Arrival
Arrival into Singapore was smooth and straightforward. We docked at a jet bridge, which meant no bus gate drama and no unnecessary delays. We were actually en-route to Thailand, so went to the KrisFlyer lounges before our next flight.
BG1 Verdict
A strong long haul flight from a consistently reliable airline. The seat is spacious, the service is polished, the satay is still iconic and the food overall was delicious. The flip over bed will not be for everyone, but once you settle into it, the cabin feels calm and comfortable. While some Middle Eastern carriers offer a softer and warmer style of service, Singapore Airlines remains one of the most dependable ways to cross continents. A very solid experience and a great start to any Asia trip.
BG1 Tip
If you want the best sleep, choose one of the bulkhead seats because the larger footwell makes a noticeable difference on long flights. For privacy and working space, a true window seat works best. Read Our review of Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.
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