Review: Singapore Airlines Suites Class Los Angeles to Tokyo

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This review is a long time in the making. The Suites Class was my first time flying in international first class, and without a doubt it was certainly memorable. Here’s how that experience went:

Flight Stats:

Seat: 3C
Carrier: SQ 11
Route: Los Angeles, CA to Tokyo, JP
Flight Time: 11 hours

Departure Time: 3:45 p.m.
Arrival Time: 7:15 p.m.
Aircraft: Airbus A380-800

At the Airport:

Check-in at Thomas Bradley International Terminal at LAX went smoothly.

SQ11 Check-In at LAX

SQ11 Check-In at LAX

Despite being a first class passenger and having access to priority lanes at LAX, it still took quite a bit of time to get through security, something that I’d imagine should be taken care of considering how expensive this flight would’ve been had I bought it using cash.

Star Alliance First Class Lounge at LAX

Star Alliance First Class Lounge at LAX

Singapore Airlines doesn’t have a dedicated lounge at LAX. First class passengers instead have access to the Star Alliance First Class lounge. The lounge itself was nothing fancy, and compared to other first class lounges, rather small. I completely forgot to take a picture of it!

Here’s the menu.

And some of the drinks available.

 

After spending some time in the lounge, I headed over to the gate. View of the plane:

Singapore Airlines Flight 11

Singapore Airlines Flight 11

In-Flight Experience

After boarding the plane, I made my way to my very own suite!

Singapore Suites Class Suite 3C

Singapore Suites Class Suite 3C

Seating configuration on flights operating the suites class is in a 1-2-1 configuration. And here’s my seat!

Singapore Suites Class Seat 3C

Singapore Suites Class Seat 3C

Here’s some perspective on just how much space the two middle seats occupy on the plane. It’s huge!

Checking out the inflight entertainment system.

Singapore Suites Class Entertainment System

Singapore Suites Class Entertainment System

Waiting before departure.

Each suite comes with a small amenity kit.

Singapore Suites Class Amenity Kit

Singapore Suites Class Amenity Kit

 

And of course Bose headphones.

Singapore Suites headphones

Singapore Suites Bose Headphones

Singapore Suites Class Dining

The menu. Guests can also order a la carte through the duration of the flight.

Singapore Suites Class Menu

Singapore Suites Class Menu

img_2742img_2743I opted to try out the caviar — my first time ever!

Caviar appetizer

Caviar appetizer

How to eat caviar

How to eat caviar

For my main I had the lobster. To be completely honest, it wasn’t that great. I should’ve gone with the Japanese food.

Dinner!

Dinner!

 

And for dessert I had the strawberry shortcake.

Singapore Suites Class Strawberry Shortcake

Singapore Suites Class Bathroom

Singapore Suites Class Bathroom

Singapore Suites Class Bathroom

 

Bathroom products.

Singapore Suites Class Toiletries

Singapore Suites Class Toiletries

I thought this was pretty cool: pull-down seat that goes on top of the toilet.

Singapore Suites Class Bathroom Seat

Singapore Suites Class Bathroom Seat

Singapore Suites Class Turn-Down Service:

A few hours after dinner I requested my seat to be made up into a bed. Look at how much space there is!

Singapore Suites Class Bed

Singapore Suites Class Bed

 

Linens were also top class. In this case, Givenchy.

Singapore Suites Class Givenchy Linens

Singapore Suites Class Givenchy Linens

For those that wanted to know, guests in the middle two suites don’t have complete privacy on the plane. The blinds located on both sides of the door don’t pull all the way down.

Singapore Suites Class with door closed

Singapore Suites Class with door closed

Overall

I experienced a number of “firsts” with this flight:

  • First time flying international first class
  • First time flying on the A380. I was shocked that the takeoff and landing was so quiet!
  • First time sleeping on a completely lie-flat “seat” on an airplane.
  • First time sipping Dom Perignon and eating caviar.

This flight would typically cost ~$6,000. I would’ve not been able to do this flight if it weren’t for my Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which I had been saving up to redeem specifically for this flight.  It was absolutely worth it!
*Note: As of October 23, 2016, this route will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, which means the Suites Class option won’t be available on this route. If you’re stateside, your only option to fly the Suites Class going forward will be on Singapore’s New York to Frankfurt route. H/T onemileatatime