To get back from Singapore, we treated ourselves to a Singapore Airlines Premium Economy ticket.
Well… “treated ourselves” is a big word — it was more like the only option left after QR/EY/EK passengers rushed to SQ because of traffic restrictions linked to the conflict in Iran.
Direct flight to Paris sold out? No problem, we’ll go through Frankfurt.
A Lufthansa ticket on a Singapore Airlines aircraft — a duo as smooth as an arranged marriage.
Still, we were excited: meal pre‑orders, a great reputation, friends raving about SQ…
We should’ve known better. When everyone says “SQ is amazing,” that’s usually when karma decides to show up.
Flight routing
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ONLINE CHECK-IN
Online check‑in? A masterpiece of confusion.
SQ sent us to LH, LH sent us back to SQ.
We could’ve organized a tournament.
Result: one boarding pass one day, the other the next.
From the Lufthansa app:
“Impossible to download the boarding pass.
Please contact Singapore Airlines.”
From the Singapore Airlines app:
“Your booking is confirmed and ticketed…
The issue may be technical. Please proceed to the airport counter.”
Brilliant.
BAGAGE DROP
After a week of pool time and sightseeing, we reached Changi on a quiet Sunday morning.
Terminal 3 looks a bit tired compared to ICN, but we’ve seen worse.
What we hadn’t seen before was the total absence of Premium Economy signage — neither in the terminal nor on the SQ app or website.
We tried the self‑service kiosk: rejected.
Thank you, American passport requiring document checks, and European passport with a first name not matching the MRZ perfectly.
AF kiosks handle this flawlessly, but SQ seems surprised that names can be… complicated.
So we headed to the regular counter. And then — shock.
An agent slumped over the desk, annoyed before we even spoke. Cold tone, borderline hostile, scrutinizing our documents, and tossing boarding passes like supermarket receipts. No info, no smile, no effort.
We asked for a “fragile” tag: had to insist. Twice.
First slap of the trip.
Honestly, a kiosk would’ve been friendlier.
LOUNGE
Immigration was a breeze thanks to the automated gates.
We found a Hibiki Harmony at LOTTE DUTY FREE — rare and cheaper than onboard.
The saleswoman? A gem. The kind of person who restores your faith in airport humanity.
We almost wished she had checked in our bags.
No SQ lounge for Premium Economy, so we headed to the SATS Premier Lounge with Priority Pass.
Small but efficient: DIY Laksa, solid breakfast, calm atmosphere.
A quick orange‑infused coffee at BACHA Coffee, and we hoped the day might still be saved.
BOARDING
The gate was close, but the line was long and messy.
No clear lane for First/Business.
The 8‑year‑old A380 (9V‑SKZ) was full, mostly Germans heading home.
Extra passport check, then waiting in the holding area before zones were called.
We’ve seen smoother.
CABIN
Seats 35G/H — perfect for a quick exit in FRA. The seat itself is comfortable, no complaints.
The A380 is always pleasant, though the cabin is showing its age.
The crew, however, looked on the verge of burnout: No warmth, no attention, no effort.
Maybe because the flight was full, but still.
We left 50 minutes late due to a technical check.
Our connection evaporated before our eyes.
A small detail: the Premium Economy amenity kit is not handed out automatically. You have to ask. And when it arrives… it’s a paper pouch. Disposable. Surprising for a supposedly premium airline — it feels like a budget afterthought.
MENU :
ENTERTAINMENT
The screen is large, bright, and sharp.
The movie selection is excellent: blockbusters, Asian cinema, classics, documentaries…
Plenty to keep you busy on a daytime flight.
The Wi‑Fi, however, was a complete failure.
Wouldn’t connect at any point, despite multiple attempts.
For a “premium” product, that’s disappointing.
FIRST MEAL SERVICE
A Singapore Sling to start — always reliable.
The pre‑ordered meal arrived nicely presented and tasty.
But served by a crew who seemed to have forgotten hospitality is supposed to be their signature.
Snacks included a “plastic” cheese no one touched.
SECOND MEAL SERVICE
Noodle Wantong : Second pre‑ordered meal delivered as expected, but… overheated.
Caramelized sauce turned into hard caramel, noodles fused into a compact block.
Still edible, but not ideal.
Thankfully, the Singapore Sling never disappoints.
ARRIVAL & CONNECTION
No announcements from the crew about connections despite the delay.
At the exit, a few LH agents with signs… none for our flight.
EES kiosks were disabled at that hour (luckily), but we still waited 25 minutes.
One officer asked every visitor for hotel reservations, while his colleague let everyone through without a word.
Security was empty, but we lost time because of the whisky bought in Singapore.
Confusing signage, final sprint, and we boarded our FRA‑CDG flight among the last passengers.
