Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class Review: flights often come with very high expectations, especially given the airline’s reputation for refined service, excellent food, and one of the strongest premium cabin experiences in the sky. Flying from Manchester to Singapore on the Airbus A350-900, I was looking forward to seeing whether the Business Class product would live up to its reputation, particularly as this was the first leg of our journey to Bali.
Singapore Airlines has long held a reputation as one of the world’s leading premium airlines, known for polished cabin crew, strong onboard dining, and a highly regarded long-haul Business Class product. With that reputation in mind, my expectations for this flight from Manchester to Singapore were understandably high.
This journey formed the first leg of our trip to Bali, travelling with my wife and youngest daughter. I had flown Singapore Airlines in Economy several times over the years, particularly on family trips to the Far East, so this Business Class flight on the Airbus A350-900 felt like a real opportunity to experience the airline at its best.
Unfortunately, while the seat, cabin, food and entertainment were strong, the overall experience was let down by several service and ground-handling issues. It was not a bad flight, but it was not quite the flawless Business Class experience I had expected from Singapore Airlines.
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class Review
Flight Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|
| Airline | Singapore Airlines |
| Route | Manchester to Singapore |
| Flight Number | SQ51 |
| Aircraft | Airbus A350-900 |
| Cabin | Business Class |
| Seat | 11K |
| Departure Airport | Manchester Airport |
| Arrival Airport | Singapore Changi Airport |
| Date of Travel | 9 August 2017 |
| Scheduled Departure Time | 11:40 |
Check-In at Manchester Airport
The experience at Manchester Airport did not get off to the best start. Business Class check-in was surprisingly slow, particularly given that passengers in Economy and Premium Economy appeared to be processed more quickly.
As we were travelling with soft bags, my daughter and I were directed to a separate desk to have them checked in. However, when we arrived, the Singapore Airlines crew and pilots were loading their own luggage onto the belt, which unfortunately caused the belt to break. This caused unnecessary delay and frustration before the journey had properly begun.
For a premium cabin passenger, the airport experience is an important part of the overall Business Class product. Unfortunately, the check-in process felt disorganised and underwhelming. It was not the smooth, priority-led experience you would expect when flying with an airline of Singapore Airlines’ standing.
The one positive was security. Manchester Airport security was hassle-free on this occasion, allowing us to move through quickly, take a brief look around duty-free, and then head to the lounge.
Business Class Lounge at Manchester Airport
Singapore Airlines uses the Swissport Lounge in Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport. The lounge had clearly undergone a refresh since my previous visit, and there was a designated area for Singapore Airlines passengers.
However, the lounge was busy when we arrived, largely because passengers on the Singapore Airlines flight bound for Houston were also using it. This meant the dedicated Singapore Airlines section was already full, reducing the sense of exclusivity that Business Class passengers might expect.
The food and drink offering was average rather than impressive. There were no particularly premium drinks available, and the food selection did not feel especially memorable. For a Business Class passenger flying long-haul with Singapore Airlines, the lounge experience should ideally set the tone for the journey ahead. In this case, it felt more like a functional contract lounge than a premium pre-flight experience.
In truth, I was pleased I had eaten a full English breakfast at the Hilton before arriving at the airport, as the lounge catering would not have been enough to start the journey in style.
Boarding Experience
Boarding at Manchester Airport was disappointing and felt disorganised. As the flight neared boarding time, almost every passenger gathered around the gate, creating a sense of confusion and urgency rather than a calm, structured premium boarding process.
This was similar to previous experiences I have had at Manchester Airport when flying Business Class with other airlines. While this may be partly an airport issue rather than entirely Singapore Airlines’ responsibility, the boarding process is still part of the passenger experience.
Once onboard, I settled into seat 11K and was offered a glass of Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne as a pre-departure drink. This was a good start, but unfortunately, it was the only drink offered during the long delay on the aircraft.
Due to an aircraft being stuck on the runway, we remained on the ground for over an hour before take-off. During this time, I was offered a hot towel, but no further drink. In Business Class, especially during a lengthy delay, it would have been reasonable to expect the crew to circulate and offer another drink or at least check in with passengers.
After take-off, another glass of champagne was served with nuts, and the flight finally began to feel more like the premium experience I had hoped for.
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class Cabin
The Business Class cabin on the Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving every passenger direct aisle access. This is a major advantage on a long-haul flight, especially when travelling overnight or when passengers want privacy and convenience.
| Cabin | Number of Seats |
| Business Class | 42 |
| Premium Economy | 24 |
| Economy | 187 |
I was seated in 11K, located in the front row of the forward Business Class cabin. Before booking, I had researched the best seats and found that rows 11 and 19 offered additional space at the front of each Business Class cabin.
Although SeatGuru comments suggested that proximity to the galley and lavatory could be an issue, I did not personally find this to be a problem. Food preparation was not particularly noticeable in the front galley, and the front toilet was sometimes unavailable because it was being used by the crew.
The cabin itself felt smart, modern and spacious. The 1-2-1 layout works well, particularly for solo travellers seated by the window. Couples may prefer the middle seats, although they still offer a degree of separation due to the seat design.
Seat 11K: Space, Comfort and Storage
The Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class seat initially appears slightly smaller than the airline’s older Business Class product, but in practice, it still offers a substantial amount of space.
| Feature | Measurement |
| Seat Pitch | 60 inches |
| Fully Flat Bed Length | 78 inches |
| Seat Width | 28 inches |
The seat felt wide and comfortable, with enough personal space to relax properly during the long flight. The handcrafted Scottish leather finish gave the seat a premium look and feel, and the overall design was elegant and understated.
The seat also offers several seating positions, including the well-known Singapore Airlines “Lazy-Z” cradle position and a lounging position that allows you to stretch your legs onto the ottoman. These are useful for passengers who want to relax without converting the seat into a fully flat bed.
Storage was good, with enough space for personal items, reading material, headphones, and other small belongings. Seat controls were within easy reach, and the video touchscreen handset was simple to use.
I did not convert the seat into a full-flat bed on this particular flight, but the space and comfort in the upright and lounging positions were impressive.
In-Flight Entertainment
Singapore Airlines has long had one of the better in-flight entertainment systems, and the KrisWorld system on the A350 did not disappoint.
Business Class passengers have access to an 18-inch HD screen, controlled either by touch or via a handheld controller. The screen quality was excellent, and the system offered a wide choice of films, television programmes, music and games.
Noise-cancelling headphones were also provided, which helped create a more comfortable and immersive experience.
That said, one of the strange things about flying Business Class is that I often find myself watching less entertainment than I do in Economy. With better food, more space, champagne and a comfortable seat, the flight becomes less about passing time and more about enjoying the journey itself.
Amenity Kit and Onboard Extras
One of the more surprising aspects of the flight was the lack of a proper amenity kit being proactively offered. Singapore Airlines does not automatically provide a full amenity kit in Business Class, unlike some other airlines.
You can ask for one, but the contents are fairly limited. Slippers, however, were provided, which was a nice touch.
For an airline with such a strong premium reputation, this is one area where the Business Class product feels slightly understated. Some passengers may appreciate the less wasteful approach, but others may feel that a proper amenity kit is part of the expected long-haul Business Class experience.
Food and Drink
The food and drink offering was one of the stronger parts of the flight. The Manchester-to-Singapore Business Class menu was extensive, and Singapore Airlines also offers its well-known “Book the Cook” service, allowing passengers to pre-order selected meals up to 24 hours before departure.
Lunch was served around an hour and a half after take-off, with breakfast beginning around two hours before arrival in Singapore. A selection of snacks and a limited number of hot dishes were also available between the main meal services.
The champagne served was Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve. There were also two red wines, two white wines and a port available. My wife enjoyed Singapore Airlines’ famous Singapore Sling, which is always a nice part of the experience when flying with the airline.
However, I was disappointed that Tiger beer was unavailable, as it would have been a fitting option on a Singapore Airlines flight.
Lunch
For lunch, I chose the pan-broiled beef fillet with shallot sauce. This was served after a smoked salmon appetiser and followed by a cheese selection, which included Brie and Black Bomber Cheddar.
The meal was well presented and enjoyable, although it did not quite reach the level of being truly memorable. Still, compared with many long-haul Business Class meals, the quality was good.
Mid-Flight Snack
During the flight, I ordered chicken noodles with Chinese greens as a snack. This was a welcome option and helped break up the long journey.
Having hot snacks available between main meal services is always a useful feature on a long-haul flight.
Breakfast
Before arrival in Singapore, breakfast began with a selection of fresh, sliced fruit, followed by a caramelised-onion egg frittata with bacon and veal sausage.
Breakfast was perfectly acceptable, although as is often the case on aircraft, breakfast tends to be less exciting than lunch or dinner. Even so, the quality was reasonable, and the service was efficient.
Toilets
There were three Business Class toilets on the Airbus A350: one at the front of the main Business Class cabin and two further back.
The front toilet was unavailable at certain points because it was being used by the pilots and crew. This was not a major problem, but it is worth noting if you are seated in the front row and expect the nearest toilet to be consistently available.
The toilets were clean and included basic amenities, though they were not especially luxurious.
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class Cabin Service
This was the most disappointing part of the flight.
Singapore Airlines has a reputation for exceptional service, so expectations were high. The cabin crew were polite and professional, but the service lacked the warmth, attention to detail and proactive approach I had expected.
The first sign of this was during the long delay on the ground in Manchester. Despite sitting on board for over an hour before take-off, only one pre-departure drink was offered. In Business Class, particularly on a delayed flight, this felt insufficient.
During the flight, I also had to ask more than once for a drink, even after already making a request. This may sound like a small issue, but in Business Class, the service should feel attentive and seamless. Passengers should not feel forgotten or have to chase simple requests.
The crew were not rude or unpleasant; they simply did not go the extra mile. On many airlines, this might be acceptable, but on Singapore Airlines, the benchmark is higher. The service was fine, but it was not special.
The delayed departure also created an additional issue upon arrival. Because we landed late in Singapore, we had to rush to make our connecting flight to Bali. Thankfully, we made the connection, but not all of our luggage did.
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class Review – Overall Verdict
The Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class hard product is strong. The cabin is spacious, the seat is wide and comfortable, the entertainment system is excellent, and the food and drink offering is generally very good.
However, this flight did not fully live up to the Singapore Airlines reputation. The ground experience at Manchester was underwhelming; the lounge was average, boarding was disorganised, and the onboard service lacked the attentiveness expected in Business Class.
The biggest disappointment was not the seat, food, or aircraft, but the fact that the experience did not feel as polished as it should have been. Singapore Airlines is often regarded as one of the best airlines in the world, and that reputation naturally creates high expectations. On this occasion, those expectations were only partly met.
Would I fly Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class again? Yes, because the seat, cabin and overall product are still very good. However, this particular flight showed that even highly regarded airlines can deliver an inconsistent experience.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Spacious 1-2-1 Business Class cabin | Slow and frustrating check-in at Manchester |
| Comfortable and wide Business Class seat | Average Swissport Lounge experience |
| Direct aisle access for all passengers | Disorganised boarding process |
| Excellent KrisWorld entertainment system | Limited amenity kit offering |
| Good food and champagne selection | Cabin service lacked proactivity |
| Useful mid-flight snack options | The delay caused a rushed connection in Singapore |
| Modern and quiet Airbus A350 aircraft | Luggage failed to make the onward Bali flight |
Final Thoughts
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class from Manchester to Singapore offered many of the ingredients of a high-quality long-haul Business Class flight, but the execution was not perfect.
The aircraft and seat were impressive, the food was enjoyable, and the entertainment system remained one of the best in the sky. However, the service and ground experience fell short of what I expected from one of the world’s most respected airlines.
This was not a poor flight, but it was slightly disappointing. With better organisation at Manchester and more attentive cabin service, it could have been an excellent Business Class experience.
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