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Why would anyone pay more than $ 300 for a flight that is not only going anywhere, but is parked on the tarmac, and for food that you can get at any other fine dining restaurant (for less)? I had the opportunity to find out when guests and the media were invited to Singapore Airlines’ A380 restaurant launch on Saturday (Oct 24).
Perhaps a testament to how travel-hungry Singaporeans are, more than 900 seats were sold out within 30 minutes of their launch for the lunch events on October 24 and 25. Later, spaces for dinner were included to meet the demand.
For the price of $ 321 for a business class seat, you’d get not only a six-course meal, but also a chance to tour the entire SIA Airbus A380 double-decker superjumbo, including a look at Suites Class and the cabin. For those wondering, a meal at Suites costs $ 642 per person.
For the three-course premium and economy economy meals, they are priced at $ 96.30 and $ 53.50 respectively.
What to expect
The A380 Restaurant experience begins right at the boarding gates, where your passports are taken away and you have to go through the airport scanners, taking your laptop out of your bag and everything, as if it were a regular flight. For those who miss flying, this is where, for once, you can sigh in nostalgia instead of anger.
In the waiting room, there are planned activities, so there is a carnival atmosphere.
There was a long line for those who wanted their digital cartoons drawn, or you could try making batik roses. At some point during the day, there will also be a “heritage showcase” of how SQ uniforms have evolved over the years.
Soon, we were taken to the A380 for our tour.
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Our eyes were opened to the luxurious Class Suites and what the interior of a cabin and personal cockpit looks like.
Once you have finished your tour of the plane, depart again for the flight crew to prepare for service before being called back on board for your meal.
Our group of five, per safe distancing guidelines, were surprised when we exited the plane to see the bridge lined up on both sides with the cabin crew in all its uniformed glory, waiting for the guests to clear the space before they could enter. .
The good thing was that they seemed almost as excited to see us as we were to see them.
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According to our guide, many crew members and operations personnel were voluntarily tied up for the weekend’s events.
Dinner
By the time we were seated and our appetizers had arrived (their trademark satay), it was already 8pm.
I sat down and took a sip of my complimentary Singapore Sling (the meal comes with two alcoholic drinks) and at the same time, searched for a movie to watch on their inflight entertainment system, just as I would on a regular flight.
The satay was honestly delicious, and I was finally able to understand the hype behind their signature garlic bread, which was crisp, buttery, and flavorful.
The Chicken Prawn Jelly Salad featured meaty prawns, a step above the regular onboard salads I’ve had, but somehow still retains that “airplane food” feel.
I opted for the Peranakan menu designed by Singaporean chef Shermay Lee, which had nasi lemak with sambal prawns and a fish in tamarind and turmeric. The rice was rich and lemak, if a little soft. However, the ikan fried bile, full of flavor with its sweet, tangy and spicy flavors, was, to put it simply, quite shiok.
The shelled shrimp in sauce passed the meeting and the fish dish was spicy, but perhaps a touch too tart for my palate.
I was almost fooled by the seemingly small portion (relative to the huge serving plate), but with the appetizers and the richness of the dishes, I was satiated even before finishing my last spoonful of rice.
The biggest disappointment must be the side of the keropok, which had gotten a bit mushy. And honestly, one wouldn’t need the vinegary chili sauce dish because the food was already heavily peppered with sour flavors.
For dessert, they somehow served me the baked cheesecake from the international selection instead of the Melaka gluttony ice cream wafer sandwiches I was expecting. However, I was happy to have the cake and did not request a change.
But concentrating on food would possibly miss the point entirely.
It was the food that fed the spirit rather than the body. And one that sparked feelings of nostalgia and hope for better days.
For finance professional Dan Poh and his wife, banker Nicole Wee, who were my dinner companions for the evening, showing their support for the airline was their main motivation.
Frequent travelers were one of those who camped out on the website to secure their seats the moment they opened.
The couple had actually reserved their seats for lunch with their friends, but they ended up with the space for dinner. But they declined to elaborate on the “oversold” flight, stating that “the key was to support the airline.”
The couple also booked tickets to Hong Kong after plans for a travel bubble between the two countries were announced.
Perhaps one could think of it this way: the price of a premium cinema ticket with reclining seats like a sofa? About $ 40. What about the cost of a good meal that includes cheese and wine? Maybe $ 150.
The knowledge that you are supporting the national operator with your purchase? You can’t really put a price on that.
Last time we checked online, there is currently a waiting list for lunch and dinner spaces next weekend (October 31 and November 1) at A380 @ Changi Restaurant.
There will be limited spaces for the A380 pre-dinner tour, along with KrisShop discounts, a limited-edition goody bag, and prizes if you show up in “traditional clothing” (anything with a batik print, I guess).
