Is Singapore Airlines Business Class Worth it for the Free Flowing Champagne? My Review

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Flying business class is not for everyone. I mean I am sure everyone would love to do it, but the costs are so extravagant, especially compared to economy. In May 2023 I treated myself to a long-haul business class experience (partly paid by a collaboration I did with the Loire Valley – they paid the cost of the economy portion and I paid the rest) and wanted to share my thoughts on the experience with you all here.

It’s not the first time I’ve been lucky enough to fly business class. The first was a Qantas flight from Darwin to Perth which was pretty unspectacular but the hubby upgraded us with his points. The second was on Virgin Australia from Perth to Brisbane and then onto Vanuatu for our wedding in 2016, the third was our splurge holiday to Thailand flying Singapore Airlines before we started trying for babies, and that brings us to my most recent business class flights in May on Singapore Airlines to France.

Long story short, I did find a few things disappointing about my experience (especially compared to those trips pre-covid times). However I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Here’s the down low on what you can expect from Singapore Airlines Business Class in 2023:

Singapore Airlines Business Class Lounges

Melbourne:

Very average in my opinion. Like most of the lounges they feel like they are in the basement of Melbourne Airport. The Singapore Airlines lounge has all the necessities, but it’s rather cramped and a bit dingy if you ask me. The food was okay and I wasn’t overly impressed with the wine selection – I was craving Champagne! The sparkling on pour was the Marlborough Mumm sparkling wine. Which I had a few glasses.

Singapore:

The Singapore Kris Flyer lounge is where it is at. I was definitely happy I had a good few hours either way on my trip in this lounge as it is lovely. I wasn’t hungry as I was so full from the food on the flights, which was a shame as the food looked amazing. It’s super spacious and comfortable with all the creature comforts like showers, power points to charge up your devices and a fairly decent wine and champagne lineup.

It’s pour your own, so you can go to town on the free flowing Champagne. On my return trip from France I was fairly wined out (weird I know!) so I actually had a few cocktails from the lovely bar set up, which I really enjoyed. The SilverKris Sling and Singapore Sling both went down well with me.

Paris:

In Paris if you are flying Singapore Airlines you get access to the Star Alliance lounge which I disliked more than Melbourne. The showers were a mess, the food below average and I didn’t even have a wine as the selection was crap. And that is putting it nicely!

Onboard Singapore Airlines Business Class

I had a few older planes and a couple of the newer ones too. I found the seats super comfy and of course I always pre-booked a window seat.

The service was touch and go. On some of my flights (bearing in mind I had 2 either way, Melbourne – Singapore, Singapore – Paris and back again) it was superb and on a couple it was average. I found the flights coming and going from Melbourne were a lot better than the long-haul Singapore-Paris legs.

The Amenities

Pre-covid the amenity little packs were on your chair when you boarded. Now you have to ask for them. Which in a way is good as I guess they don’t get people taking them who don’t need them. However my tip would be to ask your flight attendant straight up for an amenity pack if you want one, so you have it asap.

On my flights, the amenity pack was co-created with Penhaligon’s – a British perfume company. Inside was:

• Luna Lip Balm
• Luna Hand Lotion
• Luna Face Mist

Luna is an orange, jasmine, soft rose and fir balsam scent. I absolutely loved the face mist, it is so refreshing and lovely to use on long flights.

You can also ask for eye masks and socks too. And if you forgot a toothbrush or comb, like I did, thankfully you can find these stocked up in the business class toilets alongside things like razors.

The Food

This for me was the standout part of the business class experience on my trip. This and the Kris Flyer lounge at Singapore, made my investment in the tickets worth it!

100% impressed, I may have got lucky with my choices but wow I loved every bite. For nearly all my meals I did Book The Cook. These are chef made creations inspired by the Singapore Airlines International Culinary Panel. You have to book them at least 24 hours before your flight. Do it!!

So what kind of meals did I have? Here are a few of my Book The Cook delights:

• Lobster Thermidor
• Grilled beef in green peppercorn sauce with seasonal vegetables and gratin potatoes (probably my stand out, the steak was so succulent and juicy – goodness knows how they managed it!)
• Beef Bourguignon, mini carrot and garnish. served with mashed potatoes.
• Wholesome buckwheat and pumpkin pancakes with vanilla bean coconut yogurt, toasted pumpkins seeds and maple strawberry and orange (Specially created by COMO Shambhala – Digestive Support, Immune Boosting and Micronutrient Rich) – this was off the Deliciously Wholesome Book The Cook menu
• Kok Kee Wonton Noodle – Springy egg noodles tossed in Kok Kee’s special secret recipe sauce, with pork char siew and handmade pork dumplings (wonton). 

The last one was part of their Special Feature menu – SIA’s Singapore Showcase programme – a series of popular local dishes from renowned hawkers prepared by our catering partner SATS.

I also ordered off the normal inflight menu for a couple of the meals as nothing from the Book The Cook took my fancy. With nearly all the meals, well the dinners and lunches, you are given an entree and dessert as well.

You definitely don’t walk off these flights hungry, that is for sure!

The Wine List

Last, but definitely not least, let’s talk about the selection of wine on Singapore Airlines business class.

The Champagne on board in business class is Charles Heidsieck – which I definitely wasn’t complaining about at all. I most definitely had my fair share of it across the flights.

Alongside the Champagne there was:

• Pikes Riesling Traditionale from the Claire Valley (I actually found this a bit light and dull at altitude)
• 2021 Chartron & Trebuchet Chablis from Burgundy, France (one I had enough bubbles, this was my go-to, it was delicious!)
• 2016 Chateau Livran from the Medoc, Bordeaux France (great with my steak!)
• 2016 Chateau Pey La Tour Reserve from Bordeaux France
• 2019 Dandelion “Lioness of McLaren” Shiraz from South Australia
• Kopke 10 Years Tawny Port

I totally felt wined and dined by the end of my trip. While there were a few things I was disappointed with (lounges and some of the customer service mostly), I am still so happy I invested in upgrading my flights.

Question is, when can I do it again???