We tested the Singapore Airlines Premium Economy Class on a 12-hour flight. In the luggage: tips for a cheap stopover
What Taiwan’s EVA Air started nearly 25 years ago with the “Evergreen Deluxe Class” has made a worldwide career as “Premium Economy Class”. The target group are not only cost-conscious business travellers but also holidaymakers who are looking for extra comfort and baggage allowance and are prepared to pay 500 or 600 euros more on Asian flights..
More than 30 airlines offer the middle ground between Business and Economy, including Lufthansa since summer 2014 and the multiple award-winning premium carrier Singapore Airlines since autumn 2015.
Does the Singapore Airlines Premium Economy Class make sense?
What can Singapore Airlines’ long-haul passengers expect from Singapore Airlines Premium Economy Class? More fun above the clouds. No aching knees from constantly bumping into the seat in front of them. No strained backs because you contort and twist dangerously in search of sleep. Being able to really stretch your legs thanks to the larger seat pitch.
Faster check-in, priority boarding and 35 instead of 30 kilos of free baggage. These are the varied ingredients with almost all airlines – all for an extra charge of 600 to 800 euros on the economy ticket to Singapore and back.
Singapore Airlines Premium Economy. Width, length, height
The Singapore Airlines Premium Economy Class is offered on the Boeing 777, A380 and A350. The 15 centimetres more seat pitch are noticeable: 96.5 instead of 81.5 in the already very comfortable Economy and compared to 140 centimetres in Business Class.
The seats with a width of 47 to 49.5 centimetre (Singapore Airlines Business Class up to 86 centimetres), fully separated, leather upholstered seats have a wide armrest area – avoiding elbow wars – and manually adjustable calf rests.
Better sleep in Singapore Airlines Premium Economy Class?
Even if it doesn’t work out with a deep sleep, you can definitely have a very relaxed slumber. The seat can be folded back a maximum of 20.3 centimetres, resulting in a comfortable seat angle of 125 degrees.
Sleep problems might be compensated for by the brilliant LCD monitor with a 35-centimetre-screen, good on-ear headphones with active noise suppression and, in addition to the well-stocked standard menu, the option to order the desired dish in advance via “Book The Cook”.
With a few good films, some more champagne, scotch or gin and tonic, you’ll definitely finde the necessary sleepiness.
Singapore City instead of Singapore Airlines Lounge!
If you have a few hours to spare before your onward flight to New Zealand, Australia, Thailand or Indonesia, you should definitely take the spick-and-span metro into the city and use your boarding pass to take a ride on the SIA Hop-on Bus at a discount of five euros. The bus runs every 20 minutes and stops at 21 stations not far from the most important must-sees.
Even better is to buy the new Singapore Explorer Pass. Fine dining starts at four euros in the city’s more than 100 hawker centres, of which Lau Pa Sat amidst sky-scraping skyscrapers is probably the most beautiful.
Short holiday! Hotel room from 34 Euro
If you’re really clever, you arrange your flights in a way that you have one or two nights in Singapore. For as little as 35 euros, the airline’s “Singapore Stopover Holiday SSH” offers an overnight stay at hotels such as Hotel Mi or Hotel Royal @ Queens, as well as airport transfers, unlimited rides on the SIA Hop-on Bus and free entry to top attractions such as the Singapore Flyer or Gardens by the Bay.
Cost check Singapore Airlines Premium Economy Class
The almost 12-hour flight from Frankfurt to Singapore costs from 599 euros booked directly in Economy, from 1,450 euros in Premium Economy. The price difference between Eco and Premium Eco varies depending on season, availability, competition, etc.
INFO SINGAPORE AIRLINES Singapore Airlines Premium Economy
For the latest information on the stopover programme, in-flight security and entry into Singapore, please visit singaporeair.com
Also read our review of Turkish Airlines Business Class
