Considering its reputation, Insider decided to test out its products on flights between New York and Singapore, assessing three classes across its Airbus A380 and Airbus A350 planes. These include business, premium economy, and regular coach — first class on the A380 was unfortunately already booked up.
After the long-haul journeys, there are a few nit-picky things that Singapore could improve. But, overall, it is clear the carrier is committed to its customer experience — regardless of cabin.
Here's how the inflight perks compare.
In January, I flew from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Singapore via Frankfurt on its mammoth Airbus A380.
But, on the way home, I ditched the A380 for the twin-engine Airbus A350 and flew 18 hours nonstop from Singapore to New York, which is the world's longest flight.
Singapore Airlines A350 business class.
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As most would expect, the experiences were vastly different, especially between economy and business.
Singapore Airlines' A380 economy cabin.
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When I first got to Singapore's Changi Airport to check-in for my business class flight, I immediately noticed the extra perks available, including a separate ticket counter with a short queue.
The business class check in area for Singapore at Changi airport.
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I had my boarding pass within five minutes of arriving at the airport.
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This is a stark difference from check-in process in New York, which had snaking lines of economy passengers waiting to check their bags.
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Fortunately, my premium economy ticket did come with a separate queue as well, though wasn't as fast as business. But, it definitely beat the coach line, which could see up to 343 people per flight.
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But, I didn't get much special treatment otherwise. When I flew business, I could access Singapore's giant Changi lounge that offers free food, alcoholic drinks, and plenty of space to comfortably work or relax.
I had a light bite to eat at the lounge.
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In New York, on the other hand, I sat at one of airport bars before my flight as it was more comfortable than gate seats.
My premium economy boarding pass.
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Priority Pass was also an option — and something I use frequently to get airport lounge access — but I ran into the pesky wait list and decided to skip it this trip.
My priority pass card that gets me into airport lounges across the world.
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During boarding, I was reminded of the perks of business. In Singapore, I was one of the first people on the plane and was welcomed with a mimosa. The flight attendant also took my lunch order before takeoff.
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Boarding in New York, however, was more cattle-like as everyone started crowding the door in preparation after the premium passengers enplaned.
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But, I was lucky to escape some of the chaos because I was flying in premium economy, which has an earlier boarding group.
The flight attendants served drinks and nuts right after takeoff, not before like in business.
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The same can't be said for regular coach though — in Frankfurt, I was one of the last to board, as expected with the lowest tier ticket.
Singapore Airlines' premium economy and economy signs in Frankfurt airport.
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Granted, I don't really stress too much about the airport experience itself as long as the flight is on time and I have a place to charge electronics.
Two jetbridges upon landing in Frankfurt as both are needed to enplane and deplane the giant A380.
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So, I put more stock into the cabin products themselves and find Singapore is simply in a different league compared to many Western airlines.
Singapore Airlines A350-900.
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For business class on the A350, I was blown away.
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The seat itself is huge with wings around the headrest for extra privacy, as well as a giant TV screen and plenty of storage space.
The cubby next to the seat had noise-cancelling headphones and a water bottle in it.
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I managed to snag a window seat, meaning I didn't have a neighbor and I could sprawl out as I pleased — and the lounger was so wide I could even sit criss-cross.
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Moreover, the business class food is top-notch, offering steak, cheese, fish, and other delicious meals on nice glassware and served with actual silverware.
Several of the meals served onboard, including a "floating island" dessert with fruit, salmon, steak, potatoes, and halibut.
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I also appreciated the bottomless drinks that were regularly distributed throughout the cabin, as well as the personalized treatment from the flight attendants, who addressed me as "Ms. Rains" during every interaction.
I was given nuts and wine ahead of the first meal service.
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But by far my favorite feature of Singapore's A350 business class seat was its giant bed, which was bigger than any I've seen on US airlines like American and United.
The huge space on the bottom half of the bed area.
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Instead of skinny lie-flat beds that force travelers to sleep on their back or side, Singapore's bed was big enough to sleep on my stomach — which is how I sleep at home.
The top half of the bed.
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In my opinion, this is the most important perk of business class. Sleeping on long-haul journeys is hard sitting up, making the upgrade worth it to many customers.
Me fully stretched out in the bed — I had plenty of legspace at only 5'3" tall.
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But, for those without the means to pay for lie-flat beds, Singapore's premium economy and regular coach products also have a lot to offer.
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In premium economy, passengers may not have a proper bed, but the carrier has fitted the seats with a legrest and a footrest…
The legrest and footrest combo.
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…as well as a 19.5-inch wide seat that comes with an adjustable headrest and 38 inches of legroom. The seat also had plenty of storage, a large TV, and power ports.
One of the premium economy seats in the fully reclined position.
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Compared to coach, premium economy offers six extra inches of legroom, and 0.5 extra inches of seat width — and I actually did notice the added width, despite it seeming pretty negligible.
There was plenty of space to spread out — and the seat even had a phone holder.
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For meals, travelers will not get the same business class service that comes with a hot towel and tablecloth. But, the food is good, with options including beef, chicken, and prawns.
The meals come with silverware.
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For many people, these additional comforts in premium economy that are absent in regular coach are exactly what they need for sleeping and relaxing.
The seat had a large TV and a big seatback pocket.
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However, I have to nit-pick the headrest because it did not fully fold in to properly cradle my neck, meaning it did not have the support I needed for sleep.
I found that this is likely because the headrest is pretty wide, but the wings don't fold in enough to compensate for that.
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Moreover, I was offered either a chicken sandwich or pizza for breakfast before we descended into Frankfurt — odd choices for a red-eye flight and something I couldn't stomach at that hour.
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Because of these reasons, I actually preferred coach over premium economy because the more flexible headrest helped me sleep better and the food was more appetizing.
The economy headrest folded in more than premium economy's.
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But it wasn't just the headrest that impressed me in coach. The seat also came with unique perks, like the plushest linens I've ever seen in an economy cabin…
The linens in economy were comparable to premium economy, so there wasn't much difference in that aspect.
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…as well as a convenient cup holder on the seatback, meaning I didn't always have to have the tray table down taking up space.
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I also thought the seats were surprisingly spacious with 32 inches of pitch and 19 inches of width.
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This compares to 31 inches of pitch and 18.2 inches of width in economy on Lufthansa's A380. British Airways also still flies the superjumbo, though its economy seats are just 17.5 inches wide.
As far as entertainment, coach's TV was smaller but had the same streaming options as the other cabins.
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Meanwhile, the food was surprisingly very flavorful, with meals coming in white bowls and plastic trays. But, instead of silverware, coach passengers got bamboo utensils.
Economy meals: chicken and noodles (top left), ice cream (top right), tiger beer (bottom left), chicken and potatoes (bottom right).
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Typically, premium economy meals are tastier with more complex recipes compared to regular coach — and that is Singapore's intention, but I think it only shined through during the dinner service. Economy's breakfast was much better.
I was given yoghurt as part of my breakfast dish, which also included traditional noodles.
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While I was very impressed with economy, it is still the lowest fare option, meaning there were no airport perks, there was less storage, the cabin was crowded with hundreds of people, and I had two neighbors in my row.
While premium economy had a few more nooks and crannies, the coach seatback pocket did have convenient storage slots.
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However, in premium economy, I only had one seatmate — and in business I was left alone in nearly full privacy.
Business had the most amount of storage out of the three, including a cubby next to the TV and slots beside and below the seat.
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I do think a sliding door as seen on All Nippon Airways' "The Room" business class would make Singapore more competitive, but it still has a better product than most airlines business classes I've flown.
ANA's business class cabin, which has fully enclosed privacy doors.
At the end of the day, airline cabins are a tier system. Every class builds upon the other and I think Singapore balances this well.
Singapore's A350 business class.
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Of course the economy and business experience will be vastly different — that's why one is worth hundreds and the other is worth thousands.
The economy seat reclined.
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But I wouldn't dread flying in coach on Singapore, and would actually book it over premium economy since it'll be cheaper and offer enough comforts.
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However, despite my personal qualms, I do think premium economy is a solid middle-ground for travelers who want extra amenities and a little more space but don't have the budget for business.
The headrest only folded in about 60 degrees, rather than folding fully perpendicular to the seat.
Dikla Akrat 