Doing the reverse of a route I flew in November of last year today!
During the 30+ years that Narita was Tokyo’s primary international airport, Singapore Airlines built up a sizeable presence there that endures to this day with twice-daily service with the 787-10 and 777-300ER. The flight from Changi to Narita that we’re doing today is only the first leg of one of Singapore Airlines’s most profitable routes, SIN-NRT-LAX. Beginning in 1980, Singapore Airlines has served LAX, initially with the 747-200 via a SIN-TPE-HNL-LAX routing, which was changed by the end of the year to SIN-NRT-LAX, the 747-200 having the range to do NRT-LAX non-stop in both directions. Since that time, SQ has used every widebody airliner on this route that it’s operated to the U.S. with the exceptions of the A340-300, A340-500 (which flew non-stop between SIN and LAX), A350-900 (also able to do SIN-LAX non-stop), and DC-10-30. Currently, the workhorse of the route is the 777-300ER, which we’ll be trying out the premium economy seating on for the first time today.
Server: Solo
Airline: Singapore Airlines
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Origin: Changi Airport, Changi, Singapore (SIN)
Destination: Narita International Airport, Narita, Japan (NRT)
Flight Number: SQ12
Route: WSSS-RJAA
Seat: 33A (Premium Economy)
Time En Route: 6 Hours 35 Minutes
Preparing to board at Gate B2 on a rainy morning in Singapore. We’ve been beset by tropical thunderstorms here the past couple days, which has put a damper on some of our plans, but the thunder and lightning are gone, leaving just the rain behind it. This is going to be our first time fkying in premium economy on Singapore’s 777-300ER, and if it’s in keeping with the airline’s sterling reputation, it’ll be one of the best, if not the best premium economy experience we’ve had.
Taxiing back behind Terminal 3 and the south end of Terminal 2, with Changi Tower barely peeking up over the vast expanse of the wing. So far, we’re impressed with premium economy so far. The seat is comfy, spacious, and has a total of 38 inches of pitch, making it a solid for taller travelers like ourselves. However, we noticed that the premium economy cabin doesn’t have dedicated lavatories, meaning we’ll be using the economy cabin ones. Despite this minor gripe, it seems like this’ll be a good flight for us, as far as the hard product is concerned.
Getting airborne from Changi’s Runway 02C as the ATC tower passes out of view. Not being seated in front of the engines like we often are, we aren’t getting to hear the distinctive GE90 roar that we’re used to. However, the takeoff is still quite spectacular, even for one at a lower-than-usual thrust setting than we’re used to for Singapore Airlines flights. A solid rumble fills the cabin as we climb into the overcast skies over Singapore.
Passing through the cloud layer on our way out of Singapore. It looks like almost all of the turbulence associated with thunderstorms is absent here, with our climbout looking to be uneventful. To pass the time, we’ve started a movie from Singapore Airlines’s extensive IFE selection.
Cruising at FL370 over the South China Sea around an hour and a half into our flight. It should be smooth flying from here to Japan, with little to no turbulence expected. Through gaps in the cloud color below us, we can see that the ocean is a brilliant blue today. Perfect for a medium-haul flight!
East of the island of Ishigaki, a couple hours or so out from Narita. We were served a tasty lunch of ragout of braised beef with smoked paprika, served with broccolini, carrots, and steamed new potatoes. Dessert was an equally scrumptious slice of mango Key lime cake. We’re well impressed with SQ’s premium economy lunch menu and we’re looking forward to what’s available on the next leg of our journey with them.
In our initial descent with the silhouette of Mount Fuji on the far horizon, lit up by the setting Sun. It’s appropriate that, as we near Japan, one of its most well-known cultural icons greets us before we’re even on the ground, sort of like seeing the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty while descending into New York. While the cabin is prepared for arrival, we’re looking out the window and taking in the view.
Landing at Narita on Runway 16L. The evening widebody rush out of the airport is starting, with a long line of aircraft waiting to depart behind us. In typical fashion for Singapore Airlines, we barely felt the aircraft settling onto the runway before the spoilers went up and the reversers opened to slow us down.
Taxiing to our gate as a FedEx Express 777F gets airborne for Guangzhou in the background. We’re not going to have very long at the terminal here, so we’re going to have to be quick about it with getting a bite to eat in the terminal. Since we’re coming back to our seat, we won’t have to take our carry-on and backpack off the airplane, which greatly simplifies things, although we will have to reboard. It’s a minor inconvenience, though.
Briefly deplaned at Gate 35 while boarding for those passengers joining us to Los Angeles begins. Our initial flight with Singapore Airlines in their 777-300ER’s premium economy looks promising for the journey ahead and we’re looking forwards to the longer, second leg of our journey that’ll take us across the Pacific to LAX. For now, however, the race is on to use the bathroom and get a snack before reboarding the Bigfoot. Be back in a flash!