Here’s the second leg of our trip down to Singapore. Singapore Airlines maintains a significant presence in Tokyo, serving both Narita and Haneda with the 777-300ER, A350-900, A380-800, and 787-10 Dreamliner. Additionally, SQ’s low-cost subsidiary, Scoot Airlines (TR), serves Narita with the smaller 787-8 and 787-9. Previously, Tokyo was served with the 707-320B, the DC-10-30, and every variant of the 747 the airline operated, establishing it as a major player in the Japanese market.
Server: Solo
Airline: Singapore Airlines
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Origin: Narita International Airport, Narita, Japan (NRT)
Destination: Singapore Changi Airport, Changi, Singapore (SIN)
Flight Number: SQ11
Route: RJAA-WSSS
Seat: 17A (Business)
Time En Route: 7 Hours 13 Minutes
Ready to reboard our flight at Gate 35. The passengers and cargo that are finishing their journey here in Japan have disembarked or been offloaded, and the passengers and cargo heading down to Singapore are ready to get on the airplane.
Starting our pushback. We missed the comfort of our seat, sitting out there in the boarding area, even if only for a short while.
Watching the pre-flight safety video while we taxi to Runway 16R behind an All Nippon Airways 787-8 departing to Mexico City as NH180. Unlike some airlines, it’s instructive and engaging without being cloying or approaching self-parody. As for the All Nippon, it seems they were delayed by weather at Benito Juárez.
Rumbling airborne from Narita. The Triple 7 really doesn’t stay on the ground for long with a light load.
At our cruising altitude of 36,000 feet, just south of Miyakejima, a large stratovolcano rising out of the Pacific to form an island, upon which the city of Miyake is located. Miyake is connected to Tokyo via New Central Airservice, which operates Dornier 228-12s to Chōfu Airport. A light meal is being served, but most people are more concerned with getting sleep on the way to Changi.
We’re cruising across the southeastern tip of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines. The flight is relatively quiet so far and we’re availing ourselves of the IFE system.
We’re making our final descent over eastern Malaysia as we approach the city-state of Singapore. This particular of Southeast Asia is a hive of air traffic, as not only is Singapore Changi Airport here, but Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur are also both within an hour or less of flying time by air. It’s a wonder how ATC coordinates all of it!
Landing on a wet night in Singapore. One of those tropical thunderstorms that can occur any time of the year in the tropics has blown through and left the runway delightfully slick with rain.
Taxiing to the B Gates after turning off the runway
Deplaned and ready to get some rest in a proper hotel. Flying in business class with Singapore was great, from the seat, to the amenities, to the food, to the service, and it’s almost self-evident why they are a consistent contender for the World’s Best Airline.