Is Singapore Airlines Business Class Worth the Upgrade from Economy?

ABBEY: This is my first to fly in Business Class. With a budget and the itch to get the experience of sitting in the first few rows of a plane, we booked a pair of round-trip prized real estate in Singapore Airlines to the tune of almost SGD 3000. This is for our trip to Manila. 

Aside from the full kit amenities and free-flow champagne and wine, we also got the Book the Cook experience wherein you can choose your food from a curated menu. This needs to be done before your flight. I got the Grilled Angus beef burger and it was delicious. I paired it with red wine as I watched an episode of a TV series I liked. 

Even though slippers were not available in the Manila-bound flight, our experience is better than the one going back to Singapore. Aside from the business class is almost fully packed, I felt like the warmth from the staff service was diminished. The vibe I got is “since this is an evening flight and the day is almost done, let’s just get this over with”. 

The noodles is so salty and the fish meal they replaced it with was having soggy veggies to the point like it was melting. I think apart from the seat comfort and price there is not that much difference between the classes. I may have spoken too soon but let’s see in the First Class.

Is Singapore Airlines Business Class Worth the Upgrade from Economy?

Is Singapore Airlines Business Class Worth the Upgrade from Economy?

Is Singapore Airlines Business Class Worth the Upgrade from Economy?

Is Singapore Airlines Business Class Worth the Upgrade from Economy?

WILL: Abbey often asks, "What does it take for people like us to afford a business class flight? When will it be our turn?" On our 2024 trip to the Philippines, Abbey upgraded our tickets to Singapore Airlines’ Business Class. Here’s a detailed, and a bit giggly, review of our experience.

Singapore to Manila

Singapore Airlines provides dedicated counters for Business Class passengers, ensuring a seamless check-in process. The queue management staff greeted us immediately and directed us to the counter. With a generous 40kg baggage allowance each (compared to the 25kg allowance in economy), we felt quite pampered. Despite the early morning hour, the check-in was efficient, and from Terminal 2, we took the free skytrain to Terminal 3 for some delightful Baccha coffee.

	Terminal 3	Terminal 2
Ambiance	The seating area is spacious with an open-air concept. However, it felt dim and somewhat gloomy as we arrived before sunrise.	This lounge tends to be more crowded, with seats placed close together. There wasn’t a visible bar area.
Food and Beverage	The food offerings were comparable to those in Priority Pass lounges.	The dumplings were excellent—I went back for a third serving.
Service	The attendants were exceptionally warm and welcoming, which made us feel comfortable and well-cared for.	The service here felt more transactional and less personal compared to Terminal 3.

Boarding as Business Class passengers provided a distinct advantage, marked by priority boarding and attentive service. Abbey and I were seated in a front-back row configuration. Despite the flight being delayed, the ample space allowed me to work comfortably on my emails.

The "Book the Cook" experience was a highlight, offering personalized meal choices. However, I wished I could have shared my lobster dish with Abbey, who was seated behind me. After the meal, I enjoyed a nap, appreciating the comfortable sleeping position, fluffy pillow, and warm quilt.

Manila to Singapore

The KrisFlyer Lounge in Manila was underwhelming. The food choices were limited, the wine selection was mediocre, and the lighting was dim. This was a stark contrast to the high standards experienced at the lounges in Singapore.

The in-flight service was outstanding. When I found my pork noodles too salty, the attendants were proactive in offering an alternative dish. This level of attentiveness is a hallmark of Singapore Airlines’ Business Class.

One notable moment was during our landing in Singapore, where the runway appeared slippery, and the pilot had to brake suddenly. This sudden stop highlighted the importance of safety protocols, which were efficiently managed.

The entertainment options were more limited compared to previous flights with Singapore Airlines. While the comfort and service in Business Class were commendable, the isolated seating arrangement made it difficult to enjoy the journey with a travel companion.

Recommendable? 

Overall, Singapore Airlines’ Business Class offers a high level of comfort, exceptional service, and thoughtful amenities. However, the solitary nature of the seating may not be ideal for those who prefer a more connected travel experience with their companions. For travelers seeking luxury and personal space, it is highly recommendable. For those like me, who value constant companionship and interaction, it may feel a bit isolating.

Prego: Casual Italian Dining in Fairmont Hotel Singapore

ABBEY: We went to Prego to have dinner with my wife’s boss. 

I got Pancetta di Maiale in Porchetta. I can still hear the crunch as I teeth sunk the skin. Wow. And the meat is so tender and bursting in flavors. For sharing we had the Prego pizza with mozzarella, mushrooms, sun-dried tomato, ham and parmesan. Of course we didn’t pass the opportunity to put a whole burrata on top of it. It was heavenly. 

We ate all the pieces. It was always a great idea to catch up in a good place with good food. 

Prego: Casual Italian Dining in a Hotel Setting - Authentic Carbonara

Prego: Casual Italian Dining in a Hotel Setting - Porchetta

Prego: Casual Italian Dining in a Hotel Setting - Pizza with Burrata

WILL: Dining in hotel restaurants can sometimes seem intimidating for people like me. It's not just the price but also the people that might surround you. Prego, however, serves a different experience. It is as casual as restaurants you might find inside a mall—not too noisy nor too formal. It's perfect for families or friends who want a quiet place to catch up.

Since Prego is an Italian restaurant, we ordered pizza topped with burrata, carbonara, seafood pasta, tiramisu, and of course, porchetta. The porchetta was the star of the night. The crunchy skin of the pork, plus the juicy and melting fat, was simply irresistible! Mama mia!! The tiramisu, on the other hand, might not taste like the ones you've had in Italy, but it’s still worth trying.

Highly recommended! Thanks to All Accor Plus for the 50% discount! Yayyy!

***

Prego

(W) https://prego.com.sg/

(H) 12noon to 9:30om

(A) Level 1, Fairmont Singapore 80 Bras Basah Road Singapore, 189560

(T) 65 6431 6156

🇸🇬 Chara Brasserie Buffet at Mercure ICON -- 25% Off Promotion & Must-Try Seafood and Lamb Dishes

ABBEY: Everybody is talking about Chara Braserrie and we want to know if the hype is all worth it so off we go. We arrived 15 minutes early before they open at 6PM but they ushered us to our table. Boy, good thing I’m able to capture some good clips of the food. By the time I’m done people started to queue up and next thing we know the lobsters are gone. Haha. 

I asked for the lamb but was told only to be available after an hour. It was the star of the show but wasn’t ready. I got a slice (literally) of beef short ribs and I can say it’s not that good. The meat has a chewed up texture and almost dry. Same dryness as well as almost hard for the chicken satays. The lamb somehow redeemed it with its milky taste and moisture meat; really went well with the mint sauce. 

I also had a couple servings of seabass; no need for sauce as it is juicy and flavorful. Sushi and sashimi were also available. Don’t forget to have their pickled ginger (very nice) to clean your pallete. For dessert I had chocolate tart and watermelon.

Chara Brasserie Hotel Buffet: 25% Off Promotion & Must-Try Seafood and Lamb Dishes

WILL: Are you looking for the newest hotel buffet with a great deal? Chara Brasserie offers a 25% off promotion this month!

Upon entering, you'll first encounter the dessert table, but let's skip ahead to the main attractions. Head straight to the seafood table at the back, where you can indulge in lobster and oysters. If crustaceans isn’t your thing, there’s a selection of sashimi and sushi right next to it. You’ll also find a DIY rojak station, which seems to be overlooked by most guests.

Moving on, you'll see the roasted beef, which may appear overcooked to some. The real crowd-pleaser, however, is the lamb, which always has a long queue.

The highlight of Chara Brasserie's buffet is undoubtedly the lobster and whole lamb. Without these, the buffet might not be as enticing.

We decided to try it out, especially since we had a 50% discount with our AccorPlus membership. Was it worth the hype? Yes. Would we return if already in it’s regular price? Probably not. Why? Let’s #BeReal; we are expecting a wide array of food given the price point of $78++ — not value for money. 

Make your reservation today, enjoy the feast at Chara Brasserie while there’s a promotion! 

***

Chara Brasserie

(W) https://www.mercure-icon-singapore-city-centre.com/restaurant-bar/chara-brasserie/

(A) 8 Club St, Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre, #02-01, S069472

(T) +65 6768 0008