SQ177 Ho Chi Min - SIN

Singapore Airlines Business Class demonstrates why the world's most awarded airline maintains its stellar reputation.

There's something deeply satisfying about discovering that an airline's reputation for excellence isn't merely marketing hyperbole. Singapore Airlines flight SQ177 from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore—originally scheduled for two hours and ten minutes but completed in a brisk hour and thirty minutes thanks to favourable winds—provided a compelling reminder of why this carrier dominated international aviation for decades before the Middle Eastern carriers captured headlines.

The journey began in Vietnam Airlines' Lotus Lounge, an unexpectedly impressive facility that deserves recognition beyond its role as a pre-flight waystation. The lounge offered ten hot dishes alongside numerous salads and breads, but the standout feature was the pho station—Vietnam's beloved beef noodle soup, arguably the nation's signature dish. The interactive preparation process proved both entertaining and authentic: dipping a basket of fresh noodles into hot water, transferring them to a bowl, then adding rich beef broth and selecting from an array of vegetables and spices. It's rare to encounter such cultural authenticity in airport lounges, making this a memorable start to the journey.

Boarding the Airbus A350-900, I settled into seat 19D, positioned in the second business class section just behind the galley. Bulkhead seats often present challenges, but Singapore Airlines has engineered this configuration thoughtfully. The seat provided both comfort and generous space, with my carry-on fitting neatly beneath the side console—a small but significant convenience that many airlines overlook.

These seats represent a triumph of thoughtful design. Arranged in a sensible back-to-front configuration rather than the problematic herringbone layout favoured by some carriers, they offer genuine spaciousness. The side console, positioned above the armrest, allows easy access to laptops in both seat and bed modes—a feature that frequent travellers will appreciate immediately. Perhaps most impressively, these seats are hand-crafted from Scottish leather, a detail that speaks to Singapore Airlines' commitment to premium materials and traditional craftsmanship.

Punctuality remains one of Singapore Airlines' defining characteristics. We departed the gate five minutes ahead of schedule, maintaining the carrier's remarkable on-time record. In my experience with this airline, late departures are virtually non-existent—a reliability that becomes increasingly precious in today's disrupted aviation environment.

The beverage service met expectations with a comprehensive selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. The pre-departure choice between champagne and fresh orange juice set an appropriately civilised tone for the journey ahead.

For such a brief flight, the meal service proved surprisingly substantial. The Vietnamese papaya and lotus salad with prawns provided an authentic taste of the region we were departing, whilst the main course selection—grilled herb garoupa, Vietnamese-style stir-fried chicken, or braised pork belly—offered genuine variety rather than the token choices often found on short-haul services. The assortment of breads and blueberry cream cake dessert completed a meal that would satisfy passengers on flights twice this duration.

The KrisWorld entertainment system deserves particular mention. With 1,800 options available, it rivals any system in commercial aviation. On this brief journey, I found myself absorbed by the live CNN and BBC news streams—a luxury that transforms even short flights into productive time. The noise-cancelling headphones provided ensure optimal audio quality regardless of cabin ambient noise.

However, it's the cabin service that truly distinguishes Singapore Airlines. The crew faced a formidable challenge: delivering full meal and beverage service, then clearing everything away, all within slightly over an hour. Yet nothing felt rushed or compromised. This seamless efficiency, delivered with genuine warmth and professionalism, exemplifies why Singapore Airlines continues collecting international service awards.

The flight's brevity—thirty minutes shorter than advertised thanks to tailwinds—provided an unexpected bonus, yet also highlighted the crew's remarkable adaptability. Adjusting service timing without sacrificing quality requires both experience and dedication.

The Seasoned Traveller's Verdict:

This brief journey served as a potent reminder of Singapore Airlines' enduring excellence. Whilst Middle Eastern carriers have captured recent attention with their lavish facilities and aggressive expansion, Singapore Airlines continues delivering the fundamentals that matter most: punctuality, comfort, exceptional service, and attention to detail.

The A350-900's business class configuration represents thoughtful evolution rather than revolutionary change—sometimes the best innovations are refinements of proven concepts. The Scottish leather seats, practical storage solutions, and generous spacing create an environment conducive to both work and rest.

For fellow seasoned travellers, Singapore Airlines remains a benchmark against which other carriers should be measured. Their consistency across short and long-haul services, combined with genuine hospitality and operational reliability, justifies their premium positioning.

Perhaps it's time to remember that sometimes the most awarded airline earned those accolades for good reason. In an industry increasingly focused on flashy amenities and social media moments, Singapore Airlines continues prioritising the fundamentals that create genuinely superior travel experiences.