{"id":118918,"date":"2025-03-08T00:45:23","date_gmt":"2025-03-08T00:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/airline\/flying-xtra-long-on-the-xtra-wide\/"},"modified":"2025-03-08T00:45:23","modified_gmt":"2025-03-08T00:45:23","slug":"flying-xtra-long-on-the-xtra-wide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=118918","title":{"rendered":"Flying Xtra Long on the Xtra Wide"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\nSan Francisco to Singapore Non Stop on Singapore Airlines\u2019 Inaugural A350 Flight<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Credit: \u00a0Singapore Airlines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\nOn October 23, 2016, Singapore Airlines re-started non stop service between the United States and Singapore using the brand new Airbus A350-900 XWB (Xtra Wide Body).\u00a0 San Francisco International (SFO) had the honor of being the first U.S. airport to receive the new ultra long haul service.\u00a0 It also marked the A350\u2019s first service to the Western U.S. <\/div>\n
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\nBeing a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, I had to take part in this historical flight.\u00a0 I took advantage of the special introductory pricing of $1500 round-trip (including taxes) in Premium Economy.\u00a0 By comparison, prices in other cabins were $4700 round-trip in \u201cNew\u201d Business Class and $1050 round-trip in \u201cNew\u201d Economy.<\/div>\n

\nWhen I finally committed to the trip, there were no more window seats available in the rather small 24-seat, three-row Premium Economy cabin.\u00a0 Windows were popular: none would ever open up.\u00a0 I took advantage of Book the Cook or \u201cBTC\u201d, a popular premium class pre-flight meal ordering service now extended to Premium Economy.\u00a0 Even though the meal is still \u201ceconomy\u201d, as you will see later, the quality and presentation of the BTC meal seemed to be nicer and a notch higher quality.<\/p>\n

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For reference, here were the Premium Economy BTC meal choices on my flights:<\/p>\n

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\nPre-Flight<\/h4>\n

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\nThe inbound flight SQ32 to SFO was arriving more than one hour early due to favorable tailwinds.\u00a0 As a result, I had to leave early for the airport.\u00a0 At SFO, it was obvious that the airport was very proud of this occasion.\u00a0 Banners and posters announcing the service were on display everywhere.\u00a0 I was excited to be part of the historical occasion.<\/p>\n

\nAt the ticket counter, staff was still busy setting up; it was still early.\u00a0 At 8:40 am, exactly 3.5 hours prior to departure, the counters officially opened.<\/p>\n
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I went up to my friend \/ fellow spotter \/ gate agent Alex who checked me into the flight. Alex thoroughly went over all the information with me: gate event, free 15 Mb wifi coupon for the flight, priority security lane, and direction to the lounge.<\/p>\n

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Mr. Zsau, Singapore Airlines\u2019 Vice President Northwest Operations (as I later found out) was at the counter actively greeting passengers and assisting with the check-in process. He provided me a valuable tip on where to view the arriving flight \u2013 not at the gate, not in the lounge, but as it turned out, where I would normally go as a spotter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\nShortly after 9 am, I had my first ever sighting of an Airbus A350 as aircraft 9V-SMF taxied around the corner at the G concourse.<\/p>\n
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As an ardent fan of the 787 Dreamliner, it pains me to say it \u2013 but the A350 actually does look stylish.\u00a0 The bullet shaped nose and the black \u201cpanda\u201d windshield were very distinctive.<\/p>\n

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Moreover, the curvaceous tapered winglet is very elegant.\u00a0 It is clear why that winglet is an oft-used element when advertising the A350.\u00a0 Aircraft \u2013SMF, delivered only nine days prior, was tasked to undertake the inaugural flights.\u00a0 Not only because it was the airlines\u2019 newest A350, it is also the 10,000th<\/sup> Airbus aircraft, making this historical flight even more significant.<\/p>\n

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\nAs part of the inaugural activities, I was invited to the SilverKris Lounge.\u00a0 (Note:\u00a0 lounge access is not included with Premium Economy ticket.)\u00a0 Despite it being a relatively small lounge, it was comfortable and tastefully decorated.<\/p>\n
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\nThere was an excellent selection breakfast food items (but it was still too early for Laksa) and adult beverages (not too early for some).\u00a0 View of the even number G-gates (a view us spotters don\u2019t normally have) can also be had.\u00a0 I had just enough time for a quick bite of quiche and use the wifi to download the press kit before heading down to the gate for the inaugural festivities.<\/p>\n
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\nGate G93 was decked out with more A350 signage, Singapore Airlines logos, and flowers.<\/span>\u00a0 With the introduction of \u201cgame changing\u201d aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A380 over the past years, airlines have made a big deal over new aircraft launches.\u00a0 It is now expected that a service launch – especially one with new aircraft – will have a big hoopla.\u00a0 As an airline enthusiast, I am appreciative that airlines and airports realize the significance of these events and go out of their way to make them special.<\/div>\n
\nConsistent with Singapore Airline\u2019s elegance,<\/span> beautifully presented appetizers, bite-sized sandwiches,<\/span> and desserts were available for all passengers. <\/div>\n
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\nWith a thundering drumbeat and clacking of cymbals, lion dancers soon appeared.\u00a0 The lion was playful and interacted with the crowd, much to everyone\u2019s delight.\u00a0 After unraveling a \u201cGood Luck\u201d banner, obligatory speeches followed.<\/p>\n
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SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel introduced the speakers:\u00a0 SFO Chief Operating Officer Jeff Littlefield and Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President Americas Sek Eng Lee.\u00a0 The event culminated in a ribbon cutting. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\nBefore boarding, I had the two \u201cSingapore Girls\u201d present pose a photo with me.\u00a0 Created the 1972, Singapore Airlines\u2019 stewardesses are known as \u201cSingapore Girls\u201d. Wearing a distinctive \u201csarong kebaya\u201d created by French fashion designer Pierre Balmain, \u201cSingapore Girls\u201d are featured prominently by the airline as a symbol of their Asian heritage and high quality service.\u00a0 Recognized worldwide, \u201cSingapore Girls\u201d have become a global icon.<\/div>\n
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\nThe Flight<\/h4>\n
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\nPersonal Achievements:<\/b><\/p>\n

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