Is Singapore Airlines business class worth it?

Evergreen editor Rachael Thompson put Singapore Airlines’ world-renowned business class to the test.

Recently announced as the second-best airline in the world for 2025, Singapore Airlines has a lot to live up to for travellers. The aircarrier has long been seen as a top-tier airline, continually ranked among the best. I’d heard very little negative feedback about the airline, which made me especially curious to experience it for myself.

I flew Singapore Airlines business class from Sydney to Delhi via Singapore, experiencing two distinct legs of the journey, and found myself reflecting on whether the airline truly lives up to its reputation.

Pre-departure

Enjoy a pre-departure tipple in the sleek Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

Apparently 4pm on a Monday is a great time to fly internationally – there was no one ahead of me at check-in. The process was seamless, and the staff were friendly.

I headed straight for the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge which is conveniently located near Gate 59, just a short walk from the departure gates for Singapore Airlines flights to Singapore. I was pleased to find the lounge relatively quiet. Conceived by renowned architectural and interior design firm ONG&ONG, the intimate space features a sleek yet warm design, with expansive windows offering views across the tarmac and beyond. There are plenty of single seats with power points and USB-C ports, two-person dining tables and a long bar-height table with bar stools positioned along the window. Those in need of more privacy can sit in one of the high-walled single-seat booths.

I park myself in one of the single-seat lounges before heading up to grab a pre-departure snack. On offer are small bites such as cheese, cakes, pastries, dim sum and miso soup and larger offerings like sweet and sour fish, braised pork belly and chicken char sui. On the drinks menu is barista-made coffee, a selection of red and white wines, beer and non-alcoholic options. I opted for a small bowl of the fish and a glass of Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige, both of which went down a treat.

There are two bathrooms with multiple stalls and one shower room, so you may need to wait during busy times.

The seat

A350-900

The Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 features modern comforts and ample legroom.

The aircraft featured a 1-2-1 layout (approximately 40 seats). I was seated in the final row of the Business Class cabin, on the left window side. Waiting at my seat was a decent-sized pillow, a soft blanket, a bottle of water, slippers and noise-cancelling headphones with covers. Extra amenities such as toothbrushes, socks and eyeshades are available upon request. Unfortunately, there were no pyjamas offered on this flight.

There were a couple of small storage compartments for personal items, a large tray table and adjustable ambient lighting to create my own cosy atmosphere. I also appreciated the mirror and light tucked beside the television, which could be revealed with a simple sliding panel. The wrap-around seat shell provides that extra bit of privacy.

For context, I am 170cm tall and found the leather seat to be generously sized – about 71cm wide and a full 200cm when laid flat – and very comfortable. Cabin crew are needed to convert the seat into a bed, which personally didn’t bother me, but fully automated seats where passengers can adjust and convert their seats to beds independently are more convenient.

787-10

Business Class seats recline to fully-flat beds up to six feet long.

The seat on this aircraft (36 in total) is slightly different – a little bit smaller and the footwell is located directly opposite the seat, rather than diagonally – but it’s still exceptionally comfortable. I was in seat 1A, which is by the bassinet bulkhead area, which offered me a bit more room, and had two windows. The second-best option would be to book a window seat in the second row, as the seat is positioned closer to the window compared to row 1. This also helps minimise disturbance from the crew area – when the curtain is opened, light is less likely to reach you, making it easier to sleep.

The seat had an automatic lie-flat setting so I didn’t need assistance from staff (I very happily was able to sleep). The amenities and items provided at the seat were the same as on the first flight.

Food and beverage

A350-900

A delicious dinner after take-off.

Upon boarding, I was offered a small bowl of nuts and a choice of juice or Charles Heidsieck Champagne. The staff were very attentive, frequently checking if I’d like a top-up of bubbles.

The Singapore Airlines menu for the Sydney to Singapore leg features dishes created exclusively by Australian chef Matt Moran. Dinner was served shortly after take-off, and the options offered a sophisticated blend of international and Asian flavours. After my table was prepared with a small, crisp white tablecloth, I tucked into some garlic bread and the seared scallops with gochujang mayonnaise with green apples, roasted cauliflower, and red elk mustard salad – delicious. There was a wide selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available, including premium wines, spirits such as Martell VSOP, Beefeater gin, and Baileys, as well as signature cocktails like the Singapore Sling and mocktails such as the Royal Sparkle.

This was followed by braised barramundi in garlic chilli sauce with vegetables and fried noodles. As a cheese lover, I opted for the cheese selection for dessert, which featured a delightful trio of Tarago Shadow Blue, Woombye triple cream, and Maffra cheddar – though the lamington and pistachio raspberry tart certainly caught my eye. Dessert was followed by an indulgent finish of dark chocolate, milk chocolate and hazelnut pralines. Overall, it was about as tasty as airline food can be and small details like salt and pepper shakers elevated the experience.

787-10

A glass of Charles Heidsieck Champagne onboard Singapore Airlines Business Class B787-10.

Once I found my seat on the second leg, I was once again offered a choice between a glass of juice or Charles Heidsieck Champagne.

For flights between Singapore and Delhi, Singapore Airlines has partnered with Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. Supper was served with a menu that showcased a mix of Singaporean and Indian flavours, including Singapore-style roasted chicken rice with oriental vegetables, soya chunks marinated in Indian spices, roasted lotus seeds in spinach gravy, cumin and coriander-spiced potatoes, white lentils, and a quinoa-cauliflower rice pilaf. I once again opted for the barramundi – this time pan-fried and served with coco bean ragout, sunchoke, vegetables and an aromatic salsa. While I preferred the earlier barramundi, this dish was still decent. Dessert was a pistachio cake with sour cherry and almond crumble.

At one point, I felt slightly peckish – somewhat surprising given how much food had already been served – so I approached the crew to ask if any snacks were available. On many airlines, it’s common practice to have snacks in the galley for travellers to help themselves, but that wasn’t the case on this flight. However, the crew promptly brought me a plate of cookies and kindly asked if I’d like anything else. This approach is more than likely intended to maintain freshness and presentation by offering snacks upon request or during designated service times.

Entertainment

It had a good range of new release movies to keep you entertained.

The entertainment system (18-inch on the first flight and 16-inch on the second) impressed on both legs of the journey, featuring an extensive selection of movies, TV shows, music and games. I kept myself entertained with recent releases like Wicked, and well-acclaimed titles such as The Grand Budapest Hotel. Complimentary wi-fi was available – it performed reliably on the first flight, though it wasn’t working for me during the second.

Service

The airline staff are attentive and approachable.

The service was the highlight for me and stood out from other airlines. Every step of the way, I found the crew to be attentive, kind and genuinely interested in my travels.

To my surprise, when I arrived at Delhi, I was escorted by two members of staff from the aircraft to the immigration area. They then assisted with the immigration and customs procedures and further escorted me to baggage claim and to the ground transportation options.

Business Class SilverKris Lounge – Singapore

The SilverKris Lounge offers spacious al fresco seating for Business Class passengers.

I had a two-and-a-half-hour layover, which gave me time to relax and enjoy the Business Class SilverKris Lounge at Changi Airport. I was pleased to find the lounge mostly empty as we had arrived around 2am. Located in Terminal 3, the spacious lounge underwent a major renovation in 2022, resulting in a modern design that features natural materials, a warm neutral palette and elevated details throughout. The space is thoughtfully divided into open communal areas and quieter, more secluded zones.

The meal on the plane had filled me up, and as it was so late, I didn’t need to eat in the lounge, as tempting as the offerings from the live noodle station were. There really is something for everyone here, from sushi to Singaporean classics to cheese platters and fresh salads.

There are 15 unisex ensuite shower suites, including wheelchair-accessible facilities, and each is generously sized. The lounge is even equipped with an LG Styler dry cleaning machine that can freshen clothes while you wait.

The IT Verdict

9/10

Fly Business Class with Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350-900.

I’ve flown Business Class with a number of airlines, but none have left quite the impression these flights did. The warm hospitality, exceptional seat comfort and wide variety of food options made the experience truly special. I’ve never felt so calm flying solo before.

The only minor pitfalls were not receiving a pair of pyjamas and the lack of wi-fi on the second leg. The former didn’t matter, and honestly, if they did give passengers pyjamas every flight, I’d be concerned about the environmental footprint.

A business class ticket is a significant investment for most travellers. If you’re going to make that investment, Singapore Airlines business class is the way to go.

Not sold? Discover if Cathay Pacific business class is worth it