Changi Airport (SIN)

Before you get to experience the beautiful waterfall from Terminal 1 of the Changi Airport and the amazing and diverse food scene in Singapore, you’ll be on a 16 hour flight from SFO to SIN. While you’re trying to decide on economy or economy premium, it might help to have some insight into some differences in value.

The most surprising thing to see in Singapore were the feedback signs. I have never seen so many opportunities to rate your service in Singapore and Changi is no exception. This type of subjective input is an interesting incentive for employees to always be on their A-game, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. Everything about this airport screams efficiency, so I’m sure this helps to keep things clean.

The other surprising thing was the enormous line at the airport, for what we thought was going to be for Louis Vuitton or another clothing company, but instead there was an hour-long line for…Shake Shack!

We went to our terminal (Terminal 3) and got our last meals at Food Street – a Hawker-ish center called “Food Street” on the second floor. You have to load up a gift card at the kiosk in order to buy any food there – this was the most confusing thing for both of us as we tried to order, but then were pointed at the kiosk to get this gift card. ? Prices were pretty reasonable and we both left Singapore happy and full.

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Singapore Airlines seating and amenities

While there is less legroom and less width to each seat in economy, we both felt like the service and other amenities were strong in economy class (e.g. you still get free wine, but no champagne) – while the food is slightly different, you’ll be fine on your 16 hour flight without the extra footrest and a different gift bag. Like many new planes these days, you can fold your head rest forward and adjust it up or down to allow for head to rest nicely while sleeping.

I personally prefer the Trtl Pillow, and while it looks like a neck brace, and may be embarrassing to use – it’s totally worth the amazing sleep you get when you use it. We tried the Cabeau Evolution memory foam pillow, but it was a little warm, heavier, and more restricting.

Food comparison from economy to premium economy

This is where I’d personally have my make-or-break decision – food is a big deal on a long flight. I’ll explain the differences between the two different economy class menus (as we were able to snatch a copy of both) below.

Beverages

Champagne is only for premium economy, but the lack of bubbles shouldn’t cloud your decision.

First Meal from SIN to SFO

Very similar meal, but about 100 more calories on the premium economy flight because of the addition of the mango mousse cake instead of the premium ice cream. Instead of a bread roll and butter, premium economy gets a “bread roll and spread”. This is true for both the international selection and the Indian selection.

Second Meal from SIN to SFO (delectables)

There is a big difference here as the premium economy class receives “garlic focaccia with egg frittata and vegetables” instead of the “warmed vegetarian snack” with economy class. Focaccia is a big difference.

Third Meal from SIN to SFO

This is where the menus diverge. The economy menu I have shows breakfast whereas the premium economy has lunch. Is this enough to change your mind and upgrade to premium economy?

Economy Breakfast	Premium Economy Lunch
Fruit Choice of: 1. Scrambled Egg with chicken sausage, ratatouille, and roasted potato 2. Mee Goreng Ayam (Malay style fried noodles with egg, chicken, vegetables, and beancurn) 3. Kal Dosai, Pattani Korma, Wadai, and Tomato Chutney Bread roll and spread Coffee and tea	International Selection Choice of: 1. Pan fried fish fillet with creamy seeded mustard sauce with sautéed vegetables and mashed potatoes 2. Braised egg noodles with black pepper chicken and oyster sauce Grand Cru dark chocolate cremeux Bread roll and butter Coffee and tea Indian Selection Hara Moong Dal, Makhanwalla and Jeera Pulao (other items are the same as above)

First Meal from SFO to SIN

The meals are very similar, but there is a 160 calorie difference where the premium economy meal has more calories from the addition of an apricot cake instead of the Haagan Dazs ice cream in economy class (this is the same for both international selection and Indian selection). I don’t think this is anything that would change your mind.

Second Meal from SFO to SIN (delectables)

The premium economy menu is slightly better here as they have a four cheese pizza available instead of the vegetarian tortilla wrap.

Third Meal from SFO to SIN

There is a large difference between meals here. The premium economy meal has dim sum or scrambled egg with cheese or sabzi paratha, poha, aloo tomatar subzi where the economy selection has:

• International Selection: Shrimps with tomato, corn, and cucumber salad with ranch dressing as the appetizer and sauteed pasta with chicken and vegetables in a creamy tomato basil sauce or deep-fried five spice pork with a banana mousse cake, bread and spread, coffee and tea
• Indian Selection: Sabzi dal, kadai aloo gobi, jeera pulao with the same banana mousse cake, bread, coffee and tea

Menus

I’ve scanned both menus so you can see the complete detail in both economy and premium economy. I hope that you found this blog post helpful – in the end, I’d save my money and go with economy class (just get an aisle seat and stand up every couple hours!).