The Check-in
Even on an early morning as I walk through Denpasar airport the place is buzzing with travellers getting ready for their trip. I am heading to Singapore on SIA and looking forward to the flight as my upgrade has come through. Strangely enough the Singapore Airlines counter is closed, which I find strange for a 10.30AM flight, but decide to ask the their regional airline Silk Air why. The kind staff quickly solve the issue informing me I am actually flying on Silk Air at 10.30AM instead of SIA at 11.45AM, but they are happy to move me at no cost to the 11.45AM flight? I quickly review my schedule and stay put with the Silk Air booking. As part of Silk Air business class, clients are offered an invitation to the Premier Lounge.
Boarding & Seating
Boarding is completed with little effort and staff are on hand to help any travellers who require extra support.
As I enter the Boeing 737-800 the smiling Silk Air hostesses welcome guests with a warm smile and are ready to assist. My seat of 2F is a brown leather windowseat, smartly designed so you feel very comfortable. The general seating configuration is 2+2 and actually even though the seats don’t recline like in a B777, there is plenty of space. The Boing 737-800 offers a 38 inch of seat pitch and 22″ of seat width, which on relatively short flight of just under three hours is fine. The seats don’t have in-flight screens, but each passenger is given an I-Pad with a good selection of entertainment.
Before take-off, welcome drinks are served in form of water and juices……. As it’s a morning flight there seems few people looking for that glass of bubbles.
In-Flight: Service & Dining
As we take off, service quickly gets underway The beverage service is simple, but effective, we are offered a few options, but I start off with a half glass of Champagne Charles de Cazanove NV, which is served with a mixed nuts selection. We are also given the menu to review so we can prepare our pallets for lunch. I select the pasta……I have also commenced the entertainment on the i-Pad and quickly settle in to a new movie.
Lunch service proceeds an hour into the flight and the vegetarian Penne Pasta arrives that actually surprises me in tasting ok! I am offered a choice of red & white wines, but politely decline. We are offered a choice of hot beverages after lunch from the freshly brewed coffee to a selections of tea’s. I request a Peppermint tea, which is served with a range of nice cookies.
The flight proceeds well and the pilot informs us he is slightly ahead of schedule so will be landing in 30-minuets. This coincides with my movie as its nearing the end.
The Extras
Each business class passenger is permitted 40 kilos of baggage plus two pieces of carry on weighing up to 7kgper bag. I travelled with a small suitcase case that weighed 10kg, but as the size was compact the airport staff saw little issue with my case and briefcase.
The Aircraft
Boeing 737-800
Frequent Flyer Program & Airline Alliance
As the regional airline of Singapore Airlines, Silk Air shares the same frequent flyer program Kris Flyer, but SilkAir is not a Star Alliance member so limits the use of partner airlines programs, including Virgin Australia, which Singapore Airlines are shareholders in.
The Crew
The service team are well dressed and friendly, always looking to see if the business class cabin customer were in need of any extra drinks or food.
The Airline Reviewers view
Overall a really pleasant flight even though I am not a great fan of the B737-800 and was expecting SQ business class.
The crew that were attentive and forthcoming and I would be happy to return. The cabin was clean and seats comfortable, slightly better designed then the business class I have experienced on Qantas and Virgin.
The Airline Review was undertaken by John Nielsen and was NOT paid for by Silk Air or Singapore Airlines, but by www.theairlinereviewer.com team to ensure a fair review.
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