Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – Singapore to Tokyo (Narita)

After sharing my thoughts on the SilverKris Business Lounge at Changi Airport, I wanted to continue with a review of my Singapore Airlines Business Class flight from Singapore to Tokyo (Narita).

Here’s everything about my flight, from the seat comfort to the food and service.

Flight Details

• Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
• Route: SIN > NRT
• Terminals: Changi Terminal 3 to Narita Terminal 1
• Duration: Approximately 6.5 hours
• Seat: 12K (second from the front)

The Business Class cabin on the Boeing 777-300ER is split into two sections: a smaller front cabin with 12 seats and a larger rear cabin with 36 seats.

I intentionally booked a seat in the front cabin to enjoy a quieter atmosphere with fewer people around—a strategy I recommend for anyone flying this route.

That said, I made a small mistake when choosing my seat. I picked 12K, which is on the right side of the aircraft.

However, on this route from Singapore to Narita, the left side offers views of Mount Fuji.

Thankfully, one of the attentive cabin crew members pointed it out when I was near the left-side windows during a quick bathroom break, so I still managed to catch a glimpse.

Seat Experience

The leather seat was spacious and comfortable. One feature that stood out was the configuration of the seat, which offers two modes:

1. Sundeck Mode: This is the default mode, with the seat reclined to a comfortable angle—great for lounging but not for sleeping.
2. Lie-Flat Mode: To switch to a full-flat bed, I had to pull the seat forward and flip it into bed mode. I didn't find it very intuitive, so the cabin crew stepped in to handle the setup after the meal service, coupled with spreading a bedsheet and new pillows.

Regarding the lie-flat mode, I found the mechanism a little inconvenient compared to other airlines where you can adjust the seat to lie flat with the push of a button.

Storage Space

I liked the storage options of the seat, which was ample.

1. A cubby near the headrest, with USB ports for charging devices.
2. A hidden compartment in the armrest that stored a complimentary bottle of water and the provided headphones.
3. A side compartment beside the in-flight entertainment (IFE) screen for smaller personal items.

I also appreciated the thoughtful touch of a separate space for shoes and the inclusion of slippers.

In-Flight Entertainment (IFE)

The 18-inch touchscreen monitor was perfect for catching up on movies. The screen’s size made for an enjoyable viewing experience.

I watched Challengers, which wasn't the best movie to watch in a 'semi-public' place with all kissing and sex scenes. 😅

What I really appreciated was the remote control located to my right. It let me browse and control the screen’s functions without having to reach forward—super handy when lying back in the sundeck mode.

The provided headphones were also excellent quality, and I liked that Singapore Airlines provided disposable ear covers for hygiene.

Dining Experience

Book the Cook:

Since this flight departed from Singapore, I had access to the Book the Cook service, which offers an extensive menu to pre-order meals.

I opted for the Hanakoireki Japanese set menu, which I think was exclusive to Japan-bound flights.

Meal Service:

The meal service began with Singapore Airlines’ iconic chicken satay, which was, as always, delicious. Tender, flavorful, and served with a side of peanut sauce—it was the perfect way to start the dining experience.

The Hanakoireki meal consisted of three courses:

Appetizer: A beautifully presented platter of Japanese bites, including zaru soba, salmon roe-topped tofu, and cucumber roll. The zaru soba and salmon roe were definite highlights for me, but the rest of the items lacked flavor and didn’t feel as enjoyable.

Main Course: Grilled salmon with rice, and other assorted vegetables. While the salmon was thick and flavorful, the rest of the dish fell flat—the rice could have been warmer, and the side dishes were a bit bland.

Dessert: Dessert was a sorbet. Pretty bland as well.

To be honest, I was a little underwhelmed by the Hanakoireki menu. It looked exquisite but didn’t quite live up to its appearance in terms of taste.

Service

Singapore Airlines’ service was nothing short of stellar. The cabin crew addressed me by name and were incredibly attentive throughout the flight. They were warm, engaging, and struck the perfect balance between professionalism and friendliness.

One memorable moment was when I asked about getting an SIA teddy bear for my mum. Unfortunately, the bears had already been given to families with babies on board.

To make up for it, the crew gifted me two amenity kits instead—a small but thoughtful gesture that made the experience even more memorable.

The amenity kit, a Penhaligon’s pouch, contained:

• Hand lotion
• Facial mist
• Lip balm

While I loved the bag’s design, I found the contents underwhelming compared to other premium airlines.

Also, the kit isn’t distributed automatically—you have to request one from the crew.

Toilet Amenities

The toilet was a slight upgrade from Economy Class, with a more premium feel and better amenities.

Alongside basic toiletries, Singapore Airlines provided handtowels, Penhaligon’s facial mist, hand lotion, and eau de toilette.

There was also a drawer with toothbrushes, razors, and other essentials. I found it good for freshening up post-meal.

Internet

Complimentary Wi-Fi was available throughout the flight for Business Class passengers. While the connection speed wasn’t fast enough for streaming or heavy downloads, it worked fine for messaging on Telegram and WhatsApp.

Overall Thoughts

Flying Singapore Airlines Business Class from Singapore to Tokyo was a fantastic experience overall, despite a few minor cons.

What I Loved:

• Outstanding service from the attentive cabin crew.
• The generous storage space, which kept everything within easy reach.
• The signature chicken satay—a delicious, comforting start to the meal.

What Could Be Better:

• The Hanakoireki meal was honestly very visually stunning but it totally lacked flavor. I’d recommend Book the Cook instead.
• The lie-flat seat mechanism was a bit cumbersome to use without cabin crew help.

Even with these small issues, I thoroughly enjoyed the flight. The service, and overall experience reaffirmed why Singapore Airlines remains one of the best in the world.

Would I fly with them again? Absolutely—but next time I will pick the left side for a better chance at spotting Mount Fuji and stick to my tried-and-tested meal choices!