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Flight Report – SQ278 Adelaide to Singapore on September 5. Class economy. Flight Full.

Flight reports have become a bit of a joke these days. Rather than a short, sharp review of the key elements of a successful journey, they’ve become lengthy, usually very boring stories loaded with pictures of meals. I see them all the time in The Age, for instance. You have to wonder whether they’re written for travellers or to impress the airline’s PR department. Always start at the bottom. If you see something like “the writer travelled as a guest of the airline,” warning bells should start ringing.
So, to flight SQ278

DEPARTURE: On time.
BOARDING: Orderly and quick thanks to a numbering system.
CREW WELCOME: Big smiles. Singapore girl is alive and well, folks. Our lovely hostie was Claire.
SEATS. Comfortable with adequate leg room.
SAFETY VIDEO: Quick and easy to follow
ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM. Small screen but picture quality was fine. Huge range of movies – much better than my last Qatar flight. I liked the way you can switch on overhead lighting from the console rather than having to stretch up.
FOOD: We have all endured overcooked meals, frozen butter, ice creams you would need a jackhammer to break into – crappy cutlery – I could go on. We chose noodles with chicken. We also had a warm bread roll, soft butter, and crackers. Everything was at the right temperature. Our verdict: Delicious – and believe me, that is a rare commendation for airline food. Next we enjoyed a chocolate gelato. There was wine with the main course and a take-off offering of orange juice or water. I requested sparkling, and Claire said she would bring it later. Usually that’s it on a busy flight, but a few minutes later she was back with my request.

Towards the end of the six-hour flight, mini snacks were offered – looked like mini pies, although I was full.

THE CREW: Immaculate as always and very attentive.
CABIN NOISE: low
CABIN TEMPERATURE: ideal
TIME FOR BAGS TO BE DELIVERED AT DESTINATION: Fast
BUSINESS CLASS BAGS FIRST? Does not apply.
FREE INTERNET: yes – and worked well.
ARRIVAL: Via airbridge – again on time.
CONCLUSION: Economy travel doesn’t get any better than this.