Singapore Airlines A350-900 premium economy SINGAPORE-LONDON

BACKGROUND Singapore Airlines has three configurations of its A350-900 aircraft for medium-haul, long-haul and ultra-long. range services.

This service from Singapore to London Heathrow was operated with the long-haul configuration, which includes 42 seats in business, 24 seats in premium economy and 187 in economy class. By contrast, the medium-haul configuration only has business and economy seats, while the ultra-long range offers business and premium economy only.

SQ13 had a departure time of 1245 and arrival time of 1910.

CHECK-IN I checked in online and downloaded my boarding pass into my Apple Wallet. It's worth downloading the SIA app as it provides useful information such as the check-in and bag drop location. This was Zone 4, Row 7, which included check-in desks on one side, self-service boarding pass and bag tag machines in the centre, and automatic bag drop machines on the right-hand side. The machines were quick and easy to use. You simply scan your passport, check the flight information is correct and print off a bag tag to affix to your luggage. The bag drop then requires you to re-scan your passport, as well as your boarding pass, and it will take a photo of your face to check against your passport. Once your bag is in position, you get a receipt and cross your fingers that it will end up in your destination.

I arrived early so that I could explore Jewel, and then returned to the terminal to proceed through immigration via e-gates.

BOARDING At Changi Terminal 3, the majority of shops are located before security so passengers might want to purchase any last-minute souvenirs or duty-free items before heading to the boarding gate, but will need to bear in mind the 100ml limit on liquids. Boarding took place at Gate B3 at 1235, which is in a fairly large lounge area with four gates and a small kiosk selling water and snacks. Business class passengers boarded first, followed by passengers seated at the back of the aircraft and then all remaining travellers.