What’s Hot in Japan: An Introduction
What’s Hot in Japan: Onboard the SQ A380 SIN-NRT
What’s Hot in Japan: ANA Pokemon Jet to Sapporo Chitose
What’s Hot in Japan: Cross Hotel Sapporo
What’s Hot in Japan: Furano and Asahikawa
What’s Hot in Japan: Lake Toya Onsen
What’s Hot in Japan: A Day in Hakodate
What’s Hot in Japan: Domestic IOJ Service between HKD and HND
What’s Hot in Japan: Ramen in Japan
What’s Hot in Japan: Red-eye on the A330 KIX-SIN
SQ615 Osaka Kansai KIX – Singapore Changi SIN
STD-STA: 2330-0510
Actual: 2336-0423
A330-300 9V-STV
Seat 37G
After a nice family break, it was time to return back to work and home. While booking this ticket, due to time constraint, I decided to do an open jaw itinerary, returning back to Singapore from Osaka instead of spending time to head back to Tokyo. This was one of the reason why we did not take the Delta Air Business Class and instead chose Singapore Airlines as the carrier. However this also meant a flight on the Airbus A330 instead of the larger A380s. For the night time departure, we left the St Regis in Osaka by a Toyota Alphard minivan that would fit all 5 of us and our luggages. The journey to Kansai International Airport took about one hour or so with light traffic along the way.
This would be my first time departing from Kansai Airport and at this time of the day the airport was very quiet with the Singapore Airlines flight being one of the last to depart for the day. Naturally the check-in counters were empty and we were attended to immediately. The very helpful check-in agent was able to provide us with boxes so we could check-in some of the snacks and gifts we had purchased along our trip. Since we were early, we had some time to spare to explore the terminal which was very nice and well organized. There was also a Lexus car exhibition in the center of the departure concourse that was displaying an L-FA sports car and the new IS 350.
With nothing much else to see, we went through security check and immigration to enter the departure hall proper. At this time of the day, many of the shops are closed or starting to close. This means a relatively empty terminal with many seating areas and internet counters for passengers to utilize. While the airport offers free wi-fi the service was limited to certain parts of the airport only which was disappointing since we still had to take a train to the departure gates at a different section of the terminal where wi-fi access was unavailable. For those seeking to buy last minute gifts and souvenirs, there is limited selection in Kansai for the late night flights and thus it is recommended to buy them at the airport. There was however shops retailing snacks and drinks near the departure gates in addition to the ones in the main concourse.
Boarding for the flight was orderly as usual and since the seats onboard the A330 was configured in a 2-4-2 arrangement, I picked 2 rows of window seats for my parents and siblings while I took an aisle seat at the middle section. this maximized the aisle access for our group of 5. Fortunately the flight was not that full such that I still had an empty seat beside me. This allowed me to place my stuff on the empty seat and relax for the flight. In true Singapore fashion, I was also able to grab a copy of The Straits Times, the national newspaper of Singapore. Service for this flight continued in the same high standards with hot towels being distributed once boarding has completed. Attendants were also going around providing extra pillows and blankets which was a nice touch for the late night flight.
After take-off, I indulged in some inflight entertainment before going for a nap since there would only be one meal served during the flight which is breakfast. The crew did offer beverages and packed nuts for passengers not wishing to sleep yet. Again it was good of them to provide these for passengers.
It was not long before I dozed off after watching some shows on the Krisworld entertainment system and I was only woken up by the sounds of the flight crew preparing passengers for breakfast service. The menu for this red-eye flight to Singapore read as follows:
Breakfast | Osaka to Singapore
Fruit
Fruit appetiser
Wholesome Beginnings
Japanese breakfast
Grilled salmon with miso, Japanese omelette, seasonal vegetables and steamed rice
or
Griddled American hotcake with maple syrup, egg frittata and chicken sausage
From the bakery
Assorted breakfast rolls
Butter – Fruit preserve
Hot Beverages
Coffee – Tea
Green tea
Beverages
Aperitifs
Campari
Dry Vermouth
Spirits
Baron Otard V.S.O.P Cognac
Johnnie Walker Red Label
Jim Beam Black Label Whiskey
Bombay Sapphire Gin
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka
Bacardi Superior
Liqueurs
Cointreau
Bailey’s Original Irish Cream
Wines
Red Wine – Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah
White Wine – Chardonnay
White Wine – Riesling
Beer
International Selection
Stout
Soft Drinks
Coke
Coke Light/Coke Zero
7-UP
Ginger Ale
Soda Water
Bitter Lemon
Cocktail
Singapore Sling
Alspritzer
Screwdriver
Bloody Mary
Dry Martini
Fruit Spritzer (non-alcoholic)
Orange Cooler (non-alcoholic)
Coffee and Teas
Coffee
Black Tea
Oolong Tea
Pu-Erh Tea
Sencha Green Tea
Peppermint Tea (naturally caffeine-free)
Fruit Juices
Orange / Apple / Pineapple / Tomato
I chose the western option after having had so many Japanese breakfast in the last week or so. And it was a really good choice. The hotcakes was similar to what one usually gets from McDonald’s and it was sufficiently warmed up to refresh passengers up! Served alongside the hotcakes was an egg frittata, a sausage, some edamame, a breakfast muffin and a small bowl of fresh fruits. I also ordered a cup of coffee to perk me up along with a glass of orange juice.
For a 6 hour plus flight, the breakfast was more than adequate and once again shows how Singapore Airlines provides for its passengers on its regional flights. There was perhaps one hour and a half more to go when the crew started to clear the trays and this allowed me to resume watching one TV show before we landed in Singapore’s Terminal 3.
Upon landing, the immigration was really empty which I find more often to be the case in Singapore and that made for a pleasant entry into the country. Singapore Airlines is truly a great way to fly in Economy Class and I have to say their cabin ambience and service is perhaps unmatched for flights within Asia. If I was not using points to redeem for premium class flights, Singapore Airlines would always be a front-runner when I decide to buy Economy Class fares.
QUIRROW 
What time was the meal?
@Ellen, the meal was served before landing as breakfast so around 3:30am Singapore time.