Lobster & SQ 777-300ER = Bliss!

After possibly the most amazing trip on the A380 to Singapore, Airgroove then had to make way to Mumbai for more business meetings... As I neared Changi Airport, I was annoyed my flight was departing from T2, so I briskly checked in and made my way to the beautiful T3 Business Class Lounge, such a stunning lounge to relax before your flight... The food is so great, better than the crackers and sandwiches many other major carriers 'serve'. However, I rarely partake - after all, I had 'Booked the Cook' and ordered Lobster!


To begin, I devoured a delicious satay stick mix! Very SQ, or perhaps Malay? Anyway, they were great and when asked by the Purser my favourite Champagne, I mentioned my love for Krug and presto, there was a glass of Krug - a nice touch indeed! The little things, the little things...



The crew on this flight were exceptional, I had met a few of them on previous flights and they remembered me, so i was in for great service! More Krug appeared and there were NO complaints from Airgroove, the flight was barely half full, so there was time for the crew to add the extra effort...

Next up was a refreshing salad of feta cheese, tomato, olives and marinated prawns... All good! Before I could blink, the Lobster Thermador was placed on my table and having had this dish before, it did not excite me like times past... Perhaps the Krug was on my mind! But, it was fine and hit the spot all the same. take a look:



After yet another superb meal on SQ, it was time for a quick nap - before long we were circling the metropolis of Mumbai and I was happy to stay on the plane and spend the night, but that was not going to happen... Sleeping in the new C Class seats on SQ is a dream, oh well, off to the hotel... :-)

SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 BUSINESS CLASS, AT LAST!!!

Boarding this new amazing iron bird was such an amazing experience! Singapore Airlines, as noted on my blog is one of my favourite and clearly the best airline in the world... The A380 has taken SQ to new levels...!

Just look at the cabin above, it is better than many other airlines' First Class - top notch indeed! I was taken back by the sheer size and width of the Business Class seat, which I will name the best in the sky... Some say that they cannot get comfortable as they seat is toooo wide! I'll gladly sit in a wider seat, anyday! To couple this beautiful new aircraft and Business Class cabin was the amazing crew - it can be very hard to top the service on Singapore Airlines, nothing was ever too much trouble... As I savoured my pre-departure Champagne, I was over excited about the take-off and the service to come on this very first trip for Airgroove on this huge double-decker jet.

First up was a delicious Marinated salmon with feta, tomato and cucumber salad - fresh and crunchy, as one would expect... I enjoyed a bush tomato dressing and scrumptious garlic bread (which seems to be a staple on many airlines now :-)) For the main event, SQ offer 'Book the Cook' on many routes, giving the flyer an option to pre-select dinner from a lovely menu online... I often opt for the lobster when flying out of Singapore Changi Airport, but for this leg desired the Plum duck with yam rice and I was not at all let down by this dish - very good flavours and the duck was cooked to perfection! Having already enjoyed my fair share of Charles Heidsieck Champagne, I was pured a lovely glass (or 3) of the Chateau Patache D'Aux 2004 Cru Bourgeois, the perfect match for my gamey, but somewhat sweet duck dish!

Did somebody then say, cheese!? Of course, I will... The blue as stunning and creamy and matched the red wine so very well - seconds, please!

After all that great food, I could feel a little nap coming on - and with the biggest flat bed in the sky in Business Class, why not! The flight attendant insisted about laying out my bed covered with Givenchy linen, and I was almost in perfect slumber as my head hit the pillow. Singapore Airlines has an amazing C class product and the A380 makes for a perfect trip - do fly and try this great airline, you will want to go back for more, trust Airgroove!

Excellent Etihad!

Airgroove and my loved one decided to take a cruise from Dubai to Rome for our holidays and had the most amazing trip on 'The Legend of the Seas' sailing to Oman, Egypt and Italy... But before we could board the cruise liner, we had to fly to Dubai and we chose Etihad, and I can safely say, what a magnificent 5 star airline!

Check-in was one of the best experiences I have had at an airport, professional, hassle free and above all the staff from Etihad were amazingly helpful... Boarding was done with ease and as we approached the long sleek shiny A340-600 our excitement grew! Inside the new iron bird was immaculate, and the business class cabin was amazing in a teared configuration - allowing maxi mun privacy if travelling alone. The seats were narrow, but very comfortable and converted into a full flat bed, bliss for the 15 hour flight! On first impressions, I was already giving it a 9/10! After a pre-departure Champagne, Canard-Duchene Grand Cuvee, I was edging towards a perfect 10, even!

After a very quiet and smooth take-off in the fabulous A340-600, Champagne was promptly served, a good sign indeed! The menu looked wonderful and we were ready for a feast at 35,000ft. The bread was most amazing - baked on board, it was a combination of rye, wholemeal and olive - all served with dips - another good sign of better things to come!

To begin, the amuse bouche was creamed cheese and chives wrapped in smoked salmon, I then devoured Pan-seared marinated salmon served on courgette and mint pancakes with avocado salsa! Delicious! My loved one enjoyed the Ratatouille tarte tartin - equally as divine...

After an excellent start to lunch, we were anxious to eat our main course, my loved one opted for the Northern Territory Baked Barramundi with baby corn, bok choy, jasmine rice and Asian soy sauce, and it did not disappoint, the fish was succulent and moist, hardly overcooked, just right! The wines were also of high quality, I enjoyed several glasses of Chateau Batailley Cru 5ieme Classe 2004 and just had to taste the Meursault Domaiine Buchard Pere & Fils 2007, great on every level! My selection was the Braised grass feed Lamb shanks, which also were fabulous! I could have eaten a second serving! :-) Take a look:






Of course no long lunch is complete without dessert, and the finale was impressive: Valrhona chocolate panacotta with vanilla biscuit and candied orange & Lemon meringue pie with marinated red berries - a perfect end to a great lunch; and then they wanted me to eat cheese! Thanks, but no thanks... All the same...




After such an amazing meal, it was time to watch a movie and convert the bed for a relaxing siesta! It had been hard work after all, consuming all that delicious food! :-) We both managed to get a good 5-6 hours sleep, as the beds were very comfortable.. Of course when we awoke, there was more food on offer, 'Kitchen Anytime' it was called, and we thought, let's try another bite to eat! It went something like this: first up, the Steak sandwich with roasted cheery tomato and onion jam then, Pan-seared chicken sausages with garlic mash and onion sauce! Both very good snacks indeed!





As we prepared to land in Dubai, we both discussed that this flight was the best start to a holiday... Etihad, you are an impressive airline, if you have the chance, do fly them! They will not leave you wanting for much! 5 stars from Airgroove! 5 stars!