Make it large

Is it really different flying in the double-decker A380 aircraft?

What’s the use of flying in a double-decker airplane if you are seated on the “ground” floor? It was the first time I was flying in the gigantic Airbus A380 and there was no way I would miss out on the upper deck. I was flying Singapore Airlines from Tokyo to Singapore.

Getting myself a seat on the upper deck was an effort, as I didn’t have access to the Net. If one was connected, booking one’s seat via the airline’s website would have been possible. So I requisitioned the services of the concierge at my hotel. I explained my request to him in English, and he spoke to the local SIA office in Japanese... and my seat on the upper deck was confirmed. Nothing lost in translation!

Besides the obvious novelty value of sitting on the top deck, there are other advantages, especially if you’re flying SIA economy. For one, the seating arrangement is 2-4-2, so you’re never more than a seat away from the aisle (it’s 3-4-3 downstairs, you see). Also, there are fewer strangers to hang around with while waiting for the toilet. But what my research before flying hadn’t told me was that it is somewhat less noisy, and vibe-free, on the upper deck — you’re some distance from the engines and landing gear, right?

Being so big, the A380 has more shoulder room and leg room even for economy-class passengers. And how can I forget the highly utilitarian stowage areas below the large windows? SIA’s crew, service, food and in-flight entertainment were, without exception, er, exceptional. On this flight, the crew was eager to feed you information if you expressed an interest in the aircraft.

The numbers emerged from the flight attendant as if he had learnt it by rote: 12 first-class suites and 300 economy seats on the lower deck, and 60 and 99 respectively on the top deck. I was welcome to explore the aircraft, so I did. Using a spiral staircase that belongs in a mansion rather than an aircraft was surreal. Downstairs, the rows of economy seats seemed to stretch to the horizon. After walking some distance, I returned tired to my seat!

An A380 is already an iconic aircraft, and flying in it is special. But the real experience of being on board is flying first class in either Emirates (with a real bathroom and shower!) or SIA (with a full bed and pillows!). So, till then...

Score: 8/10. Big is indeed beautiful

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