Sydney and Singapore Airlines have a special connection – after all, the airline’s first Airbus A380 made its maiden voyage to Sydney in October 2007. Nowadays, Singapore Airlines has just 11 of the superjumbos in its fleet, but they sport a sparkling-new interior with the latest seats in Business and First Class.

When I got the opportunity to travel from Sydney to Bangkok and explore the city for a few nights, I hopped straight onto the Singapore Airlines website and nabbed a Business Saver reward seat for 68,500 KrisFlyer miles and just $104 in taxes – including the onward flight to Bangkok!

You can also book this particular flight for 55,000 Velocity Points + taxes, one-way, per person. From the excellent SilverKris Lounge in Sydney to ‘Book the Cook’ onboard, there’s a lot to love about Singapore Airlines Business Class.

Check-in, lounge and boarding

Check-in at Sydney Terminal 1

With my easy 4:10 pm departure, check-in for SQ222 at Sydney Airport opens just after midday. Rather than working in my hotel room, I decide to shift my office to the airport and arrive early.

There are practically no queues to speak of during the day at Sydney’s International T1, so check-in is very quick. They’re even able to help look into changing my connecting Singapore-Bangkok flight to an earlier one, which is appreciated. (Unfortunately, Business Class is full on the earlier flights, so I leave it for now. Later in Singapore, I ask again and manage to swap onto a flight where one seat has opened up).

Visiting the SilverKris lounges in Sydney

Eligible Singapore Airlines passengers can access the SilverKris Lounge in Sydney, which has both Business and First Class sides. Most lounge-worthy guests will turn left at reception to enter the Business Lounge, which is easily one of the best in Sydney.

The food looks so appetising – from the freshly-cooked teriyaki chicken to the roasted potato salad and the cheese selection. You won’t go thirsty either, especially with bottles of Mumm Malborough Brut Prestige to whet the appetite. No question, this lounge is worlds ahead of the Qantas International Business Lounge in Sydney.

If you happen to be a First Class passenger or a Solitaire PPS member travelling in any class (or a guest of one of them), then a hidden panel behind reception slides open to reveal the First Class Lounge.

I was fortunate enough to be guested in by someone, so after spending some time in the Business Class Lounge, I indulged in a wonderful à la carte lunch in the First Class side. Who knew that Singapore prawn laksa, chicken satay and duck pancakes would pair so well with G.H. Mumm Champagne?

It’s easy to pass hours in the lounge with good food and good conversation, so it’s somehow time for boarding before I know it. I don’t have to hang around at the gate for long as Singapore Airlines offers priority lanes for Business Class and Suites passengers. The Airbus A380 awaits.