SQ Business Class Return Flight from Singapore to Auckland: The Complete Review!

This Singapore Airlines (SQ) Business Class return flight from Singapore to Auckland was our first redemption flight since COVID. Way back in 2020, we had actually redeemed a pair of business class tickets to Sydney using miles that had expired in late 2019. However, when COVID-19 set in, the flight was subsequently cancelled and miles were refunded into our accounts. Extension took place all the way till 2022 and this gave us an opportunity to book a year ahead and we finally got to redeem this SQ Business Class return from from Singapore to Auckland in 2023…

Redeeming the Singapore Airlines Business Class Flight from Singapore to Auckland with Krisflyer Miles

SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland (return) flight details

This time, we flew on the following flights

Singapore to Auckland
Flight Time: 9 hrs 55 mins
Schedule: SIN 2225 to AKL 1320
Plane: SQ 285 Airbus A380-800

Singapore to Auckland
Flight Time: 10 hrs 25 mins
Schedule: AKL 0120 to SIN 0645
Plane: SQ 282 Boeing 777-300ER

Besides being able to redeem the SQ Business Class flight with points that would have already expired in 2019 if not for COVID, these pair of tickets also allowed us to experience firstly, the 2 different planes (A380 and 777-300ER) post-COVID, it also gave us an opportunity to experience the newly revamped SilverKris Lounge at Changi Airport as well as the Air New Zealand Lounge in Auckland.

Price of SQ Business Class Return Trip from Singapore Auckland

Cost of one-way SQ business class tickets from Singapore to Auckland

The other cool thing was that we saved about $20,000 in total. A pair of SQ business class return airfare from Singapore to Auckland costs $10,063.60. And how much did we spend on in terms of miles and taxes?

Miles redemption of SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland return flight with taxes

In total, we spent 248,000 miles and $297 in taxes for a pair of SQ Business Class return air tickets from Singapore to Auckland. In a sense, the miles game does pay better – just as with our previous redemptions in First Class.

SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland: SilverKris Lounge Experience

As passengers on SQ Business Class, we were invited to the SilverKris Lounge. We were pretty excited as the SilverKris Lounge was revamped during the COVID period. We also knew that there were some kinks such as an overcrowded lounge when SilverKris first re-opened. However, with most of the SilverKris lounges at Changi Airport re-opened, we are happy to report that we had a fantastic time during our visit. You can read the full review of our SilverKris Lounge visit here.

SQ Business Class Tickets with invitation to enter SilverKris Lounge

SilverKris Lounge Changi Airport Singapore

Taittinger Champagn and Draft Tiger Beer to kick off our Business Class experience at SilverKris Lounge Changi Airport Singapore

SilverKris Lounge Business Class Dining Hall

The Dining Hall of Business Class SilverKris Lounge

The Living Room Business Class SilveKris Lounge Singapore Changi Airport Review

SilverKris Lounge Business Class Singapore - The Dining Hall - Taittinger Champagne — SilverKris Lounge Business Class Singapore – The Dining Hall – Taittinger Champagne

Dim sum and nuggets at SilverKris Lounge Business Class Changi Airport - Have more nuggets! They're so crisp! — Dim sum and nuggets at SilverKris Lounge Business Class Changi Airport – Have more nuggets! They’re so crisp!

Cocktails at Open Concept Area Business Class SilverKris Lounge Singapore

Sunset Cocktails of SilverKris Sling and Singapore Sling at Open Concept Area Business Class SilverKris Lounge Singapore

As passengers on SQ flights can check in at the counters up to 48 hours in advance to enjoy the airport facilities, we entered about 12 hours ahead of time to enjoy both lunch and dinner before our flight. Taittinger Champagne is always a great start to any holiday.

There were several things that we enjoyed about the newly revamped SilverKris Business Class Lounge. Firstly, the new zones are very classy. We loved the Living Room as well as the Dining Area. Secondly, the barista and bartending services in the morning and evenings allowed travellers to enjoy a gourmet drink or fancy cocktail – which by the way were very delicious. Thirdly, the food is still as good as we remembered. There was still a “wow-factor” especially with the live cooking station where we had the Japanese Udon with Chicken Karaage – yummy! 😋

Visiting the SilverKris Lounge was definitely a perfect start to our SQ Business Class flight from Singapore to Auckland!

SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland: The In-Flight Experience

Our SQ Business Class experience from Singapore to Auckland was just as good as we remembered it. Our last SQ Business Class flight was from Singapore to Beijing, enroute to Busan.

SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland on Airbus A380

As with our previous SQ Business Class flight, the seats on Airbus 380-800 were of the 1-2-1 configuration. Both of us took the middle isle so that we could sit next to each other. Soon, we were offered the Taittinger Champagne to kick-start our SQ Business Class in-flight experience. We then checked out the offerings of the SQ Business Class seats…

SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 - Compartment to keep your personal belongings — SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 – Compartment to keep your personal belongings

SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 - Mirror — SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 – Mirror

SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 - Reading lights and power supplies — SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 – Reading lights and power supplies

SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 - Earphones and bottle of water — SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 – Earphones and bottle of water

SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 - Lights for different positions — SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 – Lights for different positions

SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 - Leg space when lying flat — SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 – Leg space when lying flat

SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 - New Movie Releases — SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 – New Movie Releases

SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 - Lots of fancy buttons to press — SQ Business Class Airbus A380-800 – Lots of fancy buttons to press

As always, the SQ Business Class seat felt spacious. What we liked about seat was how comfortable it was. Having the additional leg space and automatic inclining movements by a press of a button, made the experience so much more classy and atas. We also loved the huge compartment that we could place all our personal belongings – no more worries about items falling out of our pockets in the middle of the night while lying down flat (which we’ll talk about later). Of course, there are USB outlets and power outlets that made it more convenient for the modern travellers. New movie releases and in-flight Wi-Fi (complimentary unlimited access) ensures that you wont have a dull moment during the flight.

Book The Cook

Prior to the flight, we were able to place our orders through the SQ Book The Cook menu. The International Menu is also available prior to the flight. This time, the International Menu from Singapore to Auckland was

Supper
Appetiser: Marinated Smoked Salmon with Capers
Main Course:
Braised Beef Short Rib “Vigneron”
Black Bean Chicken
Steamed Pork with Pickled Plum Sauce
Dessert: Banana Cheesecake with Butter Crumble

Delectables
A selection of bee hoon or kway teow with choice of fish balls, minced chicken
Instant Noodles
Snacks: Multigrain Sandwich with Roasted Chicken and Egg Mayonnaise

Before Landing
Omelette with Veal Sausages
Punggol Nasi Lemak
Warm Crepes with Apples and Raisins
Assorted Bread Rolls and Breakfast Pastries
Hot Beverage of Coffee and Tea

As for alcoholic drinks, the selection was rather extensive as well

Champagne
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, Champagne France OR 2012/14 Piper-Heidsieck Brut Vintage Champagne France

White Wine
Pike Riesling Traditionale, Clare Valley Australia
2021 Chartron and Trebuchet Pouilly-Fuisse, Burgundy France OR 2021 Dandelion “Twilight of the Adelaide Hills” Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills, Australia

Red Wine
2016 Clarendelle MEdoc, Medoc Bordeaux OR 2016 Chateau Pey La Tour Reserve, Bordeaux
2019 Dandelioni “Lionheart of the Barossa” Shiraz, Barossa Valley Australia OR 2018/19 Teusner “The Riebke” Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia

Fortified
Kopke 10 years (tawny port)

Cocktails
Singapore Sling
SilverKris Sling
Cuba Libre
Grand Pineapple Daiquiri
Alspritizer
Jubilee Lining
Rumba
Bloody Mary

Soon, we were served our supper on SQ Business Class flight from Singapore to Auckland this evening…

SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland Book The Cook Menu - Salmon — SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland Book The Cook Menu – Salmon

SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland Book The Cook Menu - Braised Beef Cheek — SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland Book The Cook Menu – Braised Beef Cheek

SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland Book The Cook Menu - Lobster Thermidor — SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland Book The Cook Menu – Lobster Thermidor

SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland Book The Cook Menu - Banana Cheesecake — SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland Book The Cook Menu – Banana Cheesecake

As always, the Lobster Thermidor is perfect. We have made it a course-of-choice after “run-ins” with other Book The Cook choices. You’ll never go wrong with Lobster Thermidor. Beef cheeks was tender but a tad salty. The dessert, banana cheesecake was shiok as well.

After a hearty meal, we asked for our seats to be converted to the fully flat bed. We saw that some frequent business class flyers were able to do the conversion on our their own. But since we didn’t want to show that we’re newbies, we requested help from the staff while we used the washroom. When we returned, it was nicely converted…

SQ Business Class seat on A380-800 - fully flat bed for 2bearbear — SQ Business Class seat on A380-800 – fully flat bed for 2bearbear

Although we had experienced the fully flat bed on SQ Business Class before (previously on 777-300ER), we felt that it was exceptionally comfortable this time. It could be due to the longer flight that allowed us to fall into a deeper sleep but despite the small leg space, there was no problems turning left or right on the fully flat bed.

Soon, it was breakfast!

SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland Book The Cook Menu - Fruits and Pastry — SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland Book The Cook Menu – Fruits and Pastry

SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland Book The Cook Menu - Unagi Rice Bowl — SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland Book The Cook Menu – Unagi Rice Bowl

SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland Book The Cook Menu - Punggol Nasi Lemak — SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland Book The Cook Menu – Punggol Nasi Lemak

Breakfast was ok. This time, we had the Unagi bowl. While the unagi itself was good, the rice was a bit too wet. Punggol Nasi Lemak on the other hand wasn’t that good in the sky. A little too heavy on the spiciness.

Just before we left the plane, we checked out the new SQ Business Class Penhaligon’s amenities kit. Included in the Penhaligon’s Quercus range is the hand lotion, facial mist and lip balm.

Overall, it was a great start to our New Zealand trip by flying on SQ Business Class from Singapore to Auckland. The experience at SilverKris Business Class Lounge as well as the SQ Business Class in-flight experience, certainly was a perfect start to our visit of the north island of New Zealand!

SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore: Air New Zealand Lounge Experience

After an amazing 2 weeks touring the north island of New Zealand doing mud baths, visiting Hobbiton, enjoying some great wines and craft beers as well as the amazing scenery that New Zealand offers, it was with reluctance that we had to fly back to Singapore once again. Thankfully, we’re returning via SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore – so it ain’t all that bad…😄

Air New Zealand Lounge Auckland Airport Review

Air New Zealand Lounge Auckland Airport Review - Swing swing — Air New Zealand Lounge Auckland Airport Review – Swing swing

Air New Zealand Lounge Auckland Airport Review - Dining Area — Air New Zealand Lounge Auckland Airport Review – Dining Area

Air New Zealand Lounge Auckland Gourmet - Gourmet Coffee and Cake — Air New Zealand Lounge Auckland Gourmet – Gourmet Coffee and Cake

Air New Zealand Lounge Auckland Cosmopolitan and Old Fashioned Cocktails

Air New Zealand Lounge Auckland Passion Fruit Hazy Cider

Our flight was at 1:20am. Hence, we were only able to check in at about 930pm this evening. We started our lounge experience by checking out Strata Lounge under Priority Pass. By the time we reached Air New Zealand Lounge, we had missed the meal hours but were still able to enjoy the premise. In particular, we enjoyed the gourmet coffees, the delicious cocktails as well as the spacious out-door area with swings. You can read the full review of Air New Zealand Lounge in Auckland here.

As the number passengers in Air New Zealand Lounge started to dwindle, it was our cue for our SQ Business Class Flight back from Auckland to Singapore

SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore: The In-Flight Experience

SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore via Boeing 777-300ER

SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore Review

We boarded the plane at about 0050, in time for the 1:20am flight. The plane departed right on the dot. After takeoff, nuts and pineapple daiquiri was served…

SQ Business Class flight from Auckland to Singapore - Nuts and Pineapple Daiquiri after take-off — SQ Business Class flight from Auckland to Singapore – Nuts and Pineapple Daiquiri after take-off

As we were not able to Book The Cook (not available for flights out of Auckland yet during our departure), we chose from the in-flight International Menu

Supper
Appetiser: Smoked Duck Breast with Pineapple and Mango Salsa
Main Course:
Roasted Lamb Loin in Roasted Yellow Capsicum Sauce
Steamed Ling Fillet
Confit Chicken with Cannelini Bean and Saffron Stew
Dessert: Orange Cake with Raspberry Compote

Delectables
Kway Teow Soup
Egg Noodle Soup
Instant Noodles

Breakfast
Starter: Granola with Greek Yoghurt, Fruit Yoghurt
Main Course:
Dim Sum Selection
Nutella and Banana Crepes
Baked Eggs with Chicken Sausage
Continental Breakfast
Pastries from the Bakery
Hot Beverage: Coffee & Tea

SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu - Smoked Duck Breast with Pineapple and Mango Salsa — SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu – Smoked Duck Breast with Pineapple and Mango Salsa

SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu - Confit Chicken with Cannelini Bean and Saffron Stew — SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu – Confit Chicken with Cannelini Bean and Saffron Stew

SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu - Roasted Lamb Loin in Roasted Yellow Capsicum Sauce — SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu – Roasted Lamb Loin in Roasted Yellow Capsicum Sauce

SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu - Steamed Ling Fillet — SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu – Steamed Ling Fillet

SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu - Orange Cake with Raspberry Compote — SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu – Orange Cake with Raspberry Compote

This time, we had the chicken confit which was well seasoned with rosemary and thyme while the Riesling somehow complemented the chicken well. The chicken breast was sooo tender. We had the fish as well, which was not too bad. Lamb loin was probably the best course this evening. Chunky and tender. After supper, we tried to convert the beds ourselves to the response of “Oh my God, Mr Lim!”. Either the air stewardess was impressed or that we were making a mess while converting the beds. Not much issues really, just have to remember to put your seat upright before doing so.

Enjoying SQ in-flight entertainment while flying SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore

While lying flat on the SQ Business Class seat, Manchester United was playing live and they actually came back from 1 nil down to win 2-1. Not bad. Again, the sleep on the return flight was so comfortable. After waking, shaved and used the facial mist in the bathroom to freshen up before breakfast was served…

SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu - Selection of Sliced Fresh Fruits — SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu – Selection of Sliced Fresh Fruits

SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu - Dim Sum Selection — SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu – Dim Sum Selection

SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu - Nutella and Banana Crepes — SQ Business Class from Auckland to Singapore International Menu – Nutella and Banana Crepes

For breakfast, we initially ordered the Continental Breakfast. But found out that it was just yoghurt and muesli. Hence, we went for Nutella Banana Crepes instead. A little too moist but still ok. Dim sum was good too.

Eventually, we found that the flight was a A350. The seats were so spacious just as with the A380 and 777-300ER. The seats itself was the same with a pull-out table, flat bed, controls for seats, storage and mirror. Plus, the internet connection was good as well.

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All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our SQ Business Class return flight from Singapore to Auckland. The SilverKris and Air New Zealand Lounges elevated the overall experience while the SQ Business Class product itself was just as good, accompanied by the signature SQ in-flight service. Though in the food department, it was not as good as the SQ First Class experience, it was still relatively good. Don’t forget to ask for the Penhaligon Amenity Kit as well as the gourmet coffees and cocktails once you’re onboard.

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New Zealand North Island Travel Itinerary

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 1: Flying SQ Business Class and Visiting the New SilverKris Lounge!

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 2: Arriving in Auckland and Hanging out in Hamilton

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 3: Visiting Hobbiton, Lake Rotorua and Eat Streat in Rotorua

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 4: Mud Spa at Hell’s Gate Rotorua, Huka Falls, Dixie Browns and Millenium Manuel Hotel Taupo

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 5: Mini Golf, Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise, Cornerstone Taphouse and Steaks at Edgewater Restaurant Taupo!

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 6: Mission Estate Winery, Te Awanga Estate, Remutaka Crossing and Hey Day Beer Co Wellington

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 7: Breakfast at Wellington Sea Market, Fork and Brewer Craft Beer, Wellington Museum, Rogue and Vagabond, Shelly Bay Wellywood Sign

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 8: Mount Victoria and driving back north to Bulls and Skotel Alpine Resort, Tongariro National Park

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 9: From Skotel Alpine Resort to Tama Lake, Mount Ngauruhoe with views of Mount Ruapehu

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 10: Stopping at Taumarunui enroute to Huhu Chalet and Waitomo Ruakuri Caves!