Inflight Experiences - 'J' Class on SQ from REP to SIN (May 2022)

This is a review of my experiences when I flew on Business Class (i.e. 'J' Class) onboard Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ163 from Siem Reap International Airport to Singapore's Changi International Airport in May 2022. I had just a week ago, flew the outbound sector on SQ164 from Singapore to Siem Reap.

The flight tickets were redeemed using my frequent flyer miles accumulated through retail purchases during the pandemic-induced stay-at-home period between March 2020 and April 2022.

Selfie of myself sitting at the Departure Gate waiting to board SQ163 from REP to SIN, Krong Siem Reap International Airport, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2022)

Check-in

Check-in at the SIA Business Class counter at the Siem Reap International Airport was a breeze. During the check-in process, I noticed that passengers in Economy Class were processed just as quickly. Probably because the flight was not full and most leisure travellers were still hesitant to travel because of COVID.

As usual, the counter staff was extremely polite and service oriented. 

Lounge

My flight was on SQ163, scheduled to depart Siem Reap International Airport (IATA: REP, ICAO: VDSR) for Singapore's Changi International Airport (IATA: SIN, ICAO: WSSS).  

As travel restrictions were only just being lifted, the Business Class Lounge at the airport was still closed. Thus, no lounge visit for me for this flight.

Instead, I took the opportunity to walk around the relatively small airside Departure Hall area taking selfies of myself and browsing the shops for souvenirs. 

Boarding and Seating Arrangement

At boarding time, premium class passengers, as usual, got to board at the head of the queue. For this flight, order of boarding was not really important because the flight was not full and as a result, overhead cabin storage space was aplenty, even for those flying economy.

My flight, SQ163, was serviced with a Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft.

Cropped photograph of my Boarding Pass, SQ163, Siem Reap to Singapore (2022)

Enjoying the Inflight Entertainment System onboard the Singapore Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX, SQ9163, Siem Reap to Singapore (2022)

Food and In-flight Service

Food service onboard was great and the in-flight service by the cabin crew almost flawless, as always. 

My pre-ordered inflight meal via SIA's Book the Cook service for the short regional flight, SQ163, Siem Reap to Singapore (2022)

As was my usual practice, I pre-ordered my inflight meal online via Singapore Airline's "Book the Cook" service and everything was meticulously prepared and delivered. 

After the meal service, I sat back, relaxed and simply enjoyed the remainder of the short flight. 

View of the outside onboard the Singapore Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX, SQ163, Siem Reap to Singapore (2022)

Inflight Entertainment System onboard the Singapore Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX, SQ163, Siem Reap to Singapore (2022)

Arrival

After about 2 hours of flight time, we arrived at Singapore's Changi International Airport. 

Disembarkation starts with the Business Class passengers (there were no First Class Seats on this flight), followed by the rest of the passengers.

Overall, a very comfortable and enjoyable flight. It was a great feeling to be able to fly again! ✈