After nearly two weeks in Europe, it was finally time to return home. We were flying out of Frankfurt, Germany on 29 November 2022, heading back to Singapore on Singapore Airlines flight SQ325. The journey would take 12 hours and 20 minutes nonstop aboard the Airbus A350-900. We boarded the plane at Frankfurt Airport’s Rhein Main Terminal 1, feeling a familiar mix of post holiday tiredness and quiet reflection.
Walking down the aisle of the aircraft, we passed fellow passengers stowing their bags and searching for their seats. The atmosphere was calm and orderly, even with the full load of passengers returning to Asia. We were seated in economy class, where the cabin felt clean and comfortable. Each seat came with a pillow and blanket placed neatly, along with a seat pocket that held essential travel items such as the safety guide, KrisShop magazine, inflight WiFi instructions, and a disposal bag. There was also a set of personal earphones sealed in plastic, using the special dual prong plug that only works on planes.
The seat in front of us had a high definition screen that could tilt slightly for better viewing angles. It was operated by a touchscreen control panel that felt smooth and responsive. I fiddled with the tray table next and discovered it could fold in half and even had a small vanity mirror hidden underneath. A cup holder was mounted on the side, and there was a small hook that looked like it could be used for hanging a headset or coat.
Rain started to fall lightly outside just before takeoff, as if Frankfurt was giving us a gentle farewell. At 9:55pm local time, the plane began to taxi and then lifted off into the night sky. Our arrival in Singapore was scheduled for 5:15pm the next day. The cabin lights dimmed after takeoff, and the inflight service soon began.
Cabin crew came around offering drinks and I asked for orange juice. We were given a light snack of peas and crackers, the kind of salty crunch that seems to taste better at high altitude. Soon after, the first meal was served. The main course was hot and satisfying, and not long after that, we were surprised with ice cream for dessert. Even in economy class, the quality and presentation of meals on Singapore Airlines consistently feels a cut above.
Somewhere over Central Asia, the sun began to rise, casting soft pink and golden hues over the clouds. I glanced out the window and noticed frost forming along the edges, a beautiful reminder of the altitude we were cruising at. Closer to our descent into Southeast Asia, the second meal service arrived. It was just as delicious as the first, warm and comforting for a tired body adjusting to a new time zone.
As we neared Changi Airport, the captain made an announcement. There would be a slight delay in landing due to heavy rain in Singapore. The plane began to circle above our destination, weaving through the clouds as we waited for clearance to descend. After roughly half an hour, we finally began our approach. The aircraft emerged from the thick clouds and touched down smoothly, bringing us back to the familiar warmth and humidity of home.
This flight was the final chapter of our Europe trip, which had started on 17 November with a Lufthansa flight from Singapore to Munich. The return ticket for the entire journey cost SGD $1,218.20 per person, and considering the distance, comfort and service, it felt like good value. The A350-900 lived up to its reputation with its quiet cabin and thoughtful features, making the long haul flight feel less tiring than expected.
For more about the Airbus A350900 and its onboard features, you can visit Singapore Airlines' official fleet page.
For our 2022 Europe trip, we spent an incredible 12 days exploring the beautiful countries of Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria. Here’s a day-by-day rundown of how we organized our adventure across these three captivating destinations.
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