Singapore Airlines Premium Economy: New Meals, Bigger Portions On Porcelain Tableware Instead Of Plastic Containers Soon — Compare New Meals Vs Current Ones

Bigger food portions, more meal options and porcelain tableware are among the upgrades that Singapore Airlines Premium Economy passengers can look forward to from Mar 31. 

Singapore Airlines (SIA) unveiled over 200 enhanced menu options — including 175 main meals — at a media preview on Mar 14, and we got a taste (literally) of what's to come on SIA’s Premium Economy cabin.

This is the first time in nine years that SIA’s Premium Economy cabin is undergoing an extensive revamp since its inception in 2015. While the hard product remains unchanged, SQ is rolling out extensive enhancements to its Premium Economy F&B options and even new amenity kits. 

Currently, the same meals are served on both Singapore Airlines Premium Economy and Economy, and served in disposable plastic containers. 

Singapore Airlines Premium Economy: What’s new from Mar 31

Meals with larger serving sizes. Overall increase in serving size weight is 38 per cent for appetisers, 33 per cent for main meals, and 26 per cent for desserts, according to SIA. 

Refreshed menu of 200 dishes developed for Premium Economy, including 175 main courses, 48 appetisers and 34 desserts. On each flight, passengers will be offered two main meal options, on top of an appetiser, bread, dessert, cheese and crackers served.  

Passengers may kickstart their meals with new appetisers like garlic roasted prawns with smoked aioli and patatas bravas and smoked salmon with broccoli salad. Main meal options include beef bourguignon with potato gratin, bak chor mee and a Thai-style crab curry with rice, vegetables and egg. Rounding off the meal are desserts such as apple crumble cheesecake and black sesame cake. 

Currently, Premium Economy passengers are served a glass of champagne shortly after take-off. From Mar 31, that will be upgraded to Charles de Cazanove Brut Tradition NV, which rates 3.8/5 on Vivino. This, alongside a 2023 Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc and 2022 Hallett Faith Shiraz are among the wine options available throughout the flight too. The non-alcoholic drink menu has also expanded to include peppermint and chamomile teas and a Cadbury hot chocolate. 

Expanded Book the Cook offerings. While the Book the Cook option is not new in Premium Economy, passengers can now enjoy nine all-new dishes from the array of 20 Book the Cook selections. Book the Cook meals can be pre-ordered at least 24 hours before the flight, a service that is also available in Business Class. 

Popular menu items from Singapore Airlines’ Book the Cook menus include Singapore-style seafood hor fun, chicken biryani, slow braised lamb ragout and salmon in teriyaki sauce.

New tableware just for PE cabins. Food will be served on new porcelain tableware and larger linen-lined trays only available on PE. This is likely to provide a markedly different dining experience compared to the current disposable plastic containers. 

New amenity kits: Refreshed Premium Economy-exclusive amenity kits will be provided on flights longer than seven hours — upon request from passengers. Encased in an eco-friendly pouch with a more sophisticated look, the contents of the amenity kit are kept basic with slippers, eye mask and lip balm. Dental kits and moisturisers will be available in the toilets. 

Is Singapore Airlines Premium Economy worth it? Our verdict on the inflight enhancements in a nutshell:

While no changes have been made to the hard product, the first comprehensive revamp of Singapore Airlines Premium Economy cabin since its inception in 2015 will likely improve the inflight experience to an extent. 

8days tried out some of the dishes in the enhanced menus, albeit on terra firma, in the new tableware. Our verdict? The bak chor mee (below), served with mee pok, is as every bit tasty as you’d expect from your favourite hawker stall — and with the right amount of vinegar to boot. 

Another delish dish is the beef bourguignon with potato gratin, which stands out thanks to the tender meat and tasty potato gratin. 

However, while the new amenity kits sport a more sophisticated look, the eye mask and socks may come in handy only for the unprepared traveller. For the rest of us, packing a pair of our own cosy socks or luxe sleep mask and other travel essentials will further elevate that travel experience.

Which Singapore Airlines flights have Premium Economy cabins?

SIA currently offers Premium Economy on 74 out of 143 aircraft, and serves 32 destinations, including Sydney, Frankfurt, and London Heathrow. 

SIA’s Premium Economy Class is available on the following routes out of Singapore:
o Australia (Melbourne and Sydney)
o China (Beijing and Shanghai)
o Denmark (Copenhagen)
o France (Paris)
o Germany (Frankfurt and Munich)
o Hong Kong SAR
o India (Delhi and Mumbai)
o Italy (Milan and Rome)
o Japan (Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita)
o Maldives (Male)
o The Netherlands (Amsterdam)
o New Zealand (Auckland and Christchurch)
o South Africa (Johannesburg)
o Spain (Barcelona)
o Switzerland (Zurich)
o Turkey (Istanbul)
o United Kingdom (London Heathrow and Manchester)
o United States of America (Houston, Los Angeles, New York – John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York – Newark Liberty International Airport, San Francisco, Seattle)