Post-Covid, the Kiwi love-affair with premium flying has continued to grow from strength to strength. When you’re flying long-haul, it’s hard to put a price on space, comfort and a little pampering. I’ve just reacquainted myself with Singapore Airlines Business Class, while flying from New Zealand to Asia. I experienced the cabin on their A350-900 aircraft, which are typically deployed on the Auckland and Christchurch routes to Singapore, as it is across SIA’s fleet of long-haul aircraft. These very popular long-haul workhorses are so incredibly quiet.

Business Class on the A350-900 is a radiant affair, where thoughtful indulgence is writ large. You have two seating positions—the Lazy Z, a cradling position that ensures your weight is centred and balanced when you’re sitting down, plus the Sundeck, a lounging position that extends the base and foot of your seat so you can stretch right out and rest your legs on the ottoman. I was instantly sold – all that was missing was the splash pool. Handcrafted from Scottish leather and diamond-stitched, the seat transforms into a full flat bed, with a cushioned headboard, linen, duvet and pillows.

A Business Class seat on the A350. Photo / Mike Yardley

Each seat is 25 inches wide and has a generous seat pitch of 50 inches. If you’re a travelling as a couple, the centre divider between the centre seats can be fully lowered to create double beds. Designed to provide more personal space and privacy, the Business Class seats are arranged in a forward-facing, four abreast (1-2-1) configuration that affords every passenger direct aisle access. (What a godsend when you have a call of nature to answer, deep in the night.)

Business travelling? The A350 Business Class seat easily converts into an office with its well-positioned reading lights, in-seat laptop power supply and USB ports. The KrisWorld entertainment system is loaded with over 1800 movie, TV, music and gaming selections, plus live news and sports channels. (Over 400 movies alone!) Equipped with noise cancelling headphones, the high-definition seatback monitors are supersized at 46cms, from which I settled on the new release, Fall Guy, and the blockbuster Elvis movie, before nodding off, somewhere over Broome. The complimentary in-flight WiFi worked a trick, too.

Attentive, personable service is to the fore, from the moment you to step aboard and are offered a Champagne or a Bellini, moments after settling into your seat. Bellini, please! Singapore Airlines’ illustrious in-flight dining service features a stirring menu, anchored by signature dishes crafted by the Airline’s International Culinary Panel. The dining service begins with their signature Chicken Satay canape. All premium class guests can pre-select their main course up to 48 hours before flying from the ‘Book the Cook’ menu, which features a dizzying selection of exquisite dishes, including New Zealand Beef Fillet and Spring Lamb Loin.

Chicken Satay Canape. Photo / Mike Yardley

I generally just ordered off the on-board menu, but I plumped for one “Book the Cook” experience - Aromatic Barramundi. This gorgeous barramundi fillet was simmered in an aromatic tomato sauce, accompanied with pearl couscous, zucchini ribbons, preserved lemon salsa and toasted almonds. It was irresistibly divine. It was dining in excelsis, complemented with fine wines – and of course, an obligatory Singapore Sling! The Brioche French Toast with orange and maple syrup, was a decadent winner at breakfast, although one of my favourite Singapore dishes, Kay Teow Soup, was a close runner-up. This is a magnificent dish of rice noodles with prawns, squid balls and fish.

Singapore Airlines proudly connects New Zealand to the world via its award-winning hub, Changi Airport. SIA operates daily services from Auckland and Christchurch, in addition to Auckland services to Singapore operated by alliance partner Air New Zealand. There are over 120 destinations across the combined SIA and Scoot global network, including 15 European destinations. Being a South Island lad, SIA has always been a welcome sight in the skies above Christchurch, since it first commenced services 38 years ago.  https://www.singaporeair.com

If you’re journeying to Europe, your body will certainly thank you for breaking-up the trip with a stopover in Singapore. I enjoyed a sizzling sojourn at Park Royal on Beach Road, just steps away from Kampong Glam’s colourful mix of heritage and bohemian charm, while also being in easy reach of the Lion City’s headliners. Bonus points for their magnificently large pool, which proved to be unfailingly refreshing and restorative in steamy Singapore. I locked in a cracking stay at this sustainability-certified hotel with Booking.com, a trusty one-stop-shop for accommodation, flights, bookable attractions and car hires. Booking.com takes the stress out of travelling all on one platform. Sign up for even bigger Genius discounts on accommodation. www.booking.com

ParkRoyal on Beach Road pool. Photo / Supplied

Mike Yardley is our resident traveller on Jack Tame Saturday Mornings