As the old saying goes, “never meet your heroes”.

We have all heard horror stories, or perhaps experienced ourselves, a moment of meeting someone we have idolised for years, only to find they do not meet the expectations we have created in our head.

The same could be said for air travel and business class, but not so much because it will be an underwhelming experience, but because it will be so good that you will never truly be able to comfortably fly economy ever again.

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It was a thought that certainly entered my head before my first-ever business class trip, and not only that, but I was getting the experience of flying one of the best business class services in the world with Singapore Airlines.

As it happens, I fear my future travelling endeavours have been corrupted after my taste of luxury, but I can safely say I don’t regret a single thing.

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The seats

The thing I was looking forward to the most was the pod seating offered in Singapore Airlines’ A380 Business Class, as it can turn from a comfy seat where you can stretch your legs, all the way into a lie-flat bed.

I am giddy with excitement during the outbound leg of my trip as I press every button imaginable and marvel at the sheer amount of storage space and compartments available to me; it’s almost overstimulating.

This means I don’t really get the chance to sleep much on the way over – not a huge deal as it was a day flight.

But on my red-eye return leg, I utilise the space as well as the pillow, blanket and mattress protector over my seat to give myself around five hours sleep, something I have never done on a plane before.

There are no amenities kits offered at your seat when you arrive, but it is easy enough to ask a flight attendant to provide you with anything you need, like earplugs, slippers, compression socks and an eye mask to help you get the rest and comfort you need.

It feels like a different galaxy compared to trying to sleep upright with half an armrest and little wiggle room in economy.

There was very little to complain about really. The controls on the chair were a bit fiddly and took a little while to get used to, and the TV screen on my flight back was a tiny bit glitchy, but fairly insignificant as sleep was my priority.

The service

Singapore Airlines’ business class offering was ranked second in the world in 2025, and its service shows why it is held in such high regard.

Things like automatic check-in, priority bag drop, boarding and baggage collection are all good perks and expected from business class, but the way you are treated the moment you step onboard the top deck of the A380 makes you feel very important.

You are greeted by name and are offered either a glass of juice or champagne, as well as a refreshing towel.

Once you hit cruising altitude, flight attendants go around asking if you would like another drink to whet your appetite before the food service begins, and they have a wide range of beer, wine, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.

They are quick to answer any request or question, and a convenient do-not-disturb sign on the side of your pod lets them know that you want some quiet time.

The food

Singapore Airlines offers a mix of local and western cuisine – a lot of it – and for the most part it is very good.

There were two food services during the flight, one lunch service where business class passengers have the chance to use the ‘Book the Cook’ service before boarding to pick their own meal, as well as another food service about an hour and a half before landing.

Served on proper crockery and with shiny silver cutlery, it is a world away from the plastic forks and flimsy containers of food I am used to in air travel.

On my two flights, I am served a range of food, including Italian-style salads, chicken satay sticks and a lovely coconut cake for dessert.

I use the ‘Book the Cook’ option for both of my main meals, picking a black angus steak for one, and a prawn laksa curry for another.

Both meals were fantastic – especially the laksa – but beware of buyer’s remorse once you step on the plane and see the regular in-flight menu.

Options such as halibut, confit pork belly and lamb curry mean you may want to give that a go for at least one leg of your journey.

The lounge

Singapore Airlines have their own SilverKris lounges at both Sydney and Singapore Airports, and business class flyers can access both.

In Sydney, I visited both the regular and first-class lounges. They offer a variety of seating – including pods and lounge chairs – and free food and drinks.

The first class lounge has an à la carte menu, as well as eye-catching artwork and a Singaporean-inspired interior to make you feel like you are there on the other side of the world.

The SilverKris Business Class Lounge in Terminal Three and Changi Airport was far larger, with a bar section and a quieter area for relaxing or getting some work done.

They have a full bar with bartenders making cocktails to order, and also have a mix of a buffet menu or a menu to order off.

There are even beer taps to pour your own beer, but I instead opted for one last Singapore sling before heading home.

The verdict

Travelling business class with any airline on a long flight in a luxury we all want to experience at least once in our lives, and doing it with Singapore Airlines made it a fantastic experience.

Even when you take away the sheer excitement and novelty factor of travelling in luxury for the first time, there is no denying the experience the airline offers is worth it even for those who are fortunate enough to do it regularly.

I will certainly never forget the excellent food and lie-flat bed the next time I catch an international flight to Asia or beyond, looking back on my experience with nostalgia as I fight for space in economy.

The writer travelled as a guest of Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport.