Why Singapore’s Changi Airport is one of the world’s best

Posted on 15 May 2014

With everything from spas and movie theatres to themed gardens and an aviation gallery, Changi Airport’s three terminals have become more than just a gateway to one of the world’s slickest cities: they’re a destination.

The terminals at Changi Airport in Singapore are becoming a destination.

Would you fly halfway around the world to take a holiday in an airport, or hope to have your flight delayed? Crazy thought, isn’t it? But if that airport was Changi, the idea isn’t as ridiculous as it seems. If you’re flying from South Africa to Asia, Australia or New Zealand, you might want to rethink your travel plans.

With everything from spas and movie theatres to themed gardens and an aviation gallery, Changi Airport’s three terminals have become more than just a gateway to one of the world’s slickest cities: they’re a destination.

The attention to detail is staggering. There’s an abundance of information desks and a team of customer-service consultants speak to hundreds of passengers daily, assessing the service received in various stores. There are small trolleys for hand luggage, airport-friendly baby strollers and play areas for kids. Rows of hard, steel benches are nowhere to be seen; instead Changi is furnished with super-comfy loungers and reclining chairs – there are even chairs that massage your feet. In the (free) TV lounges, armchair speakers ensure other passengers aren’t disturbed and there are entertainment centres and gaming consoles (PS3 or Xbox360, anyone?) and cinemas and music booths.

Changi is furnished with super-comfy loungers and reclining chairs – there are even chairs that massage your feet.

Even the bathrooms are something else. All cubicles have ample space for you and your luggage, and there are wall-mounted baby chairs in both the men’s and ladies’ loos. Every bathroom is fitted with touch-screen monitors (sanitised throughout the day) that send real-time feedback to service managers. Bad smell? Not enough toilet paper? Dirty mirror? Touch the screen, and your complaint will be dealt with in minutes.

There’s free Wi-Fi throughout (and plenty of plug sockets), and for those travelling sans devices, 550 computers are available (free of charge). If you’re in need of fresh air, spend time in one of the five themed gardens, curated by Changi’s team of horticulturalists and stocked with plants grown in the airport’s nursery.

Choosing to spend time in this airport isn’t such a crazy idea. The next time you pass through Singapore, build extra hours into your stopover. You’ll be glad you did.

Pay a visit to one of the five themed gardens or the The Social Tree.

10 things to do in Changi Airport, Singapore

1. The Butterfly Garden (Terminal 3)

More than 47 species and 1 000 butterflies, it really is beautiful.

2. Get a foot massage (all terminals)

Look out for the massage chairs – great for soothing travel-weary legs and feet.

3. Go for a swim (Terminal 1)

The rooftop pool has views of the runway. There’s a bar, pool table and gym here too.

4. Become a millionaire (all terminals)

If you spend $30 or more at one store, enter the annual Changi Millionaire competition in which a million Singapore dollars (more than R8 million) is up for grabs.

5. The Social Tree (Terminal 1)

Take a photograph or video of yourself and post it to the nine-metre-high ‘tree’. (Pop into the nearby loos too – they have a view of the runway.)

6. Tour Singapore

If your stopover is at least five hours, you qualify for a free bus tour of Singapore. Highly recommended.

7. Watch a movie (all terminals)

The movie theatres show blockbusters, while the TV lounges allow you to watch sport, news or documentary channels.

8. Eat local food (Terminal 2 and 3)

There are more than 120 food and beverage outlets, but you can tuck into Singaporean specialities at Universal Dining (Terminal 2) and Prima Taste (Terminal 3).

9. Pamper yourself (all terminals)

Forgot to get a haircut, or have your legs waxed? Various spas will tend to your grooming needs.

10. Sleep tight

You’ll be able to enjoy a bath or shower and have a good night’s rest at the Ambassador Hotel while you’re in transit. Many rooms have views of the runway – and they’re soundproof, so a Boeing A380 won’t disturb your beauty sleep.

Budget breakfast in Changi Airport

Nothing in Singapore is cheap, so fill up on a set meal – tea or coffee, two slices of toast and two boiled eggs – for around US$4,50 (about R45) at Killiney Kopitam (Terminal 1) and Coffee Kaki (Terminal 3).

Not in transit? Before going through passport control, look out for the Changi Aviation Gallery and the 12-metrehigh slide, both on the public side of Terminal 3.

Interesting facts about Changi Airport

  • 6 700 flights pass through Changi each week. That’s one every 100 seconds.
  • 51,2 million passengers used Changi in 2012.
  • 32 000 people work at Changi.
The Skytrain connects the three terminals at Changi, so head out and explore them all.





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