The Singapore Changi Airport lounge guide

A guide to some of our favourite lounges in Singapore Changi Airport

Where is it? Terminal 1, Level 3, Departure Hall

Who gets access? Qantas customers who are travelling in the business class cabin, Gold Frequent Flyers and above, as well as Qantas Club and equivalent Oneworld members.

What’s it like? This 2,200 sqm lounge has a modern design with walnut-coloured décor and marble furnishings. Visitors can enjoy a menu by celebrity chef and restaurateur Neil Perry, with cooked-to-order dishes inspired by regional flavours and cuisine such as chicken laksa and roast pork belly. Dining options include the “plate of the day” in the communal dining area, dishes from a live cooking station, a buffet and snacks at the bar. Neil Perry’s Spice Temple restaurant cocktails are available alongside a premium Australian wine selection and a barista coffee service. The lounge has 20 showers, 80-inch TV screens throughout, and technology pods.

This lounge underwent an expansion in August. The lounge now offers new banquette seating, dining chairs and tables. In addition, a new Qantas First Lounge is set to open at Singapore Changi in late 2019. Combined, the First and Business lounges offer seating for more than 800 customers.

Key facilities: Bar service, showers, wifi, barista coffee

Opening hours: 1430-0000 daily

Where is it? Terminal 1, Level 3, Departure Hall

Who gets access? British Airways First and Club World business class customers, as well as eligible British Airways Executive Gold and Silver members, and Oneworld frequent flyers with Emerald or Sapphire status.

What’s it like? Refurbished in 2015, British Airways’ Singapore lounge features a unique lounge design incorporating artwork from British and Singaporean artists. It can accommodate up to 226 guests, who have access to coat check and baggage storage facilities, as well as high-speed wifi, British and international newspapers and magazines, TVs, baby changing facilities and showers. There are also two computers and a wireless printer.

Access to the Concorde Bar, whose design features black timber, Nero marble and champagne metal finishes, is limited to first class customers and their eligible guests travelling on British Airways operated flights. It offers a selection of champagne, wines, beers, spirits, soft drinks, teas and coffee, as well as a hot and cold buffet and snacks. The range of seating includes armchairs, seven private booths, communal bar seating and private sofa corners with TV viewing positions.

Key facilities: Wifi, coat check, showers, private booths and communal seating

Opening hours: Between 1500 and the last British Airways departure of the day

Where is it? Terminal 1, Level 3, Departure Hall

Who gets access? Priority Pass members and contracted airlines.

What’s it like? The SATS Premier lounges at Changi Airport are present in all three terminals and many carriers have a contract with them. The one in Terminal 1 is the oldest of the three, but at 720 sqm it’s spacious and has a variety of seating options, including cubicles with bench seating and tablets, seats arranged along communal tables, low armchairs and electric massage chairs. Many seats have tables with charging stations. There is also a buffet that offers a wide variety of dishes, snacks and desserts. Occasionally the lounge offers Singaporean-themed food such as laksa and satay. There are also shower rooms for guests who want to freshen up before their flight.

Key facilities: Buffet dining, massage chairs, wifi, showers and disabled access

Opening hours: 24 hours but a maximum stay of three hours

Where is it? Terminal 1, Level 3, Departure Hall

Who gets access? All Emirates first and business class travellers, as well as Skywards Platinum and Gold members travelling in economy class.

What’s it like? This lounge, which underwent a refurbishment in 2017, can accommodate over 220 people and boasts views of Changi’s Cactus Garden and the tarmac. The lounge adopts Emirates’ new lounge design concept, which includes Italian marble floors, leather armchairs and walnut wood finishes. Passengers can enjoy a buffet with seasonal fruits, cheese, and sushi, as well as beverages including a selection of premium champagne, wines and spirits in the lounge’s dedicated dining area. A business corner allows you to send last-minute emails before your flight. Of course there are plenty of USB and charging ports as well.

Key facilities: Flatscreen TVs, shower facilities, business centre, wifi

Opening hours: 0640-1025/1235-1535/1740-0140 daily

Where is it? Terminal 1, Level 3, Departure Hall

Who gets access? Royal First Class and Royal Silk Class travellers departing on a same-day Thai-operated flight; Star Alliance first class and business class travellers departing on a same-day Thai or Star Alliance-operated flight; and Royal Orchid Plus Platinum and Gold members and Star Alliance Gold cardholders departing on a same-day Thai or Star Alliance-operated flight. (These top-tier frequent flyer programme members can have one accompanying guest provided they are also departing on a same-day Thai or Star Alliance-operated flight.) Star Alliance Gold cardholders who have booked Thai Airways International flights operated by Thai Smile Airways do not have access to Thai lounges.

What’s it like? This 335 sqm lounge is stocked with sofas and chairs in Thai’s signature purple colour. There’s a good selection of newspapers and magazines, and also a TV. While the seating arrangement for up to 115 is mostly open, there are smaller private sofa chairs with tables divided by glass along the side of the lounge. The buffet area has a selection of snacks and drinks such as coffee, juice and alcoholic beverages. For those who wish to get some work done, there’s a smaller room with outlets along a counter table with seats.

Key facilities: Buffet section, newspapers/magazines, power outlets, work area

Opening hours: 0540-0715 daily, as well as 1025-2030 on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays, and 1025-1200/1700-2030 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Where is it? Terminal 1, Level 3, Departure Hall West

Who gets access? Pay-per-use credit card holders who are eligible for accessing this lounge for free: Bank of China Singapore Visa Infinite; OCBC – Voyage Card; OCBC Bank of Singapore; OCBC Premier Banking; OCBC Premier Private Client; Maybank Catholic High Alumni; Maybank Horizon Platinum; Maybank Horizon Visa Signature; Maybank Premier Wealth Card with voucher; Maybank Privilege Horizon Visa Signature; and Maybank World Mastercard.

What’s it like? Those who want some shuteye before take-off can rest in one of the three designated “resting suites” with views overlooking the runway. For business travellers, the lounge’s “Honeycomb workstations” and VIP seating areas offer privacy and a place to work quietly. There are also charging stations and free wifi. The 650 sqm lounge also features six shower rooms (one is wheelchair-friendly), two VIP rooms, and massage and nail-care services. F&B options include Singaporean chicken rice and laksa, as well as hot and cold beverages, including draught beer.

Key facilities: Private resting suites, charging stations, wifi, Singaporean cuisine offerings, massage and nail-care services, shower rooms

Opening hours: 24 hours daily

Where is it? Terminal 1, Level 3, Departure Hall

Who gets access? Business or first class passengers departing on Air France, Bangkok Airways, Air Mauritius, Air China, China Southern, Delta Airlines, Drukair, Finnair, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, KLM and Myanmar Airways International. If there is capacity, members of the following lounge programmes also have access: Priority Pass, Lounge Club, Lounge Key, Lounge Pass, Diners Club, DragonPass, TAV Airports and NUSS Graduate Club.

What’s it like? Opened in November 2015 and operated by the Dubai National Air Travel Agency, the 860 sqm Dnata lounge offers showers, newspapers and magazines, and comfortable seats with charging points. The lounge also has a selection of Singaporean and pan-Asian food. Seats include sofas, swivel chairs and small dining tables. The lounge design features Peranakan-style wall tiles and wallpaper.

Key facilities: Coffee stations, newspapers/magazines, TVs, wifi, showers

Opening hours: 24 hours daily (maximum three hours per stay)

Where is it? Terminal 2, Level 3, North Wing Unit 036-133 (near to E gates)

Who gets access? The Business Class section is open to all Singapore Airlines (SIA) business class customers, as well as PPS Club members who travel on SIA or Silkair flights. Solitaire PPS Club members travelling with either airline may visit the First Class section.

What’s it like? The Silverkris Lounge has separate Business Class and First Class sections. Both sections come with their own dining areas, food service counters, television areas, showers and washrooms as well as nursing rooms. The First Class section also features a full-service bar. There is free wifi, meeting rooms and a range of newspapers and magazines. Guests can indulge in a variety of international cuisine, buffet style, and menus are rotated weekly. In both sections live stations also offer freshly prepared meals and local dishes.

Singapore Airlines Suites and first class passengers departing from Singapore (or arriving in transit en route to another destination) can also experience The Private Room (TPR), which seats 78 and offers an à la carte menu. The First Class, Business Class and TPR sections have a total of 650 seats.

Earlier this year SIA announced that it will be renovating the Silverkris Lounge. Currently, the airline hasn’t shared any details about an alternative lounge passengers can visit while the refurbishment takes place. They have said, “as the lounge renovations will be happening progressively, more information will be shared with our customers at a later stage”.

SIA will also be investing more than S$50 million (US$36 million) to revamp its Silverkris and Krisflyer Gold Lounges at Changi Airport’s Terminal 3. Renovations have begun already.

Key facilities: Selection of hot food and light snacks, bartender service, wifi, desktop PCs, meeting rooms, showers

Opening hours: First Class Lounge 0500-2359 daily; Business Class Lounge 24 hours daily

Where is it? Terminal 2, Level 3, Departure Transit Lounge

Who gets access? First and business class passengers and frequent flyers of airlines that SATS manages. In addition, members of non-airline partners such as Priority Pass, Lounge Key, Lounge Pass and American Express, as well as holders of various credit cards, have lounge access.

What’s it like? The main seating area offers beige-toned, comfy sofas arranged in rows facing one another and with power outlets beside them. The business centre has private booths equipped with work desks, a bench, a reading light and a tablet. The lounge also has a dining area and a buffet with a variety of hot food options. A well-lit dining area is equipped with communal high-top tables and some sofa chairs. This 594 sqm lounge also has smaller rooms for privacy, with one room that has massage chairs.

Key facilities: Refreshments, TV, wifi, showers, newspaper/magazines, disabled access

Opening hours: 24 hours but a maximum stay of three hours

Where is it? Terminals 2 and 3

Who gets access? By invitation only

What’s it like? These two lounges for DBS clients both have space for around 50 customers. The lounges offer Singaporean favourites such as carrot cake and nasi lemak, foreign exchange services, and a 24-hour concierge service. The T2 lounge was renovated at the end of 2016 and DBS plans to “remodel” its T3 lounge early next year, though DBS wouldn’t share details.

Key facilities: Wifi, newspapers and magazines, currency exchange

Opening hours: T2: 0600-0000 (Monday to Sunday); T3: 0700-0100 (Monday to Sunday)

Where is it? Terminal 3, Level 3, Departure Transit Lounge

Who gets access? Krisflyer Elite Gold members departing on Singapore Airlines economy class. For travellers on codeshare flights, lounge entitlements depend on the rules of the airline operating your flight.

What’s it like? The facelift to SIA’s Krisflyer Gold Lounge in Terminal 3 started in July this year, with an expected completion date in mid-2021. The new Krisflyer Gold Lounge will double in capacity with more working spaces, larger alfresco seating and dining areas, as well as restrooms and showers. While the lounge undergoes renovation, an alternative Krisflyer Gold Lounge is open to passengers nearby. The alternative lounge is the Marhaba Lounge, which has a seating capacity of 137 guests and an international buffet selection with hot food items, snacks and alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages provided.

Key facilities: See “Marhaba Lounge” for more details on the key facilities and opening hours.

Where is it? Terminal 3, Level 3, Departure Transit Lounge

Who gets access? Members of Priority Pass, Lounge Key, Lounge Club, Diners Club International, NUSS, TAV Airports, Lounge Pass and DragonPass. The lounge is also available for business class passengers of Marhaba’s airline partners, including China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Srilankan Airlines and Myanmar National Airlines, as well as for Singapore Airlines’ Krisflyer Gold members.

What’s it like? This 480 sqm facility is the latest Marhaba Lounge. Open 24 hours a day, it has seating for over 130 guests. Passengers can unwind in the lounge’s quiet zone, or choose a seat with a power outlet to recharge their devices before their flight. The lounge offers all-day dining with an international buffet offering dishes of Arabic, Asian and Western cuisine, including vegetarian, gluten-free and halal options to satisfy a range of dietary needs.

Key facilities: Wifi, USB charging points, newspapers/magazines, variety of food options

Opening hours: 24 hours a day

Where is it? Terminal 3, Level 3, Departure Transit Lounge

Who gets access? First and business class passengers and frequent flyers of airlines that SATS manages. Priority Pass, Lounge Key, Lounge Pass members and American Express and other credit card holders also have access.

What’s it like? This 508 sqm facility has a range of amenities and food offerings. The lounge’s signature dish is laksa. Guests can also enjoy snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and a buffet spread of food. For seating there are sofas, booths and massage chairs. Interestingly, the lounge also hosts events to give passengers a chance to experience the local culture. For example, it serves mooncakes with tea during the Mid-Autumn Festival to give guests an idea of how the occasion is celebrated. They also explain the different types of tea and how they can be paired with different flavours of mooncakes.

Key facilities: Showers and restrooms, private rest booths with massage chairs, workstations equipped with tablets with LAN and wifi connectivity, cable TV, buffet spread with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, selection of international newspapers and magazines

Opening hours: 24 hours daily

Where is it? Terminal 4, International Departures Hall

Who gets access? Pay-per-use for all travellers regardless of airline or class of travel (US$43 for five hours). Credit card holders who are eligible for free access to these lounges include Bank of China Singapore Visa Infinite; OCBC – Voyage Card; OCBC Bank of Singapore; OCBC Premier Banking; OCBC Premier Private Client; Maybank Catholic High Alumni; Maybank Horizon Platinum; Maybank Horizon Visa Signature; Maybank Premier Wealth Card with voucher; Maybank Privilege Horizon Visa Signature; and Maybank World Mastercard.

What’s it like? This 1,100 sqm lounge has a seating capacity of 280. It offers private workstations, a dining area and an open bar. There are a number of food offerings here including laksa and chicken rice which is served 24/7. There is also a food counter with a selection of sandwiches and homemade cookies. The lounge also offers complimentary red and white wine and draft beer, and an array of soft drinks, coffee, tea and juice. There are two shower rooms and a massage room as well.

Key facilities: Charging station, bar counter, showers, massage room

Opening hours: 24 hours daily

Where is it? Terminal 4, Level 2M, Departure Transit Lounge

Who gets access? Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon and Oneworld carrier business and first class passengers; Marco Polo Club Diamond tier passengers have access to the first class lounge and business class lounge.

What’s it like? Opened back in 2017, this 849 sqm lounge is divided into two sections – an enclosed section with Cathay’s signature Noodle Bar, and an open-air “outdoor” section which has an extensive buffet with hot and cold foods. Wifi is available throughout the lounge and there is also a selection of magazines at the entrance. The comfortable seating makes it a great place to relax before boarding your flight. For those who want to work, there is an office area with computer workstations. The lounge has a seating capacity for around 200 people, but unlike some of Cathay Pacific’s other lounges, it does not have separate areas for business passengers and first class passengers.

Key facilities: The Noodle Bar, wifi, printers and photocopiers, workstations

Opening hours: 0400-0100 daily

Lounge review: Cathay Pacific Lounge at Changi Airport T4