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[edit] General
Singapore has one commercial airport at Changi, with airport code SIN. There are 3 primary terminals and a 4th "Low Cost Carrier" terminal at Changi.
Singapore Changi Airport is a major hub for flyers within Southeast Asia. It is also a common stop-over/refuelling airport for flights from several airlines serving the "Kangaroo Route" between Australia and London/Heathrow.
Most Singaporeans are multi-lingual and most can speak English. Many can also speak Chinese (Mandarin and/or Hokkien) or Bahasa Malaysia or Tamil. Bahasa Malaysia is nearly identical to Bahasa Indonesia. Singapore's educational standards are quite high, easily competitive with first world countries such as the US or UK. Most travellers find that Singaporeans are quite helpful to visitors, unlike the situation in some other countries.
Singapore enforces its laws, including minor items such as "jay walking", quite strictly and expects visitors to follow the local laws. There is a mandatory death penalty for drug smuggling.
[edit] Airline Alliances
[edit] Star Alliance
Singapore Airlines (SQ) operates out of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. SQ operates the KrisFlyer lounges for its passengers at various airports around the globe. SQ is a member of the Star Alliance, and also has partnerships with some other airlines. Uniquely at Singapore Airport, Star Alliance passengers are NOT permitted to use the KrisFlyer lounges, unless they qualify by having a business-class ticket or first-class ticket on SQ for that day.
All Nippon Airlines (NH) operates out of Terminal 2.
United Airlines (UA) operates out of Terminal 3. As there is no Red Carpet Club in Singapore, and Singapore Airlines does not permit Star Alliance passengers to use the KrisFlyer lounges, business-class and first-class UA passengers should ask for a paper Lounge Pass during check in. This paper pass is required for access to the contract lounge arranged for UA passengers departing/transiting Singapore.
[edit] Star Alliance Lounges
Star Alliance passengers can access a small "Star Alliance Gold" lounge located on the upper level of Terminal 3 by showing their Star Alliance Gold card and a boarding pass for a Star Alliance airline. The lounge staff will insist on seeing one's actual Star Alliance Gold card. Having Star Alliance Gold printed on one's boarding pass is not sufficient.
Many Star Alliance airlines having limited presence at SIN provide printed "lounge passes" to their business-class or first-class passengers. These provide access to the "SATS Premier Lounges" located in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. So it is important to ask about lounge arrangements when checking-in with one's airline.
Singapore Airlines (SQ) operates several "Silver Kris" lounges in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. However, Singapore Airlines has a special arrangement with Star Alliance that these particular "Silver Kris" lounges are NOT also Star Alliance Gold lounges. So these "Silver Kris" lounges generally are NOT open to use by passengers of Star Alliance airlines other than SQ -- this exception is noted in the "small print" of the official Star Alliance rules on lounges. The SKL staff usually enforce this strictly.
[edit] One World
British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Qantas are the One World carriers with service to Singapore. These carriers all operate out of Terminal 1.
[edit] Lounges
These lounges are on a mezzanine level just above the main departure level. One takes an escalator or stairs to reach the hallway with the lounge entrances.
- Cathay Pacific its own Sky View lounge in Terminal 1, near Concourse C.
- British Airways, Japan Airlines, and Qantas share a lounge in Terminal 1, but near Concourse D.
[edit] Sky Team
Air France, Delta Airlines, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operate out of Terminal 1.
[edit] Lounges
There is no SkyTeam lounge at Singapore/Changi, but premium passengers might be offered a one-time pass to visit a SATS contract lounge by their airline.
[edit] Other Airlines
Emirates operates out of Terminal 1.
Silk Air is owned by Singapore Airlines, but operates as a budget airline with its hub in Singapore. Silk Air uses Terminal 2.
Tiger Airlines and Cebu Pacific Airlines operate out of the Low Cost Carrier (LCC) Terminal.
[edit] Transportation within the Airport
Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are connected with both carpeted hallways and (in places) moving walkways. So passengers can walk between terminals if they wish.
Also, the airport has a free "Skytrain" connecting Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Skytrain operating hours are from 0500 to 0230 hrs daily. It takes about 5 minutes between terminal pairs and the waiting time between trains is also about 5 minutes.
The "Low Cost Carrier (LCC)" terminal is elsewhere on Singapore Airport grounds, and is NOT connected via the SkyTrain. One must pass through Singapore Customs & Immigration to travel between the LCC Terminal and the gate/lounge areas of Terminals 1, 2, and 3.
A free Airport Bus service connects the public (outside gate/lounge areas) side of Terminals 1, 2, and 3 -- and also connects to the "Low Cost Carrier (LCC)" Terminal.
[edit] Transportation to/from Airport
[edit] Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) heavy-rail subway/underground system serves the Airport, but shuts down late at night and reopens the next morning. So the MRT is not workable for late night or very early morning arrivals or departures.
[edit] Taxi
Taxi service is readily available, even for midnight arrivals, and is readily affordable to the main business and tourist areas of Singapore. There is a modest taxi surcharge for "late night/very early morning" trips throughout Singapore. Separately, there is a modest toll (leading to a corresponding taxi surcharge) for using the expressway leading to the airport.
[edit] Bus
There is also bus service to the airport.
[edit] Airport Hotels
There is a "Transit Hotel" at Singapore Airport which is inside the "secure area". Using this hotel does not require one to pass through Singapore Customs & Immigration. It is often full, so one ought to book the hotel well in advance of one's trip.
Separately, there is a new Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Singapore Airport -- but after passing through Singapore Customs & Immigration.
