Preview: A Look Inside the New Terminal at Singapore Changi Airport
There aren't many airports in the world travelers actually look forward to arriving in, but Singapore's Changi Airport (SIN) is definitely one of them. Recently, the World's Best Airport unveiled its soon-to-be-opened Terminal 4, set to officially open to the public at the end of this year — and it looks stunning.
Back in 2012, the folks at Changi decided to repurpose the former Budget terminal and turn it into a full-service terminal to help the airport cope with its increase in passenger traffic. After two years of design and planning, the airport operator, Changi Airport Group, released a video in 2014, providing a sneak peek into the space before construction had started. Check out the video below for a closer look.
Fast forward three years and the terminal is almost ready to welcome its first travelers. Situated on southern end of the airport, the 2.4-million-square-foot terminal is the smallest of four, but also the most advanced, offering an end-to-end Fast and Seamless Travel (FAST) experience aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing wait times for passengers.
The difference between other airports and Changi is obvious upon entering the departure hall area. There's a sense of having more space thanks to the high ceilings, a common theme that runs across all of SIN's terminals. Similar to Terminal 3's design philosophy, the use of skylights and glass walls allows natural light to flow in, providing a naturally ambient daytime experience for passengers in eco-friendly fashion.
The departure hall houses seven check-in rows, four of which are dedicated FAST lanes. There, passengers can use one of the do-it-yourself check-in kiosks to obtain boarding passes and baggage tags.
At the automated bag-drop stations, a photo of the passenger is captured and matched against the photo in the passport before it'll accept the luggage.
Local and international works of art and sculptures are featured prominently, all depicting the common themes of travel and aviation. Look out for Hey Ah Chek!, a sculpture by local Cultural Medallion winner Chong Fah Cheong, which depicts a mother and her son hailing a trishaw ride after a visit to the market in the 1950s.
Three large bird sculptures greet passengers in both the arrival and departure halls as part of Les Oiseaux (The Birds) by French artist, Cedric Le Borgne.
As passengers transit from the departure hall to airside, things look a little different. Unlike its other terminals, Changi is implementing centralized security screening in Terminal 4 — nothing too unfamiliar for the average US traveler. While in line, passengers can view a 50-minute long, custom-created montage of scenes from around the region on a 230-foot-long immersive LED wall — a far cry from the usual TV screens reminding people to take out their liquids and electronics. Here's a preview, below:
Once you're past security, look up to see Petalclouds, a specially commissioned kinetic sculpture that moves to a classical score, similar to the Kinetic Rain you'll see in Terminal 1.
Passengers can also find more traditional elements in the transit area, which showcases Singapore's local culture and flavor. The Heritage Zone gives a glimpse into the evolution of shophouse architecture from the 1880s to the 1950s, which can still be seen today in the city's Joo Chiat and Katong neighborhoods.
More art sculptures line the walkway that leads you toward the boarding gates.
Colorful seating dots the waiting areas, serving as a reminder of the fun the airport designers had in mind for this terminal.
Known as The Garden City, it's no surprise to find trees along the corridors here, made possible thanks to Changi's in-house horticulture team of 11.
Similar to check-in, facial recognition technology is also present at the automated boarding gates.
Starting from the arrival hall, which houses both manned and FAST immigration counters, the effort is being made to impress arriving passengers.
And you can forget the gloomy basements where most airports situate their baggage carousels. At Changi, travelers will be surrounded by lush foliage and natural light while they wait for their bags.
This terminal and the upcoming Jewel Changi Airport expansion is Changi's way of redefining the airport experience, and is a true testament to the operator's continual push for innovation and design. While there is no official opening date as of this writing — the terminal is currently undergoing the final stages of its operational trials — we know nine airlines will operate out of this new space as of late 2017: AirAsia Group (four airlines), Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, Korean Air, Spring Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. The terminal has 17 stands available for narrow-body aircraft and four stands for wide-body aircraft. Once opened, it will serve up to 16 million passengers a year, raising Changi's total handling capacity to 82 million passengers per annum.
Images courtesy of the Changi Airport Group.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.