It’s no secret the overcrowding situation at the SilverKris Lounge at Changi Airport has reached critical levels. Just a couple of days ago, I wrote about the absolute madhouse it turns into during peak periods, with long queues out the door and not an empty seat in sight. It feels more like a food court than a premium lounge.
Fortunately, there’s some relief in sight. Singapore Airlines has now confirmed that their renovated KrisFlyer Gold Lounge will open on 20 May 2022, with the new First Class Lounge and The Private Room “in the coming weeks”.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) will reopen its all-new and expanded KrisFlyer Gold Lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 3 from Friday, 20 May 2022 at 0500hrs (GMT+8). The lounge will operate 24 hours daily. Directions to the lounge can be found here .
KrisFlyer Elite Gold members and Star Alliance Gold members departing on SIA or Star Alliance flights will be invited to the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge from its opening. All other access policies remain the same.
SIA will also open the all-new The Private Room and First Class SilverKris Lounge in the coming weeks, once the renovations have been completed.
-Singapore Airlines
It’s bittersweet news in a sense- the opening of the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge will take a lot of pressure off the SilverKris Lounge and provide a much better experience for Business and First Class passengers.
However, it also means the end of SilverKris Lounge access at Changi Airport for KrisFlyer Elite Golds and Star Golds flying in Premium Economy and Economy, and along with it a (likely) downgrade in F&B offerings.
KrisFlyer Gold Lounge opening 20 May
Singapore Airlines has confirmed on Instagram and Twitter that its KrisFlyer Gold Lounge will open from 20 May 2022. Not a whole lot of details have been provided, other than “double the space and comfort” and an eight-second teaser video that doesn’t actually show anything.
That said, we’ve already seen this lounge before, at least in its partially-finished form. Up till November 2021, the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge was serving as the temporary SilverKris Lounge. When the permanent SilverKris Lounge opened, the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge closed its doors for further refurbishment.
This T-shaped facility with its open-air design is every bit an improvement over the former KrisFlyer Gold Lounge (though that’s not saying much, really!).
There’s a bigger variety in seating options, including a dedicated dining area and communal working tables.
Universal power outlets and USB ports are in plentiful supply throughout the lounge, as well as wireless charging pads for mobile devices.
Food will presumably be served buffet style, now that self-serve buffets are permitted once again. However, guests shouldn’t expect quite as many options as the SilverKris Lounge, or live cooking stations for that matter.
Drinks options include a self-pouring beer machine (the type you may have seen in the ANA or Japan Airlines lounges), electronic wine dispensers, and a fridge of self-serve options.
There will be some downgrades here too, since I feel fairly confident that guests won’t have champagne or a manned bar, both of which are features of the current SilverKris Lounge.
Believe it or not, the previous KrisFlyer Gold Lounge didn’t have showers, let alone a toilet. That’s been rectified now, though with only three individual shower suites, waiting times are likely to be lengthy no matter what time you arrive.
I just hope they’re offering nicer-looking amenities though!
The KrisFlyer Gold Lounge seats about 120 guests, though this figure reflects COVID-era social distancing restrictions. Hopefully they’ll be able to up the capacity now that these have been lifted.
All in all, the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge will be a definite step up from its pre-COVID iteration, though it will also be a step down from the current SilverKris Lounge that KrisFlyer Elite Golds and Star Golds have enjoyed over the past few months.
For a full review of the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge (at least in its November 2021 form), refer to the post below.
Review: Singapore Airlines temporary SilverKris Lounge Changi Airport
Who is the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge for?
While KrisFlyer Elite Golds and Star Golds get access to SilverKris Lounges overseas, Singapore Airlines has hived off the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge as a separate facility for them to access while in Singapore.
The KrisFlyer Gold Lounge is for:
- KrisFlyer Elite Gold members flying in Premium Economy and Economy Class on Singapore Airlines/Star Alliance operated flights
- Star Gold members flying in Premium Economy and Economy Class on Singapore Airlines/Star Alliance operated flights
- Club Vistara Platinum and Gold members flying in Premium Economy and Economy Class on Singapore Airlines operated flights
- Virgin Australia Velocity Platinum and Gold members flying in Premium Economy and Economy Class on Singapore Airlines operated flights
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold members flying in Premium Economy and Economy Class on Singapore Airlines operated flights
KrisFlyer Elite Gold members may bring one guest into the lounge, provided he/she is departing on a same-day Singapore Airlines flight.
Star Gold members may bring one guest into the lounge, provided he/she is departing on the same flight as the member.
Business Class and First Class passengers can of course access the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge if they so wish, but really, it’s going to be a step down from what they’re entitled to (pre-COVID, I recall some passengers coming to the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, believing it to be superior to the SilverKris Lounge!)
Conclusion
Singapore Airlines will open its KrisFlyer Gold Lounge on 20 May 2022, with the new First Class and The Private Room to follow “in the coming weeks”. Hopefully this will lead to a significant improvement in the SilverKris Lounge situation, which has really become untenable in recent weeks.
If you’re passing through Changi on 20 May, do let us know how the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge is looking!
Flying out on 20/5 morning, would certainly like to visit and take a look from SKL. Is it next to SKL?
love it when u bolded the words silver and gold when u said some passengers thought gold was superior. gave me a chuckle. i wonder if the marketing team ever thought of this.
First time in Singapore as a newly minted TK elite I thought exactly that. And it’s not entirely unreasonable – it’s exactly what LH does ( not that their Senator lounges are much to talk about but still…)
Yes really unfortunate naming…pretty much anyone visiting me in SG has that same confusion at first.
Finally! Hope the crowds at the SKL will diminish with a better experience for all. Flying in last week of May in J so will be able to assess
“….recall some passengers coming to the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, believing it to be superior to the SilverKris Lounge!”
Naturally, to the uninitiated, Gold is more valuable than Silver, hence KFGold lounge should be more “atas” than SilverKris lounge. 😂😂🤣🤣
just to check: can elite gold member flying scoot be eligible to use the lounge?
Nope
Flying out on F on 23/05. Would like to see if the overcrowding in SKL is resolved by the opening of the KF gold lounge. I could hardly get food without queuing for at least 10-15 minutes on my last visit to SKL on 20/04!
Same, flying out on 23/5 but on J. Lets see if the madness would have subsided by then.
Bummer…..next flight is early June in Economy. Won’t get to go SKL till my Biz class flight few months later 🙁
Major relief for PPS/Solitaire & paid business class travelers. On my last 2 trips I reached the airport only an hour before departure to avoid lounge time.
Hi Aaron, What is SIA doing about the entry of young kids running around in these Premium Lounges. Kids shouldn’t be allowed in the Business and First Class lounges. SIA might like to set up some monkey bars in a specially designated “Mickey Mouse” class or standard lounge for these folks who can’t control their little Kings and Kongs.
Didn’t get the memo that Aaron was appointed the SIA’s spokesperson.
Utterly selfish statements from a self-entitled jock
You do have the option of flying via private jet though, enjoy!
the parents of these kids have the same self-entitled mindset… I’ve paid for 4 business/first class tickets (I’M RICH) my kids can do whatever they want.
Pretty much. It is public transport.
I hope they keep out the nosey Business Class and PPS members. This should be for Star Golds and KFEG only.
Irony PPS are also Star gold
How bad can the food be? SKL food is already pretty bad in my opinion. Haha…
In addition to KFEG and Star gold members, Virgin Australia Gold and Platinums (plus 1 guest), Vistara Gold and Platinums and Virgin Atlantic Golds also get access to the lounge when flying economy/premium economy on SQ.
thanks for the reminder, have updated the post
Slightly off-topic but is there any news/intelligence on re-opening of overseas lounges (e.g. BKK Silverkris lounge)?
haven’t heard anything yet. Sydney and melbourne have reopened, along with london iirc.
Hello Aaron! Can I check if I’m a krisflyer elite gold member, flying out on a scoot flight, can I still access the lounge?
Nope
Are kids counted towards the one guest quota for lounge access? Thanks