PSA: Singapore Airlines resumes Changi T2 departures, reopens SilverKris Lounge

Back in May 2020, Changi Airport took the decision to suspend operations at Terminal 2, in light of the worsening COVID-19 situation. This marked the first time in Changi’s history that a terminal had been completely shut down; even during previous renovations, part of the terminal still remained functional throughout. 

But with travel making a roaring comeback, T2 reopened for arrivals at the end of May 2022. And now, after an 893-day absence, Singapore Airlines departures have finally resumed from Changi Airport T2.

Singapore Airlines resumes Terminal 2 departures

As of this morning (11 October), Singapore Airlines flights to Malaysia and Thailand are now departing from T2, with the rest of Southeast Asia set to follow from Thursday 13 October. 

This means that Singapore Airlines will once again operate out of two terminals, as it did prior to COVID. 

This represents a restoration of almost all of Singapore Airlines’ pre-COVID departures from T2, with the exception of Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Singapore Airlines flights arriving at Changi Airport will continue to be assigned gates at T1, 2 or 3, depending on operational requirements. The assigned terminal and gate will be updated two hours before the estimated flight arrival time, and can be checked on Changi Airport’s website or the iChangi app (Android | iOS). 

SilverKris Lounge reopening

Singapore Airlines has also reopened its SilverKris First and Business Class Lounges in T2, which will operate according to the following schedule*:

• First Class: 5 a.m to 1 a.m daily
• Business Class: 24 hours

*Effective from 5 a.m on 12 October 2022; on 11 October 2022 both lounges close at 7 p.m

The KrisFlyer Gold Lounge in T2 will not be reopening for the moment, so all eligible passengers will be sent to the SilverKris Lounge. 

That’s good news for KrisFlyer Elite Gold or Star Gold members flying in Premium Economy or Economy, since the SilverKris Lounge represents an upgrade from the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge they’d normally be entitled to (better food, champagne and in-lounge toilets).

Singapore Airlines has confirmed with me that the SilverKris Lounges in T2 have undergone “minor refurbishment works”, but “there is no change to the overall design of the lounge”. That’s a shame, since the lounges were already showing their age well before COVID.

Therefore, First Class, Business Class, Solitaire PPS Club and PPS Club members might want to make the trek over the SilverKris Lounges at T3, which have much more to offer. That’s especially the case if you’re flying in First Class to Jakarta, since The Private Room would be a massive step up from whatever the T2 lounge has to offer. 

It’s relatively straightforward to transit between T3 and T2 via the airside SkyTrain link, which runs between the A Gates in T3 (close to the T3 SilverKris Lounge) and the F Gates in T2 from 0430 hours to 0130 hours daily. Just be sure to leave enough time to head to your gate- no lounge is worth missing your flight for.

As a reminder, you can check in for a Singapore Airlines flight and clear immigration at Terminal 3, even if your flight is departing from Terminal 2 (that’s the official stance at least; you may run into the occasional front desk staff who refuses to do so).

Conclusion

Singapore Airlines has resumed two-terminal departure operations for the first time since COVID began, with all Southeast Asia flights making the switch this week. This will take some pressure off T3 operations, and spread demand over six lounges instead of four. 

I’m planning to visit the T2 lounges as part of my trip to Japan, so stay tuned for a look at what (if anything) has changed!