Details: Changi Terminal 2 northern wing reopens

Back in May 2023, we received the welcome news that Changi Airport Terminal 2 was set to fully reopen in October with the completion of the northern wing, a few months ahead of the original 2024 target.

Well it’s not even October, but Changi Airport has already popped the cork on the reopening, rounding off three and a half years of modernisation works that make Terminal 2 the largest in the entire airport.

This follows the reopening of the Terminal 2 southern wing for arrivals back in May 2022, and departures in October 2022. Passenger traffic at Changi Airport for August 2023 hit 87% of pre-COVID levels, so any additional space can only be a good thing.

Changi Terminal 2 northern wing reopens

The T2 renovation project has added a total of 15,500 sqm to the terminal building, including 20% more space for retail and F&B and a new layout for the check-in hall and immigration areas.

T2 can now handle 28 million passengers, which makes it the largest of all four terminals.

Departing passengers can take advantage of a central common-use Fast and Seamless Travel (FAST) zone, with more automated check-in kiosks and bag drop machines. Similarly, immigration halls have been expanded to support additional automated immigration lanes.  Travellers using wheelchairs and family groups of up to four persons will be able to enjoy fully automated Special Assistance Lanes at both arrival and departure immigration- a first for the airport.

Other technical highlights from the press release:

T2’s critical systems and building equipment which have reached end of life were upgraded to more efficient models. A new chiller plant delivers cooling at 30% lower energy consumption. At the baggage claim hall, two existing baggage belts have been lengthened to handle a higher volume of bags, to cater to wide body aircraft. The terminal’s baggage handling system has enhanced security features, and its early baggage storage system has been upgraded from semi-automated to fully-automated, allowing some 2,400 bags to be stored at any time. These features significantly enhance manpower productivity.

The design concept of T2 draws inspiration from nature. It incorporates natural materials in its wall cladding and flooring, complemented by lush green columns showcasing a distinctive array of plants. The terminal design creates a serene and soothing atmosphere for both passengers and visitors, fostering a sense of tranquillity and relaxation.

Changi Airport Group says that 80% of shops are already open at T2, with more to follow in the coming weeks. This includes several new-to-Changi brands such as Swee Choon, Kenangan Coffee and Chagee, as well as familiar faces such as Paris Baguette and Eu Yan Sang.

The full reopening of T2 will be celebrated with an event in early November 2023. 

Changi Terminal 2 highlights

Here’s a few things travellers can look forward to at the new-and-improved T2.

• An indoor playground called 2 Bears Hideout

• A TV lounge screening sports and live TV programmes on a large LED screen, complete with multiple charging points and wireless charging pods 

• Gourmet Garden ,where passengers can grab a bite at GOPIZZA, Hudsons, Boost Juice, Chef Wei HK Cehong Fun and Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu while taking in floor-to-ceiling views of the tarmac

All of the above are in the transit area, but if you ask me, the best feature is available to everyone. 

Remember those famous Solari Boards in the Terminal 2 departure hall and their signature clack-clack-clack sounds? 

Both have been decommissioned. One board (located between rows 9 and 10) was donated to the National Heritage Board, and has been on display at the National Museum ever since.

The other board (between rows 3 and 4) has been converted into an interactive art piece in the public area, called Flap Pix. Visitors can snap a photo at the exhibit, or select from a range of preset designs and watch the interactive display craft a personalised artwork with the Solari Board flaps.

I’m going to give 500 MileCoin to the first person to send me a picture of a Rick Roll.

Which airlines operate from Terminal 2?

Terminal 2 currently hosts 12 airlines, with four more to come in October 2023 when Air Japan, All Nippon Airways, Etihad and Indigo make the switch. 

Incidentally, Lufthansa and SWISS are the only two Star Alliance carriers to offer a First Class cabin on Singapore flights, which means the SilverKris First Class Lounge in Terminal 3 has really become a “Solitaire PPS Lounge” (though eligible passengers can of course take the Skytrain over to T3 if they wish)!

Singapore Airlines resumed two-terminal operations in October 2022 after shifting all flights to Terminal 3 at the start of COVID. Terminal 3 handles long-haul departures, while Terminal 2 handles flights to Southeast Asia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, with the Maldives and Nepal to follow from 10 October 2023.

First Class and Solitaire PPS Club members can make use of a special First Class reception area, similar to the one you’ll find in T3 (but without a private driveway).

What are the lounge options?

Changi Terminal 2 offers the following lounge options:

I’ve visited all three SIA lounges numerous times, and while they’re not awful (well, with the possible exception of the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge), they’re well past their prime. It’s been more than a decade since the T2 facilities received any real renovations, and one hopes that SIA has a refurbishment plan because these surely won’t go the distance till T5 opens in the mid-2030s!

Lounge	Access
SilverKris First Class Lounge (0500-0100 hours) Review	SIA & Star Alliance First Class pax. Solitaire PPS Club members on SIA
SilverKris Business Class Lounge (24 hours) Review	All of the above, plus: SIA & Star Alliance Business Class pax. PPS Club members on SIA
KrisFlyer Gold Lounge (24 hours) Review	All of the above, plus: KrisFlyer Elite Gold & Star Gold members on SIA & Star Alliance Club Vistara Platinum & Gold, Velocity Platinum & Gold and Flying Club Gold members on SIA

Fortunately, there’s no rule saying you have to use the lounge in the terminal you’re departing from. An SIA Business Class passenger could visit the SilverKris Lounge in T2 or T3, for example, and it’s just a short Skytrain ride away.

For avoidance of doubt, SIA passengers may check-in at both T2 and T3, regardless of destination. However, if your flight is departing within 90 minutes and you have luggage to check, you must check-in at the correct terminal (the concern is that your bag may not have enough time to be transferred to your flight otherwise).

Conclusion

Changi Airport Terminal 2 is now back to full strength, following the earlier-than-expected reopening of the northern wing.

I’m planning to head down next month to check out the terminal experience, the new First Class departure area, and see whether they put any indecent photo restrictions for Flap Pix.