Back in October 2023, Singapore Airlines shifted Maldives and Nepal departures to Changi Terminal 2. While Maldives flights used to depart from T2 prior to COVID, Nepal was a new addition, suggesting the airline was looking at further rejigging its two-terminal strategy beyond just its pre-COVID slate.
Sure enough, Japan and South Korea will now be making the move from end-January 2024, adding a significant number of flights to the recently-expanded terminal.
This should also help reduce crowding at the T3 lounges during peak periods, given that most passengers will simply visit the lounge in the terminal they’re departing from (but not you, dear readers!).
Japan and South Korea switching to Changi Terminal 2
From 31 January 2024, Singapore Airlines flights to Japan and South Korea will be shifting to Changi Terminal 2.
| ✈️ SIA Departures from Changi Airport | |
| Terminal 2 | Terminal 3 |
|
All other destinations |
SQ608 and SQ612 (ICN), SQ618 (KIX) and SQ672 (NGO), scheduled in the 0000 to 0230 window, will still depart from T3 on 31 January 2024 before making the switch to T2 on 1 February 2024.
Interestingly, SQ12 to Tokyo Narita and then onwards to Los Angeles will not be switching. Passengers will continue to check-in and depart from T3.
As a reminder, SIA flights can arrive at T1, T2 or T3 depending on operational requirements.
Arrival terminals are assigned within two hours of schedule arrival time, and you can find the necessary information on the Singapore Airlines website, Changi Airport’s website or the iChangi app.
What’s the lounge situation in Terminal 2?
Singapore Airlines operates three different lounges in Changi T2:
- KrisFlyer Gold Lounge (KFG)
- SilverKris Business Class Lounge (SKL J)
- SilverKris First Class Lounge (SKL F)
The lounge you can access depends on your cabin of travel, as well as elite status. Remember: KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Star Gold members travelling in Premium Economy and Economy don’t get access to the SilverKris Lounges at Changi Airport; it’s off to the “dedicated” KrisFlyer Gold Lounge with you!
I’ve visited all three 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!
Fortunately, there’s no rule saying you have to use the lounge in the terminal you’re departing from. A Singapore Airlines Business Class passenger could visit both the T2 and T3 SilverKris Lounges if he/she so wishes.
Moreover, Singapore Airlines passengers may check-in at either T2 or T3, regardless of destination.
One caveat: 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).
You’ll certainly want to visit the T3 lounges if you’re flying in Suites or First Class, because The Private Room is a T3 exclusive.
The Private Room features a dining room with a made-to-order a la carte menu (plus Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, which you won’t find at T2), private shower suites, and day rooms with beds and work desks. It’s an altogether superior experience to the T2 SilverKris First Class Lounge.
Check out my detailed review of The Private Room below.
That said, the only Japan/South Korea flight with First Class is SQ638 to Tokyo Narita, operated by an Airbus A380.
This will switch to a two-class Boeing 787-10 from 31 March 2024, which leaves SQ 636 (Tokyo Haneda), SQ950/SQ964/SQ968 (Jakarta) as the only flights out of T2 with a First Class cabin (SQ12 to Narita/Los Angeles has First Class too, but remember it’s sticking to T3).
Terminal 2 First Class check-in now open
Singapore Airlines has opened a brand new First Class check-in reception at Changi Terminal 2, which operates from 5 a.m to 10 p.m daily.
Access is available to:
- First Class passengers departing on a Singapore Airlines flight
- Solitaire PPS Club members
Guests travelling on the same itinerary are accepted as well (e.g. a Solitaire PPS Club member with family in tow). However, there is no access for First Class passengers travelling on Star Alliance partners.
Don’t expect any bells and whistles; this is just a place to complete the check-in formalities. The real party starts in the lounge, and you won’t be spending more than five minutes here in an ideal situation.
Inside look: Singapore Airlines First Class check-in reception, Changi Terminal 2
Conclusion
Singapore Airlines will be shifting its Japan and South Korea flights to Changi Terminal 2 from 31 January 2024, taking advantage of the terminal’s increased capacity.
It does mean a downgrade in terms of lounges, but thankfully there’s nothing stopping eligible passengers from hopping on the SkyTrain and heading to Terminal 3 to enjoy the much superior facilities and, in the case of First Class, The Private Room.
is it better to check in t3 to use tpr then hop on sky train for ur flight, or check in t2 then take the sky train twice?…
your choice, really. if you arrive early enough, why not do the t3 check in experience?
Silly question but, after the lounge, how to I get to T2? The sky train is the one outside the departure area or there is a sky train inside the departure area.
There ist both airside and landside skybhan for every connection, with exception of the intra-T3 shuttle (between the 2 main gate lounges)
There are sky trains to all terminals both land side and airside so you can still move about after clearing immigration. You can even walk between terminals if you wish (all excepting T4, of course)
Train is on both sides. However I would take the train twice just in case those usually incompetent SATS staff try to quote policies that doesn’t exist to you. SATS is one of the worst airport contract management company I came across so it’s easier not to even argue.
Exactly.. I am not sure of the competence level of the staff. In this case it might be safer to check into t2 then take the sky train twice? But does anyone know can the golden ticket still be issued at t2? Or do they specifically hand them out only when u do first class check in at t3?
Er, you forgot SQ 636 bound for Tokyo (Haneda) also has a First Class cabin, apart from the SQ 638 Airbus A380 service to Tokyo (Narita) you mentioned in one part.
yup, updated already thanks!
Apart from taking advantage of the T2 expansion, I think it’s also to minimize the use of T1 gates during rush hours as some of its Japan and South Korea flights are known to use these gates despite being T3 departures. I also have a feeling that Japan and South Korea will not be the only T2 long-haul destinations for Singapore Airlines, but also some US and Australian destinations, possibly those on the west coast (i.e., Los Angeles, Perth, Seattle, San Francisco). That could be another solution to T3 gate shortage issues.
I would like to ask another question here: Imagine I am flying on SQ 636 from Singapore to Tokyo (Haneda) and I have baggage to check. I can check in my baggage at Terminal 3 and clear immigration there before using the lounge in it, is that right? But, in the end, I would have to allow plenty of time to get to my flight and boarding gate in Terminal 2.