- Introduction: My Journey To The Stolen Jewel
- Review: British Airways Lounge Toronto Airport
- Review: British Airways A350 Club Suites Business Class
- Review: British Airways Arrivals Lounge Heathrow Airport
- Review: Aerotel Heathrow Terminal 3
- Review: Finnair A321 Business Class
- Review: Finnair Platinum Wing Helsinki Airport
- Review: Finnair A350 Business Class
- Review: Changi Lounge At The Jewel Singapore
- Review: Yotel Singapore Changi At The Jewel
- Review: The Jewel Changi Airport
- Review: Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore Changi
- Review: Qantas First Lounge Singapore Changi
- Review: Cathay Pacific A330 Business Class
- Review: Plaza Premium First Lounge Hong Kong
- Review: Cathay Pacific Deck Lounge Hong Kong
- Review: Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class
I was flying from Singapore to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific shortly after 8PM, so my goal was to check out both the Cathay Pacific Lounge and Qantas Lounge. Since the Qantas Lounge opens at 2:30PM, my initial plan was to go there first and then later go to the Cathay Pacific Lounge.
However, due to Changi Airport’s absurd boarding pass rules, I ended up visiting the Cathay Pacific Lounge briefly during the day, which is what this review is based on.
In this post I’m not just going to review the Cathay Pacific Lounge, but will also share my thoughts on Changi Terminal 4.
In this post:
Singapore Changi Terminal 4 Review
Terminal 4 is the newest addition to Changi Airport, as it opened in late 2017. Changi is known as being one of the best airports in the world, and Terminal 4 was supposed to be an extension of that.
Terminal 4 is used largely by low cost carriers, like AirAsia and Cebu Pacific, though also by some full service airlines, including Cathay Pacific and Korean Air.
Let’s start with the negatives. What’s awful about Terminal 4 is the location. While the other terminals are connected airside (meaning you can easily travel between terminals by frequent train service), Terminal 4 is completely disconnected.
The only way to get between Terminal 4 and the other terminals is by bus, and it’s a rather unpleasant bus ride at that.
Another thing that makes Terminal 4 different is that there’s a central security checkpoint, so as soon as you check in you go through security. This is in stark contrast to the rest of the airport, where security is at each individual gate.
With that out of the way, how is the terminal as such? Really pretty.
The check-in hall is gorgeous…
Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4 check-in hall
Security at the central checkpoint was quick, though they do now force you to go through a duty free “maze,” which isn’t the case in any of the other terminals (then again, the other terminals are basically just shopping malls that happen to have gates as well).
Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4 duty free
Aesthetically I’d say this is the prettiest terminal at the airport, thanks to the amount of natural light, the high ceilings, and the design elements.
Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4 airside
Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4 airside
Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4 airside
Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4 airside
So yeah, Terminal 4 is really pretty, but also really inconvenient, whether you’re connecting, coming from the Jewel, or whatever else, given how far it is from the other terminals.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore Changi Review
Cathay Pacific operates their own lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 4, so let’s talk about the location, hours, access requirements, layout, food & drinks, and other amenities.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore Location
The Cathay Pacific Lounge is located in Terminal 4. Once you pass through security, just keep walking for a bit, and you’ll see escalators around the middle of the terminal leading up a level.
Changi Terminal 4 escalators to lounges
Take those up, and then walk straight ahead and to the right, and you’ll see the Cathay Pacific Lounge’s sleek exterior on the right.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore signage
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore exterior
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore Hours
The Cathay Pacific Lounge is open daily from 4AM until 1AM, so covers all Cathay Pacific departures. Singapore is a huge station for Cathay Pacific, between their frequent flights to Hong Kong, as well as their daily flight to Bangkok.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore Access Requirements
The Cathay Pacific Lounge is open to all business class passengers, as well as oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members.
Note that in theory passengers on other oneworld airlines could use the lounge as well, but due to Terminal 4 being removed from the other terminals, that’s not really practical.
For what it’s worth, this lounge doesn’t have a separate first class or oneworld Emerald section, as the Cathay Pacific lounges in Hong Kong and London have.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore Layout & Seating
The Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore has seating for just over 200 guests, and is about 850 square meters (~9,150 square feet).
The lounge features Cathay Pacific’s new-style lounge decor, which I love.
Just inside the lounge there was a hallway running the length of the dining area, and leading to the business center and bathrooms on one end, and the lounge’s main seating area on the other end.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore entryway
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore entryway
The lounge has a huge dining area, which includes booths, communal tables, and even the signature Cathay Pacific noodle bar.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore dining area
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore noodle bar
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore noodle bar
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore dining area
Further into the lounge there’s some high-top seating, as well as a table that looks more decorative than anything else.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore dining area
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore dining area
Past that is the non-dining area of the lounge, which features a bunch of cozy couches and chairs.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi seating
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi seating
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi seating
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi seating
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi seating
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi seating
One downside of the lounge is that most of the views are of the interior of the terminal, rather than having views of the apron.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi view
On the far other end of the lounge is a small business center with a couple of iMacs.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi business center
Near the business center are the bathrooms, which are nice. However, the Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore doesn’t have showers.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore bathrooms
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore Food & Drinks
The lounge has a couple of different self serve food and drink areas, in addition to the noodle bar.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore buffet
The self serve food selection looked alright, though hardly that appealing. There was cheese, a few types of salad, and veggies.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi buffet
Then there were about half a dozen hot dishes.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi buffet
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi buffet
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi buffet
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi buffet
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore buffet
Dessert options were limited to some pandan cake and cookies, and there was also some snack mix.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore buffet
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore buffet
As far as I’m concerned they could just drop the self serve food altogether, because of the excellent noodle bar, which has a variety of dishes, including:
- Wonton noodles
- Chicken laksa
- Pork noodles
- Hainan chicken rice
- Vegetarian noodles
- Dim Sum
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi noodle bar
I had some dim sum, which was excellent.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore dim sum
As far as drinks go, there was a self serve coffee machine (I wish they’d have barista coffee), juice, water, wine, beer, and liquor.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi coffee machine
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi drinks
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi wine & liquor
Cathay Pacific Lounge Changi drinks
The drink selection seemed fairly modest, though the Moet champagne stood out.
Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore Bottom Line
The Cathay Pacific Lounge Singapore is an excellent outstation lounge. This lounge has beautiful decor, and the noodle bar is always a treat. The one thing worth being aware of is that this lounge doesn’t have showers, so if you need a shower you’ll want to visit another lounge.
As far as Terminal 4 goes, I found the terminal to be beautiful, the nicest of any at Changi Airport. However, the fact that it’s disconnected from the rest of the airport makes this rather inconvenient, especially if you’re connecting.
If you’ve visited Cathay Pacific’s Changi Lounge, what was your experience like?
Hi Ben,
Do CX allow early check in by 6-8 hours at T4? Their website mentioned 3 hrs only…
No Dan Dan noodles?
I totally agree - get rid of the Bain marie and just add onto the Noodle Bar which is excellent and your point of this terminal being "disconnected" is valid and true -I prefer the QF First over any other offering in Singapore at the moment
Thanks RNS, I’m much more confident now!
@Tim
There's a plastic stopper on the champagne bottle. You'll need to zoom in a lot to see that.
Guy,
It should not be a problem, as long as your Air Asia flight arrives on time. I expect 20 mins to get your bags at T4, (max 30 mins, from the time the aircraft door opens), thereafter, you can catch the bus to T2 (say waiting time is 15 mins tops), the journey itself is 10 mins tops, and another 10 mins to reach T1 from T2.
All in all, you should arrive...
Guy,
It should not be a problem, as long as your Air Asia flight arrives on time. I expect 20 mins to get your bags at T4, (max 30 mins, from the time the aircraft door opens), thereafter, you can catch the bus to T2 (say waiting time is 15 mins tops), the journey itself is 10 mins tops, and another 10 mins to reach T1 from T2.
All in all, you should arrive within 1 to 1.5 hours of Air Asia flight arrival, giving you enough time to check in for your Qantas flight.
I wouldn't be worried if your flight lands on time, but any delay close to 1 hour, and then you might have to dash!
Good luck!
Guy,
It should not be a problem, as long as your Air Asia flight arrives on time. I expect 20 mins to get your bags at T4, (max 30 mins, from the time the aircraft door opens), thereafter, you can catch the bus to T2 (say waiting time is 15 mins tops), the journey itself is 10 mins tops, and another 10 mins to reach T1 from T2.
All in all, you should arrive...
Guy,
It should not be a problem, as long as your Air Asia flight arrives on time. I expect 20 mins to get your bags at T4, (max 30 mins, from the time the aircraft door opens), thereafter, you can catch the bus to T2 (say waiting time is 15 mins tops), the journey itself is 10 mins tops, and another 10 mins to reach T1 from T2.
All in all, you should arrive within 1 to 1.5 hours of Air Asia flight arrival, giving you enough time to check in for your Qantas flight.
I wouldn't be worried if your flight lands on time, but any delay close to 1 hour, and then you might have to dash!
Good luck!
I’ve got a 3hr connection coming up between an AirAsia flight arriving T4 and a Qantas flight departing T1. How do u rate my chances of making it, given the bus and having to check in bags?
My persnickety champagne taste makes me cringe when I see an open bottle without a stopper. A cheap plastic one is all you need to keep the bubbles fresh.
As others have rightly pointed out, T4 is excellent for O&D passengers. As someone who flew regularly from KL to SG for work on Air Asia, the peace at the terminal and speed of exit helps biz folks like me enjoy the morning rush without the craziness of other terminals.
My record was 30 min from the moment I walked out of the aircraft to my client office in city center.
For that, I love...
As others have rightly pointed out, T4 is excellent for O&D passengers. As someone who flew regularly from KL to SG for work on Air Asia, the peace at the terminal and speed of exit helps biz folks like me enjoy the morning rush without the craziness of other terminals.
My record was 30 min from the moment I walked out of the aircraft to my client office in city center.
For that, I love T4.
On a leisure trip, I agree that the other complex is much better.
PS: the priority pass lounge at T4 is basic but good. Works for folks like me, as well as my Korean friends who often have midnight departures, and they like to shower after a days work and before a redeye
The CX flights seem to depart from the furthest gates in T4, which takes an additional 10-15 mins of fast-paced walking. Rather inconvenient if you ask me.
PS I am a fast walker.
I visited Singapore last year, and flew out of Terminal 4 on Cathay Pacific in business class, so I had a chance to visit the lounge. It was pretty much as you described: the noodle bar and dim sum was great, the other dishes were ok but nothing spectacular, and the bathrooms were really upscale and nice. I also loved they they had Schweppes soda water, which is my go-to drink any time I travel...
I visited Singapore last year, and flew out of Terminal 4 on Cathay Pacific in business class, so I had a chance to visit the lounge. It was pretty much as you described: the noodle bar and dim sum was great, the other dishes were ok but nothing spectacular, and the bathrooms were really upscale and nice. I also loved they they had Schweppes soda water, which is my go-to drink any time I travel (for some reason). The chairs were also really comfortable: I was able to lounge in a comfortable position that many lounge chairs do not permit. Overall it was a good experience.
First half of the photos reminded me of the Cathay lounge at heathrow (prob my favorite in the world)
I was overall impressed when I flew out of the lounge about a month ago. Aside from The Pier (which I fortunately use frequently, being based HKG) there's becoming less and less reason to be Emerald for the lounges... given so many are combined now like Cathay's and AA Flagship
Great review!
It's a beautiful terminal but I totally dislike arriving at T4 because unlike the rest of Changi you're not let into the airport's departures with all their restaurants and shops, rather are channeled through sterile (but thankfully carpeted) tunnel to some central site. Arriving Singapore in T1-3 is such a nice experience!
T4 will better connected once Terminal 5 is complete. I believe T4 will be connected to the MRT and then the shuttle train will connect all of the terminals together
Per the Changi group design team, the carpets are meant to absorb sound. I agree its very annoying with roller bags.
On the topic of T4 if you have priority pass you can go to the lotus lounge just across from the Cathay one where you can find showers. Also arrivals at T4 is just alot better as its a pretty quiet terminal, no dealing with long queues at immigration and getting a Grab is easy not like the mess that is the pickup area in T1....
@James S. See link and main photo
http://www.changiairport.com/en/airport-guide/facilities-and-services/free-to-use-rest-areas.html
Any idea what the snooze lounge is? It's on one of the signs
Genuine question: Why do many hotels (and some airports) opt to use fitted carpets to cover the floor? Is it price related or something else behind it?
Not a germaphobe by any means, but every time I see on of these I wonder how often and how well they have been cleaned... usually try to avoid hotel rooms with fitted carpets.
@Lucky,
Thanks for the great review. What kind of beer did they have? I can't seem to find the selection in the pictures.
T4 is designed as a point to point terminal and isn’t designed for connections as such, therefore does its job. I like the fact that it has centralized security, so much better than the crush at the gate like the other three terminals in Singapore.
My issue is the carpet throughout the terminal. It makes it incredibly hard to wheel a bag, and is also a god awful shade of brown as you can see from the pictures.
While it is a pain for connections, the carriers that moved in to T4 don't rely much if at all on connections. But it does suck that's it's not part of the main terminal where you can go to the mall, etc.
Btw, I've been trying to email you for a while now with no such luck lol so I hope you get back to me whenever you get a chance.
"As far as Terminal 4 goes, I found the terminal to be beautiful, the nicest of any at Changi Airport."
Em, how about SQ Private Room?