Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) is already regarded as one of the world’s best airports. The airport will eventually get even better, with the opening of a new mega-terminal, though we’ll have to be patient. While the concept was first revealed in 2013, the groundbreaking has just taken place, 12 years later. It will now be roughly a decade until the first passengers departs from the terminal.
In this post:
The basics of Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 5
Singapore Changi Terminal 5 is expected to open in the mid-2030s, and will be a new mega-terminal at the airport. Terminal 5 will have the capacity to serve 50 million passengers per year, more than the capacity of Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 combined. The plan is for Terminal 5 to eventually become Singapore Airlines’ home, so the airline will fully move its operations there.
The Terminal 5 project was first announced back in 2013, but as you’d expect, it takes some time for projects of this scale to get underway. Furthermore, the pandemic caused the project to be delayed by two years. The terminal will be designed with the flexibility to be built in two phases, in line with traffic growth.
The new terminal will be located within the 1,080 hectare (~2,670 acre) Changi East development, which is almost as big as the land area of the current Changi Airport.
Since we’re talking about Singapore here, the new terminal won’t just be a destination for people who are flying. The development will also include the construction of the new Changi East Urban District (CEUD), which will be a business and lifestyle destination. I guess we should expect something along the lines of The Jewel.
What to expect from Changi Airport Terminal 5 design
With the terminal’s groundbreaking now taking place, Singapore is increasingly releasing details about what we can expect from this new facility, which is being described as “mega-yet-cosy.” For example, take a look at the below video, which offers a first look at the design.
In case you don’t want to watch the video, below are some screen grabs.
Here are some of the interesting attributes of Terminal 5:
- Terminal 5’s design concept is characterized by a unique collection of overlapping curved roofs with varying heights, with the “roof leaves” breaking the terminal into smaller spaces that are more human scale
- Terminal 5 will feature travelators and an automated people mover system, so that walking distances will be comparable to current terminals; there will also be a direct connection to Terminal 2
- Terminal 5 will have a ground transportation center within the terminal, giving travelers access to train, bus, taxi, and other transport services
- Terminal 5 will feature solar panels and smart building management systems to reduce the carbon footprint of the operation
- Terminal 5 will be designed with the flexibility to operate as smaller sub-terminals when needed, with spaces that could be converted for use during contingencies
- Terminal 5 will feature enhanced ventilation systems that could be activated during a pandemic to increase the use of fresh air
Here’s how Changi Airport Group CEO Yam Kum Weng, describes the new terminal:
“Our vision is for T5 to be mega yet cosy, a terminal that embraces the Changi DNA – delivering a personalised, stress free and positively surprising airport experience. As a new gateway to Singapore, T5 offers new possibilities and will bring new surprises. It will offer yet another vibrant space for families, friends and the airport community to gather and bond.”
Bottom line
Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 5 will be a new mega-terminal at the airport, and is expected to open in the mid-2030s. Along with the terminal, we should also see a new business and lifestyle district, much like what we already have with The Jewel.
Singapore simply operates airports on a completely different level than the rest of the world, and it’s exciting to think that Changi Airport could get even better. Then again, this will take some patience. Fortunately we’ve just seen the groundbreaking, so at least some progress is being made.
What do you make of the plans for Changi Terminal 5?
The current terminals are some of the most overrated terminals in the world. Probably somewhere as as abysmal as Heathrow terminal 5.
There are great lounges, but none of them are run by Singapore Airlines, so I guess terminal 5 will have over hyped mediocre lounges galore...
This has been in the works for well over 10 years, and now - breaking news! - we are told it will finally open in another 10 years, or even more.
The takeaway? SIN does not need T5 anytime soon, and maybe not even in the mid 2030s (they still have plenty of capacity in the existing terminals, and with the new mega-terminal they will have way too much capacity overall). But they love generating...
This has been in the works for well over 10 years, and now - breaking news! - we are told it will finally open in another 10 years, or even more.
The takeaway? SIN does not need T5 anytime soon, and maybe not even in the mid 2030s (they still have plenty of capacity in the existing terminals, and with the new mega-terminal they will have way too much capacity overall). But they love generating a buzz, as this discussion proves. Certainly the world's #1 airport in terms of publicity.
I can't wait to see Singapore Changi Terminal 5 to open.
Hey Ben Schlappig. What other Airlines will use Singapore Changi Terminal 5?
I would like to try the new Terminal 5.
No more carpet in changi? Boohoo. I thought that was pioneered by changi
Carpets are what makes the place cozy. Without those, the terminal will feel cold and noisy, like most European airports.
So, sorry - but no 5-star rating without carpets.
Glad to see no carpets. Finally might actually become the best airport in the world
For the love of god please get rid of security at boarding gates. An absolute nightmare for late-announced delays and those who want to use the restroom.
I don't quite get why so many travelers hate Changi's security at gate arrangement. Isn't clearing security with 300+ other passengers better than with queuing with 3000 other passengers?
But 100% agree on the carpet, really a PITA. Also, Changi to me lacks natural light. Most lounges are hidden way inside the building without any sunlight and offer no view.
And 200% agree on the gimmicks. Not many people actually care about cinema...
I don't quite get why so many travelers hate Changi's security at gate arrangement. Isn't clearing security with 300+ other passengers better than with queuing with 3000 other passengers?
But 100% agree on the carpet, really a PITA. Also, Changi to me lacks natural light. Most lounges are hidden way inside the building without any sunlight and offer no view.
And 200% agree on the gimmicks. Not many people actually care about cinema or garden or butterflies. Bring in some dinosaurs and people still wouldn't give a $hit. The whole airport feels like a zoo to me. I like HKG's vibe better.
For one even if you buy a bottle of water or coke (example there is a 7 eleven past immigration in T2), it will get confiscated and discarded at gate. This is a huge issue if you fly LCC and there are several ULCC LCC who operates long haul to Singapore (Jetstar and scoot to Australia, zipair and peach to Japan, scoot to Europe and so on and on). You are literally at the mercy...
For one even if you buy a bottle of water or coke (example there is a 7 eleven past immigration in T2), it will get confiscated and discarded at gate. This is a huge issue if you fly LCC and there are several ULCC LCC who operates long haul to Singapore (Jetstar and scoot to Australia, zipair and peach to Japan, scoot to Europe and so on and on). You are literally at the mercy of paying the airline to get a 250/500ml of water bottle for 3-4X the price you pay at that 7 eleven or the airside restaurants
That’s just one example, the list goes on for the disadvantages the gate security creates. The above issue for one can be easily solved like how Kuala Lumpur did in past, which is to put the liquids in a security clearance bag and seal it at point of purchase, but you don’t even have the luxury of that in SIN
That said, I still love Changi
Security at terminal 4 is centralised. Waiting at t3 I could take water through security, however whilst in t2 the passenger behind me was told to discard it.
Years ago they had gate security at Schiphol. I also recall the same at Prague.
Have you ever had to wait more than a few minutes at HKG? My average security clearance time at HKG has always been faster than at the gate in SIN. At SIN, you get 1-2 old security scanners where you have to take out your liquids and laptop, at HKG you get many lanes of new machines that don't require taking anything out.
Another good point, when you have a widebody with 300 pax, most of whom will arrive at similar times before boarding, it creates a huge backlog with just 2 security lanes. Much less issue in HKG, where great crowd management keeps you constantly moving in security and immigration and backlog does not pile up.
That said the point about laptop is not right, I was at HKG just a few days ago and I was told to remove my laptop and camera
@Eve
I don't think they've upgraded all the scanners yet. When you next go to HKG, once you pass the counter area and start to enter the security area, turn left instead of right (right after the face scanners). Those are the new machines.
The direct connection to Terminal 2 is important. Right now from the main terminal, it is a big pain in the tail to wait 10 minutes or so for the bus to/from Terminal 4, and then be crowded in like sardines for the bus ride.
Changi is my favourite airport. Last week we just had a short transfer through it but still took time to enjoy some gardens there.
Staff is very efficient, even in emergencies they generally remain polite.
As a passenger, I feel relaxed and in good hands, whenever I am there, which matters.
HND, as nice as it is, is good on the landside, airside not so much.
HOORAY! NO CARPETS! At least in the rendering. Though let's hope they do have some sort of mechanism for dampening noise.
So, like, yeah, we'll be able to push/pull rollaboards without getting a workout. Not that I don't need a workout. But I'd rather get one from exercising vs. heading to a gate at Changi T3.
Gosh. That was also the first thing I noticed. I hate those carpets with a passion.
Agreed - I don't know why many people think Changi is so wonderful. In my view those carpets are an automatic deduction of points!
But…. the vibration and sound of trolleys wheels and luggage wheels grinding with the cold hard floor while they roll down the terminal past fellow travellers is enough to make an airport not feel classy anymore.
"But…. the vibration and sound of trolleys wheels and luggage wheels grinding with the cold hard floor while they roll down the terminal past fellow travellers is enough to make an airport not feel classy anymore."
Agreed, and to quote myself..."Though let's hope they do have some sort of mechanism for dampening noise." If any airport should be able to leave out carpet, yet keep down the din of cacophonous sounds, I would think/hope it's Singapore...
Brilliant. I used to be a super frequent traveller through Changi for about 20y and am now a relatively frequent traveller through Changi.
Everything works and I find the airport still extremely efficient.
Glad to see this finally starting to materialize. They've been playing in the dirt over there for the better part of a decade - and it was even longer ago (~15 years back) that the land was reclaimed and allowed to settle/stabilize.
The construction for the underground connection to Terminal 2 is well underway - the inner gates in between the two T2 piers have been closed off for over a year while they...
Glad to see this finally starting to materialize. They've been playing in the dirt over there for the better part of a decade - and it was even longer ago (~15 years back) that the land was reclaimed and allowed to settle/stabilize.
The construction for the underground connection to Terminal 2 is well underway - the inner gates in between the two T2 piers have been closed off for over a year while they dig out the station for the transport. Will be great to see Terminal 5 start to go up.
I also find Changi a little bit overrated, but there's no place quite like it - as soon as you step off the plane, you know immediately where you are. Always neat as a pin, always thick-pile signature carpet underfoot, always quiet as a museum. And there's even a unique scent they pipe in. It's Singapore from the moment you arrive.
SIN is overrated. Let's see what new gimmick they churn out to deceive people.
@ Eskimo -- I'll ask you the same question I asked Mason. What airport do you think is the best?
@Ben
HKG, obviously.
Don't get me wrong, SIN is a good airport just not that great. Maybe not even ICN great.
New terminals of AUH and JED. Even DTW gets overlooked.
People who like SIN seems to forget T1 and T2 exists. Look at the carpet comments. How many people actually found the butterflies or the pool? How many people went further than the Jewel for a few pictures. Now comapre to ICN...
@Ben
HKG, obviously.
Don't get me wrong, SIN is a good airport just not that great. Maybe not even ICN great.
New terminals of AUH and JED. Even DTW gets overlooked.
People who like SIN seems to forget T1 and T2 exists. Look at the carpet comments. How many people actually found the butterflies or the pool? How many people went further than the Jewel for a few pictures. Now comapre to ICN even at T1, more paid showers and sleeper chairs. More "useful" amenities for travelers not Instagram. What about the T4 stepchild completely different (for better actually).
People say SIN is efficient, well maybe because other airports you get stuck with security immediately not at the gates. Split that apart and you get the illusion of efficiency.
Add that to immigration that doest give AF unless you have drugs or chewing gums. No one wants to sneak into that expensive island, locals all fly out.
So many things overrated.
Move the nice and fancy vendors, airport people from SIN to DTW and think again.
Can't wait for AeroB13a to get mad at what you've said, and to come back with a paragraph of pure nonsense.
Makes me wonder how would the name changing intellectual react though.
"But ICN is more overrated" whataboutism?
Mason and or Eskimo …. whatever?
You two are like Yin and Yang …. not! I am really sorry if I do not make my posts simple enough for you to understand, I will simply have to try much harder just for you two.
Thank you for giving us readers the benefit of your opinion with regard to international airports which you like. Very interesting observations if not a little too wiki.
Yes,...
Mason and or Eskimo …. whatever?
You two are like Yin and Yang …. not! I am really sorry if I do not make my posts simple enough for you to understand, I will simply have to try much harder just for you two.
Thank you for giving us readers the benefit of your opinion with regard to international airports which you like. Very interesting observations if not a little too wiki.
Yes, I do like to visit Singapore at least twice a year between monsoons. I really am looking forward to trying out the New La Premiere suits on our next trip. One has not troubled FA since 1982, a Concorde flight don’t you know …. you two are probably too young to remember such things.
As for accusing me of “Praising Delta”, if you care to investigate, I believe that you will note that I have simply been winding up the trolls who constantly bully Tim Dunn. Alternatively, point out to the ‘great unwashed’ how Delta fairs against the other U.S. airlines …. again to wind up Tim’s trolls. Is that naughty of me folks?
@AeroB13a
You've done what I wanted you to do, did exactly that without even realizing, and thinking that you're the winner here.
Impressive.
You're now bragging how old you are.
The age doesn't entitle you anything. The more old you get, the more responsibilities you'll have.
Visit your doctor more frequently for your family's sake.
Eskimo, an echo of your mate Mason, who’d have thunked it?
Go on the bro, give us all the benefit of your worldwide knowledge of international airports?
I love Changi. The efficiency, the amenities, the ease of navigation. It’s my favorite for a reason. I can’t wait for Terminal 5 to open! Meanwhile, I’d argue Doha Hamad is one of the most overrated airports I’ve been to. Too chaotic, slow immigration, and rude staff, at least in my experience. Also high on security, but that could be a country thing rather than an airport thing. Also not a fan of the closed...
I love Changi. The efficiency, the amenities, the ease of navigation. It’s my favorite for a reason. I can’t wait for Terminal 5 to open! Meanwhile, I’d argue Doha Hamad is one of the most overrated airports I’ve been to. Too chaotic, slow immigration, and rude staff, at least in my experience. Also high on security, but that could be a country thing rather than an airport thing. Also not a fan of the closed off boarding area. It’s not the worst I’ve been to though. (BKK was a hot mess for arrivals and departures, and ATL was too crowded. Albeit it’s been a while since I’ e been to all airports I’ve mentioned so things may have changed)
Austen, a Jane fan I presume? :-)
I echo your love for Changi, it gives me such a thrill on approaching the runway.
As I have said for many decades now …. “Singapore will be fantastic when it is finished”.
I actually don’t like to read
Singapore is such a nice and unique country, because it’s the size of a city. Only thing is that Singapore gets reallllly hot!!! Would love to go back and visit Singapore one day :-)
Meanwhile, LHR can't get a third runway
Please tell us about it E39? …. :-)
…. and some of us can remember when it was RAF Changi, one runway a small collective and a few single story buildings …. how things have changed.
Judging by the design of the roof, I motion that Changi should now be renamed to "Post-it International Airport".
Jesse, I have a very long association with Singapore and Changi airport. The terminal buildings are fascinating to me as I have witnessed so many changes over the decades. One can easily while away one’s time taking in a great spectacle.
Missing the iconic Changi floor carpeting by the looks of it.
Even more gimmicks coming to the world's most overrated airport.
Just add some useless designs to any airport and apparently that will make your airport into the world's top ten.
Brilliant.
@ Mason -- I'm curious, what are your top airports?
@Ben -- probably CAI
@E39 It's the best, particularly love the souvenir CCTV footage you get, if you're lucky
@ Mamad -- Lolol...
@Ben Schlappig
HND is the best.
Close to the Tokyo city center, efficiency, cleaniness, etc. And especially no gimmicks at all.
Airports like SIN and DOH are actually one of the worst out there. It's just that people are getting tricked.
Mason, your post makes you sound like you have never been there.
Some of us can remember RAF Changi …. no doubt long before you were a glint in your farther’s eye.
One awaits your considered reply to Ben’s request?
@AeroB13a
A Brit was praising Delta and now Singapore?
What is up with your love of a place run by the Singaporean equivalent of the Kim family in North Korea, just because how it looks like?
You're really proving the effectiveness of propaganda, without even realizing.
And if you're gonna reply, at least make some sense. That reply have not made a single sense, let alone any relevance.
You've keen on bragging the alphabet poop, why not do it yourself first.
Sounds like sour grapes here.
JW, you might well think that, however, I couldn’t possibly comment …. :-)