- Introduction: Flying Halfway Around The World For Half A Day
- Review: China Airlines Business Class 777-300ER Los Angeles To Taipei
- Review: China Airlines Lounge Taipei
- Review: China Airlines Business Class A330 Taipei To Singapore
- Review: Singapore Changi Airport Transit Hotel
- Review: British Airways Lounge Singapore
- Review: SATS Premier Lounge Singapore
- Review: Japan Airlines Business Class 767 Singapore To Tokyo
- Review: Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda Airport
- Review: Japan Airlines First Class Lounge Tokyo Haneda
- Review: Japan Airlines Business Class 777 Tokyo To San Francisco
After being kicked out of the British Airways Lounge at 11PM, I headed to the lounge Japan Airlines actually uses for their passengers at Changi Airport — the SATS Premier Lounge. As luck would have it, the SATS Premier Lounge was located right next to the British Airways Lounge.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore exterior
This contract lounge is used by many airlines, including Turkish, Air China, Uzbekistan, etc.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore signage
It’s worth noting that this is also a Priority Pass lounge, so if you wouldn’t otherwise have access, there are a number of credit cards with lounge access that are a better value than paying for a membership outright.
In my case, I got in just by presenting my Japan Airlines mobile boarding pass. Past the reception desk was a hallway leading into the rest of the lounge.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore entryway
Just past the hallway was an area with all kinds of magazines and newspapers.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore magazine selection
I generally have pretty low expectations of contract lounges, though this one was actually quite nice. While it was dark and didn’t have any views, the furniture was modern, and it wasn’t overcrowded (which is usually my biggest complaint about contract lounges).
The lounge was partitioned off into several areas. Near the entrance was an area with mostly orange chairs with large armrests, which were comfortable to sit in.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore seating
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore seating
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore seating
In the far corner of the lounge was more seating, though there was a wall a few feet high around it to add some privacy and separation.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore seating
Next to that was another partitioned off area.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore seating
There was an area with a communal desk in one of the sections.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore seating
Towards the corner of the lounge was a “reserved area,” though I’m not sure who exactly it was reserved for. It didn’t look any nicer than the rest of the lounge to me, so I didn’t bother inquiring.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore “reserved area”
Immediately next to that were some tables with booths. I’m not sure if that area was intended for dining or for working. While I appreciated the privacy the booths offered, they didn’t look especially comfortable.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore seating
The lounge also had some massage chairs. You’ve gotta love them, though I do always wonder how often they’re cleaned.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore massage chairs
The buffet was at the far end of the lounge, and the spread was quite good for a contract lounge, both in terms of the variety and quality.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore buffet
There was salad, veggies, cold cuts, olives, etc.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore buffet
Then there was cake, crackers, muffins, and finger sandwiches.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore buffet
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore buffet
The lounge also had a decent selection of hot dishes.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore buffet
I wasn’t hungry, but the dishes looked quite appetizing — I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore buffet
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore buffet
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore buffet
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore buffet
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore buffet
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore buffet
There were also ramen noodles, with a sign indicating that they needed to be consumed in the lounge.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore instant noodles
In terms of beverages, there was a fridge with self serve soft drinks and beer.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore drink selection
There were also two coffee machines, which helped me stay awake and caffeinated during my stay in the lounge.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore coffee
There was also a basic selection of liquor, as well as wine.
SATS Premier Lounge Singapore alcohol selection
I spent a couple of hours in the lounge getting caught up on work, and the internet was fairly fast.
My JAL flight to Tokyo Haneda was scheduled to board at 1:30AM (2o minutes before departure) out of gate C20, so I left the lounge at around 1:10AM, given that at Changi Airport there’s a security checkpoint at each gate.
Changi Airport Terminal 1
The walk to the gate took about five minutes, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the security queue at the gate wasn’t very long. While I don’t mind the system of them having security checkpoints at individual gates, the lack of a priority queue can be annoying, especially if you’re flying an A380. Fortunately that wasn’t an issue here, as I was on a smaller plane and the queue was short.
Changi Airport Terminal 1 departure gate
Upon passing through security I saw the JAL 767 taking me to Tokyo Haneda being catered.
Japan Airlines 767 taking me to Tokyo Haneda
The gate area was still pretty empty, as most people only arrived as boarding started. For that matter, the flight was only about half full, so there were maybe 100 passengers on the flight at most.
Departure gate to Tokyo Haneda
Japanese airlines have incredibly distinctive customer service, no matter what station you’re flying out of. That’s true even in Singapore — the gate agents bowed before boarding started.
I watched them look at their watches at 1:28AM, 1:29AM, etc. The second the clock struck 1:30AM, boarding began for business class passengers. You’ve gotta love Japanese precision. I was excited to finally try Japan Airlines’ business class product.
JAL departure gate Changi Airport
SATS Premier Lounge Changi bottom line
For a contract lounge the SATS Premier Lounge was very pleasant. It was quiet and modern, which is more than I can say for a vast majority of the contract lounges I’ve visited. This is also a great option for Priority Pass members traveling out of Singapore.
Ultimately I wish a oneworld lounge were open later at night, but the SATS Premier Lounge certainly isn’t anything to complain about either.
You can now check in early via jewel in Changi and go through immigration to the lounges on many airlines, and in t1 you go to Qantas for food and then BA for champagne if on a one world flight. Yep Qantas and Ba close at 11pm, so do your shopping after that and use sats lounge to rest before boarding the early morning Qatar flight.
When I fly CX I always use the Qantas lounge as they have freshly made food (like noodles and etc), if not the BA lounge. Since CX uses a contract lounge dnata lounge instead of Oneworld lounges. I never use dnata as i had bad experience with them regarding fod quality (unfresh food) and also unable to get a shower when i went there 90mins before my boarding lol idk why. But since CX is...
When I fly CX I always use the Qantas lounge as they have freshly made food (like noodles and etc), if not the BA lounge. Since CX uses a contract lounge dnata lounge instead of Oneworld lounges. I never use dnata as i had bad experience with them regarding fod quality (unfresh food) and also unable to get a shower when i went there 90mins before my boarding lol idk why. But since CX is going to T4 that would e really nice for them with a new lounge of their own i believe.
Also the reserved area in SATS lounge is for First Class passengers, which as of what i know only United have F class out of Singapore as i always fly them between SIN and HKG before i switched to be loyal to AS and its partners (which i fly CX now)
I personally prefer Dnata lounge at Changi T1 because of the coffee that they serve. The Dnata lounge serves Hudsons Coffee from Melbourne, and i thought that they have the best cappuccino compared to all other Priority Pass lounges at Changi.
Does the SATS lounge in T3 also have massage chairs?
@Mike O, the Qantas and the British lounges are pretty much right next to each other in T1. I've only tried the Qantas lounge, and it was under similar circumstances to Ben's trip (they were closing shortly after I got there). On my next Oneworld premium trip, I'm planning on getting there much earlier so that I can test out both of them.
This SATS lounges are sort of my go to lounges for budget...
@Mike O, the Qantas and the British lounges are pretty much right next to each other in T1. I've only tried the Qantas lounge, and it was under similar circumstances to Ben's trip (they were closing shortly after I got there). On my next Oneworld premium trip, I'm planning on getting there much earlier so that I can test out both of them.
This SATS lounges are sort of my go to lounges for budget flights, as many of them leave from T1 or T2, and these lounges are the best of those in Priority Pass.
FYI, the reserved area is for Diamond and Emerald members. I guess it's like those lounges that set aside a separate space for their top elite and First Class passengers.
Compared to the Dnata lounge in SIN I think the SATS lounge is much more superior. Its good that Japan uses it over the Dnata lounge. (which is just hideous)
@Mike O. The best oneworld lounge in SIN would be the QF lounge with excellent food and facilities.
Just to let you know that CX moves to terminal 4 next year and I bet a new lounge comes with it too.
Are onerworld business passengers able to visit the SATS Premier Lounge?
What would be the best oneworld lounge in Singapore?
Talking about a contract lounge I was pleasantly surprised with the Escape Lounge at MSP. It is brand new and it is part of Priority Pass. It is way better than the Delta lounge in my opinion.