The New Changi Airport Terminals Will Make You Want to Have More Trips to Singapore

The best airport in the world is about to get even better.
by Gene Loves Acosta | April 04, 2016

From being home to Singapore’s tallest slide, to having amazing amenities like the Butterfly Garden, a rooftop pool, theaters screening free movies, over 350 high-end retail shops and 120 food outlets to choose from, the world-famous airport is already a pro at being a game changer in the history of transit hubs—and they’re raising the bar even higher.

Here are the three new terminals that will simply get you excited to plan your next visit.

The New Terminal 4 (2017)

Staying true to Singapore’s national identity as a “City within a Garden,” Terminal 4 will be all about natural light and lush greenery. One of its highlights is a 300-meter long open space called the Central Galleria that connects the departure, check-in, arrival and transit areas so the passengers can stay in visual contact with their family and friends.

Terminal 4 will also feature passenger-friendly facilities with innovative technologies that aren’t available even in other terminals of Changi Airport. Some services include self-service check-in kiosks and automated options for baggage drop, immigration clearance and departure-gate boarding.

To eliminate the need for manual identity verification and to improve passengers’ overall travel experience, Terminal 4 is integrating facial recognition technology. This will help shorten passengers’ queuing time and reduce the number of security personnel for different checkpoints. For a speedier screening process, biometric technology will also be used for added convenience so validation of passports and boarding passes will all be done without the use of any manpower.

Aside from airport day spas, there’s no better way to kill time at an airport than doing a bit (or a lot) of shopping. Terminal 4 will become a traveling shopaholic’s dream with a walk-through retail concept offering a wide selection of shops.

The Heritage Zone, featuring multi-colored facades of old Peranakan houses, will also give passengers a taste of Singapore’s culture.

Terminal 4 will have the AirAsia group including AirAsia (Malaysia), Indonesia AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, as well as Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

The Jewel (2019)

Terminal 1 is currently undergoing a major upgrade. This will increase its capacity from 17.7 million to 24 million passengers a year. Once completed, it will feature a massive ten-story glass terminal—five-stories above the ground and five more below.

The round shape terminal will also have a breathtaking 40m-high rain vortex which is expected to become the tallest indoor waterfall in the world. According to reports, the waterfall will be located at the center and will be transformed into a light and sound show at night.

The terminal’s glass and steel façade will also be complemented with relaxing green sanctuaries and other attractions including the Forest Valley, a stunning five-story garden filled with one of the largest indoor collections of plants in Singapore.

And to make its mark as a stopover point for every traveler, the terminal will also feature high-end retail shops and a 130-room hotel operated by YOTEL.

Terminal 5 (mid 2020s)

Terminal 5, which is going to be about 10 times as big as Singapore’s largest shopping mall, VivoCity, and bigger than three current terminals combined, is set to become one of the largest terminals in the world. With its size, it can accommodate 50 million travelers per year—this is likely make Singapore the third largest passenger terminal next to facilities in Dubai and Beijing.

Terminal 5 is still in its planning stage but given the phase of development in Changi Airport, we’re all just excited to find out what it will offer.

Now, check out our guide on how to experience the obscure side of Singapore!