Airport review: Forget the rankings, this is truly the world’s best airport

The airport

Singapore Changi (SIN)

The newer, flashier Terminal 3.Credit: iStock

The flight

SQ221 to Sydney, economy class

The arrival

I’ve arrived at Singapore Changi, as many passengers do, by plane – this is a four-hour stopover between a flight from Frankfurt and one on to Sydney. For those arriving from Singapore itself, it’s about a half-hour cab ride from downtown, or an hour by public transport.

The look

Is this the world’s greatest airport? Apparently, not any more. In April, consultancy firm Skytrax released its annual list of the world’s best airports, and Changi slipped from first place to second, replaced at the top by Doha’s Hamad International. And to be honest, Changi Terminal 2, where I arrive, isn’t the most spectacular facility, with low ceilings and carpets that wouldn’t be out of place in your local RSL. Once I transfer to the newer, flashier Terminal 3, however, I’m reminded why this place is so universally admired.

Check-in

I’m already checked in, given this is a connecting flight, so there’s nothing to worry about here.

Security

Unlike most airports, transferring passengers step off the plane at Changi and go straight into the airside departures area, with no extra security check – that will be done later, before entering the gate-lounge area.

Swimming pool, with a bar, at Singapore Changi Airport.

Food and drink

I’ve spent a fair amount of time wandering Hamad International and I can tell you that its food offerings are not a patch on Changi. There are 57 food outlets in total at Hamad; Changi has that many just in Terminal 3. Here, you will find every cuisine from local Peranakan, Malay, Chinese and Indian, to multiple ramen outlets, American fast-food chains, Vietnamese, Thai, French, and a robot barista. And again, that’s just T3. There’s also Singapore Food Street in T3, a rough recreation of Singapore’s classic hawker centres, featuring outlets of much-loved local stands such as Tai Wah Pork Noodle, and Chef Wei HK Cheong Fun. Several are open 24 hours.

Retail therapy

How long have you got? Because regardless of your timeframe, Changi has the shopping options to keep you and your credit card busy. Again, just in T3 you have 82 different shops, including a specialist whisky outlet offering tastings, plus all the standard luxury brands, a LEGO shop, electronics stores and more.

Passing time

The Jewel terminal with its “Rain Vortex” – pouring seven storeys through the middle.Credit: iStock

There’s a miniature rock-climbing wall in T3, suitable for adults and children. There’s also a butterfly garden, a crystal garden, multiple art installations, and a giant slide. If you have more than a few hours of transit time, you can cross to T1 and have a swim in the rooftop pool there, or exit T3 via customs and stroll across to the Jewel, a whopping dining, shopping and entertainment complex with a gigantic waterfall – sorry, “Rain Vortex” – pouring seven storeys through the middle.

What airport can’t be improved by a butterfly garden?

The verdict

How is this not the world’s No.1 airport? Doha is slick and modern and very pretty, but Changi is streets ahead in terms of its dining, shopping and entertainment options. T3 on its own would be the world’s best airport, but then you have three more passenger terminals, and the Jewel. Call off the fight.

Our rating out of five

★★★★★

Ben Groundwater travelled as a guest of World Expeditions.