Good news for those departing Singapore on an SIA flight in First Class or Suites, or for Solitaire PPS Club status holders flying with the airline, with confirmation that the exclusive First Class check-in reception at Changi Airport Terminal 3 is reopening its doors next month.
From Monday 6th December 2021, eligible passengers will be able to make the early left turn from the T3 departures access road and be dropped off at the reopened facility, for exclusive check-in and immigration clearance.
“We are pleased to share that the reopening of our airport facilities for premium passengers is on track, and barring any operational or regulatory constraints, we should be receiving our First Class and Solitaire passengers at our First Class check-in reception from 6 December 2021.”
Singapore Airlines
We have contacted SIA regarding the operating hours of the First Class check-in reception and will update this article once we receive them.
Singapore Airlines is currently offering a First Class cabin to 10 destinations on its network:
- Frankfurt
- Hong Kong
- Jakarta
- London
- Los Angeles
- New York
- Paris
- San Francisco
- Sydney
- Tokyo
Additionally, the A380 Suites cabin is flying daily to London, with Sydney to be added in December.
The First Class check-in reception
As you pull up to the red-carpeted entranceway, porters assist with your luggage and you are whisked through to take a seat at a private check-in desk.
The whole process is very speedy – so fast, in fact, it doesn’t really justify the large general seating area, cold towels, soft drinks and abundance of staff, but we always found it to be a quiet private area with a welcoming and cosy ambience.
For those spending a little time here, perhaps awaiting the rest of their travelling party to join them if they are arriving at the airport separately, there are a few seating areas to relax at.
It’s worth noting that this space has not been renovated as part of the ongoing SilverKris lounge complex refresh, which will see brand new Business Class and First Class lounges and a new The Private Room by February 2022.
That will leave the First Class check-in reception as the ‘odd one out’ in the experience, since it retains a finish and decor very much akin to the older (now closed) lounges.
We’ll be interested to see whether Singapore Airlines renovates this check-in reception at a later date, to match its latest lounge concept.
Once you leave the First Class check-in reception it’s a quick stroll through the First Class Departure wing, where immigration formalities are quickly completed.
You’ll then emerge in the departures area close to the escalators taking you straight up to the SilverKris lounges, or you can head straight to your departure gate.
New lounges
SIA’s lounge renovation project isn’t quite finished yet, but this week the Business Class lounge opened its doors, acting as the temporary facility for all lounge-eligible guests for the time being.
Progressively by February 2022 the new SKL First Class lounge and The Private Room will also open their doors, completing the project.
For the time being, Suites and First Class passengers, along with Solitaire PPS Club members, will be able to access a roped-off section of the temporary lounge.
Summary
Another step towards a more pre-pandemic passenger experience when flying Singapore Airlines, with news that the First Class check-in reception at Changi T3 will welcome departing passengers once again from 6th December 2021.
By then there will be around 10 daily SIA departures from Changi with a First Class or Suites cabin, not to mention that the newly opened check-in facility will also be used by Solitaire PPS Club members travelling with the airline in any cabin class.
With a new First Class lounge and The Private Room to look forward to in around three months from now, premium travel on SIA for those departing Changi should be an experience to behold once again, from check-in onwards.
(Cover Photo: MainlyMiles)