Singapore Airlines is continuing to restore its home base lounge footprint at Changi Airport, with the final facility in the fold set to rejoin the network later this week, which will further ease lounge crowding and brings the carrier’s lounge offering back to the full pre-pandemic purview.
It’s less good news for KrisFlyer Elite Gold members, however, who will now lose temporary access to the adjacent T2 SilverKris Business lounge, which includes Champagne, toilets(!) and shower facilities.
Terminal 2 reopened for selected departing passenger flights in October this year, and now accommodates all Singapore Airlines South East Asia-bound departing services and Air India flights, with more carriers set to be added in the months ahead.
T2 KrisFlyer Gold lounge reopening 9th November
Singapore Airlines has now confirmed that its KrisFlyer Gold Lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 2 will reopen its doors to eligible passengers from 11am on Wednesday 9th November 2022.
The lounge will be open 24 hours a day.
This will become the go-to lounge for KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Star Alliance Gold members departing T2 on a Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance flight in Economy or Premium Economy Class, with entitlement for one guest travelling on the same flight as the member.
This completes the lounge offering at the carrier’s home base, with the adjacent T2 SilverKris lounges back in action since 11th October 2022 and the newly renovated T3 facilities reopening on 31st May 2022.
This is further good news for lounge crowding, with SIA and Star Alliance passengers now spread across all seven SIA lounge facilities at Changi for the first time since the pandemic hit.
Downgrade for KrisFlyer Elite Golds
Unfortunately it’s not such good news if you’re a KrisFlyer Elite Gold member departing T2 in Economy or Premium Economy, since you will now lose temporary access to the superior SilverKris Business Class lounge there, which has been in place for the last month.
Indeed many such members were making the trip over from T3 to T2 recently to take advantage of the T2 SilverKris lounge, including Champagne, which is not available in the T3 KrisFlyer Gold lounge.
Lounge access policy
Here’s the standard Singapore Airlines lounge access policy at Changi, effective from 11am on 9th November 2022, once the T2 KFG lounge reopens (click to expand).
Changi Airport SilverKris and KrisFlyer Gold lounge access
In all cases, your guest must be departing on the same day and same flight as you. Guest privileges are not cumulative (e.g. a First Class traveller who is also a Solitaire PPS Club member is not entitled to have two guests). |
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The T2 KrisFlyer Gold Lounge
Singapore Airlines confirmed to us that the KrisFlyer Gold lounge in Terminal 2 has undergone only “minor refurbishment” works in advance of the reopening, in common with the T2 SilverKris lounges, which have remained essentially identical to pre-COVID.
This will make it the most inferior SIA lounge on offer at the airport, with its former footprint and design remaining unchanged, meaning there are not even toilets inside, let alone shower facilities.
In this pre-COVID review, James at Travel Codex described the lounge as “one of the biggest disappointments of travelling through Singapore [Changi Airport]”, concluding that “it was not a functional space for travelers to rest, relax or be productive and the lack of amenities (showers, day rooms and restrooms) provided a very sub-par experience”.
It’s a common theme among most travel reviewers that this particular lounge has been in need of some TLC for a long time, but sadly doesn’t seem to be getting any just yet. The lack of toilets and shower facilities in particular is simply not up to everyday basic third-party airport lounge standards.
Let’s hope Singapore Airlines has a renovation plan for its Terminal 2 lounges in the not too distant future.
Lounge location
The T2 KrisFlyer Gold Lounge retains its original location alongside the terminal’s SKL facilities, towards the north side of the T2 departure transit area (left turn after immigration).
Remember though it is the southern end of the check-in hall and southern ‘F’ gates that are now in use for passenger processing and departures.
After clearing immigration, make a left turn and take the escalator up to Level 3, then follow the corridor along to the lounge entrance at the end of the corridor.
It’s then a fair walk to the F gates, which are currently used for T2 flight departures, and to the SkyTrain for transfers to and from T3, so do build in sufficient walking time, especially if you are changing terminals.
KrisFlyer Golds can use the T3 KFG lounge
One option for KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Star Alliance Gold passengers departing on SIA or Star Alliance flights from Terminal 2 in Economy or Premium Economy Class is to head across to the superior KrisFlyer Gold Lounge in Terminal 3.
This facility was recently relocated and sports a brand new design, including its own toilets and showers!
After checking in at T2, simply the the SkyTrain linking the T2 – T3 airside areas (F Gates to A Gates), then return back to T2 the same way when when it comes time to board.
Better still, if your intention is to use the T3 KrisFlyer Gold lounge prior to departure, simply check in at T3 itself and head straight to the lounge.
Singapore Airlines passengers departing from T2 or T3 at Changi can check in for their flight at either terminal.
Terminal 2 flights
Terminal 2 currently hosts all Singapore Airlines departures to South East Asia, incorporating services destined for the following countries and cities:
- Brunei
(BWN) - Cambodia
(PNH, REP) - Indonesia
(CGK, DPS, KNO, SUB) - Malaysia
(KUL, PEN) - Myanmar
(RGN) - Philippines
(CEB, DVO, MNL) - Thailand
(BKK, HKT) - Vietnam
(DAD, HAN, SGN)
Air India and Air India Express also now operate from T2.
Airlines operating from Changi T2
| Airline | Previous Terminal |
Relocated to T2 | |
 |
Singapore Airlines (SQ) All South East Asia departures |
 |
11-13 October |
 |
Air India (AI) |
 |
18 October |
|
Air India Express (IX) |
|
18 October |
More airlines are expected to operate from T2 in due course, subject to separate announcement.
Summary
Singapore Airlines will reopen its KrisFlyer Gold lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 2 from 11am on 9th November, with 24-hour opening from the following day.
While this will further address lounge crowding during peak departure windows, with all seven of the cafrrier’s facilities open again for the first time since the pandemic hit, it’s bad news for many travellers.
That’s because the T2 KFG lounge is widely regarded as the airport’s poorest, and Gold status holders will now lose their temporary access to the SilverKris Business Class lounge next door.
There’s a reprieve, of sorts, with the brand new KrisFlyer Gold lounge in T3 offering a better experience, for those willing to take a couple of short SkyTrain rides in order to reach it.
(Cover Photo: Singapore Airlines)
It’s simply disgraceful!
Heading to Phuket tomorrow 9th Nov as a Gold economy. I’ll simply check in at T3 and use that gold lounge then walk the 25 minutes to T2 before my flight. No problem.