ultra short long haul connections with SQ at Changi - advice needed
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, Flying Blue Silver
Posts: 12
ultra short long haul connections with SQ at Changi - advice needed
I am Eurobonus Diamond/*Gold normally fly everywhere with SK, but find myself on SQ this Thursday/Friday/Saturday flying from LHR-SIN-CHC. I have an extremely short connection at Changi between the LHR-SIN and SIN-CHC. Inbound SQ321 arrives at 19:00 on Friday, outbound SQ297 leaves at 19:50. To make it even more challenging I am in Y at the back of an SQ A380. I have made similarly short and even shorter connections at ZRH with LX, but do any SQ Changi regulars have advice about whether this connection is even possible, if it is how I might make it more possible and whether or how SQ might actually help me to make it, and if I can't whether SQ will help me out with a re-routing or anything via AKL or somewhere else. I'd really appreciate any advice as I know CPH, EWR, ICN and NRT like the back of my hand, but don't pay too many visits to SIN.
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SG
Posts: 23
Not an expert with Changi connection but yours should work. SQ flights are located Terminal 3 so it shouldn't be a problem.
The other option is to re-book your outbound on SQ305 which departs 1h30m earlier than SQ321 if you are uncomfortable with the short connection.
The other option is to re-book your outbound on SQ305 which departs 1h30m earlier than SQ321 if you are uncomfortable with the short connection.
Last edited by kevinoh; Nov 23, 2015 at 2:10 pm Reason: More info
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3&O6 Gold,IC AMB & HH Diamond
Posts: 14,132
Is this all on one ticket, even if it is not SQ usually is very good with protecting you on the onward flight. Both flights should be arriving and leaving from Terminal 3. As well, SQ is selling this connection so you should be fine. Not to worry.
LHR flights usually arrive in the A gates and CHC leaves from around those same gates.
Get familiar with Terminal 3 :
LHR flights usually arrive in the A gates and CHC leaves from around those same gates.
Get familiar with Terminal 3 :
Last edited by djjaguar64; Nov 23, 2015 at 2:51 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, Flying Blue Silver
Posts: 12
Is this all on one ticket, even if it is not SQ usually is very good with protecting you on the onward flight. Both flights should be arriving and leaving from Terminal 3. As well, SQ is selling this connection so you should be fine. Not to worry.
Get familiar with Terminal 3 :
Get familiar with Terminal 3 :
#5
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SIN / MIA
Programs: VA Platinum, AZ Platinum, Shangri-La Jade, HHonors Gold
Posts: 37
50mins should be more than enough. Besides, I have noticed SQ typically pads their schedule, and more often than not, my SQ flights have arrived ahead of schedule into SIN.
#7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Departure from SIN to LHR or CHC is via Terminal 3 but arrival will depends on the Ground ATC and whatever situation that might appear during that time. So you might arrive in Terminal 2 instead of 3.
I think the only thing you have to be worried about is if there's a delay ex-LHR.
I think the only thing you have to be worried about is if there's a delay ex-LHR.
#8
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Programs: M&M SEN, Amex Plat, Club Carlson, Marriott, HHonors & Accor Gold, Velocity Silver, Qantas Bronze
Posts: 3,767
Departure from SIN to LHR or CHC is via Terminal 3 but arrival will depends on the Ground ATC and whatever situation that might appear during that time. So you might arrive in Terminal 2 instead of 3.
I think the only thing you have to be worried about is if there's a delay ex-LHR.
I think the only thing you have to be worried about is if there's a delay ex-LHR.
#9
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Lifetime *G (MP), Lifetime PE (Bonvoy)
Posts: 1,465
Your baggage - assuming you have checked some in - will precede you between aircraft so they will move heaven and earth not to have to search for and unload your baggage, which is what they will do once they declare you a no-show
I often make a 50 minute connection at Changi, sometimes between T2 & T3. However I'd approach the cabin crew about an hour before landing and explain your situation. Not sure what happens on an A380 because I never sit down the back and I can't recall whether it's F or J at the front, but on 777 I've often seen passengers moved into the front cabin from Economy immediately before "fasten your seatbelts"
I often make a 50 minute connection at Changi, sometimes between T2 & T3. However I'd approach the cabin crew about an hour before landing and explain your situation. Not sure what happens on an A380 because I never sit down the back and I can't recall whether it's F or J at the front, but on 777 I've often seen passengers moved into the front cabin from Economy immediately before "fasten your seatbelts"
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, Flying Blue Silver
Posts: 12
Thanks everyone. Very reassuring all of that, at least it sounds possible, and if anything the issue will be with LHR and the inevitable waiting on the tarmac in west London, or flying round south east England in circles for hours. Normally I fly out of MAN to avoid LHR, but SQ's flight from MAN to SIN via MUC adds virtually half a day and a very early start to what is already a terribly long journey in economy. I am doing the CHC-SIN-MUC-MAN on return with SQ, but the return is better timed. At least it's on SQ as opposed to UA (last year I did MAN-EWR-SFO-HNL in economy which is the same length as LHR-SIN-CHC, but was one of the hardest and least comfortable days of my life) thanks again anyway everyone.
#11
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: QF LTG, SQ EGTP, Bonvoy LTG
Posts: 4,847
Just one more comment. One reason this is entirely possible at SIN is because of gate based security. In most situations of transferring intl-intl (except intra-Schengen and the like), where there are common security points for transferring passengers, this can cause delays. At Changi, you don't reach security until you reach the gate, and if there is a big queue there, chances are that it's for your flight.
The main exception to this, is where there are shared gates, and if you find yourself with a long queue at security, because passengers for a later departing flight are also queuing at the same security line - and its <15 mins to departure time for your CHC flight- quietly approach security and point out you are on the CHC flight and they will allow you to jump the queue. In my experience they are very accommodating in these situations.
The main exception to this, is where there are shared gates, and if you find yourself with a long queue at security, because passengers for a later departing flight are also queuing at the same security line - and its <15 mins to departure time for your CHC flight- quietly approach security and point out you are on the CHC flight and they will allow you to jump the queue. In my experience they are very accommodating in these situations.
#12
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,739
As others have said, entirely doable even in 30mins I would say, unless your LHR flight is delayed in which case SQ will protect you on your next flight. When you exit the plane into the terminal, look out for ground staff with a sign for the CHC flight. They usually usher the pax with tight connections to their next gate (with or without buggy, depends).
#15
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: EK - Silver; Accor - Silver; O6 - Gold; BAEC - Silver; Flying Blue; SPG; Krisflyer
Posts: 506
No problem at all.
10 mins - Getting out of Plane
25 mins - Getting to outbound Gate
10 mins - Clear Gate security
If the flight is late, SQ will normally have someone waiting at arrival Gate with your name on it. They will help get you to the gate on time.
10 mins - Getting out of Plane
25 mins - Getting to outbound Gate
10 mins - Clear Gate security
If the flight is late, SQ will normally have someone waiting at arrival Gate with your name on it. They will help get you to the gate on time.