After a nice stay at the renovated Amsterdam airport Sheraton hotel (review done : see the namesake thread in Marriott forum).
We were ready for our flight departing at 11.15 morning on Singapore Airlines to Singapore departing from T3
We got a txt saying checkin opens at 7 mornings so we checked out the hotel at 6,30 after breakfast.
6.40
At the escalators/travellators from arrivals to departures T3, they were checking the 4H entry terminal cutoff time but the elevators where unguarded and so we managed to slip through.
There was already a huge queue for Pegasus airlines (Turkish holiday airline) so we needed to bypass that queue from the lefthand side.
Surprising there were already people waiting at checkin counters 31 for Singapore Airlines in economy.
Business class had 1 family already standing by
Fortunately the staff opened all checkin counters earlier at 6.45 as they were all ready
Singapore Airlines checkin at counters 31 in T3
5 checkin counters were open
2x Business Class + PremiumEconomy + StarGold
3x Economy
We tried online checkin, it worked but didnt't provide boarding passes due to covid-documents check.
Singapore airlines allowed QR code scan and upload but it seemed to reject verification.
After completing formalities by showing our printed QR (it was quite fast),
we were told Singapore Airlines uses the Aspire lounge for business class passengers.
I queried about Privium Lounge west access but the lady told me the boarding pass only gave access to Aspire as this was printed in text.
Disillusioned we thought "not again the Aspire lounge!"
This was the queue next door for Pegasus airlines for counters 30
Pegasus checkin
Pegasus checkin, snakes to the left around the corner
We needed a proper nicotine intake so we headed via T3 door A to the smoking area.
Door B was also open for the smoking area but security staff told us when the queues increase they close both doors and all passengers using departures car drop off are herded via the white tents to door C. At the moment there was nobody in queing in the white tents.
T3 car drop off departures - white tent at door C
Smoking area T3 between doors A & B
We headed back to get to security.
There was no line to get to the turnstiles to reach economy and priority security.
ADVICE: between counters 24 / 25 is the best way to reach the turnstil for T3 Priority Security mezzanine
Many stood in a Q at other points in the terminal thinking it was for security but was actually for another airlines checkin......
No queue yet to reach the escalators / stairs / lift to economy / priority security
After reaching the mezzanine level,
The priority and economy line were open.
Privium queues together with priority but upon letting the staff know and showing privium card, they let you through the tensa barrier to first available free open security spot. Priority security T3 has 2 dedicated lanes of which a total 4 positions out of 6 total were in use this morning.
After security was done (no bags to secondary) , one must join the the regular queue for Kmar passport control.
Only Privium bypasses this due to the Iris scan
There was no dedicated crew / diplomatic lane in use but all E-gates where open.
All passports had also all counters open
We made it through passport control via the E-gates, the young one's face had the look of disbelief it was only 7.30 ......
And we made it all through....
It took us 45 min + inclusive nicotine break in total to reach airside!
As we know the Aspire lounge is most underwhelming, we decided to hike out directly towards the gate.
Butt in seat at 7.45 and everyone relieved and now stress free
To busy to get coffee
T3 airside not busy at 7.30
Starbucks was still closed
G-gate area even emptier still
Reached it ! Now parked my butt and not going to move anymore till boarding
From checkin to gate took exactly 1 hour with use of priority checkin + priority security and standard E-gates passport control
Not all to bad ! But those travelling economy should take precaution and patience......
Safe and sane travels everyone!