Oct 29, 2017, 9:58 pm
Last edit by: sxc
Ausbt review of Singapore T4 lounge:
https://www.ausbt.com.au/cathay-pacific-singapore-changi-terminal-4-business-class-lounge
https://www.ausbt.com.au/cathay-pacific-singapore-changi-terminal-4-business-class-lounge
Singapore Terminal 4 and lounge experiences
Nov 14, 2017, 7:30 am
#196
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Singapore
Programs: Singapore Airlines
Posts: 135
Hey MainlyMiles. Did the security escorted you through the areas as outlined?
Cause base on the diagrams I have drawn, it looks impossible to access to T1 T2 T3 while transiting in T4 via early check-in.
The T4 setup is just like Hong Kong International Airport where Arrivals and Departures are segregated, and arriving passengers with connecting flights will have their boarding passes checked before entering the departure area.
This also explains why there is no signage to access to T1 T2 T3 - That path opening is meant for arriving passengers with connecting flights coming up from the arrival level via the escalator / lifts.
I ended up chose to fly Singapore Airlines instead of Cathay Pacific because of this - T4 just feels isolated for early-bird passengers like myself
(Already booked my SQ flights for my Hong Kong Disneyland trip next year)
Cause base on the diagrams I have drawn, it looks impossible to access to T1 T2 T3 while transiting in T4 via early check-in.
The T4 setup is just like Hong Kong International Airport where Arrivals and Departures are segregated, and arriving passengers with connecting flights will have their boarding passes checked before entering the departure area.
This also explains why there is no signage to access to T1 T2 T3 - That path opening is meant for arriving passengers with connecting flights coming up from the arrival level via the escalator / lifts.
I ended up chose to fly Singapore Airlines instead of Cathay Pacific because of this - T4 just feels isolated for early-bird passengers like myself
(Already booked my SQ flights for my Hong Kong Disneyland trip next year)
Not escorted as such, just pointed in the right direction. All the staff were quite open about it - nobody said "no" at any point. The route you have drawn is correct. There are several guard posts along the way and they point you in the direction of the next one. The lifts are there to take you down (the escalator only goes up). I actually walked through the arrivals hall to get to the waiting area.
I had an email from CAG today to confirm that this is a viable option and the route is approved. They have also sent a reminder to see the information desk on your way out to get the purple T4 re-entry sticker
The reason for the lack of signage is likely because it's quite a distance between terminals and may end up in passengers missing their flights.
Hope that helps!
Nov 14, 2017, 7:35 am
#197
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 22
Hi Amxmodx,
Not escorted as such, just pointed in the right direction. All the staff were quite open about it - nobody said "no" at any point. The route you have drawn is correct. There are several guard posts along the way and they point you in the direction of the next one. The lifts are there to take you down (the escalator only goes up). I actually walked through the arrivals hall to get to the waiting area.
I had an email from CAG today to confirm that this is a viable option and the route is approved. They have also sent a reminder to see the information desk on your way out to get the purple T4 re-entry sticker
The reason for the lack of signage is likely because it's quite a distance between terminals and may end up in passengers missing their flights.
Hope that helps!
Not escorted as such, just pointed in the right direction. All the staff were quite open about it - nobody said "no" at any point. The route you have drawn is correct. There are several guard posts along the way and they point you in the direction of the next one. The lifts are there to take you down (the escalator only goes up). I actually walked through the arrivals hall to get to the waiting area.
I had an email from CAG today to confirm that this is a viable option and the route is approved. They have also sent a reminder to see the information desk on your way out to get the purple T4 re-entry sticker
The reason for the lack of signage is likely because it's quite a distance between terminals and may end up in passengers missing their flights.
Hope that helps!
I might consider booking Cathay Pacific Holiday Packages in the future.
Nov 15, 2017, 6:30 am
#198
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: QFF
Posts: 5,304
Just arrived in SIN on CX711, connecting to JL36.
Haven't departed SIN with CX for quite some time, so can't say much about the lounge or the T4 departures area.
Transit to T1 was a pain.
As bad as LHR (an airport where I prefer to go landside and change terminals by train rather then use the connections bus).
From aircraft door open to QF lounge took 45 minutes.
Just what is the point of these stupid T* terminal transfer stickers?
Haven't departed SIN with CX for quite some time, so can't say much about the lounge or the T4 departures area.
Transit to T1 was a pain.
As bad as LHR (an airport where I prefer to go landside and change terminals by train rather then use the connections bus).
From aircraft door open to QF lounge took 45 minutes.
Just what is the point of these stupid T* terminal transfer stickers?
Nov 15, 2017, 6:37 am
#199
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Just arrived in SIN on CX711, connecting to JL36.
Haven't departed SIN with CX for quite some time, so can't say much about the lounge or the T4 departures area.
Transit to T1 was a pain.
As bad as LHR (an airport where I prefer to go landside and change terminals by train rather then use the connections bus).
From aircraft door open to QF lounge took 45 minutes.
Just what is the point of these stupid T* terminal transfer stickers?
Haven't departed SIN with CX for quite some time, so can't say much about the lounge or the T4 departures area.
Transit to T1 was a pain.
As bad as LHR (an airport where I prefer to go landside and change terminals by train rather then use the connections bus).
From aircraft door open to QF lounge took 45 minutes.
Just what is the point of these stupid T* terminal transfer stickers?
Nov 15, 2017, 5:19 pm
#200
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SIN
Posts: 543
Hi Amxmodx,
Not escorted as such, just pointed in the right direction. All the staff were quite open about it - nobody said "no" at any point. The route you have drawn is correct. There are several guard posts along the way and they point you in the direction of the next one. The lifts are there to take you down (the escalator only goes up). I actually walked through the arrivals hall to get to the waiting area.
I had an email from CAG today to confirm that this is a viable option and the route is approved. They have also sent a reminder to see the information desk on your way out to get the purple T4 re-entry sticker
The reason for the lack of signage is likely because it's quite a distance between terminals and may end up in passengers missing their flights.
Hope that helps!
Not escorted as such, just pointed in the right direction. All the staff were quite open about it - nobody said "no" at any point. The route you have drawn is correct. There are several guard posts along the way and they point you in the direction of the next one. The lifts are there to take you down (the escalator only goes up). I actually walked through the arrivals hall to get to the waiting area.
I had an email from CAG today to confirm that this is a viable option and the route is approved. They have also sent a reminder to see the information desk on your way out to get the purple T4 re-entry sticker
The reason for the lack of signage is likely because it's quite a distance between terminals and may end up in passengers missing their flights.
Hope that helps!
Nov 15, 2017, 5:48 pm
#201
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 22
https://mainlymiles.com/2017/11/06/s...gi-terminal-4/
Access (or lack thereof)
NOTE: There is no easy way to try out the transit area this terminal, without booking a ticket for a flight departing directly from it. Even though there is an ‘airside’ courtesy bus linking Terminal 2 and Terminal 4, passengers without a T4 boarding card will not be allowed to visit the transit area of T4 while waiting for their flight – in the same way that they currently can between T1/2/3 which have linked transit areas.
NOTE: There is no easy way to try out the transit area this terminal, without booking a ticket for a flight departing directly from it. Even though there is an ‘airside’ courtesy bus linking Terminal 2 and Terminal 4, passengers without a T4 boarding card will not be allowed to visit the transit area of T4 while waiting for their flight – in the same way that they currently can between T1/2/3 which have linked transit areas.
While T4 BP can access to T1 T2 T3 (If you check-in super early
)If anyone here got denied accessing to T1 T2 T3 with a T4 BP using the route that MainlyMiles and I explained here, do let us know.
I won't hesitate not to fly with Cathay Pacific - will be flying with Singapore Airlines to Hong Kong in the future if this happens.
Last edited by amxmodx; Nov 15, 2017 at 5:55 pm
Nov 15, 2017, 6:01 pm
#202
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
Nov 17, 2017, 4:20 am
#203
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: QF plat, CX gold, SQ pps, Ethihad gold, Klm gold, HH gold, spy gold
Posts: 77
Is there dedicated check in counter for diamond or business class in T4
Hi. Is there a dedicated check in counter for business class or diamond members ? I had thought it is quite insulting that business class passengers had to tag their own luggage as though I’m taking a budget airline.
Well, in summary, not really, no.
I have to agree with the majority of the sentiment of ph-ndr, though the details of what annoys me are slightly different. But to your point above, there was ONE counter, which is still dominated by the friendly "place your bag here" machine. After a few seconds I found a staff member, seated, almost completely blocked by the machine. That was at the next desk over, and he was on the phone assisting another pax. He was the only staff member that I could see behind a desk.
T4 problems:
- what bright bulb at Changi Airport Group thought "hey, this is the terminal for O&D passengers, let's make sure it's the ONLY one that isn't connected to transport in any reasonable way"?? Is this some secret attempt to improve the finances of Singapore's taxi and ride-sharing services? Idiotic.
- the nude-o-scope scanning machines are annoying. Enough said.
- the CT machines are nice in that you don't have to take your bags out, but approximately 5x slower than the previous setup.
- long walks, no travelators. Already mentioned.
In sum, can't think of a single IMPROVEMENT in T4 (other than perhaps the lounge, but Dnata did the trick for a quick sit and check of email anwyay). If I fly CX on my segments HKG-SIN, this will be despite the new arrangements, not because of them.
I have to agree with the majority of the sentiment of ph-ndr, though the details of what annoys me are slightly different. But to your point above, there was ONE counter, which is still dominated by the friendly "place your bag here" machine. After a few seconds I found a staff member, seated, almost completely blocked by the machine. That was at the next desk over, and he was on the phone assisting another pax. He was the only staff member that I could see behind a desk.
T4 problems:
- what bright bulb at Changi Airport Group thought "hey, this is the terminal for O&D passengers, let's make sure it's the ONLY one that isn't connected to transport in any reasonable way"?? Is this some secret attempt to improve the finances of Singapore's taxi and ride-sharing services? Idiotic.
- the nude-o-scope scanning machines are annoying. Enough said.
- the CT machines are nice in that you don't have to take your bags out, but approximately 5x slower than the previous setup.
- long walks, no travelators. Already mentioned.
In sum, can't think of a single IMPROVEMENT in T4 (other than perhaps the lounge, but Dnata did the trick for a quick sit and check of email anwyay). If I fly CX on my segments HKG-SIN, this will be despite the new arrangements, not because of them.
Nov 17, 2017, 6:02 am
#204
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK.
Programs: SQ LPPS, A3 *G, BA Silver aiming for Bronze
Posts: 1,506
I had my first experience of T4 on Tuesday this week as an arrival on CX.
The absence of travelators was particularly noticeable and the couple that are there on the very long walk from the plane don't make any sense at all but were welcome.
There was no wait whatever at immigration, I was first off the plane but clearly there was no other activity at the time either and the place was deserted though about 10 desks were staffed.
Luggage delivery took rather longer than I would have liked given that there clearly was nothing else happening. In T1 I was used to my bag being on the carousel when I got there with quite a lot of other activity too. It took about 10 minutes after I got there for bags to begin to arrive and mine - with priority tag was in the first 10.
Making my way outside there were only two taxis waiting as opposed to the never ending availability at other terminals - glad I was quick and no doubt more came along but having to wait is always time wasting.
I guess I'll get a further impression when I fly out from T4 as arrival and departure are often quite different experiences but this time I'm leaving from T3.
The absence of travelators was particularly noticeable and the couple that are there on the very long walk from the plane don't make any sense at all but were welcome.
There was no wait whatever at immigration, I was first off the plane but clearly there was no other activity at the time either and the place was deserted though about 10 desks were staffed.
Luggage delivery took rather longer than I would have liked given that there clearly was nothing else happening. In T1 I was used to my bag being on the carousel when I got there with quite a lot of other activity too. It took about 10 minutes after I got there for bags to begin to arrive and mine - with priority tag was in the first 10.
Making my way outside there were only two taxis waiting as opposed to the never ending availability at other terminals - glad I was quick and no doubt more came along but having to wait is always time wasting.
I guess I'll get a further impression when I fly out from T4 as arrival and departure are often quite different experiences but this time I'm leaving from T3.
Nov 17, 2017, 6:12 am
#205
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: BA(GGL) QF LTS CX AM, Hilton Diamond, PPL(A)
Posts: 1,654
Nov 21, 2017, 1:13 am
#206
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
A HK passenger is complaining about CX not being a Full Service Carrier for being sent to T4, which does not have MRT nor low floor deck bus shuttles to T2
Code:
http://www.facebook.com/cathaypacificHK/posts/1222676951209339
Nov 21, 2017, 10:25 am
#207
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Mosaic
Posts: 1,050
Nov 21, 2017, 4:44 pm
#208
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
They didn't have them at T1, which sucked.
I will add...it'd be really nice if they add them. The F class thing isn't too relevant (TPE has sporadic F like SIN, see my comment below), but there are scores of Diamonds to/from SIN. Some extreme flights could have 40-50 Diamonds, even ignoring other OWEs. Come to think of it perhaps this is why CX *doesn't* have an F counter! I just don't understand why they have it at TPE when SIN they don't.
Nothing new. CX has sporadically served Singapore with F class over the years. It's pretty unreliable and subject to equipment swap; nearly all F passengers are flying award tickets and SIN is simply the tag-on for their long-haul flight. Right or wrong CX treats them like trash when it comes to swapping these flights willy nilly.
Anyway nobody I know ex-SIN or HKG buys cash tickets to SIN in F on CX because of the merry-go-round of flights and limited schedule. I know I certainly don't - when I pay for F to/from SIN I exclusively fly SQ, where I can bank on the plane I'm going to get. Somewhat ironically, the reason I never actually purchase F tickets to/from SIN when CX makes them available is because of the unpredictability and equipment swaps! It's a chicken and the egg problem. The bigger issue is CX is so addicted to partner award revenue they can always fill up regional F if they'd like (hello Alaska, Avios, American, etc. bookers) due to those programs free or nearly-free ability to add short-haul F sectors as part of a long-haul sector. But these passengers offer a stupidly low yield and that, in turn, leads CX to feel they can swap those flights at will. It's a maddening dynamic for all of us...award bookers included, who are rightfully disappointed every time CX swaps out their flights. We have endless threads dedicated to F class equipment swaps out on regional flights.
Unlike SQ, CX simply doesn't consider Singapore a true "F" destination. They'll schedule in flights from time to time or even over longer periods and when you do get it, it's still proper regional F. The problem is predictability and reliability.
CX's only true (aka you can bank on it) regional F destination is HND once a day.
I will add...it'd be really nice if they add them. The F class thing isn't too relevant (TPE has sporadic F like SIN, see my comment below), but there are scores of Diamonds to/from SIN. Some extreme flights could have 40-50 Diamonds, even ignoring other OWEs. Come to think of it perhaps this is why CX *doesn't* have an F counter! I just don't understand why they have it at TPE when SIN they don't.
Nothing new. CX has sporadically served Singapore with F class over the years. It's pretty unreliable and subject to equipment swap; nearly all F passengers are flying award tickets and SIN is simply the tag-on for their long-haul flight. Right or wrong CX treats them like trash when it comes to swapping these flights willy nilly.
Anyway nobody I know ex-SIN or HKG buys cash tickets to SIN in F on CX because of the merry-go-round of flights and limited schedule. I know I certainly don't - when I pay for F to/from SIN I exclusively fly SQ, where I can bank on the plane I'm going to get. Somewhat ironically, the reason I never actually purchase F tickets to/from SIN when CX makes them available is because of the unpredictability and equipment swaps! It's a chicken and the egg problem. The bigger issue is CX is so addicted to partner award revenue they can always fill up regional F if they'd like (hello Alaska, Avios, American, etc. bookers) due to those programs free or nearly-free ability to add short-haul F sectors as part of a long-haul sector. But these passengers offer a stupidly low yield and that, in turn, leads CX to feel they can swap those flights at will. It's a maddening dynamic for all of us...award bookers included, who are rightfully disappointed every time CX swaps out their flights. We have endless threads dedicated to F class equipment swaps out on regional flights.
Unlike SQ, CX simply doesn't consider Singapore a true "F" destination. They'll schedule in flights from time to time or even over longer periods and when you do get it, it's still proper regional F. The problem is predictability and reliability.
CX's only true (aka you can bank on it) regional F destination is HND once a day.
Last edited by QRC3288; Nov 21, 2017 at 4:49 pm
Nov 21, 2017, 5:44 pm
#209
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
At T1 I’ve never had to wait more than one person so I think the presence of a F counter is academic.
Don’t lump Avios/BA into this. There are no free add-on sectors in BA - each award is priced sector by sector making transit itineraries expensive.
The bigger issue is CX is so addicted to partner award revenue they can always fill up regional F if they'd like (hello Alaska, Avios, American, etc. bookers) due to those programs free or nearly-free ability to add short-haul F sectors as part of a long-haul sector.
Nov 21, 2017, 6:17 pm
#210
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
My poor understanding of the nuances shines through....my bad. Im pretty sure in Alaska and AA you can though, but I might be wrong there too.