The Best Airport In The World: Singapore Changi Airport | Business Insider

Summary

Changi Airport in Singapore, crowned the world's best for the 12th time, is a luxury hub that goes beyond the typical airport experience. With its stunning Jewel shopping mall, lush gardens, rooftop pool, and a vast array of amenities, it’s a destination in itself. Visitors can explore the world's tallest indoor waterfall, enjoy a butterfly garden, and even catch a free movie. The airport’s lavish offerings cater to both travelers and tourists alike, reflecting Singapore’s dedication to luxury and innovation. It’s an airport worth visiting, even without a flight to catch.

Takeaways

• 😀 Changi Airport has been crowned the world's best airport for the 12th time, providing an exceptional experience for travelers.
• 😀 Singapore's Changi Airport features unique amenities, including gardens, a $1.3 billion lifestyle hub, and a rooftop pool, offering a luxurious layover experience.
• 😀 The Jewel, a giant shopping mall at Changi, is open to visitors without requiring a plane ticket, featuring a 130-foot tall indoor waterfall and tiered vegetation.
• 😀 The Jewel's Rain Vortex, the world's tallest indoor waterfall, runs 24/7 using recycled rainwater, creating an eco-friendly display.
• 😀 Canopy Park, located at the top of the Jewel, offers fun attractions like a glass-bottom bridge, sky nets, and foggy bowls, making it a hit with visitors of all ages.
• 😀 Changi Airport offers free amenities like a butterfly garden, a koi pond, and a 24-hour movie theater to keep travelers entertained during layovers.
• 😀 The airport's luxury offerings include high-end stores like Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga, along with private lounges for business and first-class travelers.
• 😀 Singapore Food Street in Terminal 3 serves classic Singaporean dishes, offering affordable meals in a traditional 1960s hawker market-style setting.
• 😀 Changi's growth has been rapid, with significant expansions like Terminal 3 in 2007 and Terminal 4 in 2017, making it a key hub for international travel in Asia.
• 😀 The airport has contributed significantly to Singapore's economy, with air transport accounting for over a tenth of the country's GDP and providing 375,000 jobs.

Q & A

Why is Singapore's Changi Airport considered the best airport in the world?

Changi Airport is known for its exceptional amenities, luxurious design, and innovative features, such as the Jewel shopping mall, the Rain Vortex waterfall, and various recreational areas. It also provides a seamless and comfortable travel experience, with facilities like free movie theaters, a butterfly garden, and a rooftop pool, making it a destination in itself.

What is the Jewel at Changi Airport?

The Jewel is a massive shopping mall located at Changi Airport, which is accessible without a plane ticket. It features a wide range of attractions, including the Rain Vortex (the world's tallest indoor waterfall), a canopy park, and various themed gardens. It spans 10 floors and was built with private investments.

How does Changi Airport incorporate Singapore's garden theme?

Changi Airport embraces Singapore's garden theme through lush greenery and tiered vegetation, with 99% of the plants being real. The Jewel itself features extensive landscaping, including Canopy Park and the indoor rainforest area, showcasing the country's dedication to nature and sustainability.

What unique features can visitors experience at Changi Airport?

Visitors to Changi Airport can experience a variety of unique features, such as the world's tallest indoor waterfall, the Rain Vortex, a glass-bottom bridge 75 feet above the ground, Sky Nets for bouncing, a free butterfly garden, a koi pond, and a movie theater. These attractions make the airport more like a luxury leisure destination.

How does Changi Airport enhance the layover experience for travelers?

Changi Airport offers numerous facilities for long layovers, including a 24-hour gym, a pool, transit hotels, and a free movie theater. It provides a variety of dining options, including affordable food streets, as well as recreational activities like exploring gardens, visiting the Jewel, and enjoying immersive entertainment options.

What role does Changi Airport play in Singapore's economy?

Changi Airport is a significant contributor to Singapore's economy, supporting around 375,000 jobs and generating over a tenth of the country's GDP through air transport. It handles millions of travelers annually, making it a key player in the global transportation industry.

What is the economic impact of Changi Airport's growth?

Changi Airport's expansion, including the construction of the $10 billion Terminal 5, is expected to increase its passenger capacity and further boost Singapore's aviation industry. This will bring in more flights and revenue, cementing Changi's position as a global hub.

Why has Singapore invested so much in Changi Airport?

Singapore has heavily invested in Changi Airport for three main reasons: it serves as a major economic driver, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing significantly to the GDP; it reflects the luxury and innovation associated with Singapore as a city; and it supports Singapore Airlines, helping to maintain the nation's position as a global aviation hub.

What is the significance of Changi Airport's Skytrax award?

The Skytrax award is an international recognition of the best airports in the world, and Changi Airport has won it multiple times, including in 2023. This award highlights the airport's excellence in facilities, services, and passenger experience.

How did Changi Airport recover after the COVID-19 pandemic?

After the pandemic, Changi Airport saw a significant recovery, with passenger numbers increasing fourfold in 2022 compared to the previous year. The airport also regained its position as the world's best airport in 2023, aided by the resumption of travel and the ongoing construction of Terminal 5.