Have a long layover at Singapore? Check out Changi's shiny new Jewel

By Bloomberg Pursuits, April 17 2019
Have a long layover at Singapore? Check out Changi's shiny new Jewel

Typically, a handful of empty hours between flights gives you a chance to stretch your legs and get the blood flowing. But at Singapore’s Changi Airport, a new mega-attraction might just mean you actually look forward to breaking your journey in two.

Welcome to the five-story glass dome they’re calling Jewel Changi Airport, which opens its doors on April 17.

Built over the former open-air car park in front of Terminal 1, the Jewel's intricate construction includes 9,000 pieces of glass and 18,000 steel beams, and weighs a total of more than 6,000 tons.

The Rain Vortex – said to be the world's highest indoor waterfall and surrounded by thousands of trees, plants and shrubs – is the jewel in the Jewel's crown. While it looks impressive during the day, a sound and light show will transform it into a cacophony of color when the sun goes down.

Agoraphobics should probably stay away from the Sky Nets, which offer a bird's eye view of the Jewel. The 250m (820 feet) long trampoline-like bouncing net will keep the children entertained some eight meters off the ground, while the 50m walking net passes high above the retail section.

And in Singapore, the shopping mall is king. The Jewel has more than 280 stores, including Southeast Asia's biggest Nike outlet and the first permanent Pokemon store outside Japan.

Even if you don't have time to stroll through the Jewel, the Skytrain connecting terminals 2 and 3 passes through the dome, pictured here with the Canopy Bridge.

London-based mini-hotel operator Yotel is opening up YotelAir, offering 130 rooms that can be booked overnight or just for a few hours to freshen up. Rates start at S$80 for four hours. The Jewel also offers early check-in counters for some 20 airlines, if you arrive more than three hours before you fly.

Dining options range from the staples of Shake Shack, Burger & Lobster and Tiger Beer's Tiger Street Lab draft brew outlet to Jumbo Seafood, home of Singapore's famous chili crab.

Bloomberg Pursuits

Bloomberg Pursuits curates the best in cars, food, drinks, travel, watches and more for the modern globally-minded executive, and is republished under licence by Executive Traveller.

The Jewel is amazing, I have seen it going up on each visit to Singapore, was there on the weekend and it's incredible, well worth checking out. As the article says, you can do the T2-T3 shuttle just for a look, and if you have the time between flights I would strongly recommend that!

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

01 Mar 2012

Total posts 177

Is it airside or landside?

17 Apr 2019

Total posts 3

Jewel is on the landside. It's directly connected to T1 and there are link bridges from T2 and T3.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

07 Feb 2015

Total posts 150

I wonder if QF is one of those 20 airlines that will offer early check ins there and how early. It would be great to spend that half day at the Jewel after hotel check out and before the evening QF departures.

17 Apr 2019

Total posts 3

Early check-in is available for QF and SQ at Jewel from 3 to 12 hours before flight departure.

06 Mar 2018

Total posts 9

SQ allows online check in 48hrs prior, and baggage drop 24hrs before departure.

05 Dec 2018

Total posts 143

More airlines should open up check-in to at least 5 hours before the flight. 3 hours before departure is not long once you get to a lounge and if you want todo some shopping / view these marvels..

01 Nov 2017

Total posts 17

Most main airlines offer early check-in in the main terminals, if not at the Jewel, you can just go to T1-T3 and check-in then go back to the Jewel.

Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club

16 Jun 2017

Total posts 35

I think you mean acrophobia (fear of heights) in regard to the sky nets. Certainly wont be getting anywhere near them myself.

Etihad - Etihad Guest

14 Mar 2019

Total posts 10

A great airport just got better

12 Dec 2012

Total posts 1027

Have they moved the SATS early check in and direct link to departure immigration into the Jewel, or is the new early check in an additional option?

17 Apr 2019

Total posts 3

This is an additional facility. Early check-in remains available in the terminals.

QF

04 Apr 2014

Total posts 209

We just passed through Changi and took a look. Lovely new facility but crazy busy, access was being closed at times because of the crowds.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

06 Oct 2016

Total posts 162

One thing that Singaporeans love is a queue!

23 Feb 2019

Total posts 2

Jewel is very busy and if you're in transit you must go out of immigration and back. Changi airport corporation recommends over 5 hours in transit if you want to check out Jewel. Definitely a turn off.

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