HKG or SIN - Your Preference?

[Fiches Mouser]

In SIN, you don't get this problem. In fact, you simply turn up at the next gate without even needing to search for a transit point. Not until T4 opens anyway. (SIN T4 will have a more traditional set up where departing and arriving pax are separated. It will also not be connected by sky train. It was designed as a replacement of the budget terminal but full service airlines such as CX will be moving there, which I'm sure will be a pain in the rear end.)

I did not know this! That is kind of disappointing as I think the open terminal concept is SIN's best asset.

 

[awkwardpaws]

In SIN, you don't get this problem. In fact, you simply turn up at the next gate without even needing to search for a transit point. Not until T4 opens anyway. (SIN T4 will have a more traditional set up where departing and arriving pax are separated. It will also not be connected by sky train. It was designed as a replacement of the budget terminal but full service airlines such as CX will be moving there, which I'm sure will be a pain in the rear end.)

Wow, CX is moving to T4? wow that will be a pain in terms of transiting / changing terminals in SIN..

 

[Major]

I must admit - I have not been in a CX F Lounge for over 12mths - what Champs are they serving in Peir / Wing F nowadays?

Not sure about F but it was Moet in the Wing J on Monday

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Not sure about F but it was Moet in the Wing J on Monday

As I posted earlier only been in Wing F half doz times - Champs I saw there were Veuve, Moet and Peninsular labelled Champs - what is that about?

 

[Major]

They also had Moet in "The Cabin"

 

[Awesom Andy]

I did not know this! That is kind of disappointing as I think the open terminal concept is SIN's best asset.

Wow, CX is moving to T4? wow that will be a pain in terms of transiting / changing terminals in SIN..

Due to the growth of budget airlines, the former budget terminal was upgraded, then expanded, before being pulled down so T4 can be built from scratch. And as a replacement of the budget terminal, it seems to be ok as it's designed with check-in, baggage drop, customs, and departure gates automated. Facial recognition technology will also be used. However, it was a little bit too nice, and CX decided to go over there and make it their home. Currently, CX, KA, VN, and the whole AirAsia group are confirmed to operate from T4 when it begins operations.

The problem with T4 is that it loses the benefits and the connectivity of other terminals. Any transfers between T4 and the rest of the airport would require a bus ride. There is no skytrain, and no normal (MRT) train to the city. At this stage, I'm not sure if airside transfer would be possible at all, but we will have to see about that.

They are also building more aircraft stands opposite the road, and a bridge will be built to allow buses to connect from T4 to these stands. While nothing has been said about this, I would not be surprised if they eventually start using these remote stands and have pax bused instead of using aerobridges.

And then, give it another 10 years, T5 should be just about open, and it's going to be one huge terminal. By which time, the 3rd runway, currently used by the military, will be upgraded and connected to the public side for commercial use. The contract for the upgrade was awarded late last year.

Meanwhile in HKG, full practical capacity of the runways will be reached in the next few years, but they still haven't gotten around to building a 3rd runway. There are a lot of people against having it built, and the delays and budget overruns in recent large public infrastructure works are certainly not helping sentiments.

 

[dajop]

If they can get rid of that carpet, it would be wonderful.

Noooo! Don't get rid of the carpet. Maybe go to a more neutral design, it is softer on the feet and is great for dampening noise compared to tiles etc which look great, but are so noisy. I've had several conference calls (and at times various personal calls ) in both HKG & SIN without lounge access and at HKG really struggled to find somewhere quiet and comfortable (ended up near a deserted gate) to do the calls - it can get really noisy in the main and eating areas of the terminal, but at SIN, could easily do it as I walked along - despite being really crowded -thanks in large part I think to the carpet.

Now we are all talking over trivial differences here, you look at HKG & SIN how to create great airports from scratch. If you want to look at how not to do it ... BKK is a great example, an airport that should be much better than it is, given its age.

 

[JohnK]

As I posted earlier only been in Wing F half doz times - Champs I saw there were Veuve, Moet and Peninsular labelled Champs - what is that about?

LOL. Does it really matter what champagne is on offer?

Yes I do know your answer. I couldn't care less what vodka or gin they serve on any flight or any lounge. Why does it matter so much with champagne?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

LOL. Does it really matter what champagne is on offer?............................Why does it matter so much with champagne?

If you do not know the answer to that then it would be a waste of bandwidth trying to explain.

 

[JohnK]

If you do not know the answer to that then it would be a waste of bandwidth trying to explain.

I know the answer. Don't understand the reason. Don't waste your time.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

LOL. Does it really matter what champagne is on offer?

Yes I do know your answer. I couldn't care less what vodka or gin they serve on any flight or any lounge. Why does it matter so much with champagne?

I wish airlines cared about their gin as much as they do their champagne. SQ serves the most god-awful Beefeater. WHY!!!???

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Don't understand the reason.

Ah huh - that may be because Champagne is a grownup's drink!

 

[JohnK]

Ah huh - that may be because Champagne is a grownup's drink!

Huh! What a waste of perfectly good grapes.

P.S. Some vinegar tastes similar to some wines and champagnes.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I wish airlines cared about their gin as much as they do their champagne. SQ serves the most god-awful Beefeater. WHY!!!???

OT so I will respond here - SQ Tips, Trips and Tales.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Thanks to ABT for these 2 tables:



And:

 

[trippin_the_rift]

If the survey question was 'which Stopover city would you feel most comfortable in' I think results would be similar.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

HKG is the winner for me!

I love the way you check in luggage at HKG central station, receive your boarding passes early in the day and train it back to the airport later on.

In terms of the 'fun' factor, HKG wins on this front too, with plenty more activities and places to go from a tourist perspective.

And whilst SIN still is spectacularly clean, it's no longer a cheap destination and lacks the buzz of Honkers.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Both do things so differently, and both seem to work really well. But they could also still learn a lot from each other.

 

[dajop]

But they could also still learn a lot from each other.

Haha . Like Sydney learning a lot from Melbourne and vice versa. Or Paris learning from London.

 

[get me outta here]

HKG gets real weather which means you can go in the season you prefer. SIN is pretty much always hot and steamy which appeals to some, but less so to me. Looking out of my HKG hotel room window right now, there's a pea souper of fog, about 22C and mostly the locals are still wearing thier parkas. The Eagles I've been seeing flying around may be grounded.