Tight ITL to ITL connex at Changi on 2 x SQ flights - are there security or customs delays etc?

[ozstamps]

Next month we catch the Singapore Airlines flight from Chennai/Madras - SQ 529 MAA-SIN at 11.25pm, arriving allegedly 05.55, with a pretty tight 70 minute connection to Sydney SIN-SYD SQ 241 at 07.05, so hope it takes off on time in Chennai – many days it does not! A few days last week we'd have missed the Syd flight as can be seen, unless that was delayed.

SQ529 (SIA529) Singapore Airlines Flight Tracking and History - FlightAware

I cannot recall from our recent SQ flights last year, the deal inside terminal - and if there are any Customs etc if strictly in transit, (presumably not) or any security to hold things up?

Indeed, not sure if the inward 787 and outward A350 will be in same terminal?

We are in Business Class both flights, on SQ miles award tickets, and getting re-protected on next flight will be a mighty hassle if we miss the connection I am sure. Platinum on Virgin and lifetime Star Golds but that will count for nothing in SIN I feel sure!

We probably do not really need to check bags I suppose, as that can often be an issue on tight connections.

Any input appreciated!

 

[daft009]

Are the 2 legs separate tickets or all on 1?
If on 1 then SQ will take care of it if you miss your connecting flight.

If separate then you're on your own

 

[ozstamps]

Ha!

All on the one PNR thankfully, but getting confirmed Biz seats on next flight SIN-SYD I'd not be holding my breath waiting for, if they misconnect.

It was of course a 'legal' connection when I booked it, but whether they offer you economy on next flight with a relevant points rebate or business in 3 days time etc is anyone's guess.

No idea if they'd route via BNE or ADL if loads are lighter, then to SYD at a pinch on VA, but can't imagine SQ offering that?

 

[aaa99]

I have done this trip a few times with varying transit times. If the luggage is checked through or no luggage, there is no customs, but there is a security check at each gate at Changi (except T4).

Each time I arrived into Changi on SQ, I have seen airport staff holding a board for immediately departing flights to direct those with immediate connections.

Regarding terminals, the wide body flights from Chennai mostly arrives into T3, but sometimes in T2. Almost all Australia flights mostly depart from T3. Depending on the exact gate, the transfer time might vary. You can transfer between the terminals completely airside using the skytrain. There is a sky train that goes through the jewel without actually going past immigration.

 

[clifford]

Well, of course, SQ will protect you if you miss the flight, but that's no consolation. I think your chances of making the connection are probably 50% ish.

I have an award ticket ADL-SIN-AMS in J on SQ which originally had a 50 minute connection in SIN. A little research showed that sometimes the arriving aircraft came in to a different terminal (T2 Vs T3), so in this case the connection was impossible.

Thankfully there was a schedule change which made the connection illegal, so I was able to change my ADL-SIN flight to an earlier flight.

I just wonder if SQ doesn't do this just to fork up other *Alliance flyers...

 

[ozstamps]

Great info - many thanks.

Be very handy if we arrive and depart T3 .. makes it look pretty doable!

Just checked and used Velocity miles to fund the award tickets … should not make any real difference I guess?

Glen

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Great info - many thanks.

Be very handy if we arrive and depart T3 .. makes it look pretty doable!

Just checked and used Velocity miles to fund the award tickets … should not make any real difference I guess?

Glen

No difference.

If it looks like you are going to misconnect - and 70 mins is actually quite generous at Changi, I’ve had connections ticketed at 50mins - they will rebook you well in advance on the next available service to SYD. There will likely be people who misconnect on that one too, so I wouldn’t worry about travelling in a cabin other than you have booked.

If for some reason the connecting flight is actually full, you’ll be offered a choice to either fly in a different cabin or wait for the flight after. And SQ will look after you with any hotel accommodation and transfers.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Its not like the US, you wont pass ICA Singapore, you just have to get your HLO re xrayed, they this at the gate at Changi.
SQs staff at MAA should be able to issue you 2 sets of BP, per person, but if not, there is always the transit service desk at each zones at Changi.
No need to fill in a SGAC, or Singapore incoming pax card either, no ESTA, no fees.
Get off plane from MAA, and go to gate for flight to SYD, get HLO re xrayed, and that is it.

 

[albatross710]

My most recent transit was BKK-SIN-BNE with a 60 minute SIN transit. BKK-SIN arrived 90 minutes late in SIN. I was hoping for a free SIN stopover. Prior to disembarking the announcement was for some cities to approach the ground staff for new boarding passes, we just had to get from T2 to T3 which still took 20 minutes. SQ have excellent systems to work all this out.

Remember if a flight is late you wont be the only person that is late.

 

[sydunipete]

There is a sky train that goes through the jewel without actually going past immigration.

I doubt the OP will have too much time for sightseeing but the Skytrain through Jewel connects T3B with T2E.

 

[ozstamps]

All connected with a heap of time thank goodness as Chennai flight arrived on time to T3 and as i recall SYD flight was T1, via Skytrain.


Ozzies BEWARE.

We were carrying bags of Duty Free spirits bought airside in India. All sealed up, and in see thru duty-free bags.

To enter departure gates for Oz flights in T1 there is a security screening for some reason.

All the booze sailed thru machine, but a polite official guy on other side was confiscating it all, and showing us a page of AUSTRALIA Government regulations saying it was not permitted, even if within the litre limit. UNLESS bought in SIN Duty Free and delivered to aircraft door there.

Ours cost us $A125. The guy in front of us was with wife and 2 adult kids, and was wailing his cost $300.

We lost it all.

 

[daft009]

Yeah for Australia you have to buy it at the last port before Australia, so you'd have to buy it at Changi

 

[elanshin]

All connected with a heap of time thank goodness as Chennai flight arrived on time to T3 and as i recall SYD flight was T1, via Skytrain.


Ozzies BEWARE.

We were carrying bags of Duty Free spirits bought airside in India. All sealed up, and in see thru duty-free bags.

To enter departure gates for Oz flights in T1 there is a security screening for some reason.

All the booze sailed thru machine, but a polite official guy on other side was confiscating it all, and showing us a page of AUSTRALIA Government regulations saying it was not permitted, even if within the litre limit. UNLESS bought in SIN Duty Free and delivered to aircraft door there.

Ours cost us $A125. The guy in front of us was with wife and 2 adult kids, and was wailing his cost $300.

We lost it all.

To be honest this is mostly on the duty free in India. They're supposed to have asked you if you were transiting at SIN and if so denied you buying there any liquids.

That for example is how it's handled at Japanese airports to transiting through Singapore. You can however have it go in your checked luggage, but in your case you don't have the time to go out and recheck in.

 

[daft009]

To be honest this is mostly on the duty free in India. They're supposed to have asked you if you were transiting at SIN and if so denied you buying there any liquids.

That for example is how it's handled at Japanese airports to transiting through Singapore. You can however have it go in your checked luggage, but in your case you don't have the time to go out and recheck in.

Haha Indian duty free want a sale.. They don't care

 

[elanshin]

Haha Indian duty free want a sale.. They don't care

Of course, hence why they didn't do their job properly. I think we were almost denied buying alcohol here in Aus transiting SIN the other way until i said we were exiting airside and giving this to friends on landside in SIN.

 

[ozstamps]

Firstly in Chennai they's likely not know about our stupid rules anyway, and secondly they only asked to see 'boarding pass' and that was MAA-SIN. For all they knew I lived there.

Sales Lady was really doing the hard sell up upselling us on brand and lucky I resisted.

We lost $125 which was bad enough .. if it was 20 year old Malt Whisky or aged Cognac for $500 or so, I'd be livid.

 

[kevrosmith]

Always worth doing the research for transit and duty free rules for whichever airport one is flying through. Every airport and country have their own nuances.

I thought the Singapore rules about the difficulty of getting duty free bags through the at-gate security check was well known, particularly to members of a frequent flyer forum. I’ve only been through SIN a couple times, but know enough to warn friends to go check out the rules to ensure they are not disappointed.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

At Changi, all security screening is at the gate, prior to each departure.
Not like say, NZ or Aus.
From Singapore city, you get the train, bus, taxi, or car to Changi Airport, you pass through a security person who views your BP, then you go through ICA check point for SG outgoing immi, then go to gate for your departure.
Then all sec screening is done there, at the gate.