Singapore Changi Airport

Continent: Asia

Country: Singapore

Singapore Changi Airport
Location	Changi, Singapore
IATA code	SIN
ICAO code	WSSS
Airport type	Commercial
Website	http://www.changiairport.com/
Overview map	Google Maps
Communications
Tower	118.25MHz, 118.60MHz
Ground	121.72MHz, 124.30MHz
Clearance
Approach	120.30MHz
ATIS	128.60MHz

Official Spotting Locations

Although there are no "official" spotting locations in Singapore Changi Airport, there are public viewing malls located within the terminals. All the viewing malls are air-conditioned and there are ample seats available. Listed below are a more in-depth review of the respective viewing malls.

Terminal 1 Public Indoor Viewing Mall

This area is just about the only place in the airport which you can spot. There are ample seats in this air-conditioned viewing mall, a food court and a pub on the same level, and restrooms located nearby, making the place rather comfortable. Spanning the entire T1 central apron, provides a clear view of the central apron, as well as movements along the three North Cross taxiways. Aircraft parked at the remote bays off the terminal, the cargo terminal and at SIAEC hangars are also visible from a distance, although near impossible to photograph due to the many obstacles that make a full, unblocked view of the aircraft there impossible. You can also see takeoffs from 02L and 02C (during November to April) and landings on 20R and 20C (during May to October), but from a distance.

The usual aircraft parked at the central apron include Garuda 737s, Qantas A330s, Cathay Pacific and Indian Airlines. It is advisable to check the gates of the flights online at the airport website (information is usually online up to 12 hours before, although for shorter flights this may only be available about 2 hours before the arrival of the flight) as on some days there are very few flights using the central apron whilst on other days it can be full house there.

The required lens focal length to spot here would be about 38mm-300mm for most shots, although 400mm will be useful to shoot the occasional private jet or A320s taxing on North Cross 3.

The viewing mall is located one floor above the departure hall. Escalators to the viewing mall are located next to Immigration East (near check-in row 9 and 10) and Immigration West (near check-in row 7 and 8).

Note: Due to the upgrading at T1 which has already started in some parts of the terminal this spot could be closed soon as it is also affected by the upgrading.

Airliners.net sample photo: medium large
Airliners.net sample photo: medium large

Terminal 2 Public Indoor Viewing Mall

The viewing mall hear offers a view of many Singapore Airlines 777s, SilkAir and Malaysian Airlines aircraft, which are the main users of Terminal 2. Movements on 20C/02C are also visible. However, this location is unsuitable for photography, firstly as the glass panels are tinted green, and secondly the transit mall extends under the viewing mall, effectively placing two layers of glass in front of you, and a lot of panel frames to contend with. The sunshades also block you from looking at eye level, instead you have to look downwards to see the aircraft parked at the apron.

The relatively small size of the viewing mall also means that it tends to get crowded often, especially on weekends. There are many restaurants on the same level, which you will pass by before you get to the viewing mall.

The viewing mall is located one floor above the departure hall. Escalators are located between Immigration North and South, near check-in rows 5 and 6 and rows 7 and 8. There are signs that will guide you to the location.

Terminal 3 Public Indoor Viewing Mall

The viewing mall here offers a different angle of view from the other viewing malls at Changi, giving you a more aerial-like view of the apron. Aircraft that can be seen from here are Singapore Airlines heavies, movements on 20R/02L, and in the morning and evening, the A380. However, just like at Terminal 2, the transit lounge extends beyond the viewing mall, thus the two layers of glass frames block clear views of the planes. Photography here is also near impossible.

Do note that the viewing mall tends to get crowded during the weekends but due to its large area this is quite tolerable. There is a restaurant located within the viewing gallery (Earl's Swensons) and it is a good place to dine and watch the planes at the same time!

The viewing mall is located two floors above the departure hall. There are four escalators to access the viewing mall, two at the central immigration area and two at the ends of the green wall. There are signs to guide you.

Transit Malls

The transit malls will offer you one of the best locations to spot, giving you close views of aircraft parked at the gates. This is especially so in Terminals 2 and 3, where the aircraft wingtips are just metres away from the glass. At Changi, your best bet will be to walk in a straight line after clearing immigration (you have to walk around the shops sometimes though) and you will reach the big glass panels where you can get a good view of the planes. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are connected by skytrain so you can hop around terminals to spot if time permits. Walking between terminals is another option. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants in the terminal. There are different things to take note of in each terminal, as written below.

Terminal 1

Here, the 'big glass panel' is actually only one floor high, and heavily tinted. There are restaurant seats lining the area so you may not have the space to spot at this window. Do note that at night you can see nothing from this windows.

Terminal 2

There are big glass panels spanning the height of the terminal here. The planes come rather close here, especially if you are lucky to catch a 747 turning into gate F31. F31 is the first gate to be A380-ready, and you can see the three jetways from here. The gate right next to the glass usually sees only A320 and B737s, but even then their wingtips come close to the glass. This place is very well lit at night, especially the colourful shop signs, so do watch out for reflections. There is also a very useful ledge (which is actually the glass panel frame) which can be used for a tripod at night, or a support to stabilise your shots in the day, and is wide enough to accomodate a DSLR and certain lenses. Movements on the T2 central apron, as well as on 20C/02C can be seen from here. Do note that the glass is tinted green, and it can affect your pictures, so watch your colours closely.

Terminal 3

Like Terminal 2, large glass panels span the height of the terminal. Down here you can see 20R/02L movements, as well as planes parked at the gates in front of the glass. The A380 parks at the A-gates in front of the glass every day. Do note that the glass is tinted green, and it can affect your pictures, so watch your colours closely. Best for morning shots.

Other Spotting Locations

Changi Beach Park

This is the best place to spot aircraft arriving on runway 20R and 20C. In most cases aircraft that will park at the C-gates at Terminal 1 or Terminal 3 , as well as cargo aircraft will land on runway 20R while runway 20C is mainly used for traffic that will park at the D-gates at Terminal 1 or at Terminal 2 except during runway maintenence which would usually last 20-30 mins and arrival traffic would temporarily be diverted to the other runway. Runway maintenence only occurs once every 6-7 hours. As the landing path is such that the plane's entire body will face the sun, it is important to know where to position yourself to get a sunlit shot of the aircraft.

In the morning: For 20R arrivals it would be best to go to carpark 5. Depending on your lens you can walk around to align yourself in the best spot. For 20C you can try carpark 7 although the angle will be a little awkward and slightly more difficult to shoot.

In the afternoon/evening: For 20R arrivals go to carpark 3 or 4. 20C arrivals are best shot from the beach after carpark 6.

You will need a focal length of around 50mm to 150mm depending on where you stand and the size of the aircraft.

Public bus services are available to carparks 2 to 5. You will need a car to get to carpark 6 or 7.

Runway 20R/20C is usually used between March-October after which landings are changed to 02L/02C due to seasonal wind changes. Also note that listening to VHF radios is strictly forbidden and hefty fines are given to those caught listening or using it.

<googlemap version="0.9" lat="1.390696" lon="103.995488" zoom="17">1.390911, 103.993578Carpark 3 and 41.39001, 103.996056Carpark 5</googlemap>

Airliners.net sample photo: medium large

Changi Business Park

This is the best place to spot aircraft arriving on runway 02L, in most cases most aircraft would land on this runway between October-February. This area is an industrial park so a car is necessary as the nearest bus stop is roughly about 1.5km away from the area best to spot arriving aircraft. Due to this area being industrial, it tends to be filled with heavy vehicles driving around the area during the weekdays so it is advisable to spot at this area only during the weekends as you can easily park your car anywhere without blocking or disrupting anyone. As this area is more built up than Changi Beach Park, finding a spot which has an unobstructed view might be difficult so I have listed down one of the unobstructed locations.

Locations to Avoid

Changi Coast Road

This is one area regularly patrolled by the police as it is illegal to photograph airport buildings and serious action would be taken if one is caught photographing at this location especially with a D-SLR, it is also illegal to park one's car at the emergency entrances (which are the only places without double fencing) and it requires either a car or a bicycle to get there as it is a good 5km to the nearest bus stop and taxis don't usually pick-up passengers from the Coast Road. There is a park connector which is separated from the perimeter fence by the Changi Coast Road with occasional shelters along the path. You can see the planes take off and land but due to the double security fence the view is not very clear. Thus it is not advisable to hang around this area for more than 30 minutes. My advice is for you NOT TO SPOT HERE unless you are familiar with this area.

Airliners.net sample photo: medium large

Regular Traffic

Terminal 1

Air China (B737-800, B767-300/ER)
Air France (B777-300ER)
Air India (A310, A330-200)
Air India Express (B737-800)
Air Mauritius (A330-200)
Air Zimbabwe (B767-200ER)
AirAsia (A320)
All Nippon Airways (B767-300ER)
Asiana Airlines (A330)*
Bangkok Airways (A319)*
Biman Bangladesh Airlines (DC-10-30)
British Airways (B747-400, B777-200)
Cathay Pacific Airways (A330-300, B747-400, B777-200/300)
China Airlines (A330-300, B737-800)
China Southern Airlines (A321)
Emirates (B777-300/ER)
EVA Air (A330)
Garuda Indonesia (A330-300, B737-300/400/800)
Indian Airlines (A320)
Japan Airlines (B747-400, B767-200, B777-200)
JetStar (A320)
JetStar Airways International (A320)*
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (B777-200)
Korean Air (B777)*
Lion Airlines (B737-900ER)
Northwest Airlines (A330-300)*
Qantas Airways (A330-300, B737-800, B747-400)
Saudi Arabian (B747-300)
SriLankan Airlines (A340-300)
Swiss International Air Lines (A340-300)
Thai AirAsia (A320, B737-300)
Thai Airways International (A300-600, A330-300, B777-200)
Transaero Airlines (B747-300/400, B767-200)
Turkish Airlines (A330-200)
Valuair (A320)
Vietnam Airlines (A321)
Xiamen Airlines (B737-700)

Terminal 2

Etihad (B777)*
Lufthansa German Airlines (A340-300, B747-400)
Malaysia Airlines (A330, B737-400)
Philippine Airlines (A320, A330-300)
Royal Brunei (A320)
SilkAir (A319, A320)
Singapore Airlines (A340-500, B777-200/200ER/300/300ER)

Terminal 3

Jet Airways (A330, B737)
China Eastern Airlines (A300-600R, A330)
Qatar Airways (A330)
Singapore Airlines (A345, A380, B744, B777)
United Airlines (B747, B777)

Budget Terminal

Cebu Pacific (A320)
Tiger Airways (A320)

Cargo Airlines

Air Hong Kong (A300F)
Asiana Cargo (B747F)
Cargolux (B747F)
Cathay Pacific Cargo (B747F)
Lufthansa Cargo (MD11)
FedEx Express (A300F, MD11F)
Jett8 Airlines Cargo (B742F)
Nippon Cargo Airlines (B747F)
Singapore Airlines Cargo (B744F)
Shanghai Airlines Cargo (B757F)
United Parcel Service (B757)

airlines with night flight operations only marked with (*)

Facilities and Transportation

At Changi Airport

As mentioned above, most of the spotting done in the terminals are very comfortable with seats, air-conditioning and food available nearby. Transportation wise, it is very easy to get around the airport especially with the sky-train system linking the terminals together and is the most convenient way of getting around the airport. There are public buses (such as service 36) that takes roughly about 30-45 mins to get to the airport from the Orchard Road area and it costs roughly SGD2.00 for the ride. The MRT which is Singapore's Subway System can also get you from the city center to the aiport's Terminal 2 and 3 in about 25 mins (excluding waiting and transit time). A new feature of the airport is that it also offers a new airport hotel operated by Crowne Plaza (accessible from Terminal 3) and it is a good place to spend the night if you plan to do some spotting either within the airport or at Changi Beach Park.

At Outdoor Locations

Spotting at Changi Beach Park still has rather good facilities with adequetly clean toilets and snack stalls selling snacks and drinks within the park itself. Just a 10 minute walk from the beach is Changi Village which has many restaurants and a hawker center which serves a multitude local delights at resonable prices. There is a hotel called Changi VIllage Hotel located very close to the beach so if you plan to do most spotting at Changi Beach, it is advisable to stay there, there is also an Italian Restaurant located at the top floor of the hotel which offers lovely views of aircraft landing while dining (this is even more lovely during sunset), if you are a guest, the hotel also includes complementary shuttle services to the city center.

Transportation to get to either the beach or Changi Village would require a change of bus services from the airport bus terminal, so therefore this is the easiest way to get from Changi Airport Bus Terminal (located at all 3 terminals) to Changi Beack Park:

1) Take Bus Service 34 from the Airport to Tampines Avenue 7 Block 497D Bus Stop (it's near a petrol kiosk)

2) Cross the road to the other side from the overhead bridge

3) Take Bus Service 9 or 19 to Changi Beach Park **Do note that the bus will make a loop at the Cargo Complex and it is not allowed for people without a pass to enter, so get off the bus by Carpark 5**

Other than Changi Beach, the rest of the locations mentioned are only accesible by Car

Things to Note

Weather

The weather can change unpredictably but this rarely happens and it is mainly very safe for people to spot here in Singapore, but just to be sure, it is advisable to check the weather forecast before venturing out

Other Hazards

Changi Beach and Changi Village are pretty unsafe at night as it will turn into a "red-light" district by the wee hours of the night, so it is not advisable to venture out to Changi Beach Park too late at night unless you are staying at Changi Village Hotel or are camping at the park (permits are required for weekdays) but it is also not advisable to camp at the beach if you are unfamiliar with the area.

Budget Terminal

Another thing to note is that taking photographs while boarding aircraft at the budget terminal (for Tiger Airways and Cebu Pacific flights only) is strictly forbidden and police officers are always on the lookout for anyone taking photographs especially since one is so close to the aircraft.