The New Changi Airport Terminal 4 - Open House

Today, we've got the opportunity to take a peek on the newly constructed Terminal 4 in Changi Airport.  The terminal was not yet fully operational  but we had a good overview of what it would be when it opens.

Let me walk you thru our experience.

Me and the kids arrived by cab while hubby came by a FREE shuttle bus from Terminal 3.

Beautiful pots of purple orchids lined the Entrance

I've already set my expectation to the highest standards given that Changi Airport was named the world's best airport. My first impression upon entering, there was nothing different about this terminal compared to the other three.  We were greeted by a beautiful wired sculpture of birds "“Les Oiseaux" and from afar I can see the "Petalclouds" a grand-scale moving sculpture which reminds me of the Kinetic Rain from Terminal 1.

Les Oiseaux (The Birds)” is a beautifully handcrafted stainless steel wired sculpture of three birds, by French artist, Cedric Le Borgne. One bird is perched on the ground while the other two are suspended mid-air, soaring high. The three birds symbolizes the connection between sky and earth, between dream and reality and reflects the poetry of daily life.

Baby strollers and wheel chairs are available for use

 

We registered to collect our dummy boarding pass. The process would be like how we normally do it when traveling out of the country.

We stayed for awhile in the waiting area. They will not let you in early. You have to wait for your designated time slot.

Petalclouds is a large kinetic installation spanning along the Central Galleria that evokes the impression of clouds moving slowly in the sky. The harmonic, collective choreography of the six identical sculptures results in a fascinating and continuous interplay of form, animated light, and reflections that can be seen from all around the terminal.  

Since there are no operational F&B outlets yet, the vendo machine with coffee, drinks, noodles, etc.. was a hit.

 

Autonomous Cleaning Equipment

Then they let everyone in...


Passing thru the corridors I noticed this Automated Check-In Kiosk. Now, I am starting to be amazed. 

Automated Check-In Kiosk

Next was the Automated Bag Drop Machines. There was a demo in two groups (Mandarin and English) conducted by the event crew. They explained that the passengers will have to scan their passports, print the bag tag, put on the stickers in their own luggage and check it in thru the machine.

If the luggage is overweight or for any technical glitch, the ground crew will be alerted and come by to assist. So cool!

Automated Bag Drop Machine

Moving on next is the ..wait what? even the Immigration is automated. There was a catch though, only Singaporeans, PRs and Registered Travellers can use all these self serve facility.

  

Automated Immigration Gate

Automated Security Screening

Looks like everything here will be a self service. From check-in til boarding. They call it FAST.

Fast and Seamless Travel (FAST)

Way past Immigration was the Duty Free Shops. Still closed.

Then we reached the waiting/lounge area with more shops and F&B outlets.

 

 “The Travelling Family” is an aluminum sculpture by renowned Swiss artist, Kurt Lawrence Metzler. Mr Metzler is well-known for combining elements of the figurative and abstract to create opinionated sculptures depicting everyday life such as reading, doing business or people traveling.

At this point I need to charge my phone. The in-seat charging points come in handy.

The different airlines had their  booths with contests and lucky draws for the Open House. 

Nine airlines will operate about 800 flights a week to over 20 destinations and serve about eight million passengers a year.

 

 

 

Moving on to the boarding gate, we passed by this Art Installation which is very enchanting.

Below is another lounge area near the gates with a Heritage facade. There was a video played on a 10m x 6m LED screen spanning two shopfront bays on the Peranakan façade. The digital wall transforms into a theatre, with a stage setting reflecting the living rooms of two Peranakan homes.

The blue and pink house was actually a screen. For a moment I was caught immersed watching the story of two young adults from a different family background who fell in love and get married.

We are ready to board...

But there is no real flight so we just head to the exit and watch some planes taking off...

Singapore continuously  incorporates high technology that stuns the world. No wonder it is the best airport in the whole wide universe. Thumbs up for Terminal 4 and I hope we can experience it fully operational in November when we head back to my hometown.