After travelling around Asia for most of 2023, I was very much looking forward to visiting a British Airways Lounge again. I regularly travelled through London Heathrow in 2022, so the Heathrow British Airways Galleries South Lounge is a sort of second home to me.
The Singapore British Airways Lounge outcrop is a key airport lounge for British Airways, on their daily flagship BA15 / BA16 route from London to Sydney via Singapore. British Airways also operates an extra London to Singapore return flight daily (BA11 / BA 12). Singapore is also a key oneworld airport hub, serving eight of the thirteen oneworld airlines.
Below is my review of the British Airways Lounge at Singapore Changi, located in the Jewel / Terminal 1.
Where is the British Airways Singapore Lounge?
The British Airways Singapore Lounge is located up the escalators between the C and D gates. After passing through immigration, head left towards the C gates, and follow the “Lounges” signs. The escalator up to the 3rdfloor is located to the right of the concourse.
The Qantas International Business Lounge (roughly double the size and capacity) and the British Airways Lounge are located basically next to each other, with the Qantas Lounge entrance down the end of the passageway.
The British Airways Singapore Lounge is a large 1,005 sqm space, with capacity for 226 passengers. However it was surprisingly quiet on my visit during the evening peak at Singapore Changi.
At Singapore Changi, security is located at the boarding gate, so make sure to allow enough time before your flight’s boarding time to reach the gate from the lounge and pass through security. Aim to get there before the boarding time printed on your ticket (as they seem to move to final call much earlier at Singapore Changi).
British Airways Singapore Lounge Opening Hours
The British Airways Singapore Lounge is open between 4pm and 11pm 7 days a week.
4pm is 3 hours before the first British Airways flight departs from Singapore to Sydney (and when check in officially opens), through to when the last British Airways flight (BA12) bound for London departs. British Airways has an early check in desk from 2:30pm, in case you want to check out the Jewel and the rest of this incredible airport (highly recommended). The Jewel is located landside, across the departures drop off area, before check in. So head over there to check out the incredible waterfall, after checking in your bags first. The SATS Premier Check in facility is also available from 2:30pm for British Airways Club Suites and First passengers departing from Singapore Changi.
British Airways Singapore Lounge Seating Options
The British Airways Singapore lounge features plenty of seating options for both business and leisure travellers, whether you are travelling solo, with a spouse, with family, or with colleagues. There are plenty of low and reclined armchairs, dining booths, bar stools with high bar tables, and communal dining tables. There are also group areas of armchairs, perfect for relaxing with your family. At the back of the lounge is a workspace area, and there is a laptop bar area near the buffet, which can function like a standing desk. Perfect for catching up on your emails before your flight.
Lounge Views
The British Airways Singapore Lounge is located on the 3rd floor on the Jewel Terminal, but only has an internal atrium view (over the T1 immigration area) through large windows on one side of the lounge.
As the Qantas Lounge and Qatar Lounge also have internal views, plane spotters are best to head to the dedicated Singapore Changi Viewing Mall, located in the Public Area, accessible before immigration.
British Airways Singapore Lounge Food
The British Airways Singapore Lounge has a hot buffet and cold buffet, with an array of meal options and snacks for all tastes. On this evening, food highlights at the British Airways Singapore Lounge included:
- Turkey Ham and Cheese Croissant
- Buffalo Cheese, Tomato and Pesto in Ciabatta
- Gluten Free Chocolate Cake
- Seasonal Fruits and Sliced Fruits
- Cheese Platter
- Caesar Salad
- Chickpeas Salad
- Roasted Sweet Potato and Sundried Tomato Salad
- Chocolate Fudge Cake
- Chocolate Cream Éclair
- Spicy Mango Mousse
- Linzer Tart
- Chinese Stir Fry Vegetables
- Egg Fried Rice
- Kung Pao Chicken with Cashews
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Pumpkin Soup
- Chicken Satay
- Vegetarian Spring Rolls
There is also a selection of á la carté options which can be ordered from a QR code menu, and delivered by a member of staff to your seat. Today’s á la carté menu was:
- Aglio e Olio
- Kapiti Vanilla Ice Cream
- Mango Sorbet
I thought the British Airways Singapore Lounge Food was fine, but nothing special. British Airways is also usually pretty good with providing vegan, vegetarian, nut free and gluten free options, but there was a lack of dietary conscious food at this particular lounge on my visit. I think the food at the Qantas Lounge next door and, even better, the Qatar Lounge, is much better.
Wine and Spirits Selection
British Airways Lounges always have a fairly decent wine and spirits selection, with some lounges exceptional when there are some very special extras available. Unfortunately on this occasion, I thought the British Airways Singapore Lounge had a very average self-selection wine and spirits selection. This is what was available today:
- Baron-Fuenté Tradition Brut NV Champagne, France
- Esquirot Côtes de Gascogne Sauvignon 2019, France
- Barramundi Pinot Grigio 2020, Australia
- Inspired Company Chardonnay 2019, Australia
- Château Vieux Raquine Bordeaux 2016, France
- Bia No.6 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Australia
- Crossroads Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020, New Zealand
- Don Julio Tequila Blanco
- Southern Comfort
- Martell VSOP
- Jack Daniels
- Jameson
- Taylor’s Tawney Port
- Glenfiddich 12 Year
- Johnnie Walker Black Label
- Tanqueray Gin
- Gordons Gin
- Aperol
- Martini Rosso
- Baileys Irish Cream
- Kahlua Coffee Liqueur
- Barcadi Rum
- Stoli Vodka
- Absolut Vodka
- Smirnoff Vodka
- Cointreau
Like some other British Airways lounges, the Singapore Lounge offers champagne on request. So you need to find a staff member to get you a glass or two or order through the QR lounge menu, with prosecco available self-serve. You could also order a Mimosa to your seat as well. There is also plenty of non-alcoholic mixers, bar snacks, coffee and tea available.
In all, I think the wine and spirits selection was fine, but nothing special. The wine and spirits selection in Club Suite is much better onboard, so better to save yourself for the plane (if you are flying Club Suite), or head to the Qantas Lounge next door which has a staffed bar, with cocktails and mocktails available.
Workspace Area
Down the very back of the British Airways Singapore Lounge is a workspace area with charging power points, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, desks and a wireless printer. Perfect for getting some work done or final emails before your flight. There is also super fast wi-fi throughout the lounge. On my visit, Speed Test was showing 226 Mbps download speed, and 322 Mbps upload speed, amongst the fastest speeds I’ve ever seen in an airport lounge.
Being at the end of the lounge, the workspace area is the most quiet area, away from most other passengers who tend to sit closer to the buffet. However, even during the evening peak, this lounge was quite empty. A perfect oasis of productivity, compared to the other oneworld lounges at Singapore Changi, shall you need it.
Free PressReader access is also available, so you can download newspapers and magazines to read on your flight. Just connect your device to BA Wi-fi, and you’ll be able to access. It’s easiest to download content through the PressReader app, rather than accessing on your browser.
British Airways Singapore Lounge Bathrooms and Showers
Similar to the Showers of the British Airways Galleries South Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5, the British Airways Singapore Lounge features individual shower and bathroom suites. Luxurious and modern, the shower suites feature rain showers with hand showers, and fantastic Elemis Revitalise Me toiletries throughout. Each shower suite is cleaned after every use, ensuring fresh towels and no water on the floor. There is also a range of toiletries available, including a dental kit, comb, shower cap and shaving kits. The bathrooms are also of a very high standard, clad in marble and also featuring Elemis toiletries.
I visited the very good Qantas Lounge after visiting the British Airways Lounge (since they are located basically next to each other). The Qantas Lounge was super busy, with a long line for the showers. I assume this was because of a large number of Qantas Club members departing on the evening Qantas flights, as they cannot access other oneworld lounges. If you want a shower prior to your flight and hold oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status, or are flying British Airways or another oneworld carrier in Business Class, I would recommend coming to the British Airways Lounge instead. I found the shower suites more modern than the Qantas shower suites, with no queue, plenty of amenities and fantastic Elemis toiletries.
British Airways Singapore Lounge The Bar
This British Airways Singapore Lounge features The Bar for First Class passengers and British Airways Premier status holders (no guests). As BA15, BA16 and BA12 only feature 8 First Class seats on both the 777 and 787 airplanes that operate this route, this space was very empty at the time of my visit to the main lounge. I flew Club Suite, so only had access to the main lounge area.
The Bar, only found at Singapore and Dubai, are mini-versions of the flagship Concorde Room at London Heathrow Terminal 5. They feature top-shelf spirits, wines, table service, and á la carté dining.
Oneworld First Class passengers are ineligible to use The Bar, so you must be flying British Airways First to use this exclusive lounge space. Oneworld First Class passengers, along with oneworld Emerald status holders (and British Airways First passengers), have access to the Qantas International First Lounge at Singapore instead. If you are flying British Airways First from Singapore, you should also make it to the Qantas International First Lounge and Qatar Lounge too if you have enough time. Both of these are fantastic airport lounges, and shouldn’t be missed.
British Airways Lounge Singapore Changi: How to Access
British Airways has a fairly standard list of travellers eligible to access the British Airways Lounge at Singapore Changi. This list includes:
- British Airways First Class Passengers (can access The Bar within the lounge too)
- British Airways Business Class Passengers
- oneworld First Class Passengers (no guests)
- oneworld Business Class Passengers (no guests)
- oneworld Emerald Elite Status Holders (+1 guest) (can access the Qantas International First Lounge)
- oneworld Sapphire Elite Status Holders (+1 guest)
- British Airways Silver elite status and above
A very standard oneworld Sapphire airport lounge access list, in line with most other oneworld Sapphire lounges around the world.
Conclusion
Certainly not the best British Airways Galleries Club lounge in their network, but a taste of home for Brits in far-east Asia, travelling through Singapore. I do think the food and beverage offering was lacking compared to the other oneworld lounges, but the lounge was spacious and comfortable, with great showers and super-fast internet.
The British Airways Singapore Lounge was super quiet on my visit, compared to the Qantas Lounge and Qatar Lounge, so if you are in need of somewhere quiet, this is the spot for you to relax before your flight, or get some work done without distractions. Even if you are travelling for leisure, it’s worth stopping by for a glass of champagne and a shower (since the Qantas Lounge only serves Australian Sparkling Wine and the showers are always very busy).
For better food, head to the Qantas Lounge next door, which features a salad bar, á la carté hot options and a selection of better hot buffet options too. If you are flying Business Class on British Airways in Club Suite or another oneworld carrier, you should head to the fantastic Qatar Lounge which is, in my opinion, the best oneworld Sapphire lounge at Singapore Changi. All three airport lounges are the perfect excuse for a lounge hop.