GUIDE: Flying British Airways from Singapore? Here’s the Lounges You Must Visit

Despite being the fortress of Singapore Airlines and many of their Star Alliance partners, Singapore Changi Airport is host to some of the best selection of oneworld lounges globally. And yes, this is almost as good as the selection at Heathrow Terminal 3.

All information in this article is correct as of 7th December 2024.

There are few airports that are worth arriving early, however I make an exception for Singapore Changi. Beyond the ‘mouldy’ effect carpet, the airport itself is exceptional and friendly in almost all my interactions with it. That’s made even better with the exceptional crop of oneworld lounges including:

• Qantas First
• Qantas Business
• Qatar Airways Premium Lounge
• British Airways – (reopened ~10th December 2024 – currently closed for refurbishment )
• Cathay Pacific

What times can you get access?

British Airways check in desks open at approximately 1700 at Singapore – three hours prior to the airlines’ earliest departure. According to several FlyerTalk threads, early check-in can be availed at SATS Premier Early Check-in located in Terminal 1 at Row 4 from 1430 daily.

BA do not participate in Early Check-in at The Jewel – a great service which has sadly not returned to full strength post-pandemic. It is available at least three hours before departure for other oneworld airlines including:

• Japan Airlines (from 12 hours before departure)
• Cathay Pacific (from 12 hours before departure)
• Finnair (1200-1845)
• Malaysia Airlines (same day, after 8am)
• Qantas (0800-1515)
• Qatar Airways (1200-2200)

I was flying Japan Airlines but was travelling Hand Baggage Only with a mobile boarding pass – so did not need to physically check-in.

If you’re flying First or Business Class (Club World)

While some may have personal views, on balance the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge offers the best all round experience for both First and Business Class passengers. And, like Qatar Airways’ other Business/First lounges, you can’t enter when flying Economy or Premium with status.

Located in Terminal 1, the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge exudes luxury as soon as you step through the entrance to the centrepiece flower display and Arabic calligraphy on the wall.

When in the lounge, there’s a sheer number of seating types to choose from which are suited to all type of passengers – including armchairs, dining and barstools. The bar area itself had a good selection of drinks including Tattinger Brut Reserve champagne and a selection of spirits alongside signature cocktails – as well as the excellent Lemon Mint drink.

Almost all of the tables between seats feature Qi wireless charging – a nice touch from Qatar Airways. My preferred place to sit was the Q Suite-esque pods located close to the entrance which cocooning you into a very private area to relax or work. Alongside international power outlets with a solitary USB port and speedy WiFi, it’s an excellent place to set up prior to a flight.

Dining was exceptional. This included a choice of the buffet area which looked fresh and appetising as well as a dining menu. Easily, the offering at this lounge surpassed dining at other premium lounges including Singapore Airlines The Private Room and was close to that offered by Air France’s La Premiere. Stunning examples of the food included the freshly prepared sushi and grilled beef tenderloin. I am really beginning to run out of adjectives to describe this lounge…

Several large shower rooms are located within this lounge which are decorated in a classy manner and feature Diptyque amenities – as they do on-board Qatar Airways. The showers were hot and had plenty of pressure, however my only minor gripe was the lack of toilet in the same room. At least in my unit, I had to go outside the shower room to access a toilet.

Like many of the non-Singapore Airlines’ lounges at Changi, Qatar Airways Premium Lounge doesn’t have much natural lighting. If you can overcome this, you are in for an excellent lounge experience – one that you should arrive early for. Especially if you plan to do a bit of lounge hopping.

If you have BA Gold or oneworld Emerald status

Choosing the best Business and First Class lounge wasn’t easy, especially as First Class passengers alongside BA Gold or oneworld Emerald status holders have another excellent choice. Unlike their Heathrow lounge, the Qantas First lounge at Changi met and exceeded my expectations.

While still being premium, the Qantas First Lounge goes for a far more relaxed atmosphere with a design that feels less pretentious than Qatar Airways – even if the frosted doors add an element of mystery.

This lounge is far larger than the Qatar Airways space, with a capacity of up to 240 passengers with a greater selection of seating options to choose from. This included more formal ‘co-working’ desks, armchairs, dining tables and booth seats. 

As with the lounge design, the food was excellent but less ostentatious than Qatar. I tried hearty servings of the Salt and Pepper Squid, Laksa that was some of the best I’d had during my visit to the city state and flavourful barista-made coffee. It is truly excellent. Drinks selection was similar to the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge.

Nine shower suites are available in the lounge, which I didn’t avail but managed to grab a quick shot, meanwhile the main bathrooms were well cleaned throughout my stay.

The lounge was busy for a number of periods during my visit, especially as Qantas extends access to passengers flying in First or with Emerald status on oneworld and even those with Qantas Platinum status on low cost carrier Jetstar.  Jetstar, who are owned by Qantas, have a very large presence at Singapore Changi.

If you end up at the Qantas First Lounge at Singapore Changi, you will not be disappointed.

If you have BA Silver or oneworld Sapphire status

Qantas have another, larger lounge at Singapore Changi – this time the Qantas Business Class lounge. It goes without saying that the Business Class lounge isn’t just open to BA Silver or oneworld Sapphire status holders, but also oneworld Business Class passengers.

This lounge is even more relaxed and open than the Qantas First space but does begin to sway into ‘premium canteen’ territory in areas.

All foods are served at a buffet. Thankfully, however, the Laksa is available and is the same high quality found in the First Class lounge. A bar is manned throughout the operating hours and the bartenders can make cocktails to your liking – Champagne is served.

Despite being a lower level of lounge, shower suites are also available here too. While the fixtures and fittings are less premium looking, it’s still very good quality and easily beat the NHS-style bathroom at BA’s Heathrow lounges.

While this lounge may pale in comparison to the others offered, it’s still an excellent lounge. I didn’t spend much time in here during this visit but prior to being a travel writer and carrying oneworld Emerald status, I happily spent a few hours in this lounge – it’s a comfortable, unassuming lounge to relax in.

What about the Cathay Pacific Lounge?

You will have noticed I mentioned a Cathay Pacific lounge at Singapore Changi. Cathay Pacific operate some of the best lounges globally, so why haven’t I mentioned it? Location. Cathay Pacific operate from Terminal 4 which generally focusses on low cost and short haul airlines.

Terminals 1, 2 and 3, are all connected airside by walking or taking the in-terminal transit, however Terminal 4 is a separate building located a fair distance away. While it is not impossible, you would need to take a transit bus to T4, clear T4’s central security, return to T1 using a bus for a BA flight and then clear security at the departure gate. In my view, it’s not worth the faff.

While the Cathay Pacific looks good, the food appears no better than the Qantas Business Lounge – and there are no showers available. Unless you really want to sample Cathay’s admittedly excellent Dan Dan noodles, I see no reason for this hassle.

Why is my oneworld airline sending me to a Marhaba or SATS lounge?

Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Finnair direct passengers to the Marhaba lounges, operated by Dnata, while Sri Lankan direct passengers to SATS Lounge. These are average lounges that you can access with a lounge membership such as Priority Pass, but just because these airlines direct you here doesn’t mean you have to. The airlines likely have negotiated a lower price to pay for Marhaba or SATS lounge access than those operated by oneworld partners.  Oneworld alliance rules do not stop you from accessing the lounges operated by BA, Qantas, Cathay or Qatar – in fact you could visit all of them prior to a flight if you had the time, will and meet the access requirements.

Should I avoid the British Airways Lounge?

Not necessarily. The BA lounge is far from awful – in fact it was one of the flag carrier’s nicer outstation lounges prior to closing for refurbishment late in 2024. I visited prior to the pandemic and found it a pleasant place to frequent. As you would’ve recognised from this article, there are just far nicer lounges you can and should frequent at Singapore Changi Airport. If you happen to have visited the BA Singapore lounge after it reopened recently, be sure to send us some images and thoughts.

Which BA partner oneworld lounge is your favourite at Singapore Changi? Do you agree with my verdict? Drop a comment down below.