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Singapore Changi Airport: Difference between revisions
→Official Spotting Locations
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==Official Spotting Locations== | ==Official Spotting Locations== | ||
===Terminal 1 | There are public viewing areas located within all three terminals, all of which are air-conditioned and provide ample seating, with restaurants and restrooms available in close proximity. | ||
===Terminal 1 Viewing Mall=== | |||
Newly opened in November 2010, this area is just about the only public place in the airport which you can have a clear view of aircraft movements in air conditioned comfort. It 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 the many obstacles make a full, unblocked view of the aircraft there impossible. From a distance, 20R and 20C approaches, 02L and 02C departures and 20R lineups for departure are visible. | Newly opened in November 2010, this area is just about the only public place in the airport which you can have a clear view of aircraft movements in air conditioned comfort. It 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 the many obstacles make a full, unblocked view of the aircraft there impossible. From a distance, 20R and 20C approaches, 02L and 02C departures and 20R lineups for departure are visible. | ||
The most common airlines using central apron gates are AirAsia and Jetstar, although a variety of airlines use these gates on a regular basis as well. It is advisable to check the gates of the flights online at the airport website (information is usually online up to three to 12 hours before) as on some days there are very few flights using the central apron whilst on other days it can be full house there. | The most common airlines using central apron gates are AirAsia and Jetstar, although a variety of airlines use these gates on a regular basis as well. It is advisable to check the gates of the flights online at the airport website (information is usually online up to three to 12 hours before) as on some days there are very few flights using the central apron whilst on other days it can be full house there. | ||
The viewing mall is located one floor above the departure hall. Escalators to the viewing mall are located at the centre of the Departure Hall. | The viewing mall is located on level 3, one floor above the departure hall. Escalators and lifts to the viewing mall are located at the centre of the Departure Hall. | ||
'''Lens''': | '''Lens''': Any lens will probably net you some decent shots. Gate movements will require up to 16mm widest, while movements on the North Cross would require about 180mm for a 777 to 270mm for a 737 or smaller. Photography of aircraft is best when the aircraft are located inside the central apron or on North Cross 3, as North Cross 1 and 2 are often shrouded in heat haze from nearby aircraft. | ||
'''Facilities''': Restrooms, seating areas, water dispenser, air conditioning. Restaurants available nearby. | '''Facilities''': Restrooms, seating areas, water dispenser, air conditioning. Restaurants available nearby. | ||
''' | '''Opening Hours''': Open 24 hours, admission is free. | ||
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===Terminal 2 | ===Terminal 2 Aviation Gallery=== | ||
This viewing area houses the Changi Aviation Gallery, which has exhibits and information on the ground operations of the airport. The glass windows offer views of the Terminal 2 central apron, as well as movements on 20C/02C. However, this location is unsuitable for photography because the glass is tinted green and the transit mall extends under the viewing mall, effectively placing two layers of glass in front of you. 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 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 | The Aviation Gallery is located on level 3, 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. | ||
'''Opening Hours''': 6am to midnight, admission is free. | |||
===Terminal 3 | ===Terminal 3 Aviation Gallery=== | ||
The | The Terminal 3 Aviation Gallery features exhibits and information on the flying operations of the airport. The Gallery is enclosed in glass offering a view of the departures lounge on one side and the tarmac on the other. Movements on 20R/02L, the main arrivals runway, are also readable. However, just like at Terminal 2, the transit lounge extends beyond the viewing mall, thus the two layers of glass make this location unsuitable for photography. | ||
The viewing mall is located on level 4, two floors above the departure hall. There are four escalators to access the viewing mall, two at the central immigration area (between rows 4 - 5 and 6 - 7) and two at the ends of the green wall (near row 1 and row 11). There are signs to guide you. | |||
'''Opening Hours''': 6am to midnight, admission is free. | |||
===Transit Malls=== | ===Transit Malls=== | ||
If you have a flight to catch, the transit malls (post-immigration) will offer you one of the best locations to spot, giving you close views of aircraft parked at the gates. At all three terminals now, some aircraft can be just a few metres from the glass. Your best bet will be to walk in a straight line after clearing immigration (you will have to walk around the shops sometimes) to reach the floor-to-ceiling 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. | 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. | There are different things to take note of in each terminal, as written below. | ||
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'''Terminal 2''' | '''Terminal 2''' | ||
There are big glass panels spanning the height of the terminal here for the entire length of the central apron. You can also see gate F31, the first gate to be A380-ready, and its three jetways from here | There are big glass panels spanning the height of the terminal here for the entire length of the central apron. You can also see gate F31, the first gate to be A380-ready, and its three jetways from here. The gate right next to the glass 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. Spotting is best done in the afternoon. | ||
'''Terminal 3''' | '''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. Spotting is best done in the morning | 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. Spotting is best done in the morning. | ||
==Other Spotting Locations== | ==Other Spotting Locations== | ||