I haven’t met a single Singaporean who doesn’t love Changi Airport.
It’s funny because we’re generally fussy about tourist attractions. Orchard? Marina Bay? Lau Pa Sat? Sure… if you’re not a local.
But everybody agrees that Changi Airport is legit. Unlike many of the curated attractions in Singapore, it’s a place where locals really go to hang out.
Around the world, an airport is typically perceived as more of a waiting room than a destination in and of itself. Who has ever heard of people going to the airport for fun?
More importantly, how did Changi Airport evolve into more than just a transit point?
Star Wars Pop-up Library at Terminal 3. Which airport has something as cool as this? Photo from Changi Airport Facebook.
A destination since before Jewel
If you were a student in Singapore in the 2000s and early 2010s, you probably spent some hours cramming for exams at Changi Airport.
Its clean, quiet environment, coupled with the air-conditioning and abundance of affordable F&B outlets, made it a popular study spot among students.
Best of all, it was free and accessible to everyone.
T1 viewing gallery. Photo by Ilyda Chua.
For me, the appeal of Changi Airport in those days went far beyond being just an amazing study spot.
My dad travelled a lot back then, and I remember how every time we went to the airport to pick him up, it’d become a sort of mini-excursion for the family.
We children would explore the wide, open spaces – perfect for running and jumping – while my mum relaxed in the deliciously arctic air-conditioning.
Then we’d all go for dinner at Swensen’s and feast on ice cream.
The old Swensen’s at Changi Airport T2. Photo from TripAdvisor.
Even though I wasn’t travelling, there was an air of holiday magic that was just impossible to resist.
It made everything around me a little bit more festive, a little bit more fun. Every trip felt like a special occasion to me.
In a way, it still does. Just stepping into the airport fills me with that pre-trip anticipation and reminds me of all those memories I’ve made with my loved ones.
With my family at Changi Airport. Photo by Ilyda Chua.
An icon of Singapore
Changi Airport today is a vastly different space.
With the addition of Jewel in 2019, Changi Airport has emerged as an icon of Singapore in its own right.
I’ve spent many a weekend strolling around Jewel with my family, soaking in the resort-like vibes, dining and browsing the shops.
Photo by Ilyda Chua.
Photo by Ilyda Chua.
This is by design, not accident.
Changi Airport was never built only for foreigners. When then-PM Lee Hsien Loong announced “Project Jewel” at the 2013 National Day Rally, he quipped, “This one is Gardens at the Airport.”
“Not just for visitors but for Singaporeans too — families on Sunday outings, students maybe studying for exams, newly-weds taking bridal photos.”
At the opening of Jewel in October 2019, he added:
“I wanted Singaporeans to understand that Jewel and Changi Airport were not only an infrastructure story. Instead, they represented an idea; they were a symbol.
They epitomised how Singapore, here, we must dream boldly to create possibilities for ourselves. It was an act of faith to believe that Changi could do this, and that Singaporeans, working together, could make amazing things happen.”
Photo by Ilyda Chua.
Photo by Ilyda Chua.
His vision has far eclipsed the initial comparison. Jewel is today one of Singapore’s top destinations.
And like he predicted, it’s just as popular with Singaporeans as it is with tourists.
The best in the world
I think the biggest point of pride for most Singaporeans is how special Changi Airport is.
With other global cities, like London, New York, Tokyo, Seoul — Singapore struggles to stand out.
We often find ourselves drawing comparisons with our malls, our food, our entertainment. Wondering if we’re really good enough.
But when it comes to airports, we win. No questions asked.
There’s no other airport in the world that combines verdant island landscaping with elegant city architecture, topped off with our trademark Singaporean efficiency.
Take the Skytrain, stroll through the butterfly garden, wander through a mirror maze. It’s like a fantasyland for the young and old.
Photo by Skytrain.
Every time I meet someone while abroad, I’ll mention I’m from Singapore and they’ll invariably exclaim: “Oh, I’ve been to Changi! It’s amazing!”
My childhood playground, a world-class airport? It’s enough to make anyone glow with pride.
Not just a liminal space
Many airports that I’ve been to are essentially liminal spaces — places of transition, bare minimum in decor and experience, you go in and grab your bags and you get out.
But at Changi Airport, you get off the plane and you sail through immigration. You’re greeted by lush greenery, tasteful art, elegant carpeting.
You don’t want to leave. You want to spend a little longer there, or an extra few hours, or a full day.
As a Singaporean, you’re greeted with a sense of safety and familiarity as well as the efficiency which we sometimes take for granted for.
It feels good to be back home.
Photo by Ilyda Chua.
Changi Airport has made its way onto travel itineraries, TikTok videos, Instagram must-go lists.
But most significantly, it’s won the hearts of Singaporeans everywhere. I’ve been so many times, and every time I visit, Changi Airport still takes my breath away.
Vote for your favourite airport
Here’s where you come in.
Voting for the 2026 Skytrax “World’s Best Airport” Awards is now open. Skytrax’s World Airport Awards are a globally-recognised benchmark for the world airport industry. They’ve been around since 1999.
Changi Airport has been the recipient of the Skytrax “World’s Best Airport” award a whopping 13 times: first in 2000 and most recently in 2025.
The record would not have been possible without the collective support from Singaporeans who cast their votes year after year.
Cast your vote this year here.
Writing this Changi Airport Group-branded article made this writer reminisce about her favourite childhood travel memories.
Top image from Ilyda Chua
