A new survey is out on travelers' favorite airports, this one claiming to be among the most comprehensive to date. 14,500 frequent travelers representing 160 countries from around the world were polled, and after everything was tallied the winner was Singapore's Changi Airport. Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok and Amsterdam's Schiphol were 2nd and 3rd respectively.

We're not sure how actually legitimate these results were and if there was any campaigning in the background. Whoever's responsible for the airport's PR seems to have an ambitious streak, and someone has gone so far as to insert copy into Wikipedia: "the designer airport is one of those anomalies where the phrase 'I spent all my time in the airport' is likely to be a positive."

So maybe this was a commissioned survey. But as the old saying goes, if you've got it flaunt it. And the Singapore Changi Airport certainly seems to have it.]]> Omri 2009-10-29T09:14:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/4/1/71335/20032

We've spent many an hour in transit at Singapore's Changi Airport without chancing across the curious range of delights that await us at the Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 2.

A shower for S$8 ($5) is pretty reasonable; having to pay for a three-hour nap (S$30; US$20) is something we're less sure about, because it's not clear what kind of private place we get to catch our Zs. And somehow we're just not hip enough to pay between S$15 and S$23 for the oxygen.

To be sure, this place doesn't have the sleek appeal of the Singapore Airlines first class lounge, but then the sleek place doesn't offer oxygen. Or perhaps it does, but it's gratis. Take your pick.

Related Stories:
· Singapore's First Class Lounge Invites Great Experiences [Jaunted]
· Changi Airport Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Steel Wool] ]]> amandak 2009-04-01T10:40:15-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/2/23/35219/8996

Some airlines fascinate us with bidets in their first class lounges, but Singapore Airlines has won us over with what we can only describe as style and sophistication.

This is their hometown lounge at Changi Airport and we like it for its late-night, Lost-in-Translation vibe. This is an airport lounge where elegant strangers fetch you drinks and (we figure) anything can happen.

The nice part is that Singapore Airlines actually lives up to the expectations this lounge gives you: remember their fancy-looking first class cabin on board? Attractive strangers welcome in either spot.

Related Stories:
· British Airways [Jaunted]
· How First Class on Singapore Airlines Spent Christmas [Jaunted]
· Singapore Airlines Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Richard Moross] ]]> amandak 2009-02-25T13:01:11-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/24/75825/873

The world's biggest Ferris wheel shut down for six hours Tuesday night, trapping 173 passengers in capsules high above the ground after an electrical fire cut power to the attraction. Ten of the trapped managed to rappel out of their bus-sized pods, while the rest waited for the Singapore Flyer to restart to escape by foot.

While the wheel has lost power three times before, it's never been for as long as six hours. Officials were able to restore some AC and the intercom system after a time to help comfort the trapped tourists. Still, one said that wasn't enough to convince her to make a repeat visit:

I love Singapore but I don't think I'll come to the Flyer again.

As when Whistler's gondola broke down, we were really only curious about one thing: Tourists on the Singapore Flyer had to resort to using plastic bags because while the capsules can hold up to 28 people, they don't have bathrooms.

Related Stories:
· Tourists Safe After Drama at World's Biggest Ferris Wheel [AFP, via Google]
· Singapore Flyer Opens Again and Again [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-12-24T08:02:49-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/28/84648/851

Singapore’s Changi Airport is pulling out all the stops to make sure its customers don’t stray. From adding terminals to providing free entertainment, there seems to be no end to their schemes to stop us from flying through places like Dubai or Hong Kong instead.

Now they’ve got a "Smile Campaign" going to improve customer service within the airport (which doesn’t sound too original), and they’re also using a celebrity meet-and-greet idea to entice people to come.

Last week slightly-aged rockers Tommy Lee and Vince Neil from Mötley Crüe welcomed passengers at Terminal 2. Because there’s obviously, uh, a strong connection between Mötley Crüe and Singapore.

--AmandaK

Related Stories:
· Welcome to Singapore, I’m Tommy Lee [The Age]
· Changi Airport’s Getting Greedy for Terminals [Jaunted]
· Changi Airport Wants to Entertain You [Jaunted]

[Photo: Aviation Record]]]> pbb 2008-10-28T09:05:03-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/16/8481/4773

We're not surprised to learn that in Singapore--the country that totally banned chewing gum until 2004--it's not that easy to find a place to gamble. It's not illegal, but there aren't any casinos, so that makes it tricky, although come 2009 they're planning to open their first.

Until then, you have to find your own way to have some blackjack fun, but the way of the Senegalese Consulate is not the one we recommend. This week the ex-honorary consul of Senegal was jailed for two months for allowing his office in Singapore to be used as a gambling den.

Big money was changing hands at the consulate casino and perhaps it's a good thing that Singapore will get a real casino soon; we figure the cocktails available from the Senegalese Consulate probably weren't up to par.

The first of two recently-licensed casinos will open next year and the other in 2010. Lucky for the consul, he'll definitely be out of jail by then.

Related Stories:
· Ex-Senegal Consul Jailed, Fined [Straits Times]
· Singapore Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of coming casino site: Singapor3]]]> amandak 2008-10-16T09:30:46-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/21/71847/1359

Low cost carrier Jetstar Asia was jumping up and down at the recent Skytrax LCC awards, because it got two trophies: Best Low Cost Airline in Asia and Best Low Cost Airline in South East Asia. (Surely the second follows from the first, right?)

We're not so excited about the awards, but the special they're promoting in celebration is pretty neat. The airline is having a big fare sale with some tickets going from S$2 ($1.40) for travel until mid-November. The $2 fares are for the short hop from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, but longer flights aren't too bad either, as long as you like multiples of 11--fares are $11, $22, $33 and so on.

Buyer beware: Unlike the European airline industry where you'll always see taxes and charges loud and clear, the final bill on your Jetstar Asia could be a lot more than $11 or $22.

Related Stories:
· Jetstar Asia Prepares to Leave the Nest [Jaunted]
· Jetstar Asia coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: jetalone]]]> amandak 2008-08-21T09:33:13-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/