Review: British Airways business class lounge, Singapore
British Airways' Singapore Changi T1 lounge offers a compact, calm haven for Oneworld travellers.
By Brandon Loo, August 2 2019
Country
Singapore
City
Singapore
Airport
Singapore - Changi
Alliance
oneworld
Airline
British Airways
Cabin-class
Business
Notes
The Good
- Decent selection of hot food and spirits
- Bright, airy ambience
The Bad
- Champagne is hidden at the back and not advertised
X-Factor
- A quieter place to relax before the 9pm rush
Introduction
British Airways' Singapore Lounge still sparkles after its 2015 renovation. Nestled inside Changi Airport Terminal 1 and nearby the Qantas Singapore Lounge, it's another option for first class and business class passengers – and Oneworld elite frequent flyers – jetting from or through The Lion City.
Executive Traveller made an early evening visit to the lounge to see how it stacked up for passengers heading back to Australia or taking an overnight flight through to London.
Location & Impressions
After clearing immigration at Singapore Changi T1, head left and look for the 'Lounges' signage pointing to an escalator for Level 3. You'll see the British Airways Lounge alongside Qantas, SATS and Thai Airways.
Directions to the British Airways Singapore Lounge
Once upstairs, you'll spot the BA lounge to your right (with the entrance to the Qantas lounge further along to your left).
British Airways Singapore Lounge exterior
Inside is an eye-catching reception area complete with art pieces, mood lighting and two chairs if you're waiting for someone. Bathrooms and showers are immediately to the left, while The Bar (formerly dubbed The Concorde Bar) behind an password-protected electronic door to the right.
British Airways Singapore Lounge entrance
Photos: Inside BA's Singapore Concorde Bar
Reserved for BA's own first class passengers, The Bar is a small lounge-within-a-lounge with better alcohol and a more muted aesthetic, but no windows.
Looking inside The Bar at British Airways' Singapore Lounge
The much brighter main lounge shows how British Airways has embraced the 'residential vibe' that many other airlines – most notably Cathay Pacific – are adopting.
Seating near the entrance of the British Airways Singapore Lounge
The first communal bar space also looks very familiar to anyone who has visited an older-style Qantas domestic or international business lounge.
Seating in the British Airways Singapore Lounge
Adjacent to this area is the food and hot drinks station...
Buffet food at the British Airways Singapore Lounge
... while further along is the lounge's signature centrepiece; a look which is found in many of BA's other flagship lounges worldwide.
Bar area at British Airways' Singapore Lounge
Finally, there's more seating split among different zones towards the end of the lounge, divided by coloured glass.
More seating towards the end of the British Airways Singapore Lounge
Like the nearby Qantas lounge, there isn't much to look at in terms of airport views here, as the side windows overlook the internal Terminal 1 concourse.
The British Airways Singapore lounge is open from 3pm to 11pm daily, although the hot food service commences from 5pm. It's open for all of Qantas' evening departures, plus BA's own flights to Sydney and London.
Other Oneworld airline passengers departing Changi T1, T2 and T3 can also make use of this lounge if their flight departs after 3pm, but if youy're coming over from those other terminals, leave plenty of time to reach your departure gate.
Access
- Business class – and where available, first class – passengers of British Airways, Finnair, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, SriLankan Airlines.
- British Airways Executive Club Silver and Gold members (and above) prior to British Airways and Oneworld flights.
- Other Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald frequent flyers travelling with British Airways or another Oneworld airline as noted above.
Savvy travellers flying with Qantas might choose to visit BA's lounge instead of The Qantas Singapore Lounge during peak periods, given it welcomes many of the same guests without the crowding.
While Malaysia Airlines flights depart from T2 and SriLankan Airlines flights go from T3 – with passengers of both airlines able to visit the BA lounge when allowing enough time for that terminal change – those flying from Singapore with Cathay Pacific don't have that option, as Terminal 4 isn't linked to the same security area.
Keep in mind, only British Airways' own first class passengers can access 'The Bar' area here at the BA lounge.
Dining
Visiting the lounge at 6pm finds the dinner service is in full swing, with the buffet offering a decent selection of mostly Western hot food. One side has meat and vegetables...
L to R: Aged beef hot pot, French beans, roasted carrots, potato mash
... while the other side houses spring rolls, vegetarian penne pasta and my favourite, Singaporean chicken satay with condiments.
Chicken satay with condiments at the British Airways Singapore Lounge
On the lighter side, the lounge has mini ciabattas, a couscous salad and a board with Blue, Port Wine and Singleton Cheddar cheeses.
Mini ciabattas at the British Airways Singapore Lounge
Guests with a sweet tooth can finish their meals with a gluten-free chocolate brownie, fruit tarts, berry custard trifles or some sliced fruit, all of which were sinfully delicious.
From L to R: Fruit tarts, berry trifles, chocolate brownies, sliced fruits
Opposite the food counters are DIY coffee machines and Twinings tea.
Self-serve coffee and tea at the British Airways Singapore Lounge
At the bar area, self-pour red and white options are on display...
L to R: 2014 Killibinbin Seduction Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Redvale Shiraz Cabernet, 2017 Château La Grangeotte Bordeaux Rouge
L to R: 2018 Whale's Tale Sauvignon Blanc, 2016 Château du Pin Bordeaux, 2017 Inspired Company Chardonnay
... although there is no hint of any sparkling wine on offer. Only after leaving the lounge did I learn that Champagne is available – however, you have to know to ask for it, and it's only poured behind closed doors.
Otherwise, the bar features a reasonable selection of mid-range spirits along with garnishes such as olives and spices.
Selection of spirits at the British Airways Singapore Lounge
Beyond the photo, there's also Glenfiddich 12, Absolut Vodka, Tanqueray gin, Taylor's tawny port, Baileys, Kahlúa, Southern Comfort and Cointreau.
Coralba still and sparkling water is also found in this section – check the bottle caps to see which water you're pouring.
Coralba sparkling water in the British Airways Singapore Lounge
Finally, beer – including Singapore's own Tiger beer – fruit juices, soft drinks and mixers can be found in the bar area and the fridges below.
Soft drink and beer selections at the British Airways Singapore Lounge
Nearby are a number of dining booths, all equipped with power ports.
Dining booths in the British Airways Singapore Lounge
Work
The dedicated working space near the back of the lounge is your best bet to get away from the busier food and drinks area. It's equipped with two PCs, a printer, plenty of power ports and bright lighting.
Business section in the British Airways Singapore Lounge
Speaking of power ports, there are plenty of these dotted throughout the lounge, including in the dining area. All ports have two universal AC plugs, and two USB charging ports.
AC and USB power outlets at the British Airways Singapore Lounge
During my early evening visit, the BA Lounge WiFi delivered averaged download speeds of 14.1Mbps and average uploads of 75.5Mbps: perfectly fine, although you'd expect this could slow down after 9pm where the lounge gets considerably busier before BA's late-evening flights to London.
Relax
With those evening departures in mind, much of this lounge is pleasingly given over to relaxation.
These comfortable high-backed chairs in the far corner of the lounge have two side 'wings' which help support your head if a quick nap is in order.
Seating in the British Airways Singapore Lounge
Similar chairs are found near the entrance of the lounge just after you walk past The Bar. This area also tends to be the last to fill up, but does have plenty of foot traffic as guests walk past you when entering the lounge.
Seating in the British Airways Singapore Lounge
Plenty of reading material is provided, from glossy magazines to British and Singaporean newspapers.
Magazines and newspapers in the British Airways Singapore Lounge
Beyond the food and drinks area is a TV lounge with individual seats all facing forward...
TV Lounge seating at the British Airways Singapore Lounge
... while wedged between two illuminated glass partitions is a 'family room' of sorts, best-suited to large groups.
Family room in the British Airways Singapore Lounge
Bathrooms and shower suites are well-stocked with Elemis products.
Overall, the British Airways Singapore Lounge is a pleasant place to relax or get work done. It's also a great alternative for Qantas passengers seeking some peace and quiet from the nearby Qantas Singapore Lounge.
The British Airways Lounge does get busier from 9pm as BA's own passengers start arriving for their London flights, but Qantas passengers on QF2 or QF82 to Sydney, QF36 to Melbourne, QF52 to Brisbane and QF72 to Perth should find this lounge to be a relative oasis prior to their early evening flights back to Australia.
Also read: Emirates lounge review, Singapore Changi Airport T1
Brandon Loo travelled to Singapore at his own expense.
Based in Perth, Brandon enjoys tucking into local delicacies, discovering new cocktails, and making aeroplane food look good on camera.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Aug 2011
Total posts 165
Bear in mind the Qantas lounge doesn't have champagne either (it has sparkling wine), except for First and QF Platinum One customers. BA lounge is fine, but it's not worth getting to early. Qantas has better showers, but until the QF First lounge is opened, BA lounge is a good option when the Qantas lounge is overcrowded, given it is adjacent, although the food options at the BA lounge are a little less sophisticated (and there is no dish of the day).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jul 2015
Total posts 219
100% agreed. The QF First lounge cannot come soon enough.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jul 2015
Total posts 219
The last few trips on QF I have taken refuge at the BA lounge for a shower and freshen up. To be honest it is a far nicer place than QF when the latter gets busy. Last Thursday night on QF2 being a case in point. Standing room only in Qantas literally. Good work by BA with a nice quiet place to while away the time.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
08 Jun 2018
Total posts 91
Considering that there are only 3 flights a day for BA from Changi, then I think this is a pretty reasonable facility. As others have mentioned, the QF lounge is often very crowded (and Singapore is, I imagine, QF's largest overseas hub) and the new 1st Lounge cannot come soon enough. I visited both last week and the QF lounge was an absolute scrum. I've never felt that the BA lounge gets too busy, even at peak times.
23 Feb 2015
Total posts 260
A clear number two as the best available lounge for QF travellers at Changi ... after the Emirates Lounge.
Aegean Airlines - Miles & Bonus
16 Jul 2019
Total posts 31
Nice review and lounge. I wish other 'global' airlines would install universal plugs in their lounges...!!
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
08 Jun 2018
Total posts 91
Agree entirely, I may be wrong here, but I seem to remember hearing that the issue with doing that is often that those plugs do not meet local electrical standards (which of course will vary wildly from place t place) and they often, therefore, aren't allowed to fit them, rather than it being a choice not to.
31 Jul 2019
Total posts 1
I visited this lounge recently as the Qantas lounge woud not allow my 5 yr old grandson, they counted him as a guest. Shame on you Qantas! This lounge however was very welcoming and we were made to feel very comfortable. The showers were refreshing and a tasty range of food. Well done BA
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