A Quick Return to Singapore Changi Terminal 1 and the Marhaba Lounge
Growing Old In Style
It’s time to head towards home in some kind of eastward direction. First stop, Changi and the Marhaba Lounge.
In this mammoth trip report
- Yes. I’m that old. Next.
- Off to Heathrow, Terminal 3 and Cathay Pacific Lounge
- BA768 London Heathrow to Oslo Airport (Club Europe)
- The Best Laid Oslo Plans, and the OSL Lounge
- TK1754 Oslo Airport to Istanbul Airport (Business Class)
- Welcome to Istanbul Airport… Wait, where’s my passport?
- TK054 Istanbul Airport to Singapore Changi (Business Class)
- Welcome back to Changi and the Ibis Budget Ruby, Geylang
- Back to Changi Terminal 4 and AirAsia AK710 Singapore to Kuala Lumpur International
- Into Malaysia and the Holiday Inn Express KLCC
- Exploring the Batu Caves
- Exploring more of Kuala Lumpur in the Dry, Wet and Nighttime
- Heading back to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge
- MH627 Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Changi (Economy Class)
- Intercontinental Singapore, Bugis (Frasers House)
- For the love of Nasi Lemak, Laksa and Hawker Markets
- Exploring Singapore in bite-sized bits… whilst not getting soaked
- Glasses in a Hurry (Or, New Spectacles Time)
- Pokémon Centre Singapore and a bit of The Jewel and Changi at Night
- A Quick return to Changi Terminal 1, and the Marhaba Lounge
- TK209 Singapore Changi to Istanbul Airport (Business Class)
- Into Turkey and the Sheraton Levant, Istanbul
- Back to Istanbul Airport and the Turkish Airlines Lounge
- TK1753 Istanbul Airport to Oslo Airport (Business Class)
- A four-hour Oslo Transit, switching airlines in the process
- SK815 Oslo Airport to London Heathrow (Economy Class)
- Of Luggage, Coffee, Coaches and a Walk
- Older, Never Wiser
With the aircraft to Istanbul booked to depart from Singapore Changi at 11:40, I had time in the morning to get a bowl of fishball soup and pick up a couple of things from the supermarket in Bugis.
With that done, I retrieved my baggage and checked out of the Intercontinental.
Time to go from the Intercontinental (Frasers House).
As I was running a little late, I used Grab for one last time this trip for the ride along the ECP to Changi Terminal 3. It was easier at this point just to ride. Even if it as lilac coloured electric thing that I never heard of before.
Leaving Singapore in the wet.
I was dropped off near the desks for Turkish Airlines at Terminal 1. As I had checked in online already, I just headed to the business class queue to get my boarding passes, drop off my bags, and head in.
My luggage was accepted for transit and was checked all the way to Oslo, so I wouldn’t need to pick it up in Istanbul. That was welcoming, as spending time waiting for bags would be one less thing I wanted to do after landing.
With that done, it was time to head towards the departures area.
More Disney.
I was able to leave Singapore by using my passport and face. With those done (and no need to stamp my passport), I was free to explore.
Well almost. I had one task to do before I continue – get my GST refund. Yes, it might have been only S$5, but I wanted it.
Into the terminal.
With that, there were two more things I wanted to do – hit one of the Bak Kaw shops (there’s a branch of Bee Cheng Hiang in each of the Changi terminals), and also pop in briefly to the lounge. I decided to waste time in the lounge first.
Up we go
Pass the Qantas First Lounge
Elephant.
I headed to the lounge first – as it’s a contract lounge. Whilst I wasn’t hungry (as I had an excellent breakfast at Albert Street Food Centre), I could do with a drink before travelling.
Marhaba Lounge.
Operated by dnata.
It seems the Marhaba Lounge is the main contract lounge at Terminal 3 for airlines. Heading it, I was welcomed, and my boarding pass was scanned and cleared.
Going in, it was… lit moodly will be the term I use, as well as feeling compressed. Mainly, as part of the lounge was going under refurbishment, thus the window views were obscured. A shame, as it was dark in the lounge
At least some of the tables had wireless charging at them – a welcome thing to see. I dropped my stuff for a bit and did a little walk around the area.
I grabbed a drink to sit down for a few minutes to plan out my next steps and where I was heading next – would I kill time, or would I go and get a final pack of Bak Kaw?
Alcoholic Beverages
Tea
Coffee
Carbonation and Fruit
Looking at the food selection, it looked “fine”, but honestly, compared to the breakfast I had earlier… this was uninspiring. Basic, but uninspiring to grab a plate of nibbles.
Pasties
Salads
Fruit
Noodles.
FIDS.
To put it politely, it’s a middling contract lounge. Anywhere else in the world, this would have been good – but remember where we are in the world – it felt like a mid-end contract lounge, who want people in, people gone, and that’s it.
A little disappointing. At least it’s not the Swissport lounge in Chicago.
I decided to spend my last S$5, along with some other currency, on some Bak Kwa. Thankfully, Bee Hong Chang has branches inside the terminal – so it was easy enough to pick up a discounted pack of Bak Kwa. This is fine – except the shop is at the opposite end of the terminal.
Sigh.
I walked back across the terminal and, with time moving on, towards the gate.
With the aircraft parked at C23, it’s a fair old hike from where I was. Thankfully, there are enough moving walkways to keep the journey reasonably quick.
I see that Richard got a new job. I hope the Lady of the House is well remembered.
Towards the gate
Expensive Singapore transit gifts.
At the gate, I went through the security check and was allowed to continue into the gate area, where it was filling up for the Istanbul flight.
No fancy CT Scanners here. Back to 100ml of liquids.
I took my place, whilst the ground staff finished up preparation and readiness to pre-board the aircraft.
Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER
Emirates A380
My waiting Airbus A350 to Istanbul.
Boarding was called by groups and classes, and when group 1 was called, I knew it was my time to leave Singapore.
Wishing I had an extra day in my pocket, I headed to the podium, had my passport checked, and boarding pass scanned… and proceeded to the jetway.
It was time to go to Istanbul.
Next:
TK209 – Singapore to Istanbul (Business Class). Well, a little bit of showing off. But is it needed?
Economy Class and Beyond is brought to you by Kevin. They provide a no-nonsense guide to aviation network news, passenger experience insights, honest reviews, in-depth coverage, unique research, as well as the humour and madness I only know how to deliver.
Our Social Media pool has expanded. You can find us across most networks as @economybeyond on BlueSky, Threads, Mastodon and Instagram!
Also, remember that we are part of the BoardingArea community, bringing you the latest frequent flyer news from around the world.