Changi Airport Singapore consistently scoops global accolades as a world-beating aviation hub. Skytrax has crowned it the 2025 World’s Best Airport, yet again. Wherever I happen to be travelling to, it’s always an added pleasure to fly Singapore Airlines, knowing that I will be basking in the brilliance of some titillating transit time at Changi. It’s an unrivalled aviation oasis where a leisurely layover becomes effortlessly pleasurable. 

Terminals 3 and 4 showcase a glittering array of world-class shopping and dining offerings. There is also the free movie theatre, and access in Terminal 1 to a transit hotel pool and shower. Aerotel doesn’t require you to actually book accommodation, just a $25 fee for rooftop pool and shower pampering. Singapore is famously a city in a garden and Changi flies the flag with its Cactus Garden, Sunflower Garden, Water Lily Garden, Discovery Garden and, best of all, the Butterfly Garden in Terminal 3. This whimsical escape from transit limbo, is aflutter with a thousand pretty insects and a glass nursery where you can watch them hatching live from their cocoons. Terminal 3 also boasts the world’s tallest slide, which your kids will love.  

In Terminal 2, check out Dreamscape, a mash-up of vertical gardens and fishponds beneath an LED ceiling that morphs from blue sky to an underwater realm. It’s pleasantly and soothingly mesmerising. If you’re flight schedule entails an extended layover, there are also free sightseeing tours, but you need at least five hours until your connecting flight to qualify for a spt. There are currently four timed tours available, including of Singapore's south coast, city centre, Singapore River and Marina Bay Sands as well as a heritage and culture tour (book a few days ahead to guarantee a space). 

Dreamscape at Changi Airport T2. Photo / Supplied

But the crowning attraction at Changi, accessible from all terminals, is undoubtedly Changi Jewel, the show-stopping pleasure dome of retail and entertainment, with its stunning 40 metre long indoor waterfall, Rain Vortex – the tallest such water feature in the world. Water cascades down through a glass roof to a forest garden, switching between ethereal mists and thunderous downpours in a lush green theatre of terraced gardens. At night, the waterfall is at the centre of the sound and light show. If you’re travelling with kids with energy to burn, take them to Canopy Park inside Changi Jewel. It encompasses a hedge maze, a mirror maze, topiary walk, petal garden and “foggy bowls” area. Suspended eight metres above all this is a trampoline-style walkway. Bounce away! 

Interior of Changi Jewel. Photo / Supplied

Jewel is also home to the Changi Experience Studio with interactive displays about the airport’s history for aviation geeks. And it’s comprehensively equipped for transiting tourists with a baggage-storage service, advance check-in kiosks and a paid lounge. If you're looking for unique souvenirs, my recommended terminal shopping stops are TWG Tea and Bacha Coffee Boutique, Pokémon Center Singapore, Bengawan Solo, and Eu Yan Sang. 

For many Kiwis flying long-haul, it’s hard to put a price on space, comfort and indulgence. I recently reacquainted myself with Singapore Airlines Business Class, on their A350-900 aircraft, which are typically deployed on the Auckland and Christchurch routes to Singapore, and the backbone of SIA’s long-haul fleet. These very popular workhorses are so blissfully quiet and better suited to cushioning turbulence. 

Business Class seating on the A350-900 is all about thoughtful comfort. Handcrafted from Scottish leather and diamond-stitched, the seat transforms into a full flat bed, with a cushioned headboard, linen, duvet and pillows. Each seat is 25 inches wide and has a generous seat pitch of 50 inches. If you’re a travelling as a couple, the centre divider between the centre seats can be fully lowered to create a double bed. Designed to provide more personal space and privacy, the Business Class seats are arranged in a forward-facing, four abreast (1-2-1) configuration, providing every passenger direct aisle access (that’s quite the godsend when answering a call of nature to answer, deep in the night). 

Business class seating on the A350. Photo / Mike Yardley 

I generally find myself catching up on work when flying long-haul, and the A350 Business Class seat easily converts into an office with its well-positioned reading lights, in-seat laptop power supply, and USB ports. The KrisWorld entertainment system is loaded with over 1800 movie, TV, music and gaming selections, plus live news and sports channels (over 400 movies alone!). Equipped with noise cancelling headphones, the high-definition seatback monitors are supersized at 46cms, from which I settled on the new release Superman and The Naked Gun, before settling into the hit TV series, Outrageous. The complimentary in-flight WiFi worked a trick, too.  

Attentive, graceful, personable service is a shining feature of Singapore Airlines, from the moment you to step aboard and are offered a bubbles or a Bellini. The in-flight dining service features a stirring menu, anchored by signature dishes crafted by the airline’s International Culinary Panel, which famously begins with their legendary Chicken Satay canape. All premium class guests can pre-select their main course up to 48 hours before flying from the ‘Book the Cook’ menu. But when flying from New Zealand to Singapore, definitely grab the opportunity to savour the airline’s Guest Chef Programme.  

Marlborough Salmon for starters on Singapore Airlines. Photo / Mike Yardley 

Since March, Singapore Airlines has partnered with distinguished New Zealand chef and restauranteur Sid Sahrawat, to design a distinctly Kiwi culinary experience for flights departing Auckland and Christchurch. Complementing the International Culinary Panel, the Guest Chef Programme collaborates with acclaimed local chefs to create limited-time menus that showcase regional ingredients and flavours. Sid’s menus sport the finest New Zealand ingredients, while also drawing inspiration from his Indian cultural roots. He executed this fusion with customary finesse. My appetiser was Marlborough Smoked Salmon and Prawns with Cucumber Gazpacho, with fresh red chilli and radishes adding some extra zing. The main course? Pan-roasted Snapper with Vindaloo Sauce and Tandoori Roasted Kumara. What a combo! The dish also included some crispy kale dusted with curry powder – signature Sid. I couldn’t say no to his divine dessert – Chocolate and Manuka Honey Bavarois with freeze-dried raspberries and finished with hokey pokey honeycomb candy. This is dining in excelsis at 35,000 feet. 

I jetted my way to Singapore, Nepal and India with the award-winning flag-carrier. All of my flights ran to time, all checked bags were faithfully waiting for me on the carousel and the in-flight experience was impeccable. If you’re toying with upgrading to Premium Economy on Singapore Airlines, you’re absolutely in for a treat. I flew home from Singapore in this cabin, which is a great opportunity to graze from the Book the Cook menu. It features a stirring selection of exquisite dishes, including New Zealand Beef Fillet and Spring Lamb Loin.  

Premium Economy on Singapore Airlines. Photo / Supplied

The KrisWorld entertainment system brims with over 1800 movie, TV, music and gaming selections, plus live news and sport. Equipped with noise cancelling headphones, the high-definition touch screen monitors are supersized at 33cms, from which I devoured so much content. The in-flight WiFi worked a trick too – complimentary for KrisFlyer members. Premium Economy seating has a full leather finishing and a calf-rest and foot rest for every seat, so you can recline and stretch out. Be sure to request an amenity kit, which includes a pair of roomy slippers, lightproof eyeshades and a hydrating lip balm. It’s a class of its own. 

Singapore Airlines proudly connects New Zealand to the world via its award-winning hub, Changi Airport via its daily services from Auckland and Christchurch. There are over 120 destinations across the combined SIA and Scoot global network, including 15 European destinations. singaporeair.com 

Mike Yardley is Newstalk ZB’s resident traveller and can be heard every week on Saturday Mornings with Jack Tame.