- Mr Plane Guy
- Apr 27
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
SATS Lounge, Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2: Worst Airport Lounge I’ve Ever Visited
By Travel Expert and airport lounge champagne tester Mr Plane Guy
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It’s rare for me to walk into a lounge and feel immediate regret. But stepping into the SATS Premier Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 felt like walking straight back into my old school exam hall, it could be the name though? SATS. And not in a nostalgic way. I’m talking that grey institutional gloom, the buzz of fluorescent lighting, uncomfortable seating, people hunched over in various states of stress, and the loud chatter that’s anything but soothing.
You may not want to sign up after this review, but trust me I've used this pass over 25 times in the last 12 months and saved so much, the vast majority of lounges have been very nice.
I managed to get you a 30% off Priority Pass! which lets you access lounges around the world for a fraction of the regular price. With this discount, I was able to get into the SATS Premier Lounge in Terminals 1 and 2, Plaza Premium Lounge: Located in Terminal 1 and the Marhaba Lounge Lounge.
Take a look HERE
The name SATS was enough to jolt memories of primary school tests and timed essays. Sadly, the reality of this lounge was not much better. Singapore Changi Airport is world-renowned for its luxury, innovation, and ease, but this Singapore airport lounge felt like an entirely different world. Dated, dull, and not worth the entrance fee even at a reduced fee visit with your Priority Pass or Lounge Key. I genuinely never say this lightly, but you are better off sitting in the Singapore Airport departure gates.
Location and Access
The SATS Premier Lounge is located in Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2, accessible airside after immigration. It’s signposted well enough, and there’s a large sign at the entrance declaring "reservations only." In reality, entry was swift and easy. Perhaps that should have been a red flag.
I accessed the lounge via my Priority Pass a membership I genuinely swear by and often recommend to fellow travellers. It has opened the doors to countless excellent lounges across the world. But here? It opened a door I wish I had left shut.
First Impressions: Back to School, and Not in a Good Way
The lighting was clinical, the furniture mismatched and dated, and the noise level was completely out of control. There were babies crying, people shouting across tables, the clatter of cutlery, and not a single bit of background music to balance the mood. You could hear the stress. You could feel it in the air.
I sat down in a booth that looked like it had been installed in 1997. The USB charging port was dead, the cushion was very worn and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched over by an invigilator about to announce “five minutes remaining.”
Ambience: Dark, Dingy, and Depressing
Changi Airport is known for its stunning light-flooded spaces, butterfly gardens, art installations, and lush greenery. None of that excellence spilled into this lounge.
The SATS Lounge was gloomy.
Seating was arranged without much thought to privacy or comfort. It was a sea of tables and chairs, the kind of layout you’d expect at a low-cost conference centre. There was a family room and a few massage chairs hidden in the corner that looked like leftovers from a hospital waiting room. I didn’t dare try them.
Food and Drink: A Confusing and Unappetising Affair
I arrived at the lounge just after 7pm, and expected some evening bites, or at least something more substantial than toast. What I found was a strange scatter of breakfast items cold croissants, bread to make toast, a couple of yoghurts, and some lonely cubes of cheese. It was giving continental breakfast, 1994 motel edition.
There was some hot food items, but it didn't look appealing and Instead of desserts, a plate full of ham!
Drinks were equally underwhelming. A few spirits were lined up in a self-serve area, no bar, no service, and not even the basics covered. I poured myself a gin and tonic, only to discover there was no lemon. I asked, and was told they simply didn’t have any. In a Singapore airport lounge, with access to what is arguably the best airport in the world, that’s hard to excuse.
Connectivity: The Wi-Fi That Time Forgot
Trying to check in for my Ryanair flight from Milan was an ordeal. It took me ten minutes to connect to the Wi-Fi, and once connected, it crawled.
For a space supposedly designed for travellers, many of whom are working on the move, this is inexcusable. Even basic airport seating zones have better bandwidth than this.
Who Is This Lounge For?
I honestly don’t know. If you’re a business traveller, this isn’t it, no quiet zones, poor Wi-Fi, no functioning charging points. If you’re on holiday and hoping to relax before your flight, you’ll find the departure hall at Singapore Changi Airport far more tranquil. At least there, you’ll find plants, art, shops, and peace.
If you’re travelling with children, there’s a family room, but the space doesn’t feel inviting. For anyone hoping for comfort, it’s a complete miss.
Should You Bother?
In short, no. Do not waste your time visiting the SATS Premier Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2. It’s not worth your Priority Pass use, your Lounge Key, or any cash admission. This lounge is not up to the standard that Changi Airport is known for. It doesn’t even come close.
I’ve visited train station lounges in regional England with more charm, functionality, and polish. There was no premium experience here. Not even a hint of it. For a terminal inside one of the world’s most impressive airports, this was a major disappointment.
Better Alternatives at Changi Airport
If you’re flying from other terminals, there are far better lounges at Changi, including the excellent Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 and The Qantas Singapore Lounge in Terminal 1 if you're eligible. Even just spending time in the Jewel Changi, or one of the public gardens inside the terminals, is a better use of your time.
Changi is famous for its butterfly garden, cinema, sunflower garden, and koi ponds. All free. All quiet. All better than this.
Rest and Recharge
For those needing rest, Changi offers several accommodations
YOTELAIR: Situated within Jewel, YOTELAIR provides smartly designed cabins perfect for a short nap or overnight stay. You can find it here on Booking.com
Aerotel Transit Hotel: Located in Terminal 1, it offers comfortable rooms and amenities without the need to clear immigration. You can find it here on Booking.com
Ready for Take Off
This was, hands down, the worst lounge experience I’ve had in all my years of travel. Not because something went wrong, but because it was a completely uninspired, outdated, and depressing place that simply hasn’t kept up with the standards set by the rest of Singapore Changi Airport.
So much of Changi feels futuristic and thoughtful. This felt like an afterthought. A relic from a time when any lounge was considered a luxury. Today, we expect more and rightly so.
Until next time, may your next lounge have lemon for your gin, functioning USB ports, and at the very least, a little peace and quiet.
Don't forget to get an eSim before you travel and save yourself data roaming fee's!
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Hello I’m Paul a travel and flight expert, I spent most of my career working in and around planes with 15 years providing top-notch service with a London-based airline.
I became an expert in travel after soaring across the Atlantic up to 10 times a month!
I’m now, producing travel content, reaching millions of viewers monthly. Reporting on travel news, sharing travel tips, reviews, and deals with a sprinkle of humour and a whole lot of authenticity!
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