Changi is a major transit hub for long distance flights. Not everyone gets to fly immediately after landing you know? Where else are they going to spend their time at? The average traveller landing/transiting in Changi has more money to spend anyway.

Also this one is a Singaporean thing but from what I’ve noticed locals do go Changi Jewel like it’s a mall.

This post has been edited by trojandude: May 15 2025, 01:42 PM

Jewel is not in the airport (no immigration). It’s just built there. It’s probably the best mall around that vicinity. Plenty of people live there you know. KLIA not the same because it’s very secluded.

This post has been edited by trojandude: May 15 2025, 01:56 PM

That’s because most passengers are T2 KLIA which is the lower tier (usually cheaper/budget airlines). If you do T1 you’ll see the big difference.

Changi serves a lot more long distance flights than KLIA. Average traveller landing in Changi have more money to spend than those in KLIA.

There’s a big difference with Singapore Airlines vs MAS/AirAsia. The routes, pricing, and distance travelled totally not comparable.

This post has been edited by trojandude: May 15 2025, 01:55 PM

Honestly from the comments here you can tell who frequently travels KLIA/Changi and who doesn't.

Whenever I land in Changi, the moment I leave the plane, it takes me less than 10 minutes to leave the airport and sit my taxi. If I have check-in luggage, can add additional 10-15 minutes, which is pretty quick regardless.

Meanwhile in KLIA1/2, fucking shit takes FOREVER especially luggage. Grab pickup is a shitshow especially in KLIA T2. It will take minimum 1 hour (very lucky already if 1 hour) to leave if you have checked luggages, not to mention the endless walking in T2. With T1, some more need to take train (bus now) if you're arriving internationally. Heck, even departure also need to take train/bus.

In comparison, Changi, all I need is literally put my Grab to either T1/T2/T3/T4, pass immigration and fly (or arrive and leave). Where got this train/bus bullshit. Usually you only take Changi train to switch terminals if you transit only.

KLIA is poorly planned and it shows. Don't know why people keep defending it.

And all of these, I still haven't factor in the fact KLIA is freaking 50-60km away from city centre. I can land in Changi at 7am and be at my hotel by 8am. If I land in KLIA at 7am, inshallah 10am only I will be at my hotel, and proceed to pass out because of how tiring it is. The difference is extremely obvious it's not even comparable.

Changi didn't win best airport in the world multiple times (or at worst Top 3) by luck. There's a reason why Changi is ranked 1st/2nd and why KLIA is ranked 65th.

This post has been edited by trojandude: May 18 2025, 03:12 PM

Very true bolded points. It's almost unbelievable how fast I can leave Changi airport. KLIA efficiency is like shit tier if you compare to Changi. Seriously slow as shit.

Don't know why the people here cannot take criticism to KLIA. Admit la - KLIA is f**king shit AND IT SHOWS.

and then we have jaguh kampung here complain "actually who wanna spend time in airport go shopping bla bla like Changi I just wanna leave hurr durr" ?? The f? KLIA is the DEFINITION of spending unnecessary time in the airport.

This post has been edited by trojandude: May 19 2025, 11:11 AM