Airport experience recently in SIN/BKK/CDG/BCN

[danglebears]

Traveling through these airports for international flights over the next three weeks, any of you lovely travelers been at their airports recently? How was the experience, particularly in regards to time.

TIA

Aussie passport traveller.

Andrew

 

[N860CR]

Been through Singapore quite a bit this year. Generally back to normal of late. Lounges have been busy, terminal overall is quite crowded. Other than the decorative masks, not a great deal to suggest anything has changed to be honest. No real difference to the passenger experience.

 

[Mattg]

Which airport are you referring to with BCE? Do you mean BCN (Barcelona)?

 

[VPS]

Here's a picture of BCE - probably won't be very busy (sorry)

 

[Anna]

@VPS I wonder what the lounges are like at BCE

I went through SIN in May, and what I mainly noticed was that only about 2/3 of the shops had reopened. Otherwise it was business as usual, including the usual annoying 'security at the gate' palaver.

 

[VPS]

@VPS I wonder what the lounges are like at BCE

I went through SIN in May, and what I mainly noticed was that only about 2/3 of the shops had reopened. Otherwise it was business as usual, including the usual annoying 'security at the gate' palaver.

The day I drove past I don't think there was even a plane in sight. Sorry OT - back to the subject

 

[danglebears]

Here's a picture of BCE - probably won't be very busy (sorry)

View attachment 284385

HAHAHA oui, BCN, not BCE.

 

[austgap]

Have been to SIN, BKK, CDG and MAD (not BCN) during a trip in June and to be honest was all a total breeze contrary to other reports on AFF/FT etc. Gratis, only had carry on and was in J, except for MAD which was whY twice.

SIN - Entered into SIN twice, immigration fine and no long waits. Certainly getting busy with the AU/EU flights - we even got sent to T1 to board our SQ flight back to AU.
BKK - Dead. Nobody at all around and nothing was slow - flight slightly delayed but put that more down to Gulf Air being a bit vague vs issues.
CDG - Had a tight 2.5hr connection (two separate bookings) and needed to connect from 2F to 2C in the evening, landed at 8pm for a 1030pm dep. No queues for immigration (thankfully didn't need to go through security again), made it in 40mins.
MAD - Certainly heaps busier and experienced both T4 and T2. Again no huge waits for security (T2)

 

[TomYagher]

Went through BKK last week, 5pm mid week arrival. Rushed off the plane to be ahead of the pack only to find immigration really busy (for post Covid), probably a half hour wait. Initially I thought express immigration was closed, turns out you have to walk down the air crew lane, where right at the end where it says it also includes J and F passengers.

 

[wandering_fred]

Went through BKK last week, 5pm mid week arrival. Rushed off the plane to be ahead of the pack only to find immigration really busy (for post Covid), probably a half hour wait. Initially I thought express immigration was closed, turns out you have to walk down the air crew lane, where right at the end where it says it also includes J and F passengers.

Does it also still include "seniors"
Helps me with the wandering
Fred

 

[drron]

@danglebears We went through SIN 6 days ago and very much busier than our last visit in May this year. A fair line at Immigration so about an hour from landing to through Customs. So no problem as long as you have filled out the Singapore arrival card online before leaving for Singapore.

BCN was a breeze but we had done the Spanish arrival card as we flew in from the UK. They send you a QR code which you have to show on arrival. I believe it is not needed if arriving from an EU country.

 

[TomYagher]

Does it also still include "seniors"
Helps me with the wandering
Fred

Note sure, however wouldn't surprise me, Asia reveres seniors more than the west. Bring a walking stick and hobble a bit

 

[Ade]

AU national travelling HLO to India via SIN tomorrow on 2 separate tickets. So need to clear customs & re-check in in SIN. I'm touching down in SIN at 1750 on QF and my next SQ to MAA is at 2000. So I have a good 2 hours to clear customs & re-check in.

Just wanted to check ;

1. I have completed the online incoming pax card for SIN and got a barcode that will be scanned at the border, I guess.
2. I have my international vax certificate downloaded from Medicare
3. Completed the Air Suvidha thingy for India arrivals and got the PDF

Is there anything that I'm missing ?

Wondering how is the situation at SIN, too busy, too easy ?

Also, I have already checked-in on SQ website, but BP not issued due to document checks needed. So my query is, given that I have checked-in for the SQ flight, do I need to clear customs and re-check in OR I shall approach a SQ transfer desk, show them that I've checked in, HLO, and request a BP ? Thoughts?

 

[AIRwin]

Also, I have already checked-in on SQ website, but BP not issued due to document checks needed. So my query is, given that I have checked-in for the SQ flight, do I need to clear customs and re-check in OR I shall approach a SQ transfer desk, show them that I've checked in, HLO, and request a BP ? Thoughts?

Try the transfer desk first if there is no queue?

 

[Ade]

Try the transfer desk first if there is no queue?

Will do this and report back. My hunch is, given HLO and already checked-in, SQ transfer desk can issue the BP. Let's see how I go

 

[SYD]

Will do this and report back. My hunch is, given HLO and already checked-in, SQ transfer desk can issue the BP. Let's see how I go

You shouldn’t need to “enter” SIN with HLO. The transfer desks are operating but worse case, sounds like you have everything you need to enter and make a quick exit (you’ll be able to use the e-Gate to exit).

 

[Ade]

Will do this and report back.

Okie!! So what a day it was ... QF81 delayed to 1230, boarding began at 1155, got to my seat and the captain came on the mic and said that auxiliary engine isn't working, meaning, we will only be using one of the engines to take off and then somehow, on-air turn on the other engine? As the aux engine was out, there was no aircon in the cabins. Captain apologised for this and advised that the engineering crew is working on this. After fixing the issue, the flight took off around 1250, with flying time of approx 8h40m, landed at SIN T1 around 1930, a slow & long taxi to the gate,

With my SQ departing at 2015 & me not having the BP for that SQ service, I made up my mind that I'm not going to make it and started to looking to purchase seats on other airlines. The captain then came on the mic and said that there is another aircraft at the gate where we were supposed to park, and that aircraft is awaiting some bags from delayed services. That's another 10 mins waiting to get QF81 to the gate.

Luckily for me, about 5 hours into the flight, the Cabin Manager came around the cabin introducing herself to WP & above and asking if there is anything we can do. I told her about my situation. She said she'll see what she can do. Then when we were waiting for the gate, she called the FA on the phone near my seat and ask them to offload me first when the doors opened. So the FA came up to my seat and took me to the front of J door. I was literally first out of the plane and started running.

The ground staff told me that I need to get to T3 to get my boarding pass for SQ. Without giving much thought I started running (For those, that have met me, you'll know that I'm not built for anything strenuous such as running or jogging ). Anyways, running towards the trains, I had a moment of realisation - I stopped and looked at the displays. I noticed that my SQ528 leaves from T1 C24. I knew that all gates have a machine to print BPs in case pax lost them, damaged, last-minute gate upgrades, change of seats etc. So I ran in the opposite direction to T1 C24 and quite literally banged on the glass doors to get the attention of a security supervisor dressed in suit.

He noticed that I was panicking and trying to catch my breath - he came out of the security area and asked me what happened. I told him my situation that I just got off the delayed QF81 service, I had checked in for the SQ flight, but no BPs were issued due to document verification blah blah and that I really need to be on this plane and that I'd really appreciate any assistance please. He said that I need to get to T3 and get my BP. I then said that I can't really get to T3 now and get back before SQ528 closes. He acknowledged that I won't be able to make it if I get to T3. He then collected my passport, asked me NOT to enter the security area and he went inside.

10 mins gone, he came back negative, we need you to go to T3 and get the BP and also explained that if your flight was delayed, your bags would not have made it anyways. I said that I'm HLO only (should've told it 10 mins ago, but I was still catching my breath & trying not to panic) ... then after a few "ahhs" and "hmmms" he paged someone on his walkie-talkie. Then another bloke walked out of the security area, asked if I had done my Air Suvidha. I said yes, he then said that he is going to take a photo of the decleration and collected my OCI and went back in.

7 mins gone, he printed my BP and handed it to a security guard, who then signalled me to enter the security area and handed my documents to another guard, who then advised that I have less than 2 mins as I was the last pax to board. So laptops, electronics, LAGs out, security done and I was into the aerobridge and entered the plane.

The first security guard who processed my papers told me & I quote "You are a very lucky man. We never issuing BP at the gate. The supervisor was very understanding of your situation and used his powers to get you on this plane. You are very lucky"

I was in seat 42K, no space in the overhead lockers to put my carry on. Some fellow pax helped to take off some of their smaller bags and made space for my larger carry on. My backpack went under the seat in front of me. Then the captain came on the mic and announced that this service is delayed by 15 mins awaiting bags from SFO. I settled in (squished in) to my window seat finally !!

 

[Mattg]

Okie!! So what a day it was ... QF81 delayed to 1230, boarding began at 1155, got to my seat and the captain came on the mic and said that auxiliary engine isn't working, meaning, we will only be using one of the engines to take off and then somehow, on-air turn on the other engine? As the aux engine was out, there was no aircon in the cabins. Captain apologised for this and advised that the engineering crew is working on this. After fixing the issue, the flight took off around 1250, with flying time of approx 8h40m, landed at SIN T1 around 1930, a slow & long taxi to the gate,

With my SQ departing at 2015 & me not having the BP for that SQ service, I made up my mind that I'm not going to make it and started to looking to purchase seats on other airlines. The captain then came on the mic and said that there is another aircraft at the gate where we were supposed to park, and that aircraft is awaiting some bags from delayed services. That's another 10 mins waiting to get QF81 to the gate.

Luckily for me, about 5 hours into the flight, the Cabin Manager came around the cabin introducing herself to WP & above and asking if there is anything we can do. I told her about my situation. She said she'll see what she can do. Then when we were waiting for the gate, she called the FA on the phone near my seat and ask them to offload me first when the doors opened. So the FA came up to my seat and took me to the front of J door. I was literally first out of the plane and started running.

The ground staff told me that I need to get to T3 to get my boarding pass for SQ. Without giving much thought I started running (For those, that have met me, you'll know that I'm not built for anything strenuous such as running or jogging ). Anyways, running towards the trains, I had a moment of realisation - I stopped and looked at the displays. I noticed that my SQ528 leaves from T1 C24. I knew that all gates have a machine to print BPs in case pax lost them, damaged, last-minute gate upgrades, change of seats etc. So I ran in the opposite direction to T1 C24 and quite literally banged on the glass doors to get the attention of a security supervisor dressed in suit.

He noticed that I was panicking and trying to catch my breath - he came out of the security area and asked me what happened. I told him my situation that I just got off the delayed QF81 service, I had checked in for the SQ flight, but no BPs were issued due to document verification blah blah and that I really need to be on this plane and that I'd really appreciate any assistance please. He said that I need to get to T3 and get my BP. I then said that I can't really get to T3 now and get back before SQ528 closes. He acknowledged that I won't be able to make it if I get to T3. He then collected my passport, asked me NOT to enter the security area and he went inside.

10 mins gone, he came back negative, we need you to go to T3 and get the BP and also explained that if your flight was delayed, your bags would not have made it anyways. I said that I'm HLO only (should've told it 10 mins ago, but I was still catching my breath & trying not to panic) ... then after a few "ahhs" and "hmmms" he paged someone on his walkie-talkie. Then another bloke walked out of the security area, asked if I had done my Air Suvidha. I said yes, he then said that he is going to take a photo of the decleration and collected my OCI and went back in.

7 mins gone, he printed my BP and handed it to a security guard, who then signalled me to enter the security area and handed my documents to another guard, who then advised that I have less than 2 mins as I was the last pax to board. So laptops, electronics, LAGs out, security done and I was into the aerobridge and entered the plane.

The first security guard who processed my papers told me & I quote "You are a very lucky man. We never issuing BP at the gate. The supervisor was very understanding of your situation and used his powers to get you on this plane. You are very lucky"

I was in seat 42K, no space in the overhead lockers to put my carry on. Some fellow pax helped to take off some of their smaller bags and made space for my larger carry on. My backpack went under the seat in front of me. Then the captain came on the mic and announced that this service is delayed by 15 mins awaiting bags from SFO. I settled in (squished in) to my window seat finally !!

Sounds like a good case study in why it's always a good idea (if possible) to allow at least a day between flights if booked on separate international tickets

(I realise this may not have worked for you, but that all sounds rather stressful to me and could have easily ended badly.)

 

[Quickstatus]

we will only be using one of the engines to take off and then somehow, on-air turn on the other engine

No. usually the aux engine (a little turbine at rear - like a mini jet engine) is powered up to provide cabin aircon.
If aux engine not available, the main engines can be used but they can't be turned on until all clear is given. (for obvious reasons).
Once one of the main engines turns on, it can be used to supply the cabin air. But until then it can get hot.

was literally first out of the plane and started running

I had a different experience many moons ago at Changi but not with BP.

My other experience at Changi, this time many many moons ago, but still positive:
KUL-SIN-SYD
SQ agent at KUL said get boarding pass at SIN. Uh-Oh!
At SIN, transfer desk said sorry flight overbooked. Can accomodate with another flight 4hrs later.
Family of 5. Played the "I need to be at work in the morning", "have to tell the hospital to cancel surgery" card.
Poor chap pulled out wads of cash - at the transfer desk. Got SIN$2500 (500x5) cash plus restaurant vouchers. Good work for 4hrs - tax free to boot.

 

[Ade]

Sounds like a good case study in why it's always a good idea (if possible) to allow at least a day between flights if booked on separate international tickets

(I realise this may not have worked for you, but that all sounds rather stressful to me and could have easily ended badly.)

Totally agree. A day between separate tickets would have been better. But this trip is only for 3 days … so I really couldn’t afford to take a day in between the tickets …