Lounge Priority Pass T1 Singapore Airport

In this phase of slow flight restart, with Uncertainty about new variants and possible sudden blockages, finding an open lounge is already an achievement. In the terminal 1 of what for years was the best airport in the world only the two independent lounges are open: the Marhaba and SATS Premier.

Both are accessible to Priority Pass holders and are used by the airlines, the few, that fly right now as backups to the official ones.

This terminal is also home to the British Airways lounge and the two Qantas lounges (First's and the business lounge).

They are all closed awaiting better times, as are Thai Airways' VIP lounge and Emirates' VIP lounge.

Since the review among the lounges of London's Terminal 5 was successful, I decided to continue in this mode by making the comparison between the two lounges I visited on my way back from the My trip to Singapore thanks to VTL.

Location and access rules

These lounges participate in the Priority Pass network, so all holders of a subscription to this service included in the American Express Gold and Platinum fee, can enter freely and free of charge. In addition, business class passengers and elite status holders of companies that have specific agreements with the two operators can enter.

The Marhaba is located just past the security checkpoint on the right, on the second floor, above the Gucci store. It is well signposted and is 10 m away from the Qantas lounge for first class passengers.

SATS Premier is on the opposite side and is in the same area as the other BA, Qantas, and Thai lounges, which are currently closed.

In this respect, for a Priority Pass user there are no big differences Between the two halls.

Marhaba

The room is large enough, the set-up mainly consisting of comfortable chairs with power outlets. It was deserted when I arrived, but soon filled up as 3 of the day's few connections were departing within less than 3 hours.

On either side of what was once the buffet counter are also seats that are more suitable for eating, if you don't want to get dirty with your plate in your hand.

Considering what this airport offered in the pre Covid world, it is a bit poor. Also having eliminated any kind of self-service, it is also a sad thread. These stand-alone lounges never have a soul, precisely because they have to adapt to every type of airline, here the only touch of color is provided by a piece of art depicting an elephant painted right on the bar counter.

SATS Premiere

This room is much larger than the other and offers many more types of seating.

From sofas, to bar tables, from high counter to boxes great for isolating yourself from the rest of the room.

There are also 3 massage chairs, which can be used free of charge.

Then there is a second smaller room that faces the terminal, and there are several seats here as well. In my judgment, therefore, SATS Premiere wins in size and offerings, definitely offers more than the other lounge, and the massage chairs are a real plus.

Food & Beverage

Marhaba

As mentioned no buffet, but a counter with menus on display where you can order what you want then be served directly at the place by staff.

The food offering was not very imaginative and I must say also of poor quality. The beverage offerings, hot and cold, were also not noteworthy.

The only thing that was excellent was definitely the cleanliness and courtesy of the staff, who were attentive to requests and quick in service.

SATS Premiere

Amazing how less than 500 mt, which is the distance separating the two halls, there is such a different approach to the rules of the new world. Again, the buffet has been (almost) eliminated and food is chosen from a menu on the tablet at the front desk.

Self-service drinking is operational, though; there is also champagne as well as some snacks such as chips, fruit, and some sandwiches that can be taken independently without the help of staff.

Speaking of the dish I chose, I have to say. the quality of catering is much better in this lounge rather than in the Marhaba.

In conclusion

I was hoping to find the BA lounge open and instead I was "screwed." Of course, when will people return to flying like in the world before, although the situation in 4 months in Singapore has changed a lot from On my first port of call in the pandemic era., you will be able to take advantage of your status in the various alliances and choose from many lounges. If, on the other hand, you are traveling in economy and do not have passes to official statuses, my advice is to aim straight for SATS Premiere.

There is then a third Priority Pass lounge that is accessible and is located outside T1, inside the JEWEL the business park outside the airport. Of course being before the security checkpoints is a tad inconvenient, but since here in Singapore all security checkpoints are automated you can aim to stay inside the Jewel as much as possible and then jump straight from check-in to boarding.

This is just one of many reviews you can read on our site, covid and restrictions permitting Every Wednesday we publish a review of a lounge airport, while every Friday you can read the review of one of our flights or a hotel where we stayed.