Short Layover in Singapore Is Making Me Worried

Windows7forever on 09/05/2023 - 15:09
Last edited 09/05/2023 - 15:31 by 1 other user

I'm going on my first long haul flight to Europe at the end of the year and am trying to plan everything out.

I booked directly through Singapore Airlines from a recent deal. I will have to switch planes (& carriers) at Singapore airport for both legs of the journey as they are with Scoot airline. I purchased the flights with the default flight times/transfers as suggested by the airline.

For the return flight the layover is only 1hr35 mins. I am a bit concerned I may miss the flight if the plane is late or there is some sort of delay.

I just have a few questions:

  1. Being in transit (not leaving the airport), will I need to clear customs at Singapore?
  2. Do you think I will have enough time?
  3. What happens if I miss the flight?

The airline seems very rigid with their no cancellation/no change policy so I am probably just going to have to work around it.

TIA.

Travel Asia Singapore

Comments

  • Stewardo on 09/05/2023 - 15:14
    +5

    1 no
    2 probably, depends
    3 they put you on the next one.
    When you say switch carriers aren’t both flights with scoot?

    • Benoffie on 09/05/2023 - 15:16

      I suspect the AU > SIN legs in and outbound are SIA while the EU legs are Scoot.

      The transfer should be ok if booked at the same time (its essentially the same airline)

      • Windows7forever on 09/05/2023 - 15:27

        Actually, it's the opposite. SIA is for EU leg and Scoot is for AU>SIN.

        Yes, the flights were booked together through the SIA website.

        Thank you.

        • treekangagaroo on 09/05/2023 - 15:29

          I assume this is okay as scoot is a subsidiary of Singapore airline

        • Stewardo on 09/05/2023 - 15:44
          +9

          You will be fine if they are selling it that way.
          If the first flight is delayed and the second one goes without you, they will put you on the next one.
          It’s a very well run operation don’t stress about it.

          • Windows7forever on 09/05/2023 - 15:58
            +5

            @Stewardo: Thanks man. I appreciate your reassurance. I need to plan everything 1000% or I get anxiety. The airline said that I have enough time to transit and that my luggage will be automatically loaded for me on the other plane. They also said that if I miss the connection they will put me on another plane :)

            • Stewardo on 09/05/2023 - 16:14
              +5

              @Windows7forever: If it makes you feel any better, people would take your exact combination of flights everyday. It costs airline money if the connection doesn’t work. If it wasn’t going to work they wouldn’t sell the tickets like that. They know you’re coming it’s an everyday occurrence.

            • freefall101 on 09/05/2023 - 17:15
              +5

              @Windows7forever: You did the right thing booking it all at the same time through the airline site, it makes it 100 times easier if a flight it late. I've missed connections many times and had very close calls, it's just wait for the next flight or, once with Cathay Pacific, get personally escorted across the airport and through a staff security checkpoint just to get to my flight on time. That was a mix of Cathay and Dragonair flights too.

    • HeWhoKnows on 10/05/2023 - 08:12

      OP booked directly with Singapore airlies so they are responsible for making it happen

  • El cheepo on 09/05/2023 - 15:16
    +6

    If you purchased it as a connecting flight they usually hold the plane there for a short period if late.
    If this happens, as soon as you disembark the first flight, a flight crew member will be standing on the catwalk waiting to escort you immediately to your waiting connection flight.

    If you purchased your own second flight thats not a connecting one with the airline, you will have to go through customs then outside and recheck back in (in which cade 1:35 is impossible).
    Usually when buying flights, they make it pretty obvious if you don’t have a connecting flight.

  • rumblytangara on 09/05/2023 - 15:25
    -4

    No freakin way would I have a 1.5 hour layover for an AU-EU plane flight. I'd chance it for some kind of short intra-region trip that was not a big deal- done it loads of times for trips to SE Asia from within Asia, but not for intercontinental. Even if you made it, there's a reasonable chance your luggage would end up on a later flight and you'd end up screwed (admittedly I'd expect the operations at Changi to be smoother than most other airports).

    You don't have to worry about customs, it's easy to get around Changi, but the chances of one flight coming in a bit late is too high.

    Singapore is a very convenient place to find and reach accommodation at short notice, and it's a fantastic place to eat, but I wouldn't want to deal with the faff in the middle of a long haul journey.

    • Windows7forever on 09/05/2023 - 15:31

      That's exactly what I am concerned about. I will try to contact SIA and see if they can change it for me.

      • QualGOTl on 10/05/2023 - 08:53
        +3

        You can safely ignore the comment above. There are airport & airlines that I would be reluctant to have that layover in, but going through Singapore on SQ - I would not think twice about booking that connection. MCT (Minimum Connection Time) in Singapore is 50 minutes, you have plenty of time. In the very unlikely event your incoming flight from the EU is way late, SQ will either hold the Scoot flight or rebook you at no cost.

        I've been flying through Singapore for more than 15 years on similar connections and never had an issue.

        • eftpos on 10/05/2023 - 09:35
          +3

          Agree with this but also recommend making sure you have all your essentials in your carry on as if there's a hold up, they will do their best to get you on board but your luggage might not make it.

    • sumyungguy on 09/05/2023 - 15:33
      -1

      I too would always choose one of the longer transits, mainly to get some recovery time. Long haul to Europe is excruciating in economy. There are lots of rest and shower options in SIN. OP has perhaps made a rookie error and chosen the shortest transit which now adds unwelcome anxiety to the trip.

      • Windows7forever on 09/05/2023 - 15:40

        My outbound transit is 5.5 hrs in singapore airport so I will have plenty of time to explore and use the facilties OTW to Europe. Oh well, live and learn…

        • sumyungguy on 09/05/2023 - 15:44

          Hope you can make the change but if not you'll be assured of a connection having booked with one carrier. Safe travels!

    • El cheepo on 09/05/2023 - 21:22
      +2

      No freakin way would I have a 1.5 hour layover for an AU-EU plane flight. I'd chance it for some kind of short intra-region trip that was not a big deal- done it loads of times for trips to SE Asia from within Asia, but not for intercontinental. Even if you made it, there's a reasonable chance your luggage would end up on a later flight and you'd end up screwed (admittedly I'd expect the operations at Changi to be smoother than most other airports).

      I had this for a hongkong - new york connection flight.
      We were 1 hour late for take off and had to wait for a gate for the plane to disembark in hongkong.

      So all in all i arrived as the New York flight was due to leave.

      As described by me above… had the flight crew waiting on the catwalk thing with my name on it and got escorted through the airport at a record pace.

      I was off my HK flight and sitting on my JFK flight in less then 10 mins, as i walked on they shut the door and started taxiing as soon as i sat down 🤣

      I had 0 faith my luggage would make it, but to cathays credit it was there in NY with me.

      Sooo, long story short… connecting flights are set up for it. It’s not something new or strange for them.
      But theres room for error and baggage loss for sure.

      • rumblytangara on 09/05/2023 - 21:43
        -4

        You were… lucky AF.

        Connecting flight passengers are not always (rarely in my experience) shepherded like that. Cathay especially has been absolutely gutted- first for being on the wrong side of politics (Swire, the parent company, caught flack from the government during the HK political turmoil), second from being wiped during 3 years of hard lockdown, and all over the past decade of financial mismanagement and fighting with their staff.

        A lot of people I know in HK have pretty much stopped flying with them, in the past Cathay regarded as one of the best airlines in the world.

        • El cheepo on 09/05/2023 - 23:29

          Its been almost 9 years since i had that experience with Cathay.
          At the time it was a fantastic airline and very reliable.

          I’ve heard of its decline, but have not got any recent experience to give an accurate review of their service.

          But my experience should be the same for anyone using any decent airline. They generally will hold a flight briefly and if worst case scenario they leave without you on the connecting flight, they will put you in a hotel and get you on the next flight.

  • bobbified on 09/05/2023 - 15:32

    If I understand what you've written correctly and you've booked a single journey through the airline and that's the transit time they've set between the two flights, then it should be okay since it'll be a regular occurrence for them. You won't be the only one jumping off the first flight and trying to make the second flight so if it's late, they might wait a little. Worst case, if you miss it, they'll put you on the next available flight.

    On the other hand, if you've booked the two flights separately, 1:35 hours might be cutting it too close. If you miss the second flight, you're likely to be on your own and might have to make additional arrangements.

    • Windows7forever on 09/05/2023 - 15:36

      Yes, it was booked as a single journey/package with SIA. I will contact them to double check. TY.

      • bobbified on 09/05/2023 - 15:37
        +3

        That should be okay then. That 1:35 hour layover time is built into their regular flight schedules, so they know it's enough time.

        From my experiences, the incoming flights tend to be a little early while the outgoing flights don't often depart later than scheduled time. There's leeway built into the times.

  • jv on 09/05/2023 - 15:46
    -2
    1. Being in transit (not leaving the airport), will I need to clear customs at Singapore?
      No.
    2. Do you think I will have enough time?
      No.
    3. What happens if I miss the flight?
      It will fly without you.
    • Windows7forever on 09/05/2023 - 15:48

      Helpful as always. Thanks JV :/

      • jv on 09/05/2023 - 15:48
        -3

        thanks.

        I feel like it's my duty to help others.

        • kiitos on 10/05/2023 - 07:48

          Fortunately OP is going through a duty free zone.

  • djones145 on 09/05/2023 - 15:50

    see if u can extend it, changi airport is pretty awesome, so even if u have a few hours to burn there is lots to see, shop and eat

    • jv on 09/05/2023 - 15:55

      changi airport is pretty awesome

      Not so much the prison though…

      • Windows7forever on 09/05/2023 - 15:59

        LOL. Yes, I will have plenty of time during outbound to explore the airport.

        • sumyungguy on 09/05/2023 - 16:38

          BTW, Jewel and all the cheap eats are land side

  • OpenHand on 09/05/2023 - 16:08
    +4

    You'll be fine. I've recently had a few changeovers in Changi with around the same time or less.

    You might feel like jogging over a bit once you land but it's easy to get around the airport so it was never necessary.

    Worst case, they'll get you on the next one and you get to chill in a great airport in the meantime.

    • Windows7forever on 09/05/2023 - 16:15

      Thanks bro. You put my mind at ease. Safe travels to the both of us :)

  • Drakesy on 09/05/2023 - 16:11
    +2

    Meh, if you miss it they'll just chuck you on the next one.

    Flights get delayed all the time, anything is possible.

  • Donaldhump on 09/05/2023 - 16:13
    +2

    if its on the same booking why worry, the airline will sort it out for if you miss flight.

    if your scoot and Singapore airlines r not same flight, then i'd practice sprinting

  • nubix on 09/05/2023 - 16:15

    that looks like plenty to me, although Scoot is in another terminal so there'll be a bit of walking

  • tsunamisurfer on 09/05/2023 - 16:19

    1.5 hours is cutting it very short and leaves very little room for error.

    If everything goes well you can make it.

    I just recently travelled to / from Canada and happened to buy separate tickets for each of the legs as there was not one provider that could give me what I wanted.

    On the way there Perth —-> Sydney —-> Vancouver I was informed that I needed to go get my bags at Sydney then check in again. I think thats right because I landed in Sydney Domestic then taking off at Sydney International.

    However on the way back the lady in Canada looked at my separate flights and did me a big favour by somehow doing some magic to 'link them together' and I didn't need to touch my bags again until Perth.

    In Singapore its the same airport just a different terminal and its easy to travel within terminals.

  • areustillpretty on 09/05/2023 - 16:20

    Provided there's no flight delay, you'll be fine. Changi airport is very well organised. I once did a 50 min transit at HKG which was a bit tight but quite manageable.

  • redforever on 09/05/2023 - 16:23
    +2

    Your profile says you are in sydney. There are multiple flights between sg and syd. If you do end up missing the flight, they will most likely put you on a SIA flight.

  • JimmyF on 09/05/2023 - 16:56
    +2

    For the return flight the layover is only 1hr35 mins. I am a bit concerned I may miss the flight if the plane is late or there is some sort of delay.

    If you booked this as 'one' booking, aka Europe to Sydney, then if you miss the flight because the plane is late, they have to rebook you for free on the next flight, no need to clear customers etc.

    Which sounds like what you have done. If so, you're bags will magically be transferred, you walk off one plane, then head to the gate for the next plane. 90 mins is HEAPS of time.

  • Cluster on 09/05/2023 - 17:02
    +1

    One ticket to Europe = no problems for you. If the airliner is late they'll fix the situation for you.

    Separate tickets = Will be tight. I would want at least three hours, if not more.

    I had a relative fly back to Europe last month. For some reason he booked separate tickets, including Adelaide to Melbourne to catch his international flight. 7 hours before the flight he gets a message: Qantas flight to Melbourne cancelled. And the next one was cancelled too. High pucker factor. We had to quickly book with Virgin before that flight filled up with people who absolutely had to be in Melbourne that morning.

    • Windows7forever on 10/05/2023 - 08:33

      Oh man, that sounds like a cluster (profanity) (username checks out). I hope he didn't lose too much money.

  • EightImmortals on 09/05/2023 - 17:15
    +1

    Same thing happened to us in 2019, got rained in at Beijing and missed the connecting flight from Singapore, they put us in a motel room and the next available flight, no probs.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 09/05/2023 - 18:15
    +1

    Assuming the inbound flight is on time, 1hr 35 minutes is plenty. Get off plane, walk to next boarding gate - hopefully its in the same terminal, if not, its still easy. Do security scanning prior to entering boarding gate area. Done.

  • cameldownunder on 09/05/2023 - 18:17
    +1

    Had a stopover of 50 minutes :-) with family
    No problem, just take deep breath

  • Puglife on 09/05/2023 - 18:54
    +1

    My flight home recently from Singapore had a flight that was delayed with 5 ppl destined for my flight.
    They delayed my flight and waited for the passengers. Hope this gives you some comfort :)

  • wako on 10/05/2023 - 09:10
    +1

    I've been doing the 50 min layover via Singapore (all booked on one ticket)

    No dramas sofar

  • Nobby47 on 10/05/2023 - 09:59
    +1

    Should be fine with that 1h 35m.

    I recently flew BNE-SIN-ZRH-MAN and return with only 55" and 50" transfers respectively at ZRH with Swiss Air.

    On the return the Hellenic plane was parked out on the apron as it was the last flight of the day. Had to get a bus to the terminal, then a train to the departure terminal for the next flight and rescan at security!

  • Chewy2221 on 10/05/2023 - 10:13
    +1

    Hello,
    A layover of 1:35 should be plenty of time if your connecting flight is departing from the same terminal .

  • afah0447 on 10/05/2023 - 11:19
    +1

    Scoot is Singapore Airlines and both carriers are excellent. If they have agreed to the connection it will be fine. If there is an issue I'm sure they will just put you on the next flight no probs.

  • Waltervp on 10/05/2023 - 11:30
    +2

    You will have no problem. Very easy transfers in Singapore. No customs for transfer, and since on all same ticket you will be looked after. Don't try it with qantas!!!!!

  • Windows7forever on 10/05/2023 - 12:33

    Thanks for all the helpful responses everyone. That's why I love this ozbargain community!

    • elanda on 10/05/2023 - 14:12
      +1

      Just one thing to keep in mind at Changi - despite being in transit, you will have to go through security again at your gate (this is not the case at many other airports). So make sure at the end of your first flight that all your liquids are still in/go back into your 1L bag (ie. things you may take out during the flight, like hand sanitiser, lip balm, etc), that you’ve emptied your water bottle, etc, so that you’re not in a rush and fumbling with everything.
      But at least your shorter transit time is on the return journey, so you’ll have a good idea of how it all works from your outbound legs.

  • bbinc on 10/05/2023 - 14:16

    Fabulous discussion. SIA Changi are on top of getting pax to AU. So much so we ended up standing in a line of a few pax while the overload of missed and canceled pax were (around 250 pax I think). Dealt with. Done. Our seats given to them, and us shuffled off to the never ever business upgrade! 🤣

  • acoma on 10/05/2023 - 14:27
    +2

    I'd be more concerned about not having enough time to race to the food court to grab a Hainan Chicken Rice.

    • branners on 15/05/2023 - 14:55

      Second this. As airport food goes, Changi is right up there. Had the chicken rice in March, really good!

  • Seaword on 12/05/2023 - 16:22

    1) No you won't.
    2) Maybe, but Scoot aren't reliable time wise.
    3) They will put you on the next flight, if you are lucky, that will be with SQ and you won't have to wait long. As they have sold you the ticket it is on them to fixed.
    4) What happens to your luggage? Just flew with Scoot and SQ. Scoot were an hour late out of Melbourne and while we had to run to get our flight, we got there. Our luggage didn't though. As a result, stuck in an amazing sunny island resort with jeans and a hoody given the weather we left. Pro tip, especially on this flight, pack spare clothes in your carry on as you will need everything to go perfectly for your luggage to make it.

    • Windows7forever on 15/05/2023 - 10:37

      Did your luggage finally make it to your destination? How long were you waiting for it? Did you have to go all the way back to the airport to claim it?

      The Airlines advised me that my luggage will be transferred between planes between both legs of the journey. I'm just hoping it doesn't get lost or delayed because that will cause a big headache.

      • Seaword on 15/05/2023 - 14:51

        It arrived at the resort at 3 PM the next day. When we left, SQ had $250 USD waiting for us at check in as compensation which was great. Not sure if that is automatic, or if it's because I emailed everyone want to know what money I could claim.

        From experience, the airline will deliver it to you, it just depends on how far from the airport you will be on how long git will take to get back to you.

  • ultrawires on 15/05/2023 - 12:29

    Check the arrival and departure terminals in Changi Airport.
    If I'm not wrong, SIA uses Terminal 3, while Scoot is in Terminal 1.
    There is a monorail between terminals.

  • daft009 on 19/05/2023 - 04:30

    Don't worry. I've done 50min connections at changi. Very efficient.

    Just go to the next gate as soon as you land.

    They sold you a ticket with the connection time so you're covered if flights are delayed etc

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