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  • A380 and 747
  • A380 through the window
  • Two A380s
  • Paper airplanes on the ceiling
  • Paper airplane diagram
  • A380 at the gate
  • Kinect test
  • Apple store
  • 103-inch plasma TV
  • Internet terminals
  • Sony store
  • Butterfly
  • In the garden
  • 47 species
  • Koi pond
  • Departure lounge halo
  • Charging station
  • Movie theater
  • Hard Rock Cafe
  • Crowne Plaza
  • Orchid garden
  • Colorful lounging
  • Transit hotel
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Changi Airport: From A380s to the Kinect (photos)

A380 and 747

CHANGI AIRPORT, Singapore--On a recent trip to Nepal, I had the opportunity to spend about 18 hours at the Changi Airport, a transit hub I'd always heard was one of the most advanced and tech-friendly in the world.

It's also the home of the first Airbus A380 in the world--Singapore Airlines was the first carrier to take delivery of the behemoth double-decker airplane. While many airlines fly them today, they seem especially at home here.

Shown on the airport's tarmac are two of the most iconic airliners: a Qantas A380 (left) and a Singapore Airlines 747-400. They are not quite side by side, so the perspective is an illusion. The A380 is the world's largest passenger plane and, even though it's not all that much larger than a 747, it is still one gigantic airplane.

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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

A380 through the window

The gigantic nose of a Singapore Airlines A380 as seen through the window of a gate lounge at Changi Airport.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Two A380s

Although there are plenty of other kinds of airplanes flying through Singapore, there seem to be no shortage of A380s. Here, a Qantas A380 waits to take off as a Singapore Airlines A380 begins to power down the runway.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Paper airplanes on the ceiling

An exhibit at Changi Airport presents travelers with instructions on how to fold paper airplanes, as well as demonstrating--with 600 paper airplanes hanging from the ceiling--how many airplanes fly out of Singapore every day.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Paper airplane diagram

A diagram shows travelers how to fold a paper airplane.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

A380 at the gate

As home to Singapore Airlines, the first carrier to fly the Airbus A380, Changi Airport is an easy place to spot the behemoth airplane.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Kinect test

Travelers who pass through Terminal 3 at Changi Airport can test out Microsoft's new Kinect motion controller, which is designed to work with its Xbox 360 video game system.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Apple store

Although this isn't an official Apple Store, the iStudio in Changi Airport looks about the same as any Apple Store, selling Macs, iPads, and iPhones, as well as plenty of Apple-related accessories.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

103-inch plasma TV

Seen from above, this Panasonic behemoth is a 103-inch 1080p plasma TV--said to be the world's largest.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Internet terminals

Not wanting new arrivals to go even a minute without Internet access, Changi Airport offers free Internet on computers scattered throughout the terminals. There is also free Wi-Fi available everywhere.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Sony store

The Sony Style store, located just across the walkway from the iStudio Apple emporium.

Singapore's terminals, especially Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, are designed to satisfy the shopping, browsing, and technology needs of travelers. But don't count on being able to buy gum. The well-known Singapore prohibition on gum extends to the convenience stores that are found inside the terminals.

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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Butterfly

Changi Airport features a wonderful butterfly garden, with 47 species of butterflies fluttering around a temperature-controlled enclosure.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

In the garden

Several butterflies rest on a bed of flowers.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

47 species

This sign illustrates the 47 species of butterflies found in the butterfly garden at Changi Airport in Singapore.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Koi pond

In keeping with the nature theme, there is also a beautiful koi pond.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Departure lounge halo

This huge halo is part of the departure lounge at Changi Airport.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Charging station

This charging station offers travelers a way to charge up any number of devices, from iPhones to Blackberrys, and more, all for free.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Movie theater

For those with hours to kill at Changi, the airport offers a movie theater where free films are playing nonstop. No popcorn is available.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Hard Rock Cafe

The airport also features, naturally, a Hard Rock Cafe.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Crowne Plaza

Though technically outside the airport, this Crowne Plaza hotel is woven into the larger airport complex and has a modern, designer feel to it that fits right in.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Orchid garden

An orchid garden, complete with a koi pond, as seen in Changi Airport in Singapore.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Colorful lounging

A rest lounge in Terminal 2 features these colorful and comfortable seats.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Transit hotel

For those waiting overnight for their next flight, but who don't want to leave the airport, Changi offers a transit hotel with rooms available for just a few hours. It features one of the best showers in the world.
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Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

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