Sneak Peek at Changi T3

The new Terminal 3 at Changi International Airport (SIN), long a passenger favorite, is due to open Jan. 8, and more information about its operations has just come to light.

Singapore Airlines, the nation’s flagship carrier, will operate from both T2 and T3; the airline is moving all its long-haul flight departures to the new terminal, while the actual terminal for arrivals will be posted two hours before landing. Travel between terminals will be on the Skytrain automated people-mover, with travel time between terminals no more than four minutes to the farthest reaches.

Four other airlines — United Airlines, Qatar Airways, Jet Airways and China Eastern — will operate from T3, starting occupancy in March.

For more information about the new Changi T3 and other airport recent airport additions, see “Changes in the Air” in the Dec. issue of Global Traveler.

 

Alitalia - Global Traveler of the Year

Global Traveler invites you to enter our Global Traveler of the Year essay competition, sponsored by GT and Alitalia. One Grand Prize will be awarded: an Alitalia package for two to Rome, including Magnifica-class tickets and two nights at the Boscolo Hotel. The winner will also be invited to Global Traveler’s annual Awards Luncheon on Jan. 16 in New York City. Entries will be accepted online through Dec. 16. This year’s topic: In 200 words or less, tell us about your favorite place you have visited in the world, and why.

Which destination piece in Global Traveler is your favorite?

Participate in our Weekly Survey for a chance to win a prize. Enter now.

Alps Tunnel Speeds Trains

Opening Dec. 10 to passenger traffic: the 22-mile-long Loetschberg Base Tunnel through the Alps. The new tunnel, designed for train use, will cut between 45 and 75 minutes off rail travel inside Switzerland as well as between Switzerland and Italy. A $3.5 billion project, the tunnel opened to freight traffic this summer. The original Loetschberg tunnel opened in 1913; the new tunnel, which will be used by trains from Basel or Zurich to Brigand or Zermatt and on to Italy (and back), accommodates rail speeds up to 124 mph.

For Your Travel Thesaurus

A new word has entered the travel lexicon: Debaucherism, short for “debauchery tourism.” It’s not as, well, debauched as it seems — it’s the term for travel that follows the excessive footsteps of over-the-top celebrities. According to no less a source than the World Travel Markets Global Trends Report 2007, it’s a “work hard, play hard” philosophy akin to “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” Top debauchery destinations supposedly include Las Vegas, southern California, New York and Buenos Aires as well as whatever Caribbean islands are trendy among celebs at the moment.

JAL To Improve Narita Transit

Japan Airlines will open new passenger check-in counters at Narita Airport’s (NRT) Terminal 2 in December, including counters especially for use of JAL Global Club and Sapphire members and 12 new self-check-in machines. The additional check-in options are expected to reduce average passenger waiting times by as much as 50 percent during peak periods.

New in the Pink City

Jaipur — India’s historic “Pink City” — has a new hotel, the Golden Tulip Jaipur. The 108-room contemporary hotel is WiFi-enabled throughout the entire property and has one restaurant, plus a rooftop bar that offers a barbecue menu. The new hotel also has a business center, meeting rooms, and a rooftop swimming pool.

USAir Adds High-Tech Texting

SMS, or text messaging, is more widely popular in Asia than in the United States, but it’s definitely catching on here, and the latest to extend the franchise is US Airways. Its new “Textus” program is, the airline claims, the first on-demand flight status and frequent-flyer registration program to utilize text messages. Customers can simply use their mobile phones to send their flight number to TEXTUS (839887) and the airline will text back arrival and departure times and gate information. Customers can also use their airport waiting time to join the airline’s frequent-flyer program by sending their name, address and ZIP code to TEXTUS in order to receive frequent-flyer mileage for same-day flights.

[Back to Press Releases Main]