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Tourist criticizes slow baggage handling at Singapore Changi, world’s best airport
Samira Vishwas | November 21, 2025 5:24 PM CST

Travelers arrive at the departure hall of Singapore Changi Airport on March 31, 2023. Photo by AFP

A tourist who recently visited Singapore’s Changi Airport claimed immigration clearance was swift but luggage delivery was far too slow, sparking a heated debate on social media.

The tourist said he arrived at Changi Airport at 0:37 a.m. on Nov. 17, but by 1:12 a.m. many passengers were still waiting and visibly frustrated.

The first 20 or so bags arrived quickly, but subsequent passengers waited 15 minutes or more for the next batch to appear, he said, according to The Straits Times.

“I have encountered the same slow, uneven handling on numerous occasions in recent years, pointing to what seems to be a systemic problem,” the tourist said, comparing Changi with Tokyo’s Haneda where, he said, baggage is often ready even before passengers clear immigration.

The tourist’s post has gained attention from netizens, with many defending the quality of service at Changi.

“I believe it was raining very heavily. It takes a way longer to deplane and get to the baggage claim in Haneda, compared to Singapore,” a netizen wrote.

“Is this guy seriously comparing the situation to Haneda? I flew in to Haneda few months back and it took maybe 1.5 hours to clear immigration because they barely had counters open. Not surprised to see our bags already arranged nicely at the belt,” another shared.

“It’s not slow, just that our immigration is too fast,” another said.

Changi has been voted the world’s best airport 13 times by the London-based aviation consultancy Skytrax and is consistently praised by travelers for its cleanliness, modernity, and efficient immigration procedures.

Last year it was ranked the world’s second best facility for baggage delivery, following Japan’s Osaka Kansai Airport, according to a passenger survey by Skytrax.

Singapore Changi saw a total of 67 million passengers per year. 



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