In the last 2 days, an “ang moh”, a colloquialism for “red hair” which inspired the old school local nickname for Caucasian foreigners wrote a bitter-sweet love letter on Reddit as he departed Singapore. In it, was a rather honest review of how Singaporeans are penny-pinching from a corporate perspective and the local drivers are complete excrement portals (not his exact words) but he did praise Changi Airport to the high heavens:

Changi Airport… holy sh!t this is a national treasure. Please SG, teach the rest of the world the secrets of your airport mastery because nobody else can do it like you. – departing expatriate on Changi Airport

Yesterday, Changi Airport dropped a sneak preview of their new Terminal 4 on Facebook with more than a few titillating images.

Sneak Preview of New Changi Airport Terminal 4

While it did not provide live visuals of the new Terminal’s retail space touted to host over 80 retail brands and the heritage Peranakan cultural zone, Changi Airport’s Facebook page did showcase the stunning new Terminal 4’s greenwall facade draped with 16,000 plants.

Changi Airport’s New Terminal 4 has many green features but it is a pity that it did not go further with a slew of new green technologies like photovoltaic features of an area of Singapore which catches a lot of un-obscured sunlight. Image: https://www.facebook.com/changiairport/

Meanwhile, the departure hall which greets outbound travelers beyond the wall of green is an expansive and spacious affair complete with a substantially increased availability of electronic terminals for self-check-in, perfect for the tech-savvy traveler wishing to skip the queues simply to collect a boarding pass.

The vast and spacious #ChangiT4 gives you a clear view of the interior and allows you to find your way around. Image: https://www.facebook.com/changiairport/

It is start contrast to the Departure halls of many other airports around the world crowded with tax redemption booths and baggage wrapping services (I’m looking at you Charles De Gaulle…) and a maddening crush of trolley traffic during peak flight hours.

That said, one can appreciate the abundance of natural sunlight in the halls filtering down from uniquely shaped skylights but Changi Airport could have gone further with eco-features.

A high ceiling with no columns in the middle of the departure hall gives you a clear line of sight, while the petal-shaped skylights allow natural light into Changi Airport’s new Terminal 4. Image: https://www.facebook.com/changiairport/

Splashes of colour greet departing guests as they progress through the transit area after check-in. One can appreciate the clear view of loved ones and relations waving goodbye from the departure hall as you proceed to your departure gate.

Colourful and cushy chairs in Changi Airport Terminal 4 departure transit area provide you comfort, relief and perhaps some cheer for the weary. Image: https://www.facebook.com/changiairport/

For the instagram minded, the new spacious boarding area in Changi Airport Terminal 4 gives you a excellent views of Runway 2 for those selfie moments. Also, it’s a great distraction for those traveling with young children as they pay attention to the bustle of aviation traffic rather than their iPads.

The spacious boarding area in the new Changi Airport Terminal 4 appears to follow international norms where travelers proceed through a centralised passport clearance and security check in area and then enter a shared boarding area with multiple departure gates. Image: https://www.facebook.com/changiairport/

Again, more natural sunlight greets arriving and returning guests as they wait to claim their baggage. Scientifically speaking, sunlight is a real pick-me up when it comes to serotonin production. When the human body receives sunlight, the amount of serotonin production increases, essential to mood regulation, particularly if you flew in cramped coach-class. Also great for those who took a red-eye flight into Singapore, natural sunlight coaxes the body to produce less melatonin in response to the natural circadian rhythm, shortening the jetlag curve.

You’ll bask in natural light against greenery on the walls of new Changi Airport Terminal 4 Arrival Hall. Image: https://www.facebook.com/changiairport/

Meanwhile, in a release last May, the Group proudly announced that of the over 80 retail and dining Changi Airport Terminal 4 shops opening, at least a quarter will be new to the airport including a mix of locally owned and foreign labels like PAZZION and Moleskin.

Interestingly, there was a lost opportunity for Popular Bookstore to operate a new Changi Airport Terminal 4 shop instead, the honour goes to British retailer WHSmith, which will be running its first Singapore branch in the new Changi Airport Terminal 4’s transit area. For the epicurean, London Fat Duck, Old Street Bak Kuk Teh and Sushi Goshin by Akashi will be among the 11 restaurants and cafes will be serving the public at the new Terminal 4. We also finally get an official food court dubbed Food Emporium operated by NTUC Foodfare in addition to the open secret that is the staff canteen at Terminal 2.

We wait with great anticipation for sneak peeks of the new Changi Airport Terminal 4 shops, especially the ones in the new heritage zone with Peranakan shopfronts to be unveiled at the new Changi Airport Terminal 4.