Changi Airport installs extensive carpeting; travelers lash out, calling it the "worst and most incompetent airport"!
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A foreign traveler claiming to be from the United Arab Emirates took to the social media platform X to criticize Singapore's Changi Airport. She complained that the carpeting makes it difficult to pull luggage, described the security screening process at the boarding gates as chaotic, and labeled Changi the "worst airport" she has ever encountered. Her post sparked widespread sharing and discussion, with many Singaporean netizens stepping in to defend the airport's signature carpeting and overall passenger experience.
On October 9, an X user named Flo posted a series of messages criticizing Changi Airport. She first questioned the decision to install carpeting, stating that it makes moving suitcases "nearly impossible," and bluntly asked, "What kind of idiot decided to put carpet in Singapore Airport?"
She further remarked that Changi Airport was the "worst" or "most incompetent" airport she had ever visited, and advised other travelers to set off early when departing, as the airport "causes nothing but trouble."
The post quickly garnered significant attention, reaching approximately one million views, and was subsequently picked up and reported on by local media in Singapore, as well as by outlets in Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and elsewhere.
Flo believes that the extensive carpeting throughout the terminals at Changi Airport makes it difficult to roll suitcases-a design choice she describes as "stupid," particularly for travelers with large pieces of luggage who are pressed for time.
She emphasizes, however, that the carpeting is not her primary grievance; the real issue lies with the security screening at the boarding gates. According to her, three or four flights were boarding simultaneously in the same area, yet hundreds of passengers were forced to share just two security checkpoints, resulting in long queues and significant crowding.
She further noted that a flight originally scheduled to depart from a gate on the other side of the airport was reassigned to this area, which placed additional strain on the security checkpoint.
According to Flo, some passengers were initially directed to a third security lane, only to be told to return to the back of their original queue. As the boarding deadline approached, staff loudly urged these passengers to cut in line, leading some to attempt to push past travelers who were in the middle of having their bags inspected. She described the scene as "complete chaos."
She added that she had arrived at the airport more than two and a half hours before her flight-and, having visited at least 20 countries over the past two years, she was certainly not someone who had missed the process due to poor time management.
Netizens: Carpeting is a signature feature of Changi Airport
As the incident gained traction, it drew a wave of responses from Singaporean netizens, some of whom stepped up to defend Changi Airport.
Many pointed out that the carpeting has long been an iconic design element at Changi Airport-it was not a random choice. Its functional benefits include dampening the noise from rolling luggage wheels, footsteps, and the dragging of bags, which helps keep the terminal quieter and more comfortable.
Some netizens noted that travelers with large suitcases-or those who find it difficult to pull luggage across the carpet-can make use of the complimentary baggage carts provided by the airport. They argued that since the airport offers such alternatives, the overall design should not be dismissed simply because it does not align with an individual's personal preferences or habits.
Prominent Singaporean blogger "Mrbrown" also weighed in, refuting the criticism regarding the carpeting.
"To answer her first question: it's a matter of noise. No one wants to hear the sound of thousands of suitcases being dragged along. In fact, it is precisely for this reason that Changi Airport does not even broadcast flight departure announcements."
He also addressed the woman, saying, "If the wheels on your suitcase aren't working well, you can make use of the various luggage carts provided free of charge throughout the airport. In the restricted areas, there are even smaller carts specifically designed for carry-on luggage."
Changi Airport has previously explained that carpeting helps dampen noise, creating an environment that is "calmer, quieter, and more comfortable."
Some netizens pointed out that there is nothing wrong with carpeting; it helps reduce fatigue from long periods of walking and also gives the airport a more upscale appearance.
Many argue that carpeting is an iconic feature of Changi Airport and does not deserve such criticism.
A number of Singaporean netizens feel that labeling Changi Airport as the "worst" or "most incompetent" is a gross exaggeration. They note that Changi has long been internationally recognized for its passenger experience, facilities, dining and retail offerings, and the convenience it provides for transit passengers-asserting that congestion at a specific boarding gate's security checkpoint is not representative of the airport's overall standard.
Others acknowledge that there may be issues with how security checks are managed at Changi. They express understanding regarding the complaints about gate-side security, noting that if multiple flights are scheduled to depart from the same area simultaneously-without a sufficient number of security lanes-it can indeed lead to passenger anxiety and chaotic queues. From this perspective, the airport should review its allocation of security resources, passenger flow management, and gate scheduling during peak hours.
Some netizens also pointed out that by using vulgar language and extreme labels like "worst airport," Flo effectively escalated a specific operational issue into a blanket condemnation of the entire airport-a move that has drawn backlash.
As of the time of reporting, Changi Airport has not yet issued a public response regarding the incident described by Flo.