Hello, fellow travelers! If you love flying out of Singapore’s Changi Airport as much as I do, you know it’s more than just a place to catch a plane. With its indoor waterfall, butterfly garden, and rooftop pool, it feels like a vacation before your vacation even starts. Lately, though, things have been a little chaotic for Jetstar, the popular budget airline. They’ve been moved around like pieces on a board, lost a sister company, and are now heading back to where things feel more familiar (which i have guessed it right – nearly). Let me break it all down for you—no travel agent speak, just the real story.
The Unwanted Move: From Terminal 1 to Terminal 4
Back in 2022, Changi’s management told Jetstar they had to move from Terminal 1 to Terminal 4. Jetstar wasn’t happy. They said it would cost more, make connections harder for passengers, and just didn’t make sense. But after some back-and-forth, they packed up and moved to T4 in March 2023.
A Sad Goodbye: Jetstar Asia Shuts Down
In June 2025, Jetstar Asia—the Singapore-based version of Jetstar—announced it was closing for good. The final flights took off in July. Over 500 people lost their jobs, and many short trips around Southeast Asia disappeared from the schedule.
If you loved flying with them to places like Bangkok, Bali, or Ho Chi Minh City on the cheap, you’ll now have to look at airlines like Scoot or AirAsia. They’ve picked up some of the routes, but prices might be a little higher.
What’s Left: Just a Few Flights from T4
Right now, the main Jetstar (from Australia) still flies out of Terminal 4, but only to three places. Here’s the current schedule as of November 2025 (times local; check Jetstar for updates):
| Destination | Flight # | Days | Dep (SIN) | Arr | Aircraft | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne (MEL) | JQ8 | Daily | 21:00 | 07:25 (+1) | B787-8 | ~7h 25m |
| Perth (PER) | JQ98 | Tue, Thu, Sat | 14:15 | 19:35 | A321neo | ~5h 20m |
| Bali (DPS) | JQ42 | Daily | 19:40 | 22:00 | A321neo | ~2h 20m |
These are great if you’re heading Down Under or want a quick beach escape, but that’s it. No more short hops to nearby cities.
Terminal 4 is calm and has nice food and a cool pool on the roof, but it feels a bit out of the way compared to the busier terminals. Some people call it the naughty corner for airlines. Just for laughs.
The Big News: Moving ‘Back’ to Terminal 2—and Maybe More?
Get ready for the best plot twist yet: starting January 21, 2026, Jetstar is ditching the quieter Terminal 4 for the lively Terminal 2. Just three years after that reluctant 2023 move to T4, this feels like a true homecoming. Why now? Changi’s team is balancing crowds better, and T2 gives Jetstar easy links to partners like Qantas, faster crew turnarounds, and smoother ops that might mean steadier—and possibly cheaper—fares.
It’s a huge win for travelers. T2 is right in the airport’s buzzing center, steps from the stunning Jewel with its massive waterfall and shops galore. Picture landing from Perth and wandering straight to food stalls, stores, or the famous four-story slide—no shuttles needed. Switching to Scoot or Singapore Airlines? Super simple via walkways. T2 buzzes with Changi magic: cozy lounges, tasty bites (think coconut jam toast or ramen), and a free movie theater for long waits. Say goodbye to T4’s peaceful isolation—you’ll be in the thick of the fun.
Best of all, this shift sparks hope amid Jetstar Asia’s closure: T2 could lure Jetstar back to short Southeast Asia trips. No big news yet, but the spot’s perks—lower costs, quick gates—make routes to Phuket beaches, Penang eats, or Jakarta vibes feasible if tourism booms and fuel stays affordable. Whispers of 2026 route checks swirl, as Scoot grabs old paths like Okinawa. It’s a maybe, but imagine spotting “Welcome back, Bangkok!” on Jetstar’s site.
Why T2 Over T1? Let’s Speculate
You might be wondering: why not swing back to Terminal 1, Jetstar’s old stomping ground? After all, that’s where they started before the T4 drama kicked in. Well, here’s my take—pure speculation.
T1 is a powerhouse for big-name carriers like Singapore Airlines and their fancy full-service flights, packed with premium gates and lounges that low-cost outfits like Jetstar don’t quite need (or get access to easily).
It’s often jammed with wide-body jets and high-traffic routes, leaving slim pickings for budget narrow-body ops. T2, on the other hand, strikes that sweet spot: central enough for quick connections without the elite squeeze of T1, and it’s got those handy Qantas lounges right next door for any partner perks. Plus, post-renovation, T2’s got more flexible space for efficient turnarounds—think faster boarding and less waiting around.
Changi’s juggling act means spreading out low-cost traffic to keep things humming, and T2 fits Jetstar’s vibe better than reclaiming a crowded T1 spot.
Look, Jetstar’s Changi rollercoaster—from the forced T4 shove in ’23, ditching Jetstar Asia’s quick SEA steals (RIP my Bangkok hops), to scraping by on slim Oz and Bali runs—has tested us budget chasers. But that Jan 21, 2026, T2 homecoming? Pure relief, unlocking easy connections and whispers of Phuket revivals. Fellow travellers, here’s to smoother skies—Changi’s charm endures!
