'The world's best airport' unveils its newest automated terminal

SINGAPORE Changi Airport, titleholder of the world's best airport for five consecutive years, has unveiled its newest terminal featuring facial recognition technology to fast-track the check-in and boarding process, and art installations designed to reduce travel stress.
Spanning 225,000 square meters across two floors, the biggest selling point for Changi's Terminal 4 is its automation.
After checking in at the automated kiosk where they receive their boarding pass and baggage tag, fliers proceed to the baggage drop-off machine which is equipped with facial recognition technology to match the bag that's being dropped off with the passenger.
Singaporean citizens and permanent residents will be able to breeze through immigration using the automated immigration gate. The boarding process will also be automated, reducing interaction with airline and airport staff.
The terminal's interior, meanwhile, takes inspiration from Singapore's national flower and is meant to evoke the orchid petal.
To a soundtrack of originally composed, classical music, a moving sculpture of "Petaclouds" suspended from the ceiling is meant to calm and mesmerize travellers.
Likewise, a digital wall showing Singapore's skyline, landmarks and an animated clip about screening suitcases has been strategically installed at security to distract tired and stressed-out travellers.
A boulevard of 160 ficus trees and other assorted plants, along with high ceilings and skylights are also meant usher in as much natural daylight as possible.
Terminal 4 is the latest development out of Changi Airport, which regularly tops best-of lists. This year, it was named the world's best airport for the fifth year in a row at the World Airport Awards.
The Asian hub is expected to raise the bar again in 2019 when it opens the Jewel Changi Airport, a mixed-use terminal complex currently under construction.
Features and attractions include the world's tallest indoor waterfall at 40m tall, a five-storey indoor rainforest, glass-bottom bridge, hedge maze and mirrored labyrinth. — AFP Relaxnews