If you frequently travel in Southeast Asia, chances are you’ve transited through major hub airports such as Singapore Changi or Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta, which serve as global aviation crossroads. Many routes require long layovers of up to 8–12 hours. Based on OAG Aviation data from February 2026, this article explores the busiest transit airports in Southeast Asia, the reasons behind long layovers, and how to make the most of your transit time.
Changi Airport, Singapore
Changi International Airport is not only the busiest airport in Southeast Asia but is also consistently ranked among the best airports in the world. With six of the region’s top international flight routes starting or ending at Changi, the airport serves as a major international hub connecting Asia with Europe, Australia, and the Americas.
Why Changi Is a Major Hub
Strategically located along key Asia–Pacific air routes, Changi Airport is supported by world-class infrastructure with four terminals and Jewel, an iconic complex that connects the terminals with indoor gardens, the Rain Vortex—the world’s tallest indoor waterfall—as well as extensive shopping, dining, and green spaces for transit passengers. This is complemented by Singapore Airlines’ vast network and premium facilities such as capsule hotels, a butterfly garden, and free cinemas.
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok
Suvarnabhumi is Bangkok’s main international airport, serving long-haul flights and major carriers such as Thai Airways. It is located about 30 km east of Bangkok and is connected to the city center via the Airport Rail Link.
Interesting Facts
Suvarnabhumi means “Land of Gold” in Sanskrit and is known as one of the largest single-terminal airports in the world, covering an area of 563,000 m². The airport serves as the main hub for Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Lion Air, and handled more than 60 million passengers per year before the pandemic.
Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Jakarta
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is Indonesia’s main gateway and the largest domestic aviation market in Southeast Asia. With three main terminals (T1, T2, T3) serving over 60 million passengers annually, Soetta plays a crucial role in Indonesia’s economy.
CGK Advantages
Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) is the primary hub for Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Lion Air, and Batik Air, offering the widest domestic connectivity with up to 7.5 million seats per month. Its busiest routes include Jakarta–Bali and Jakarta–Makassar, supported by free skytrain services, lounges, capsule hotels, and fast access via toll roads and the airport rail link.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia
KLIA is located in Sepang, about 45 km from Kuala Lumpur. The airport has two terminals: KLIA (full-service carriers) and KLIA2 (low-cost carriers such as AirAsia).
Key Facts
KLIA and KLIA2 serve airlines ranging from budget to premium, with KLIA2 acting as AirAsia’s largest hub. Fast access to the city center is available via the KLIA Ekspres, which takes only 28 minutes to KL Sentral, and transit hotels are available—ideal for passengers with long layovers.
Ninoy Aquino Airport, Manila
Ninoy Aquino International Airport serves Manila and its surrounding areas with four separate terminals. Although its infrastructure is older compared to other modern airports, NAIA remains one of the busiest airports in the region.
NAIA Characteristics
NAIA has four distinct terminals with different functions (international flights, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and domestic flights). Inter-terminal transfers take relatively long, around 30–60 minutes. The airport serves as the main hub for Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, offering extensive connectivity to various islands across the Philippines.
Why Does Southeast Asia Have Some of the World’s Busiest Airports?
Southeast Asia has become one of the regions with the highest air traffic in the world for several key reasons. Below are the factors that make airport hubs in this region exceptionally busy:
Strategic Geographic Location
Southeast Asia lies between two continents (Asia and Australia) and two oceans (the Pacific and Indian Oceans). This makes the region a mandatory transit corridor for many long-haul routes, such as:
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Europe → Australia via Singapore, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur
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North America → East Asia via Tokyo or Seoul, then onward connections to Southeast Asia
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Australia → Europe via the Middle East or Southeast Asian hubs
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East Asia → India or the Middle East via Bangkok or Singapore
Low-Cost Carriers (LCC) Revolution
Budget airlines such as AirAsia, Lion Air, Nok Air, Scoot, and VietJet have made flying far more affordable. Low-cost carriers account for nearly 60% of the Southeast Asian aviation market, driving exponential growth in passenger traffic.
Why Travelers Often Get “Stuck” in Long Transits
If you travel frequently, you’re probably familiar with layovers of 6–12 hours—or even up to 24 hours—at transit airports. Why does this happen?
No Direct Flights
Many route combinations don’t have direct flights because demand isn’t large enough. For example, flights from secondary cities in Indonesia (such as Makassar or Surabaya) to Europe or the United States almost always require one or two transits at hubs like Singapore, Doha, or Dubai. Rather than operating large aircraft that would be half empty, airlines prefer to route passengers through their hubs.
Airline Schedule Optimization
Airlines schedule flights based on a “wave system”—aircraft from various cities arrive at the hub within certain time windows (for example, in the morning), then depart to international destinations in the next wave (midday or evening). If you arrive in the “wrong wave,” you have to wait for the next one, which can mean a long layover of 8–12 hours.
Cheaper Tickets with Longer Transits
Connecting flights with long layovers are usually much cheaper than direct flights or short transits. Budget-conscious travelers often choose this option to save USD 300–600. The principle is simple: “time can be sacrificed, money cannot.”
The Challenge of Long Layovers: Internet Connectivity Issues
One of the biggest challenges of long layovers—often overlooked—is staying connected to the internet for hours (or even an entire day!) at a foreign airport. Connectivity problems can quickly turn into a nightmare, especially if you have important tasks or simply want to use your time productively.
Common Internet Problems During Long Layovers
International roaming is expensive, slow, has limited data, and carries the risk of hidden charges. Buying a local SIM in each country is inconvenient due to queues, language barriers, changing numbers, and unused data going to waste. Pocket WiFi devices are bulky, expensive, and not flexible for multi-country trips. Meanwhile, airport WiFi is often slow, unstable, time-limited, and insecure for transactions.
Solution: gSIM for Multi-Country Transit!
gSIM! is a reusable eSIM designed specifically for travelers who frequently move between countries. Unlike regular eSIMs that must be replaced every time you enter a new country, gSIM works across multiple destinations—including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand—without the need to rescan QR codes or install a new eSIM. All you need to do is top up your data anytime, anywhere—even while you’re on a long transit!
Transit Isn’t an Obstacle, It’s an Opportunity
Airport transit in Southeast Asia can feel exhausting, especially during long layovers of 8–12 hours. But with the right preparation, transit can become an opportunity to explore a new city, rest and recharge, and enjoy world-class airport facilities.
The key to a comfortable transit experience is staying connected. With gSIM, you have full control over your internet connectivity across four Southeast Asian countries—without the hassle of switching SIM cards or worrying about expensive roaming. One setup, use anywhere, top up anytime.
