Flying Scoot to Singapore, Any Feedback on This Airline

Lryefig on 03/06/2022 - 17:27
Last edited 03/06/2022 - 19:11 by 1 other user

Hello OzBargainers,

I have decided on a short trip to Singapore for 5 or so days.
Looking at flights, I really can not justify traveling on Qantas or Singapore airlines when flying with Scoot is $400+ cheaper (no Qantas points to redeem either).

I will probably stick to economy as opposed to ScootPlus (their version of Business class), but I might pay extra for the scoot silence section of the plane, which supposedly has more legroom and seat pitch.

Compared to 'full service' airlines, does anyone in the OzBargain universe have any insights or opinions into what it is like flying Scoot to Singapore (departing Sydney) - specifically the scoot silence seats?
Yes I know there is no inflight entertainment and yes I know that you pay for meals and wifi, but realistically, how bad could it be?

Travel Asia Singapore

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Comments

  • spackbace on 03/06/2022 - 17:30
    +8

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/forum/flyscoot.com
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/deals/flyscoot.com

    How good is the search function on this site…

    • Ocker on 03/06/2022 - 17:56
      +11

      Very good, but it is easier to let others do the legwork for you

      • MrBear on 04/06/2022 - 12:14

        legwork

        I think you mean fingerwork.

    • ryefig on 04/06/2022 - 09:50
      +2

      I missed the post on either of those pages about the Scoot Silence seats that my question is about.
      Perhaps you can point me in the right direction?

  • jjjaar on 03/06/2022 - 17:40
    +2

    Had a friend just fly them between Singapore and aus on the way back from Europe and after the full service between Europe and Singapore they said it was awful on Scoot and they’d never book again.

    • Eeples on 03/06/2022 - 23:59
      +1

      But what exactly was awful?

      • orangetrain on 04/06/2022 - 09:58

        Budget airline gotta be budgetin'

      • jjjaar on 04/06/2022 - 10:40
        -2

        Food was worse (one meal they just didn’t eat because it was awful), no entertainment was difficult, seats were smaller and less comfortable, plane had less soundproofing so was louder.

        • PotPlant on 04/06/2022 - 10:56
          +2

          We deliberately don't order food when on budget airlines. More often than not, with budget airlines, you are flying thru the night anyway, and we figure we wouldn't be eating anyway at those times if we weren't on a plane, so why buy cruddy overpriced food! Saves money and calories. Then we treat ourselves to a nice brekky or dinner at our destination, we just hang out til then.

          • jjjaar on 04/06/2022 - 11:34

            @PotPlant: My understanding is they booked through Singapore Air with half of their trip on board a SA jet, and so got food included in their scoot leg, but I could very well be wrong.

  • M8y on 03/06/2022 - 17:41
    +1

    Having tried them only once back in late 2016, I found their communication left a lot to be desired.

    I was on the way to the airport for a return flight from Sydney to Singapore, was 15 minutes from Kingsford Smith airport when I received an SMS from Scoot advising my flight had been re-scheduled to the same time the next day.

    Have never flown with them again.

  • randomusername2017 on 03/06/2022 - 18:08
    +1

    It's hard to describe how bad that flight is… I did the same flight with a 12hr layover in Changi , as soon as I disembarked rebooked with Emirates for the second leg couldn't face getting back on scoot. If you must experience it..stump up the extra couple of hundred for the seat next to you as well.

    • Eeples on 04/06/2022 - 00:00
      +1

      What exactly was bad about it?

      • randomusername2017 on 04/06/2022 - 08:01

        Circa 2016, not sure what planes they were using back then… But it was noisy, cramped, uncomfortable and didn't feel clean at all.
        Obviously booked on price with no expectations of service or amenities.

  • Gunther on 03/06/2022 - 18:29
    +6

    Budget Airline, self explanatory.

    I love how people complain about budget carriers; seeking champagne taste, on a beer budget.

    • onetwothreefour on 03/06/2022 - 19:08
      +2

      Yep, I usually fly with jetstar, not perfect but fine for the price.

  • bitesized on 03/06/2022 - 18:43
    +4

    Have done plenty of Scoot flights Syd-Sin return over the years. I'd probably describe Scoot as better than Jetstar/Tiger, but worse than Qantas/SQ. I guess that makes it similar to Virgin Aus, with the paying for food onboard and all.

    Have done Scoot in silence once - worth the little extra space and quiet. It's essentially the middle section of the plane - just behind ScootPlus section, and in front of standard seating section (kind of like the premium economy seats on Qantas).

    Not bad overall for the flight cost price. I used the airport wifi to download stuff on Netflix app or Audiobooks beforehand, and I'm set for the whole flight. I'd say just bring a jacket which can double up as a blanket or fold into a back support cushion.

    Last thing to note - they may charge you for tap water, something they have done over the years. Please fill up a bottle after security clearance as a precaution.

    • ryefig on 04/06/2022 - 09:52
      +2

      Good tip about the water thankyou!
      Yeah I am thinking that the silence section is worth it more for the extra room, than the silence. It's an overnight flight anyway so in theory, it will be a plane full of sleeping people.

  • Mechz on 03/06/2022 - 19:02
    +1

    I've flown Scoot Biz to Europe and back a couple of times. Great value.

    Don't think I'd suffer through their economy seats though.

  • May4th on 03/06/2022 - 19:08
    +3

    It's fine if you don't have a lot of luggage and relatively skinny. expect to pay for everything but breathing. They had 787 dreamliner for the route (at least when i flew on it a few yrs ago) which was nice with cabin ambience. let's face it economy with any carrier is going to be uncomfortable. the $400 difference means a night in marina bay sands/fullerton/mandarin oriental i'd say it's well worth being slightly more cramped for a few hrs. if you are going to pay for full service look at singapore airlines, you might be able to book with velocity pts if you have them still

    • Stewardo on 03/06/2022 - 19:43
      +2

      I think the Qantas a330 economy seats are an inch narrower than scoot, you can’t really compare the two fairly unless you add all the unbundled extras to the scoot price.
      I’d pay the difference and fly Singapore airlines. Scoot is ok if your broke, Singapore would be a odd place to visit if you are skint as it’s pretty expensive city anyway.

      • May4th on 03/06/2022 - 21:09
        +3

        Sg has plenty of variety for everyone.. Ranging from luxury shopping malls in mbs/orchard to cheap touristing in markets/hawker stalls. I stayed once in a $30 a night hostel with whom im pretty sure were hookers at the front door, to staying in mbs the next day and both were great fun

        • Eeples on 04/06/2022 - 00:02

          Some/all backpackers in Singapore only take ‘real’ backpackers.

          • May4th on 04/06/2022 - 03:50
            +1

            @Eeples: this was a dingy hostel in chinatown, bookable on bookings.com, not sure how you would define 'real' backpacker though do you need a rucksack as a pass?

            • Eeples on 05/06/2022 - 08:41

              @May4th: Yes, I needed a large backpack.

      • ryefig on 04/06/2022 - 09:55
        +1

        Interesting that the Qantas seats are worse off than scoot. You're not the first person to tell me that so it sounds like I am dodging a bullet by not flying Qantas!

    • ryefig on 04/06/2022 - 09:54
      +1

      That is exactly the mindset I am going with. If a can save $400 or so on flights, I can spend that on better accommodation on the ground.

  • DrPotato on 03/06/2022 - 20:10
    +3

    I have flown with scoot plenty of times and I would say you certainly get more than what you pay for. I have flown to their Asian destinations for cheaper than Qantas fares from East to West coast. And I have been lucky enough to have the entire row to myself on several occasions so perhaps my view is biased. I never purchase meals beforehand as their cup noodles onboard are cheap (~A$4) and filling. I am not a huge fan of their smaller routes which employ Airbus as they are very cramped but flying to Singapore from East Coast on their Boeing is a delight. YMMV

  • donga100 on 03/06/2022 - 20:23
    +9

    People complaining about the economy seating on Scoot are very misinformed. Scoot fly a Boeing 787 SYD-SIN which has 31 inches leg room (seat pitch) and is 18 inches wide, by comparison Qantas fly the same route with an Airbus A330-300 which has the same 31 inches leg room but is only 17 inches wide. They also give you the option of extra legroom for a fee while Qantas currently doesn't offer this (not sure why though as they normally do but they still charge $$ anyway). The 787 is also a more modern aircraft with some small comfort features/improvements such as dimmable windows, better humidity, quieter, etc.

    In regards to meals, the Nasi lemak on Scoot is my favourite meal I have ever had in economy class on any airline from over 100 flights. You should pre-order it as you will definitely want to eat something on an 8 hour flight although you could also bring your own food onboard. I have brought homemade food and takeaway from airport on to low cost airlines before and both are usually better than the standard of meals offered by full service airlines. The other downside to meals provided by full service carriers is that you don't know what you will be offered and it could be something unappetising.

    Even on airlines that offer in-flight entertainment screens I prefer to download my own movies/shows before the flight as I find it incredibly annoying when the video/sound gets frequently paused in order for the captain/crew to make announcements (often in several languages). You can then finish watching it in your hotel or taxi rather than missing the ending. Offline playable games are also great for passing time. Scoot also have wifi available on their international flights (for a fee) whereas Qantas don't offer any wifi, free or paid, on international flights.

    I wouldn't bother with the silent zone as I just bring my own headphones and am a deep sleeper anyway but the extra legroom seats are definitely worth it in my opinion. I am 187cm tall and inflexible though so you may value them less than me.

    If you need a little extra carry-on baggage you could try the Jaktogo method or just pack using bags with duty-free logos.

    Yes, there are plenty of things that a low cost carrier like Scoot will charge you extra for but overall the price is usually still much cheaper than a full service airline.

    • kiitos on 04/06/2022 - 16:38
      +1

      Great write-up!

      Haven't flown Scoot, but what you say about the food sounds great. I remember having a biryani on a MAS flight that was really good, and such a change to have something authentically spicy and tasty on a flight.

  • idontneeditbutwhynot on 03/06/2022 - 20:49

    Traveled once on Scoot for work. Seats needed more cushion (bring maybe a blanket to sit on?) as you could feel the metal at times, lots of kids on my flight but it's value for money. I enjoyed the cup noodles on the menu - I don't eat airplane food but I'll definitely do the noods.

  • JimmyF on 03/06/2022 - 21:07

    Its a Budget Airline, think their version of jetstar. So no free food, no free entertainment etc

  • Shadowsfury on 03/06/2022 - 21:33
    +2

    I'm happy with Scoot - gets you from A to B cheaply

    Modern aircraft on the longer flights

    Will make the most of it while I'm relatively young

  • hyouden on 03/06/2022 - 21:49

    Just flew from Singapore to Seoul recently on Scoot.. a seat next to me fell apart (i.e. the seat pad fell off).

    I’m likely never flying Scoot again :) my life is worth more than a $400 savings.

  • Silvo on 03/06/2022 - 22:14
    +1

    Love SCOOT. It's the cheap part of Singapore Airlines… When their planes have got a bit tired, they go to SCOOT!
    Great App, no dramas, ever. I have flown with then over 50 times. Never any problems.

    • donga100 on 03/06/2022 - 22:24

      The Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft that they use for flights out of Australia were all delivered new direct from the factory.

      • Silvo on 03/06/2022 - 22:27
        +1

        That I didn't know. Thanks for the correction.
        I do like their 787's.

  • jetblack on 04/06/2022 - 09:13
    +2

    In my backpacking days I would have absolutely used them. Honestly, I'd still be tempted - I'm all about the experience on the ground, and any flight is essentially a glorified bus trip if you're not in business…

    But damn it if paying for a 'silent section' and a so-called premium section on an intentionally no frills airline doesn't sound completely dystopian.

    • ryefig on 04/06/2022 - 09:58
      +1

      Exactly. It will get me to where I need to go and I will have more spending money to see and do things on the ground because of how little I spend on fights. I think Scoot is a go.

  • tabitha731 on 04/06/2022 - 10:36

    Just keep your expectations low.. it is just an asian jetstar with the same kind of clientele.

  • Tiller76 on 04/06/2022 - 10:48
    +2

    Why do people keep saying “free food” on flights, normally right after saying that the extra cost of the ticket is not worth the “free food”????

  • kusala on 04/06/2022 - 11:31

    I always fly budget airlines and have flown with Scoot from the Gold Coast to Bangkok many times. Compared to AirAsia aircraft, there is more leg room on the Scoot Dreamliners. Cabin staff are friendly & helpful. Veg food options are very limited on flights out of Australia - buying a cup of noodles onboard is a better option.

  • asc on 04/06/2022 - 11:45

    Flew from Syd to Singapore just last week. Old aircraft. No service. No water. Just a sanitizing wet tissue. Need to pay extra for seat selection, luggage, online checkin does not work, check-in staff pretty rude. It's a cheap airline after all. Service is not included

  • acoma on 04/06/2022 - 12:09

    Flew Scoot once from Singapore to the Gold Coast. Flight delayed an hour with everyone onboard as they had to remove some baggage. Prepaid meal was late, lukewarm, and terrible. Food poisoning hit on landing. Vomited in customs and outside airport. Vomited on way home. Crawled into bed and shit the bed. Then passed out on bathroom floor. Was out of action for 24 hours.
    Thankfully my wife did not have a prepaid meal.
    That is my experience.

    • May4th on 04/06/2022 - 17:45
      +2

      That was a harrowing tale

  • jrvb42 on 04/06/2022 - 19:30
    +1

    It's a budget airline, and you'll get what you pay for.
    Having said that, I've flown Australia to Europe with them several times, and for around $650 return, you won't get better value for money.
    But that's got to be your priority, to save money, because it isn't luxurious.

    • donga100 on 04/06/2022 - 19:34
      +1

      No economy class is luxurious lol

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