TRAVEL | Scoot operate between one and two flights a day between Melbourne and Singapore. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (“Dreamliner”) is currently used on the route. Travellers can choose between Economy, and ScootPlus class. I flew Economy Class. The average flight time on this route is 7 hours and 45 minutes.
Check In
You can check in online, or using Scoot’s app. You can enter in all relevant information before your flight, and receive an electronic boarding pass that you can print, access from the Scoot app, or add to your Apple or Google Wallet. There’s also the option of checking in at the airport using a kiosk or at a staffed counter.
If you have luggage to check in, you can print your bag tag(s) from the kiosks at the airport using you boarding pass. You can also head over to a staffed counter.
Loyalty
Scoot is part of the Singapore Airlines Group, and is linked to Singapore Airline’s KrisFlyer loyalty program, which is free to join. Note that while flying Scoot will earn you KrisFlyer points, they won’t earn you Star Alliance points.
There is no Scoot lounge at Melbourne airport.
Luggage
Being a low-cost airline, there are a variety of different combinations of ticket type and addons that will determine how much luggage you’re allowed to check in and bring on board.
All Scoot Economy tickets allow you take on piece of cabin luggage on board, plus a small bag, with a total weight of no more than 10kg (22lb). ScootPlus tickets bump up the weight allowance to 15kg (33lb).
Checked luggage is not included with Scoot Economy tickets. If you want to have checked luggage, you purchase an addon that gets you between 20kg (44lb) and 40kg (88lb) of checked luggage allowance. ScootPlus tickets come with 30kg (66lb) of checked luggage allowance, with the same addon options as in Economy, if you need more.
Service
Having brought my own food, snacks, and water on board, I had minimal interaction with the staff during my flight. From my observations, staff looked to be professional and efficient.
Cabin
The Scoot Economy cabin on the Dreamliner that flies from Melbourne to Singapore features 314 seats, in a 3-3-3 layout. It’s a clean, basic cabin, with a white, yellow, and blue colour scheme, in line with Scoot’s branding.
Seat
The fabric seat has dimensions of about 79cm x 42cm (31in x 16.5in). It’s a small light, slimline seat, so you don’t have much in the way of leg room. The seats are narrower than most, and it’s noticeable. I found the fabric and cushioning to be more comfortable that the similarly sized pleather seat that I experienced flying AirAsia few months prior. While there are options to upgrade to a seat with more legroom (Economy’s ‘Scoot-in-Silence’ section), all Economy seats are the same width. If you want a wider seat, you need to book a ScootPlus ticket.
Like any economy seat, the seat doesn’t recline that far back (15cm/6in). There’s a small mesh pocket that you can fit a book or a few small items in. Being a mesh pocket, be sure to check that nothing small has slipped out before you leave the plane.
There is in seat power, but unless you have a ScootPlus ticket, you’ll need to pay for an addon to be able to access the power.
Entertainment
There’s no in-flight entertainment on this route, and no seat-back screens. Make sure your devices are fully charged before you board.
Food
My basic Economy ticket did not include any food. Knowing this, I stocked up on some snacks and and a meal to get me through the flight. Water is provided, with more water available on request. As it turns out, snacks are OK, but you’re not meant to bring outside meals on board. When the attendant spotted me eating my take-away container of noodles (dry, not soupy), I was reminded of this fact, but was allowed to finish them. My advice is to stick to things that at least look snacky for a ‘main’ meal, and don’t require a plate/bowl or utensils. Sushi rolls, wraps, etc.
If you do want to purchase food and drink, there’s a decent selection of snacks, drinks, and hot meals on offer. If you want one of the hot meals, you need to pre-book at least 24 hours before your flight. It’s quite well priced compared to what you usually pay on low-cost airlines, with options like
Options for the hot meals include things like Nasi Lemak, Chicken Biriyani, Laksa, and Pomodoro Pasta. For snacks that haven’t been pre-booked, it’s things like wraps, sandwiches, and cake.
Amenities
There are no amenities on this flight.
Verdict
This was my first time flying Scoot, and it delivered almost everything that I expect from a budget airline. A small, but acceptable seat, a clean cabin, and an on-time departure and arrival. The ‘no outside meals’ rule is something that I’ve not encountered on other budget airlines before, but it’s easily dealt with by sticking to snacks and something ‘hands only’ for a more substantial feed. Given how much money I saved on this flight compared to if I’d flown a full service airline, I’d definitely fly Scoot again.