Scoot: The Ultimate Guide to Comfortable Budget Airline Travel
Flying on budget airlines doesn’t always have to be an uncomfortable experience. Scoot, the world’s second-best low-cost airline according to Skytrax, is changing the perception of budget travel. As a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, Scoot provides a reliable and comfortable experience for budget travelers. I have personally been a frequent flyer with Scoot for over 20 years and can attest to its quality service.
Scoot operates from Changi Airport in Singapore, offering flights to 67 destinations, including popular locations like Germany and Greece. While I often take their shorter routes, like the hour-long flight from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it was on this flight that I had one of the most comfortable experiences of my life.
For a one-way ticket to Kuala Lumpur, I paid 175 Singapore dollars, which included an extra $18 for a seat at the front of the plane. While prices for this route can go as low as $55.99, I was willing to pay a bit more for added comfort. Comparatively, other budget airlines like AirAsia and Jetstar offered similar flights for around $55 on the same day.
Previously, I had an unpleasant experience on Scoot when I was assigned a seat in the last row of the plane during a flight from Vietnam. Determined to avoid discomfort, I decided to invest in a seat at the front row this time, known as Scoot’s stretch seats.
One of the advantages of choosing a front-row seat is the priority boarding it offers. This allowed me to avoid the struggle for overhead compartment space and the rush to board the plane.
Despite a 20-minute delay, the boarding experience was seamless. Scoot allows a generous carry-on allowance of 10 kilograms (22 pounds), but I decided to check in my suitcase for a fee of around $25. Traveling with just a backpack made me feel light and carefree, enhancing the boarding experience.
Changi Airport, recently awarded the title of the best airport in the world by Skytrax, lived up to its reputation. Security was fast and the boarding gate was spacious, comfortable, and quiet. The short delay did not bother me due to the airport’s excellent facilities.
While the seats on the Airbus A320 were small and cramped, offering only 28 inches of legroom, my front-row seat had a generous 34 inches. This extra legroom allowed me to stretch comfortably during the flight.
Although passengers are required to stow their bags in the overhead compartments, I kept my laptop in the sleeve in front of me to protect it. The service on previous Scoot flights has always been exceptional, and this flight was no different. A flight attendant even offered assistance in placing my backpack in the compartment without me asking.
Due to the short duration of the flight, there was no meal service. However, on longer haul flights, Scoot offers a variety of tasty meal options. While they may not match the quality of AirAsia’s offerings, they are certainly better than most budget airlines.
On this particular flight, the pilot announced our imminent landing just 30 minutes after takeoff. One of the perks of booking a window seat is the breathtaking views it provides. Flying above peninsular Malaysia, I enjoyed sights of meandering rivers, lush jungles, and clusters of traditional houses.
The only drawback of my seat was having to excuse myself when using the lavatory. Nevertheless, the spacious legroom meant this was not an inconvenience for the fellow passengers seated next to me.
Despite some turbulence, the landing in Kuala Lumpur was smooth. As one of the first passengers to disembark, I appreciated the air bridge that connected the plane directly to the terminal, eliminating the need for a bus transfer.
In conclusion, paying the additional $18 for a stretch seat on Scoot is definitely worth it. While Scoot already offers excellent low-cost flights around the region, securing a seat in the front row enhances the overall comfort of the journey. Even if it’s not in the front row, choosing a seat instead of being assigned one is a must for budget airlines, especially on longer-haul flights. Flying on a budget airline doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort, and opting for a strategic seat selection can make all the difference in creating a pleasant travel experience.
