I remember the mix of excitement and apprehension before my first Scoot flight. The ticket from Singapore to Athens was hundreds of dollars cheaper than any full-service airline.
I was thrilled to save money, but I wondered what compromises I’d face at 30,000 feet.
After several journeys with Scoot, short hops around Southeast Asia and a marathon 11-hour haul from Europe, I've collected plenty of stories, lessons, pros, and cons.
If you’re considering flying Scoot, here’s what you should know from a personal perspective, sprinkled with real traveler experiences along the way.
Meet Scoot
Scoot is the low-cost arm of Singapore Airlines, based in Singapore and flying predominantly around Asia-Pacific. Its main playground is Southeast Asia (think Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and beyond), but Scoot also stretches its wings further.
It serves several cities in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth) and until recently even Europe, with flights connecting through Singapore to Athens and Berlin (via Athens).
In fact, Scoot operated one of the only nonstop routes from Singapore to Athens, and for a time, on to Berlin, making ultra-long budget flights a reality. The airline mostly uses modern Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-haul routes and single-aisle Airbus A320/A321 jets for shorter flights, all decked out in Scoot’s signature sunflower-yellow paint.
Being a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, Scoot benefits from a bit of that pedigree – but make no mistake, it’s a true low-cost carrier (LCC). That means no frills are included by default.
Your base fare gets you a seat and nothing else on board. For budget travelers, this stripped-down approach can be fantastic or frustrating, depending on your expectations.
The savings on my Athens–Singapore ticket, for example, were around A$300 per person compared to the next cheapest option, enough to pay for a week’s lodging in Thailand! Those low fares are the main allure for travelers like me who’d rather spend money at the destination than on the flight.
However, because it’s so budget, you’ll need to budget for extras. Scoot, like other LCCs, makes money by charging for add-ons: baggage, meals, seat selection, Wi-Fi, and even things like pillows or entertainment.
As we’ll explore, that ultra-cheap fare can “balloon” in a hurry if you opt into lots of upgrades. The key is going in with eyes open about what’s included and what isn’t, so you can decide which comforts are worth paying for.
Booking and Hidden Costs
Booking a flight on Scoot’s website is straightforward enough, though I found it a bit clunky at times. On one trip, the site kept timing out when I searched as a guest, a quirk another traveler also encountered. Creating a free account or using the mobile app seemed to help.)
The upside is Scoot’s site makes it easy to spot the cheapest dates – a calendar graph shows fare prices by day in color-coded bars. Scoot also loves running flash sales and promo codes blasted out via email and Facebook.
I’ve snagged unbelievably low fares during these sales, like a one-way to Bali for under $50.
Tip: Always compare the total cost on Scoot’s site with other airlines, and be cautious with third-party booking sites. While online travel agencies might sometimes show a slightly lower price, they often tack on hidden fees, and making changes or getting help during delays is much harder if you didn’t book direct.
After hearing horror stories, I always book directly with the airline – it saved me a headache when Scoot rescheduled one of my flights and I could sort it out through Singapore Airlines’ customer chat instead of begging an OTA for help.
When booking, Scoot will present four fare types: Fly, FlyBag, FlyBagEat, and ScootPlus. The names hint at what you get.
Fly (or Fly-Promo during sales) is the rock-bottom fare: just a seat, no checked baggage, no meals.
FlyBag adds a 15–20 kg checked baggage allowance, and FlyBagEat adds baggage plus one hot meal included.
ScootPlus is their version of premium economy or business class, which includes about 30kg of baggage, a meal and drink, priority boarding, and larger seats up front. For most budget travelers, it comes down to choosing between the basic Fly fare or the bundles if you know you’ll need a suitcase and a meal.
Personally, if I plan to check a bag, I often opt for the FlyBag bundle during booking because it can be cheaper than adding baggage later. A fellow traveler’s price comparison found that Scoot’s fare with add-ons can sometimes approach a full-service airline’s price – especially on short routes.
For example, on a Singapore–Hong Kong round trip, by the time you add baggage and food, Scoot could cost almost as much as Singapore Airlines (and in that case the full-service flight might actually have been cheaper!).
So always do the math. On long-haul routes, though, Scoot often still comes out way ahead price-wise, even after extras.
Be mindful of seat selection fees and other upsells during booking. Scoot will charge you to choose a specific seat in advance unless you’re on a higher fare tier. For a long flight, you might consider it – standard seat selection on a long-haul like Singapore to Berlin cost one traveler about $20.
I usually skip paying for seats on short flights (happy to take whatever random seat assignment I get), but for my 11-hour flight my partner and I caved a few days before departure and paid €38 to pick two seats together in the middle section.
It felt steep, but it was worth it to know we wouldn’t be separated for half a day in the air. Extra-legroom seats (branded “Super Seats” and “Stretch Seats” on Scoot) cost more, but can be a lifesaver if you need space. These are the exit row and bulkhead seats – about 30% to 50% more legroom than standard, by Scoot’s claims.
On one flight, I saw the crew offering last-minute upgrades to those seats for about $35, which a few tall passengers gladly paid. If you’re over six feet tall, it might be money well spent. One frequent Scoot flyer reported that at 168 cm (5'6"), she had a generous 6 inches of knee space in a “Super” seat, whereas the regular 31-inch pitch seat would be a tighter squeeze for tall folks.
The good news is Scoot’s basic economy seats are on par with other budget airlines – about 18 inches wide and 31 inches of pitch on the Airbus flights, and slightly more pitch (32–34 inches) in some sections of the 787 Dreamliner. They’re not the roomiest, but as one travel mom admitted, “it was fine for a short flight…
I wouldn’t want to do a long haul in this seat” without upgrading. In other words, you get what you pay for: spend a little more for comfort if you need it, or keep it cheap and manage with the basics.
Other add-ons to consider during booking: meals, Wi-Fi, and convenience bundles. You can pre-purchase a hot meal (or a meal combo with a drink and snack) before your flight, often at a slight discount versus buying on board. Pre-ordering also guarantees your preferred meal won’t run out. Scoot’s website or app lets you add these extras up to about 3 days before departure.
I’ll talk more about the food quality later (spoiler: it ranges from decent to “please never again”). Wi-Fi packages are also cheaper to buy in advance: Scoot offers plans like 20MB, 80MB, or 200MB of data, which cost about 20% less pre-booked than in the air. For example, I saw options from around S$5 for 20MB up to about S$18 for 200MB.
It’s not unlimited internet by any stretch – one blogger called the 20MB plan “pathetic” – but it’s enough for messaging or a quick email check. Personally I relish being offline on a flight, so I skip the Wi-Fi and save a few bucks. Scoot also cheekily sells a “Snooze Kit” (a travel blanket, neck pillow, and eye mask) for about $18.
I strongly suggest bringing your own blanket or sweater and travel pillow instead – it’s cheaper and likely more comfortable. In fact, for any low-cost airline, having your own comfort items is key.
The bottom line when booking Scoot: start with the base fare and add only what you truly need. The more extras you pile on, the closer the price gets to a regular airline. But if you can travel light and forego luxuries, Scoot can be a fantastic deal that frees up more of your budget for actual travel experiences.
I love knowing the money I didn’t spend on a fancy flight can go toward an extra excursion or nicer meals on the trip.
Baggage Policies
One of the biggest budget tips for flying Scoot (or any LCC) is to master the baggage policy. Scoot’s standard carry-on allowance is 10 kg (about 22 lbs) across up to two small bags – notably a bit more generous than the 7 kg limit many Asian low-cost carriers impose.
That means if you’re a savvy packer, you might manage a weekend trip or even a week-long beach getaway with just a backpack and avoid any baggage fees. I’ve done a 5-day trip with only carry-on and felt like I beat the system.
Just be sure your bags meet Scoot’s size limits (roughly cabin suitcase size plus a personal item) and they will weigh your carry-on at check-in if it looks heavy. I’ve seen people repacking at the counter to avoid overweight fees.
If you do need checked luggage, it’s best to buy it when you book or well before your flight. Scoot’s baggage fees are tiered by weight – you can pre-purchase 15kg, 20kg, 25kg, 30kg, 35kg or 40kg of checked baggage. The cost depends on the route distance and when you buy it.
As a rule of thumb, 20kg bought in advance might add anywhere from ~$30 to $60 to your ticket (it varies). What you want to avoid is showing up at the airport with overweight bags you haven’t paid for.
Excess baggage at the counter is very expensive: on short routes under 5 hours, they’ll charge about S$20 per kilogram over your allowance, and on longer flights it’s about S$25 per kg.
That can add up painfully fast (imagine a 5kg excess on a long flight – that’s S$125 extra, roughly US$90). One traveler anecdote that stuck with me was someone who ended up tossing items at the airport to avoid paying these steep overweight fees. So weigh your bags beforehand!
Scoot does offer bundled fares that include baggage (the “FlyBag” and above tickets include 15–20kg checked for free). If you see yourself needing a suitcase, sometimes the fare difference is minimal and it’s better to book a bundle upfront.
For example, upgrading from a Fly fare to a FlyBag might be $40 extra, which is roughly what you’d pay to add a 20kg bag anyway. Keep in mind the highest allowance wins – if one person on the booking has 20kg and another has none, you can’t combine allowances. Each passenger needs their own baggage purchase.
Also note that ScootPlus (premium) tickets include 30kg of checked luggage and a larger 15kg carry-on allowance. But most budget fliers won’t be in ScootPlus, so plan on traveling light.
I generally bring a compressible daypack in my carry-on; if my main bag is borderline heavy, I can redistribute a few items to the daypack and classify it as my “personal item” to stay within the 10kg carry-on limit.
One more tip on baggage: sport equipment or odd-sized items can often be checked as part of your weight allowance, but if you have something large (like a bicycle or surfboard), make sure to read Scoot’s policy or arrange it in advance.
And always lock or secure your bags – basic advice, but since Scoot’s flights are often point-to-point, if a bag misses a connection or gets delayed it can be a hassle. Overall, packing as lean as possible will save you money and stress when flying Scoot.
Airport Experience and Check-In
I’ve learned that the airport routine with Scoot can be a bit different from full-service airlines, so plan accordingly. Check-in is one area where Scoot’s budget nature shows.
Many routes do allow online check-in via the Scoot website or mobile app, which opens 48 hours before departure. I always try to check in online to save time. You’ll get an e-boarding pass in PDF format, and if your departure airport supports “Scoot-to-Gate,” that means you can print that pass and head straight to security without stopping at a counter.
However – and this is a big however – not all airports support this, and Scoot’s online check-in historically has had quirks. In the past, checking in online often did not actually give you a mobile boarding pass, so you still had to queue at the check-in desk to get a physical ticket. This confused me (and many others) the first time.
You are still required to go stand in line… even if you don’t have bags”. Scoot has recently improved this for some cities; now digital boarding passes are available on the app for flights departing Singapore, for example.
But when I flew out of Tokyo Narita, there was no mobile boarding pass option – I nearly missed the flight because I relaxed in the transit area too long, not realizing I had to exit security just to get a boarding pass at Scoot’s counter! That was 15 minutes of panicked sprinting through the terminal I’d rather not relive.
The moral: arrive early at the airport, even if you checked in online, unless you’re absolutely sure you have a boarding pass you can use at the gate. Scoot’s airport counters typically open only 2.5 to 3 hours before departure.
I’ve noticed they tend to staff just a few counters, even for a big 787 flight, so lines move slowly. If you show up close to departure, expect to stand in a long queue of other budget travelers juggling overweight bags and printed itineraries. I give myself a bit more cushion time than I would for a full-service airline, just to account for these potential bottlenecks.
It’s also worth noting that self-service check-in kiosks often don’t work for Scoot. In multiple airports, including in Asia and Europe, travelers reported that Scoot wasn’t listed on the common-use kiosks (and selecting “Singapore Airlines” didn’t work either). So you’ll likely have to go to the counter to drop bags and/or get the boarding pass.
Once you have your boarding pass, the boarding process is pretty standard. No fancy priority boarding lanes unless you paid for BoardMeFirst (Scoot sells priority boarding as an add-on) or you’re in ScootPlus. I usually just find a seat near the gate and relax.
One thing I appreciate: because Scoot often operates from major airports like Singapore Changi (Terminal 1 or 2 usually), the waiting areas are comfortable and there are plenty of shops to grab snacks or water before the flight.
If you’re transiting through Singapore, note that Scoot flights typically do not include free lounge access (even ScootPlus passengers only get a voucher for a drink, I’ve heard). So budget travelers like us just roam the public areas or find a quiet corner to charge our devices.
I did notice on my flights that boarding was generally orderly. People know what seats they have (or don’t have, if they didn’t pay to choose). Overhead bin space can fill up fast because many budget travelers try to avoid checking bags.
Scoot allows each person two carry-on pieces, so expect many backpacks and roller bags in tow. If you’re last to board with a large carry-on, be prepared that it might get checked at the gate if bins are full. I try to board when my zone or row is called to snag bin space near my seat.
At the gate, delays are not uncommon. Scoot doesn’t have a sterling on-time record – in fact, its on-time performance has often been below 80%, meaning more than 1 in 5 flights arrives over 15 minutes late. They run tight schedules with quick turnarounds, so a delay early in the day can snowball. I always keep my plans flexible on the arrival end, just in case.
During one trip, I got an email a few weeks in advance that my Scoot flight was re-timed by an hour later – no big deal, that happens on many airlines. But a more disruptive case was when Scoot completely canceled the flight I had booked from Athens and bumped us to the next day.
We had to adjust our connecting flight and accommodation plans by a day. Thankfully, because I booked through Scoot/SIA directly, their support (via chat) was able to help rebook the connection without extra charge. It was inconvenient, but at least I wasn’t stranded.
I’ve also heard of day-of flight cancellations or very long delays. One friend of a blogger had their Scoot flight delayed over 10 hours and the only “compensation” was a travel voucher for future use – no cash refund since it eventually flew, and Scoot’s default is to give vouchers even if they cancel a flight entirely.
That strict refund policy (vouchers instead of money back) is something to be aware of. It’s one reason I buy travel insurance for trips – if a budget airline delay or cancellation causes you to miss something non-refundable, you want coverage. Scoot is pretty clear that they won’t do much beyond rebooking you on a Scoot flight or giving a voucher in most cases.
On a more positive note, when I did experience a modest delay with Scoot, the airline surprised us by handing out snack packs as an apology. During a two-hour delay at Singapore, the gate staff gave everyone a small bag with a snack and water, which I honestly did not expect from a low-cost carrier.
It didn’t fix the delay, but it left a good impression that they at least acknowledged it. The crew made up some time in the air, too, so we landed not terribly behind schedule.
Still, the rule for flying Scoot (and any budget airline) is: build in some buffer to your schedule, and try not to book tight connections, especially not on separate tickets. As long as you have a bit of patience and flexibility at the airport, the savings can be worth it.
In-Flight Experience
Stepping on board a Scoot plane, you might not notice immediately that it’s “budget.” The cabins are actually quite modern and clean.
In every Scoot flight I’ve taken, the aircraft cleanliness stood out – one reviewer noted that the A320 they flew was “spotless” despite the high passenger turnover, and I’ve found the same.
The planes (especially the Dreamliners) still have a fairly new-car smell since Scoot has a young fleet. The bright blue or yellow patterned seats and playful “Scootitude” branding give a fun vibe.
But once you settle into your seat, you start to see where Scoot cuts costs. On my 787 long-haul flight, I immediately noticed the lack of an adjustable headrest – the economy seats were just a fixed top, with a small cloth antimacassar (that little napkin on the headrest) advertising some promo.
Coming from other long flights where I could bend the headrest “wings” to support my head, this felt spartan. I rolled up a jacket as a pillow, but next time I’ll bring a proper neck pillow for sure.
The seat padding was okay at the start, but I agree with another traveler who said that after a few hours, the Scoot Dreamliner seat became a literal pain in the butt (his “sit bones” started to ache).
Scoot’s 787s have a dense 3-3-3 layout in economy – nine seats per row – which is actually the same as many full-service airlines on the 787, but some people find Scoot’s seat cushions firmer.
Older Scoot planes (they had some 777s inherited from Singapore Airlines years ago) apparently had plusher seats, but those have been retired for a while. So, expect a standard economy seat, not an especially cozy one. For flights under 4-5 hours I find the seat comfort perfectly acceptable.
On the 11-hour flight, I was definitely getting up to stretch a lot. The legroom in regular seats is average – around 31″ pitch. At 5'7" I had enough room for my knees, and my partner at 6'0" could manage, though an extra inch or two would have helped. If you need more space, that’s where the Stretch (exit row) seats come in handy, giving noticeably more breathing room for your legs.
One design quirk on Scoot (and this might make you chuckle or annoy you): the flight attendant call button and reading light switch are on the armrest in many seats. I discovered this when I kept hearing the “ding!” and seeing a crew member show up, only to realize I’d accidentally elbowed the call button.
It became a running joke as I apologized for the false alarms. The crew said it happens all the time. So, heads up – be careful where you rest your arm or you might unknowingly summon a flight attendant repeatedly!
What you won’t find in the seat is any built-in in-flight entertainment screen. Scoot is very much a “BYO entertainment” airline. No seatback TVs, and the overhead screens (if present) just show the moving map or occasional ads. The airline app or Wi-Fi portal supposedly has a few simple games and a map, but on my flights the portal was either not working or just extremely limited.
One couple mentioned they couldn’t get the in-flight entertainment portal to work on any of their Scoot flights. In any case, don’t expect movies or a library of TV shows like on a full-service carrier.
This is by design – it cuts weight and cost. For us passengers, it means load up your tablet, phone, or laptop with content before you fly. I downloaded a season of my favorite show on Netflix and a few podcasts, which got me through the long haul without issue.
In fact, I was surprised that 11 hours without built-in entertainment “wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated” because I came prepared with my own downloads. Many other Scoot travelers do the same: you’ll see people watching their iPads or reading books.
If you forget to pre-download, you’ll be stuck with whatever you have on hand or maybe replaying Candy Crush on your phone. There is on-board Wi-Fi for purchase, but it’s really only useful for light internet use (as mentioned, plans start at 20MB which is nothing if you tried to stream video).
The cheapest Wi-Fi tier was about S$5-7 for 20MB – I skipped it, but it could let you send a few messages saying “I’m airborne” or check email. Don’t expect to binge YouTube or scroll Instagram much unless you buy a larger plan (200MB for ~$18).
Also note: on some older or smaller Scoot planes, there might be no power outlets at the seats, or if there are, you have to pay to unlock them (yes, really, Scoot charges ~$5 to enable in-seat power on certain flights). My 787 had no power sockets in economy, so we made sure all our gadgets were fully charged beforehand. Portable chargers are your friend on Scoot.
Despite the lack of amenities, the cabin atmosphere on Scoot flights can be unexpectedly pleasant. One thing I observed on the long flight was a more casual, almost social vibe among passengers.
Without everyone’s head buried in a seatback movie, people actually talked to each other more, walked around, and even joked about the quirks (like my call-button saga). Another Scoot traveler noted the “more communal” feeling on board – probably because of the lack of in-flight entertainment, people were inclined to chat or make their own fun.
If you’re noise-sensitive, this could be a downside; bring noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs if you want to tune it out. Personally, I found it refreshing, as long as no one was being too loud. On one red-eye Scoot flight, I even managed to sleep a bit (pro tip: seats D and E in the middle section were our go-to for trying to sleep, since we could lean towards each other).
Crucially, the Scoot cabin crew contribute a lot to the in-flight experience. I was impressed that, even though this is a budget airline, the flight attendants were genuinely lovely – attentive, professional, and upbeat. In fact, more than one traveler (especially those used to U.S. airlines) has been “mind-blown” by how polite and helpful Scoot’s crew can be.
On one of my flights, a crew member noticed the in-flight magazine was missing from my seat pocket and proactively brought me one – a small thing, but when’s the last time you heard that happening on, say, Spirit or Ryanair? Even with all the cost-cutting, Scoot (perhaps thanks to Singapore Airlines’ training influence) emphasizes good service.
The attendants also stayed patient despite the constant accidental call-button pings and the questions from first-timers about why water wasn’t free. Seeing them manage a plane full of budget travelers with a smile made the experience better for everyone.
So, while you won’t get pampered with luxuries on Scoot, you also won’t be sitting on a dirty, chaotic plane.
You’ll have a basic but comfortable enough seat, friendly crew around, and a working lavatory (they kept the toilets clean throughout the flight, which I appreciated on that long sector – I saw crew checking and tidying the lavatories several times). Bring your own entertainment and creature comforts, and you’ll do just fine.
Food and Drinks Onboard
Now, let’s talk about the in-flight food and beverage situation – often a hot topic for anyone considering a budget airline. Scoot, like most low-cost carriers, does not include any free meals or drinks in regular economy.
If you want a meal, you’ll be buying it, either ahead of time or on the plane. Even water, yes even plain water, is not complimentary on Scoot. I learned that the hard way on my first flight when I asked for water and was pointed to the menu.
A tiny carton of water (probably about 250ml) costs S$3 on board. They won’t serve tap water from the galley for drinking – in fact, I’ve read that Scoot planes carry drinking water in tanks but the crew advise against drinking it straight, likely for hygiene reasons, so they prefer you buy bottled or boxed water.
My strategy now is to bring an empty water bottle and fill it at a water fountain in the terminal after security. That way I have plenty of hydration and can avoid paying for multiple $3 water cartons.
As for meals, Scoot’s buy-on-board menu is actually one of the more interesting ones I’ve seen, with some local Singaporean flair. They design many of their hot meals after Singapore hawker center favorites.
Options might include things like Nasi Lemak (coconut rice with spicy sambal and chicken), braised herbal chicken with rice, pumpkin stew with multigrain rice, or teriyaki chicken rice.
On regional flights, they also sell instant cup noodles and snacks like chips, nuts, even unique items like salted egg fish skin or crispy seaweed almonds depending on stock. And of course, the universally loved airline snack: Pringles in a can. For drinks, they have sodas, juice, coffee/tea, and a limited alcohol selection.
I recall seeing Tiger Beer and a couple of Asahi beer options, plus mini bottles of wine and even a quirky Yuzu Sake Jelly Shot on the menu. (I was tempted by that last one just for the novelty – imagine a jello shot on a plane! – but I didn’t end up trying it.)
If you pre-book a meal, it usually comes as a combo tray with a main, a side or dessert, and a drink. On my long flight, because I booked via Singapore Airlines as a codeshare, a meal and snack were included for us.
We got a choice of two mains (pumpkin stew with rice, or an “oriental treasure rice” which was basically chicken rice), plus a cookie, a slice of cake, and a drink (oddly, the only choices offered were water or Coke, even though the full menu had other beverages). Later in the flight, they brought around the snack: a packaged muffin and another water. The taste? It was okay!
Let me set expectations: this is not gourmet cuisine, and it comes in a foil tray from a cart. My hot meal was edible and filling, though not something I’d rave about. We found the dessert items (chocolate muffin, butter cake, etc.) actually quite nice, and the main was “hearty enough to fill us up,” even if it wasn’t as good as meals we’ve had on full-service airlines.
In short, if you’re hungry, the Scoot meals will do the job, but they probably won’t wow you. Another blogger recounted that one Scoot meal (a chicken rice) came with three quail eggs and plenty of chicken, which was a pleasant surprise, whereas the Western option he tried (a beef lasagna) was a disaster – “layers of charred tomato, salt-drenched pasta, and random bits of meat... cheese with the smell and texture of burnt plastic”. Yikes.
So maybe stick to the Asian dishes over the lasagna. And definitely don’t expect piping fresh gourmet stuff; Scoot openly mentions the meals are produced, frozen, and reheated.
The pricing for meals isn’t terrible: usually around S$10-15 for a hot meal if pre-ordered, and a bit more if buying on board. Snacks and drinks are airline-priced (e.g. S$4 for a Coke, etc.).
One traveler paid about US$11 for his meal and later declared it “the most disgusting meal I’ve ever eaten on an airplane”, but to be fair, taste is subjective and perhaps he just had bad luck with that choice.
I’ve had worse food experiences on some other carriers, but Scoot’s catering is definitely hit or miss. If food quality is super important to you, an alternative is to eat before you fly or bring non-offensive snacks.
Ah, but here’s the catch: Scoot officially prohibits outside food and drinks. They announce at the start of the flight that you’re not supposed to consume your own food on board.
Now, enforcement is a whole other story. In practice, I (and many others) have discreetly eaten my own granola bars, sandwiches, or snacks mid-flight and the crew hasn’t said a word. On most flights the attendants seemed to turn a blind eye as long as you’re subtle – i.e. don’t bust out a fragrant curry or a messy meal during their service.
I’ve seen whole rows munching homemade sandwiches or chips purchased in the terminal. The key is to be considerate: non-smelly, easy-to-eat items, and definitely tidy up after yourself.
One travel review noted that outside food is technically against the rules but if you “stick to sandwiches and the like it should be fine… just don’t pull out a three-course meal”. That said, there are some reports of crew being stricter. On a red-eye, a seatmate who opened a fast-food burger received a reminder about the no-outside-food rule.
And in one account, the crew did walk the aisle and ask people to put away outside food during meal service. So Scoot isn’t as laissez-faire as, say, some U.S. carriers where you can openly bring a pizza on board. I find the rule a bit silly (what about people with dietary restrictions or kids with snacks?), but it’s their policy.
My approach: I still bring a few light snacks (especially for long flights), but I eat them discreetly, usually when the lights are off or between service rounds. Worst case, if told to stop, I would comply.
One more thing: payment on board is cash or card, but if you pay cash in a foreign currency, change is given in Singapore dollars. I usually just use a credit card for convenience, but note that sometimes LCCs have card machines that might not work perfectly at 36,000 feet. Having a little Singapore currency or a no-foreign-fee card is helpful.
Summing up Scoot’s food situation: don’t expect freebies (no peanuts, no water, nada), plan to bring or buy your own sustenance, and consider pre-booking a meal if you want to ensure you’re fed something on a long flight. And definitely fill that water bottle before boarding, because dehydration on a long haul is no joke and paying $3 for each little drink gets old fast.
Punctuality and Reliability
We touched on this in the airport section, but let’s delve a bit deeper into Scoot’s reliability and how they handle things when schedules go awry.
Budget airlines often run tight ships with quick turnarounds and fewer spare aircraft, so delays and cancellations are somewhat more common than with full-service carriers. Scoot is no exception.
Industry reports have frequently put Scoot’s on-time performance below 80%, meaning roughly 1 in 5 flights doesn’t meet the definition of “on time” (arrival within 15 minutes of schedule). In regional comparisons, it has ranked fairly low in punctuality at times.
What does this mean for you as a traveler? Mainly, build in contingency. If you have a can’t-miss event or a connecting flight on another ticket, maybe pad an extra day or at least hours of buffer after your Scoot flight.
I’ve personally had one Scoot flight delayed 2 hours (they made up some time, arriving a bit less than 2 hours late), and another that was rescheduled to the next day (as mentioned, they canceled one day’s flight and moved everyone to the following day).
In the 2-hour delay case, it was no big deal for me; I enjoyed Changi Airport during the wait. In the cancellation case, it was more disruptive – we lost a day of our trip and had to rebook our separate onward flight.
Scoot did switch our connecting Singapore Airlines flight for free since it was on the same itinerary, but if it hadn’t been, we might have had to pay change fees. They did not provide any hotel or meal voucher for the 24-hour bump – we were just on our own to adjust plans.
Scoot’s customer service during irregular operations is where you feel the difference from full-service airlines. Their refund and compensation policies are bare-bones.
If a flight is canceled, Scoot’s contract of carriage usually offers rebooking on another Scoot flight or a refund in the form of travel vouchers (valid for a limited time). Cash refunds are rare unless mandated by law. One anecdote I recall: A traveler had a 10-hour overnight delay, and Scoot gave a voucher for use on a future booking as the only compensation.
No hotel, no meals – which is standard for LCCs; they often don’t provide accommodation for delays beyond their control. It’s a risk you accept for the lower fare. This is why I stress travel insurance or using a credit card that has travel delay coverage, if you want some safety net.
It’s also why I avoid booking Scoot (or any LCC) to connect to another flight on a separate ticket on the same day; you could be out of luck if a long delay makes you miss the next flight.
On the positive side, I’ve found Scoot’s ground staff and call center (or rather, live chat support) to be reasonably helpful within their limits. When my flight was canceled months before departure, the support via online chat managed to rebook my connection smoothly.
I’ve also used Scoot’s WhatsApp support in the past to ask about a schedule change, and they responded after a wait with the information I needed. It’s not VIP service, but it works.
At the airports, the staff handling check-in and boarding have been professional if not particularly empowered to fix big issues. If a flight is delayed, they’ll announce updates.
If it’s something like a minor delay, you might even get that surprise snack pack like I did, which indicates someone in Scoot management is paying attention to customer goodwill.
It’s also worth noting Scoot’s safety record and operational handling. They are part of Singapore Airlines, so safety is not something they skimp on. In various incidents like a cabin smoke event or even a bomb threat diversion, Scoot crews have handled things calmly and by the book.
Once a Scoot flight even landed safely without a nose wheel (rare incident), and it was managed without injuries. So while the planes might have duct-taped seat pockets and get delayed, I do trust that they maintain them well enough for safe travel.
This is an important reassurance for a budget airline, and Scoot, being under the SIA umbrella, adheres to high safety standards.
As for customer service onboard, as mentioned, the flight attendants are kind and do their best. They won’t be able to give you much beyond sympathy if you’re upset about a delay or the lack of free water, but at least they are polite.
During my flights, I saw them handle some tough situations with grace: for example, a passenger behind me was quite upset he had to wait until the food cart reached our row to get a cup of water for taking medicine (since he didn’t want to buy a bottle).
The crew firmly but politely explained the policy and as soon as they could, they got him water with his meal purchase. Not ideal for the passenger, but I could tell the crew were just following the rules they had to.
Bottom line on Scoot’s reliability and service: It’s a mixed bag. You might get a perfectly smooth, on-time flight and wonder what the fuss was about, or you might encounter delays/cancellations and find out the hard way what “no frills” truly means. Go in with realistic expectations: you paid budget fares, so don’t expect generous compensation for hiccups.
Arm yourself with travel insurance for peace of mind, and whenever possible, keep your schedule flexible around Scoot flights. And if everything does run on time (which, to be fair, the majority of flights still do), you’ll arrive having paid a fraction of what others did, which feels like a win for the budget traveler.
Is Scoot Right for You?
After experiencing Scoot on short 2-hour hops and long 11-hour slogs, I’ve come to see it as a trade-off that can be truly worth it for the right kind of traveler.
If you’re someone who values the destination more than the journey – who is willing to forego a bit of comfort to save money for adventure – then Scoot can be your ticket (literally) to traveling longer or more often.
For me and many budget travelers, the formula that works is: prepare and adjust, and you’ll do fine. I bring my own entertainment, snacks, and pillow. I budget extra for a coffee or meal at the airport and maybe a treat on board.
In the end, flying Scoot felt a bit like being part of an experiment in no-frills long-haul travel. And you know what? It really wasn’t bad. The airline delivered exactly what it promised: a seat to my destination, with me deciding what extras to add.
And that’s the Scoot philosophy: save on the flight, splurge on the fun at your destination.
