Disclaimer: We paid for this flight ourselves, so this is an honest review based on our experience.

Who is Scoot?

Quick rundown, Scoot is the low cost carrier of Singapore Airlines, with routes from Singapore predominantly across Asia but also connecting to 2 airports in Europe (Vienna and Athens) and 3 in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne and Perth).

The experience is very similar to European budget airlines like EasyJet or Ryanair. Yet instead of flights under 6 hours, Scoot uses that budget model and stretches it up to 11 hours.

Our Flight – Scoot’s Boeing 787 in economy

For context my partner and I booked this Athens to Singapore flight (TR 721) as part of a Singapore Airlines ticket on our way home to Australia. 

This option flying Scoot on the first leg was $300 AUD cheaper per person. We were undecided at first when we thought about the fact it was 11hrs but ended up booking it – saving $600 felt worth it and instead put that money towards some of our accommodation.

Since we booked through Singapore Airlines, we also received a few extras that aren’t normally included with a basic Scoot ticket. I’ll cover these shortly.

Cancellations

I’m starting with cancellations as this was the main complaint I saw online, and something we also experienced. 

We booked our tickets in December (Our flight was in May) and were notified in February that our flight had been cancelled and rebooked for the following day. Since we had a connecting flight, we needed to get in touch to adjust that leg – thankfully, this was easy enough to sort out via Singapore Airlines’ online chat.

Luckily, we hadn’t locked in any other plans yet, so the change didn’t impact us too much – aside from having to ask my boss for an extra day off!

Then in March, we received another update: our departure time had shifted by an hour – which isn’t a problem as I’ve had similar changes on other airlines too.

Just a tip: I always book flights directly with the airline instead of using third-party sites as it makes handling changes or cancellations way easier. And after our experience with cancellations, I’d definitely suggest booking straight through Scoot or Singapore Airlines.

Onboard Meals

Food is not included in your ticket and must be purchased separately, either by pre-ordering or during the flight. One convenient aspect is that you can order food at any time during the flight so you’re not limited to designated meal times.

You can buy drinks, snacks, and hot meals on long haul flights but you may find limited options on shorter routes.

To make purchases onboard you’ll need a credit card or cash (they’ll accept a range of currencies but change will be given in Singaporean dollars).

One annoying thing was the lack of complimentary water. Even a small carton had to be purchased for S$3. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to bring an empty refillable water bottle and fill it up after passing through airport security.

Can I eat my own food on Scoot?

Officially, it’s stated on the Scoot website and announced at the beginning of the flight that outside food and drinks aren’t allowed. However, I noticed a lot of passengers eating their own food, and the crew didn’t seem bothered.

I’d say that as long as you’re discreet – like eating non-smelly snacks, avoid eating during meal service, and dispose of your rubbish properly – you’re unlikely to have any issues.

What was the food like on Scoot?

Since we booked our tickets through Singapore Airlines, our fare included a meal and a snack (this was the pre-purchased online meal package). Here’s what we received:

We had a choice between pumpkin stew and multigrain rice and oriental treasure rice. It also came with a cookie, a slice of cake, and a drink – though our only options were water or Coke, which was a bit odd given that other drinks were available on the in-flight menu.

Later in the flight, we were also served a muffin and a carton of water.

We both enjoyed the cookies, muffin and slice of cake and while the hot meal wasn’t as impressive as what we’ve experienced on other airlines, it was hearty enough to fill us up.

What are the Scoot plane seats like?

Scoot operates a range of aircraft, so your seating may vary depending on the plane. On our flight, a Boeing 787, here’s what the seats were like.

The seats were pretty standard for economy class. They didn’t have adjustable headrests, which was a bit of a letdown, but otherwise, they felt similar to what you’d find on most budget airlines. The condition was good (not worn or shabby) and the seats did recline.

The legroom was also average, as you can see in the photo below. For reference, I’m 168 cm tall.

One small annoyance: the call button was built into the left armrest, making it easy to press by accident. I ended up triggering it a few times without realising, which kept bringing the flight attendants over unnecessarily.

Paid seat selections

When it comes to paid seat selection, I’m usually reluctant to spend the extra money – we often take the risk and hope to end up seated together. On short flights, it’s a risk we’re willing to take. For long-haul flights, though, seat selection is usually included, so it’s never really been a concern.

This time, we were determined to risk it… until about four days before the flight, when we caved. We realised the 11 hours would be much more comfortable if we sat together and could choose our go-to long-haul seats: seats D + E.

This cost us an extra €38 which is quite expensive but we both agreed it was worth it.

Are there charging ports? 

Our plane didn’t have any charging points, but some of Scoot’s aircraft do – though there’s a S$5 fee to use them.

Is there wifi access?

Yes, Wi-Fi is available on board, starting from S$5. Each seat has a QR code sticker on the back, which you can scan to view and purchase a data plan. We didn’t use the Wi-Fi ourselves, so I can’t comment on the speed or reliability.

Does Scoot provide blankets and pillows?

Scoot doesn’t offer complimentary extras such as amenity kits, pillows, or blankets. However, these can be purchased in advance online.

They offer travel sets that include a pillow and eye mask, as well as blankets. As part of our Singapore Airlines booking, we were pleasantly surprised to receive one of the blankets. While I wouldn’t say the quality is worth the S$17 price tag, it was nice to have and now we have some Scoot-branded blankets as a fun little souvenir from our first flight with them!

If you like having a blanket when you fly, I’d recommend packing a lightweight one of your own.

Atmosphere 

One thing I noticed about the flight was that it felt more communal than other long-haul flights I’ve been on. There was noticeably more conversation and general chatter among passengers. This could be due to the type of travellers on our particular flight – or simply because, without in-flight entertainment, people are more inclined to chat.

If you’re sensitive to noise, I’d recommend bringing a pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

Staff

The cabin crew were genuinely lovely – attentive, professional, and well-organised. Their service was similar with what we’ve experienced on Singapore Airlines.

Overall opinion

Now that I know what to expect, I’d fly with Scoot again – especially if it meant a significantly cheaper option for a long-haul flight.

Surprisingly, 11 hours without in-flight entertainment wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated. The key is to come prepared: make sure your devices are fully charged (switch on battery saver mode as soon as possible), and have plenty of content – like shows, movies, or podcasts – downloaded in advance. It’s also worth packing a novel or puzzle book in case your battery doesn’t last the whole flight.

If I were to do it again, I’d consider booking a night flight. Ours was a daytime departure, and while I managed a few short naps, I think being more tired might’ve helped me sleep through more of the journey.

As for food, I’m still undecided about purchasing onboard meals. Next time, I’d likely eat a proper meal before the flight and pack a few snacks to carry me through.

In the end, if you’re okay with bringing your own entertainment and covering any extras like food or blankets, Scoot is a solid budget-friendly option. It’s far from luxurious – but it’ll get you there!