Flying Scoot: Singapore’s LCC Flies B777
June 2, 2014
Akira Kondo

PictureScoot flies a B777-200 aircraft
Flying Scoot became my first experience to enjoy a non-Star Alliance carrier in the past months and of course there was no lounge access for me at this time. However, the flight turned out to be a pleasant flight, no business-style like. 

This time, I flew Scoot from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Singapore Changi Terminal 2. Over the past months, I flew this route nearly weekly to commute between the cities. So far, I have flown Star Alliance partners, Singapore and THAI, to take advantage of a lounge access and etc.

Both airlines generally offer good services but Singapore’s service yields better over THAI, but it seems like more passengers on THAI flights thanks to its competitive price over Singapore.

A Singapore – Bangkok route is probably one of the most competitive routes among Asian regions. There are various airlines flying between the route, such as Air Asia, Jet Star, Tiger, and Scoot, as well as conventional carriers like Singapore and THAI.

My choice for this time is Scoot, which uses a bigger B777-200 aircraft for the route. I flew from Bangkok to Singapore and its flight hour was roughly 2 hours. This route offered as cheap as SG$40 and as high as SG$110, excluding taxes and surcharges. In the meantime, one way TG economy class ticket on the same route costs slightly above SG$200.

I purchased the SG$110 ScootBiz, which was like a premium economy styled business seat in the front of the B777 cabin. After including every fees and taxes, the price turned out to be SG$163. It was okay because this was still a business class and better than the TG’s SG$200 economy cabin ticket. Importantly, it was cheaper. I could have taken the cheapest SG$40 ticket, but I had to check-in the luggage and had a heavier carry-on luggage as well. Scoot charges bags while my ScootBiz allows one 15kg carry-on as well as up to 15kg checked-bag as included in its perks. 
Picture
Scoot Biz offers bigger seats and spacious leg room (left). Complimentary meal is offered in the Scoot Biz cabin (middle). Right behind of Scoot Biz is a quiet zone economy (right).
Again, no lounge access for this flight although its parent company is Singapore Airlines. I appeared myself at a check-in counter three hours before the departure. The check-in process was smooth, no problem. Until the departure time, I waited at Starbucks in Concourse B, which was closer to my gate D2. Although Scoot is an LCC, it still uses the gate near to the immigration (maybe depending on the day) and that is a plus. 

The boarding process started off with ScootBiz passengers and they tried to give good amount of time for them to be onboard first while THAI on the other hand announced all Royal Silk and Star Gold passengers only once and soon began offering general boarding, which often created messy boarding areas. Upon boarding, a friendly attendant escorted me all the way to my seat, and he soon served me cupped water. After then, the attendant started to call my last name to recognize me throughout the flight. Before the door closed, I was given a WIFI access card for the screening programs for my iPad or etc (but I didn't use it). If I could utilize it, the flight might have been even fun. 

After taking off, the meal was offered. There were choices and I chose a veggie meal. The meal was set on a plate and it was really alike United’s economy meal. However, I really liked the Sour Cream & Onion Pringles chips, which I thought it was better than United’s double chocolate brownie bar.

Right after the dinner, peaceful atmosphere covered the cabin because most passengers were leisure travelers, even in the business cabin. A restroom was spacious because it was used to be the first class cabin toilet for Singapore. Of course, it was clean but a simple look and I liked that way.

Overall, flying Scoot is much better than I have originally thought. With decent attractive price offered in ScootBiz, there is probably no reason to fly more expensive Star Alliance carriers on the 800-mile route between Bangkok and Singapore. However, continuity yields the best answer. Let see how it goes on my next Scoot experience, which would again take place in the end of June.  Stay tuned.