- Mr Plane Guy
- 11 hours ago
- 7 min read
Review of Scoot 787 Sydney to Singapore: Low Cost in Name, Premium in Price
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Flight Information
Airline: Scoot Airlines (Fly Scoot / FlyScoot)
Route: TR3 – Sydney (SYD) to Singapore (SIN)
Date: April 15, 2025
Aircraft: Boeing 787
Departure Time: Scheduled at 12:50 PM AEST; Actual departure at 1:03 PM AEST
Arrival Time: Scheduled at 7:15 PM SGT; Estimated arrival at 7:07 PM SGT
Terminal (Sydney): Terminal 1, Gate 34
Terminal (Singapore): Terminal 1, Gate D32
Scoot. Scoot Air. Scoot Airlines. FlyScoot. Fly Scoot. However you phrase it, the name suggests zippy, efficient, fun, and most importantly budget-friendly travel. But after my recent experience flying Scoot from Sydney to Singapore on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in ScootPlus, I’m left wondering... is this airline really a budget carrier?
Here’s my full, honest review of the flight. If you’re considering flying Scoot flights, particularly on their long-haul Dreamliner services, buckle up!
Booking & Costs: Premium Price for a "Low-Cost" Experience
Let’s start with the hit to the wallet. my fare in ScootPlus from Sydney to Singapore cost a staggering AUD 1,139.02 (GBP £598.15). That included a Mastercard processing fee, an alcoholic drink, 80MB of WiFi, and an included seat selection.
For context, I flew from Beijing to Sydney in full business class for £800, and earlier this year I flew from London to Beijing for just £300. Not to mention the Dublin to Doha leg in business class using 40k Avios points.
When you compare those, Scoot's pricing model doesn't feel...like low cost?
Are you heading to Singapore? I loved this hotel, check out my review
"Travelling without NordVPN? Forget it. In China, I couldn’t even access Gmail, maps, or podcasts until I fired up NordVPN. Instantly, I was back online, safe, and free to browse anything, anywhere."
This must be a very profitable airline. I’ve been rinsed.
Lounge Access Before the Flight
Let me highlight the only moment of calm before the Scoot storm: the Sydney Airport lounge (Plaza Premium Lounge). Though not included with ScootPlus, I accessed it separately with my Priority Pass. If you’re flying Scoot, do yourself a favour, book a lounge. Because once you board, the luxury evaporates quicker than the WiFi data. you will be hungry and very thirsty!
If you can get a good deal, it’s totally worth it. I managed to get you a 30% off Priority Pass! which lets you access lounges around the world for a fraction of the regular price. With this discount, I was able to get into the lounge for just £24!
Take a look HERE
and in Singapore, ( Warning I hated the Singapore lounge! Don't bother with that one, just enjoy the amazing Singapore Changi Airport experience)
More about Singapore Changi Airport in this article
Blog Post: Why Singapore Airport Is the Best Airport in the World
Boarding: Welcome to Chaos
Boarding was disorganised and chaotic. Despite Scoot offering "BoardMeFirst" for ScootPlus passengers, the priority system wasn’t enforced very well. A messy crowd formed, announcements were inaudible, and staff looked overwhelmed. Not the best start.
To add insult to injury, departure was delayed, during boarding I was handed a cuplet of water, this is when they really start to take the pi$$.
Pre take off drinkypoo's for ScootPlus! A mouthful of water.
The Cabin & Seat: ScootPlus, Not Business Class
Let’s be clear: ScootPlus is not business or even Premium class. It's more like premium economy but with none of the premium, or in-fact anything.
The leather seat was spacious enough, with decent recline and plenty of legroom. There was a fold-out leg rest and a tray table from the armrest. No complaints there. But that's all you get. It’s a good seat. That’s it. Actually had a childrens amenity kit and trash in the back of the seat!
No entertainment screen. No amenity kit. No luxury. Not even a simple moving sky map. FFS. There was an old children's toy pack and litter stuffed down the back of the seat, Eughh.
Top tip: Download your entertainment before you fly. I had Saltburn and White Lotus saved, thank goodness.
Am I the only person in the world to not enjoy White Lotus?
The cabin layout is 2-3-2. There were just two cabin crew members serving the ScootPlus cabin, the crew are called “Scooties” Service was... well difficult to judge their wasn't any.
The Food: Meal & 7 Hours of Silence
Meal service was over in the blink of an eye. The food came within the first 30 minutes, and then... radio silence.
No snacks. No second drink offer. Nothing but a small paper cup of water handed out 20 minutes before landing. That’s seven hours of nothing. Absolutely nada.
As for the meal itself: it was a teriyaki and ginger chicken . I did get a drink (included with ScootPlus) I paid extra for an alcoholic beverage and had a small packet of cookies. Still, it felt like budget airline food was budgeting hard!
There were two Scooties handling ScootPlus. They started serving from the right side and moved slowly through the cabin. So where I was sat, I was served last.
If you’re flying Scoot, I recommend bringing your own snacks and a water bottle. You'll need them.
In-flight WiFi: Gone in 5 Minutes
Scoot offers three WiFi tiers: 20MB, 80MB, and 200MB. My fare included the 80MB Surf package.
I used mine up in five minutes trying to send a few WhatsApp messages and load Instagram. Forget streaming, or even casual browsing. If you’re thinking of staying connected while flying Scoot flights, lower your expectations or pre-purchase the highest tier in advance.
Also, the connection was patchy and dropped multiple times. For the price paid, it's not great.
Cleanliness & Toilets
The one bright spot: the toilets were clean each time I used them. Well-stocked, no queues, and regularly checked. That’s about the only area where Scoot air outperformed expectations. Pobably as the crew have nothing else to do LOL.
Time Blocking My Survival
With nothing much happening for 7+ hours, I broke the flight into chunks: a movie, a podcast, a nap, reading a magazine, a snack, a second movie. It helped pass the time, but honestly, I’ve had more engaging train rides.
Scoot Economy seats.
Scoot Extra Leg Room Seats.
Peace of Mind with AirTag
Traveling with checked luggage? Using an AirTag to track your bag provides peace of mind. Changi's efficient baggage handling means your luggage is in good hands, but having that extra layer of security ensures a stress-free journey.
Top Tip: I put an AirTag in my suitcase, I was able to check that my case was also enjoying its transit stop at Singapore Changi and the onwards to Abu Dhabi Airport.
Blog Post: Why You NEED an Apple AirTag in Your Luggage for Travel (And the New Feature That Makes It Even Better)
Ready for Take Off? Scoot Airlines Review
Is Scoot really a low-cost airline? Not with those prices.
For AUD 1,139.02 (or £598), I expected at least something! What I got was a slightly better economy seat, this would have been a normal economy seat in the 90's FYI, but them accountants have been crunching the numbers hard!
No entertainment. Poor WiFi. One meal. No second drink. No amenity kit. Delays. Chaos at boarding. This was the complete opposite of parent company Singapore Airlines product yet the price point wasn't that far off!
If Scoot is the future of “low-cost long-haul,” then you can keep it! I will do my bit for the environment and stick to trains around Europe. Or at the very least, sticking to carriers that understand low-cost doesn’t have to mean low-value.
Karen would like a word with the manager.
Scoot Airlines, also known as Scoot or Scoot Air, is a Singapore-based low-cost carrier owned by Singapore Airlines. Operating under the branding of FlyScoot or Fly Scoot, the airline has built a strong reputation for offering affordable and reliable travel options across Asia, Australia, and beyond. With a growing network of Scoot flights, passengers can enjoy modern aircraft, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, while supposedly benefiting from budget-friendly fares!
Getting to Singapore City Centre
Reaching downtown Singapore from Changi is straightforward:
MRT: The train journey to City Hall takes about 35 minutes and costs around SGD 2.
Bus: Bus 36 connects the airport to key areas like Orchard Road and City Hall.
Taxi: Available 24/7, offering a direct route to your destination.
Ride Apps: Services like Grab provide convenient transport options.
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Why Singapore Airport Is the Best Airport in the World
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24 Hours in Doha: A Guide to Making the Most of Your Stopover
Is the Plaza Premium Lounge at Heathrow T4 Worth the Hype? Find out HERE
24 Hours in Doha: A Guide to Making the Most of Your Stopover
How I Traveled Business Class on Qatar Airways for Less Than £250
Qatar Airways Economy Class Review: London to Zanzibar via Doha
Singapore Airlines Business Class A350 Review
If you've flown Scoot recently or had a wildly different experience, drop a comment below I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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Hello I’m Paul a travel and flight expert, I spent most of my career working in and around planes with 15 years providing top-notch service with a London-based airline.
I became an expert in travel after soaring across the Atlantic up to 10 times a month!
I’m now, producing travel content, reaching millions of viewers monthly. Reporting on travel news, sharing travel tips, reviews, and deals with a sprinkle of humour and a whole lot of authenticity!
I hope you enjoyed this Review of Scoot 787 Sydney to Singapore: Low Cost in Name, Premium in Price, do let me know in the comments........
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"Travelling without NordVPN? Forget it. In China, I couldn’t even access Gmail, maps, or podcasts until I fired up NordVPN. Instantly, I was back online, safe, and free to browse anything, anywhere."
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