Thanks for clicking on Part 5 of my Autumn Asia series. Picking up where I left off in Taipei (lovely city btw) with a few photos…
My tags for my CX flight
View from my budget hotel…pretty cool
Approaches to TSA (the local Taipei airport) are in front of the Chinese style building at the back….must be great spotting from there (The Grand Hotel)
I trip up the mountain on the cable car
And Taipei 101 (I went up the last time, so just took photos from the ground this time)
Taiwan also wants them!
From Taipei I took the train along the north coast to the harbour town of Keelung which was much nicer than expected.
They have a famous food market (open 24hrs?)
The fairy cave Buddhist shrine
Lovers Lake
And a view from nearby
A day trip to Jiufen and Jinguashi, mountain resorts near Keelung
A 1940’s Japanese house in Jinguashi
Back in Taipei, I headed to Xinbeitou to have a go in the hot springs…this is the hot river feeding it
And then down to the Shilin night market
A day trip to Wulai for some mountain air, and more hot water
My private room for an hour. Some spring air, and a massive tub filled with mineral rich thermally heated water
Finally, before I headed off to Singapore, I squeezed in an hour under the flight path of TSA airport. This airport sees a peculiar mix of military, Taiwan domestic, Chinese charter and select Japanese flight action. Sadly SIN and HKG are not served from this handy downtown airport. My spotting place isn’t great (it’s a bit close), but was the best I could find with zero research.
Sichuan Airlines from Chengdu
My final plane, a CI A330 from HND
I caught a rather nice bus over to TPE from the main station, arriving about an hour later
By some chance, Swedish a.netter deltamartin happened to be passing through the same day inbound from HKG, so we stopped to have a few beers before we headed in separate directions. Was nice to meet you!
So, why was I on a Scoot flight to Singapore? Well, my aim was Bangladesh again. From Taipei, there were a few options. I could use my Avios for a flight on Dragonair via HKG (boring). I found a cool routing on CI (B744) and CZ (737) via CAN in Business, but it was a little pricey (I think in retrospect I should have gone for it though, given the money I spent in Singapore!). Other (initially cheaper) options involved self connecting via Malaysia or Singapore.
As I wasn’t in a particular rush, I thought I’d go via S.E.Asia, and stop for a few days. I found a cheap flight from KUL to DAC on MH that I liked the look of. To get down to the general area was a choice basically of Scoot or Air Asia X (normal airlines were waaay overpriced). Scoot won in the end due to having a slightly lower price, a slightly better schedule, and it was a new airline (although I’ve only done Air Asia before, rather than the “X” version). Neither choice particular enticed me, however.
There wasn’t too much of a queue for the Scoot desk…15 minutes, with plenty of counters open. Most people seemed to be checking in at least 1, if not 2 large bags each, so 15 minutes seemed reasonable. This was, AFAIK this was the longest wait I’ve had to check in for a long time…you get so used to flashing a shiny card, using OLCI, automatic bag drops, or just using a C line (or an efficient airline). My bag was tagged with no fuss, and my pass issued. I asked about changing seat, but was told that they couldn’t do that (I guess online only?).
The ridiculous EVA Air Hello Kitty check in area.
FIDS. By far the most interesting flight on the board is BR 770 to Tunxi, or better known in the West at being the gateway to Yellow Mountain (photos of which can be found in my report from last year).
There was a long queue for security, although it moved fairly quickly. I was shortly stamped out of the country, and in the departures area.
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 1, posted (6 months 2 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 8390 times:
I stopped at duty free to buy a bottle for the friend I’d be staying with in Singapore, then headed down to the gate. A handy list of things near each gate:
TPE is trying to mimic SIN and ICN with their cosy little areas, but the drab architecture and a poor layout hinder the effect.
An interesting collection of jazz instruments
A library…nice idea
Views of the tarmac are fairly good, although through horribly tinted glass.
My Scoot!
More Hello Kitty!
And here she (he?) is, Big Yella Fella (who names these planes?!). According to Martin, she’s been sitting on the tarmac for a while (around 4 hours). There was quite a long rest here for her…wonder why.
When boarding was called, I was one of the first in line.
October 2012
Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) – Singapore Changi (SIN)
Scoot TZ 201
Scheduled: 1810-2225 (4h15m)
Actual: 1829-2241 (4h12m)
Boeing 777-200 9V-OTB
Scootin’ Class (just made that up)
This plane had been in the Scoot fleet less than a month when I flew, although she’s spent 15 years with SQ as 9V-SQB.
I had pre-paid a small nominal amount to get one of the few pairs of seats right at the back (so called love seats on the TZ website), so headed to the back. The cabin looks a lot better than I had imagined.
Here’s my seat, in yellow, to show that it’s a more expensive seat.
Legroom is very good here
Before the cabin fills, I try out a normal blue seat as well…it’s a bit tighter, but still perfectly acceptable.
There’s an IFE box (very small) under the seat, although for the life of me don’t know why it’s there. Surely you don’t need something like this when the seat is only equipped with a light and call bell? The call bell, as other have pointed out, it disastrously positioned. The slightest move of the hips sets it off.
I find the cabin a bit hot. I mention this to the FA standing next to door 4R who immediately goes and fiddles with the panel next to her. She apologises and explains that the temperature will come down after take off. The staff are very good.
Out the window…it’s getting dark
Safety card
BOB card. It was a good introduction to Singaporean prices (i.e. more than you’d have thought them to be)
The mag (which was reasonable)
Paid for iPad IFE
And duty free
Despite the fact that Big Yella Fella has been lying dormant all afternoon, and all the human cargo was on board in time, we are delayed due to late loading cargo. Looks like some SQ stuff is hitching a lift
Before too long, we push off, with the crew doing a manual safety demo. The flight seems nearly completely full (at least in the rear section). Other than the exit row seats, not a single seat is empty. Time to increase from the present x3 weekly? This is the first wide body plane I’ve ever been on without any screens at all. No personal or general TVs to be seen.
We pass the Malaysian competition.
And the Evergreen (EVA Air) hangers
With this behemoth hiding inside
Not too far behind schedule we leave Taipei for Singapore. Once the seatbelt signs are off, the crew spring into action. There are two trolleys being worked on both aisles, although the crew aren’t terribly proactive in selling the stuff inside. I see quite a few people eating their own food. The crew don’t seem to mind.
I pre-ordered a chicken and rice meal, which comes with a soft drink and bag of fruit crisps.
Some ten minutes after my drink and crisps arrive, my main course is served. It comes in one of those awful plastic sleeves, where the corners disintegrate when you try and pull them, hence having to pierce the film instead.
What a treat. To be fair, it tastes ok, but scores close to nil for aesthetics
With the abbreviated meal service over with, the lights are turned off, and everyone left to their own devices. As you can see, without the flickering of any PTVs, the cabin is quite peaceful.
With nothing much to do, I read my book. The flight is terribly uneventful.
A dark and quiet 3 hours later, we begin our approach into Singapore.
Time to leave!
ScootBiz. It looks like an acceptable Y+ product. I read some angry comments in Business Traveller about someone who felt conned by the name. The official Scoot reply waffled on about it not being called “Business Class”, but ScootBiz to differentiate it. Sounds like marketing BS to me as clearly this is not business class.
Heading to arrivals. I note that in a few hours Big Yella Fella will be operating route #1 down to Sydney.
Bags are soon on the belt.
Arrivals
With my bag picked up, I make my way towards the MRT for my ride into town. At barely gone 11pm, I’m quite shocked to hear a recorded announcement, “the final train connecting to the city is at the platform”. &%$!!! I rush down to the stupid ticketing machines (that still don’t take anything bigger than a $10 (when all the ATMs will only dispense $20 and above)….thank goodness I have some small change. I rush onto the platform only to see the train won’t leave for another few minutes. Grr, couldn’t they have announced “the final train will leave in 10 minutes” or something? What a way to panic people. After an hour or so on the train, and a painfully awkward taxi ride, I get to my friend’s flat. A harried end to a fairly pleasant journey.
So, Scoot? When I booked I had the feeling that I wouldn’t enjoy the flight. It turns out it all went pretty well. The cabin was clean, the seats comfy, and the staff helpful. Whether I’d feel the same on a longhual overnight in a standard seat remains to be seen, but for me, this TPE-SIN flight was fine. Thumbs up for Scoot (although the name and livery is still ridiculous).
Future reports include:
MI SIN-LGK A320 Y
FY LGK-SZB ATR Y
MH KUL-DAC A330 Y
4H DAC-ZYL DH8-100 Y
9W DAC-CCU B737-700 Y
AI CCU-DEL B788 Y
AI IXM-MAA-BLR A32S Y
SV BLR-DMM-JED-LHR A330/B773 Y
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 1): Some ten minutes after my drink and crisps arrive, my main course is served. It comes in one of those awful plastic sleeves, where the corners disintegrate when you try and pull them, hence having to pierce the film instead.
abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4915 posts, RR: 55 Reply 6, posted (6 months 2 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 7400 times:
Thanks for the report on Scoot. Seems like quite a number of them have been popping up on A.Net. A crude indicator of its load and performance ? Meal did look awful though. I am glad it tasted better.
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 7, posted (6 months 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 7251 times:
Thanks for all the comments guys!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): another interesting report with nice destination pictures!
THanks
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): Interesting, there weren't any widebody operations when we went there.
There weren't many widebodies.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): Well, it seems EVA Air can earn money with that. And I don't mind about logojets of any kind.
Ha, fair enough. I guess it's nice to see. A bit more fun that what's usually on offer!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): Well, you find such kind of Business Class seats on various European carriers, for example. It's a matter of perspective.
Well, yes, but in the local arena, this is NOT business class. Even Air Asia X have lie flats!
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 5): Nice pix from Taiwan, it's a placed I'd like to visit, and not just to see planes!
Yes, it's a great place...go visit!
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 6): Thanks for the report on Scoot. Seems like quite a number of them have been popping up on A.Net. A crude indicator of its load and performance ?
Well, it's a new airline, so curiosity no doubt plays a part!
sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1173 posts, RR: 29 Reply 8, posted (6 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 6543 times:
Hello Gabriel,
A good report with interesting pics from local hangouts in Tiapei. Scoot looks very basic and almost truly low cost. The legroom looks very good but the meal service is a laugh. It kinda looks like the meal I had on AB to PMI some time ago.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I asked about changing seat, but was told that they couldn’t do that (I guess online only?).
Huh? You were at the checkin desk and they couldn't or wouldn't change your seat?
I like the name more than Barry of Gone Scootin' or whatever the other names are.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): This is the first wide body plane I’ve ever been on without any screens at all. No personal or general TVs to be seen.
It indeed makes for a soothing ambience and for a relatively short flight it doesn't matter too much.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): What a treat. To be fair, it tastes ok, but scores close to nil for aesthetics
I hope this meal didn't empty your wallet. 0 points for presentation!
Whoa, that looks to be more than 29 inches...... SQ sure rubs off on them!
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): So, Scoot? When I booked I had the feeling that I wouldn’t enjoy the flight.
I think the same applies to the majority of people who book with the LCCs...... I've never looked forward to my Air Asia flights - they're to be tolerated, at best. But then, as the saying goes, half the fun is getting there. So, flying LCC takes away half the fun!
But having seen a 777 being used by an LCC, albeit with 10-abreast seating (heck, EK, AF, NZ etc. are also 3-4-3) I actually liked the idea, no doubt of course due to the fact that the 777 is my favourite plane!
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 10, posted (6 months 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 6543 times:
Quoting sultanils (Reply 8):
A good report with interesting pics from local hangouts in Tiapei
Thanks Nils
Quoting sultanils (Reply 8): The legroom looks very good but the meal service is a laugh.
Yes good legroom, crap meal presentation!
Quoting sultanils (Reply 8): Huh? You were at the checkin desk and they couldn't or wouldn't change your seat?
I think seats are maybe pre-aranged from SIN?
Quoting sultanils (Reply 8): I hope this meal didn't empty your wallet. 0 points for presentation!
Ha, no, it wasn;t too expensive
Quoting 777MAS (Reply 9): Whoa, that looks to be more than 29 inches...... SQ sure rubs off on them!
Yes, great legroom
Quoting 777MAS (Reply 9): But having seen a 777 being used by an LCC, albeit with 10-abreast seating (heck, EK, AF, NZ etc. are also 3-4-3) I actually liked the idea, no doubt of course due to the fact that the 777 is my favourite plane!
10 across on the 777 isn't too bad. I've tried AZ and TZ now, both ok
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6081 posts, RR: 56 Reply 11, posted (6 months 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 6543 times:
Hi Gabriel!
Thanks for another great report in this series!
Scoot looks okay but like you said very odd to see a wide body without a video or TV screen anywhere. That may be okay on a short flight but not on a longer flight. I guess you can always bring your own or rent the iPad.
Food doesn't look so good but glad to hear that it tasted okay.
Looking forward to your next report!
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
allrite From Australia, joined Aug 2007, 1409 posts, RR: 3 Reply 12, posted (6 months 2 weeks 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 6543 times:
Thanks for the report! The photos of Taipei were inspiring as we have just been planning a visit to Taiwan next year as part of an Asian LCC adventure.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): So, Scoot? When I booked I had the feeling that I wouldn’t enjoy the flight. It turns out it all went pretty well. The cabin was clean, the seats comfy, and the staff helpful. Whether I’d feel the same on a longhual overnight in a standard seat remains to be seen, but for me, this TPE-SIN flight was fine.
Unfortunately, having flown SYD-SIN return on Scoot in a standard economy seat I can't be as enthusiastic as you are, finding the seats very hard and the foot space uncomfortable. Perhaps the window seat is less comfortable than the aisle seat you are pictured trying, but you do give me hope that my wife won't be as uncomfortable as I was when we do a couple of legs with them next year. So far, give me Jetstar any day.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 11): Scoot looks okay but like you said very odd to see a wide body without a video or TV screen anywhere. That may be okay on a short flight but not on a longer flight. I guess you can always bring your own or rent the iPad.
Their website says they are having troubles with their iPads and they are currently out of service. What would be good is power to all seats so you can more easily BYO for 8 hour flights, especially when you want to use your them after arrival!
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 13, posted (6 months 2 weeks 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 6543 times:
Quoting The777Man (Reply 11): Thanks for another great report in this series!
No problem!
Quoting The777Man (Reply 11):
Scoot looks okay but like you said very odd to see a wide body without a video or TV screen anywhere. That may be okay on a short flight but not on a longer flight. I guess you can always bring your own or rent the iPad.
Yeah, you can rent an iPad, or bring your own.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 11): Food doesn't look so good but glad to hear that it tasted okay.
And once again, you are free to bring your own food. I think they said somewhere that you weren't allowed to bring your own drinks though?
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6081 posts, RR: 56 Reply 15, posted (6 months 2 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 6543 times:
Hi Allrite!
Quoting allrite (Reply 12): What would be good is power to all seats so you can more easily BYO for 8 hour flights, especially when you want to use your them after arrival!
That's a very good idea!
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 17, posted (6 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 6543 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 16): As usual a very nice and detailed account of your travels. Lots of lovely destination pics coupled with aviation. A really nice combo IMHO.
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2212 posts, RR: 14 Reply 18, posted (6 months 1 week 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 6542 times:
Hi Gab
Interesting report about Scoot! Thanks for sharing! How much did the 2-seaters cost, if not too much it looks like it's worth the investment.
I would not call J actually a J class either, more like Y+
Taipei looks great as well
CaptainRed From Germany, joined Oct 2010, 578 posts, RR: 19 Reply 19, posted (6 months 1 week 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 6542 times:
Hi Gabriel,
great report as usual. Wonderful pictures from Taiwan here, looks indeed like a very nice destination to spend some time. This Hello-Kitty-thing seems to be really big there, oh well.
And your flight with Scoot, well, seemed to be ok. True, they could indeed improve on their food presentation, doesn't look too appetizing. And actually I like their livery, it is something different.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 19): Wonderful pictures from Taiwan here, looks indeed like a very nice destination to spend some time.
Yes, it's a great country
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 19): And your flight with Scoot, well, seemed to be ok. True, they could indeed improve on their food presentation, doesn't look too appetizing. And actually I like their livery, it is something different.
Yes, the flight was pretty good. But I'm sorry, I disagree about the livery!
adamspotter From Netherlands, joined Feb 2011, 776 posts, RR: 2 Reply 21, posted (6 months 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 6542 times:
Hi Gabriel,
Nice addition to your Asia series! Looks like you had quite an OK flight with Scoot giving that you boarded with 0 expectations. All in all they seem to be quite ok, although I dont see myself sitting there on a night flight.
Great destination and spotting pictures too, really enjoyed them
deltamartin From Sweden, joined Dec 2010, 1059 posts, RR: 9 Reply 23, posted (5 months 4 weeks ago) and read 6341 times:
Hi Gab!
Nice report as usual, and good to see some pictures of Taipei, I also enjoyed my stay there very much!
Scoot looks rather nice, will be interesting to see what SQ does with it in the future. I'd like to try them one day, that's for sure.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): And Taipei 101 (I went up the last time, so just took photos from the ground this time)
Nice pictures, that building sure is an impressive one.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): By some chance, Swedish a.netter deltamartin happened to be passing through the same day inbound from HKG, so we stopped to have a few beers before we headed in separate directions. Was nice to meet you!
It was indeed great meeting you! Thanks again and tell me whenever you're going to Sweden!
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): According to Martin, she’s been sitting on the tarmac for a while (around 4 hours). There was quite a long rest here for her…wonder why.
Indeed, I took a picture or two of him, will include it in my TR. I was thinking the long downtime maybe had something to do with adjusting the schedule to the TPE-NRT flight which they now have started operations on, I think.
Quoting adamspotter (Reply 21): Looks like you had quite an OK flight with Scoot giving that you boarded with 0 expectations. All in all they seem to be quite ok, although I dont see myself sitting there on a night flight
Yes, I thought Scoot were quite ok
Quoting adamspotter (Reply 21): Great destination and spotting pictures too, really enjoyed them
Thanks
Quoting raffik (Reply 22): The food looks awful! Like something you'd stick in a microwave when you can't be bothered to cook!
Ha, indeed, not a work of art
Quoting raffik (Reply 22): The product seems good- very strange to see a 777 without any form of IFE.
Strange, but nice for a change
Quoting deltamartin (Reply 23):
Nice report as usual, and good to see some pictures of Taipei
Thanks!
Quoting deltamartin (Reply 23): Nice pictures, that building sure is an impressive one.
Yeah, is a great structure. Did you go up?
Quoting deltamartin (Reply 23): Indeed, I took a picture or two of him, will include it in my TR. I was thinking the long downtime maybe had something to do with adjusting the schedule to the TPE-NRT flight which they now have started operations on, I think.
roberts87 From Netherlands, joined Dec 2011, 660 posts, RR: 0 Reply 25, posted (5 months 2 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 4778 times:
Nice little report on Scoot, Gabriel, thanks for sharing. Nice special I would say, but hey, they get you to your destinantion for a very decent price!
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