I don’t have much experience with Premium Economy except for a single flight with Aeroflot 2 years ago so I would say this is almost an exciting experience to try something new.
Flight: TR3
Aircraft: 787-900 (9V-OJC Inspiring Spirit)
Seat: 1K
Load: 100% (35/35)
My journey started in the morning peak hour at SYD airport when most international departures are.
I was really early and arrived a good more than 3 hours early together with my parents and Brother who were all on separate flights with SQ and GA respectively. As such I had to wait for Scoot counter to open right at the 3 hour mark and they were punctual. I was one of the first.
ScootBiz has its own lane and counters.
Typical of LCC, my hand luggage has to be weighed and tagged despite I was travelling in their so-called premium cabin.
Having settled my tax refund matters, I explored the airport which is much nicer than I previously remembered. I don’t actually come here often, my last was 3-4 years ago. It’s now bright, spacious, and has lots of F&B options and shops and it won’t be difficult to pass time here without lounge access (no, ScootBiz is not providing lounge access, although I would love to have that possibly as part of PPS benefit!)
I didn’t spend and spent most of time walking around as I also had to send my parents and brother on different flights at different piers....
Some plane spotting. I spotted some that I don’t usually see like Air Canada and Cebu Pacific’s wide-body.
And in the distance, an Air Asia X and Air Vanuatu had just landed.
Just barely an hour before scheduled departure time, our Scoot bird just arrived.
I went to the gate and wow, I found it really packed. It’s doing really well.
Queues were divided into lanes but the screens were not showing anything so there was confusion of who is to line up where and the gate agent had a frustrating time trying to manage the situation where everyone tried to be at the gate all at once. Passengers were sorted by ‘zones’ 1-4. Scootbiz and perhaps passengers with children seem to belong to Zone 1.
Boarding commenced just a few minutes prior to scheduled departure, which means a guaranteed slight delay. Zone 1 and Zone 4 boarded together. So it’s not exactly a small crowd. ScootBiz has some privilege but not that super-privileged.
First, we all landed up at the jet bridge to wait. Okay, so we were some sort of time management victims for the extra fast turn-around that morning.
Entering onboard, we were greeted by rows of blue seats (quite ugly old fashioned colour scheme IMO)
From where, I was directed leftwards to my seat at 1K
ScootBiz seats are arranged in rows of 7s (2-3-2) and they are all recliners. I am having the expectation of a Premium Economy here so no compliants. I think it is appropriate.
I am on Row 1 with good legroom and I think this row is still the row to choose from. You can get in and out easily even when you have a seat mate.
The downside is that there is only one window.
I started to look around. Seats are in leather, and not exactly in top notch condition. However, I have to say that the seats feel good. And I find it a lot more comfortable than say Jet Airways domestic business class recliners where the recline and calf support don’t exactly match my needs. Somewhat, the Scoot ones feel really good on me. Mẩy be it’s designed to suit my Asian frame!
Less-than-top-notch condition headrest. This aircraft is 3 years old and such is the condition. Either the material is poor, or the maintenance is bad. or both
On the arm rest too.
Very basic functions of the seats but I really find them to be very suitable and comfortable.
Basic lighting and call function buttons.
In no time, service started with mineral water. Overall, I found the crew to be good enough.
And then they distributed the wifi password for the supposedly complimentary wifi.
I am going to rant a bit here. I think it’s too late! I didn’t know that ScootTV needs an app that needs to be downloaded from the App Store and that means it requires an internet connection!i had run out of data and once onboard, there was no wifi other than Scoot’s own. I wonder if it’s deliberate to make people spend more. I am sure the issue must have been highlighted on website etc but I am sure a lot of people would miss this fact as first timer. They could have highlighted it at check in counter using a pamphlet or poster even if not told verbally. I also wonder why they can’t use the SilkAir or Jet Airways system where it’s all accessible without a special app. Is it cheaper for them this way? Or it’s a hidden intent to direct people to purchase wifi.
Luckily it’s not that horribly long flight. And although I could enjoy a movie at least, I am actually happy that I complete this entire trip report on the flight itself!
They provide an extensive suite of reading materials: menu, shopping catalogue, IFE, and features.
The menu is very extensive. And many of them are available only on selected routes. The price point is ok by Australian standard but expensive by Singapore or Indian standard. For ScootBiz, it’s all included though and my pick today was the Signature Nasi Goreng with satay, which apparently is a recent addition to the menu.
Premium selection is a set and this is included in ScootBiz fare.
Elsewhere, one can also order individual hot meals. This page is an example, there are at least 10 more other pages.
Ice cream by Udders with local flavour. This is interesting.
Unless one is in ScootBiz,everything is chargeable. Even for power!
They also have prices for upgrades. I overheard a conversation between a passenger and the FA. She was trying to upgrade her Son and apparently it’s $160. I am not sure if this is to ScootBiz or stretch seats. I think it’s to ScootBiz as I overheard another price of $80 which must be to the stretch seats. For $160, i think is a good deal for a 7-8 hour flight. Does anyone have experience of upgrades on Scoot? I wonder of the price range between the online bids, the counter upgrade, and even on the plane itself, and of the price changes depending on availability.
I am really annoyed by the wifi issue.
They have a network map which shows mostly SQ cities. I think that’s not really helpful as I think interlining is not the norm.
And there is something called a Value Alliance. I wonder what this does. Again, I don’t think they codeshare, or interlink, or have rewards system that can be earned and redeemed across the alliance.
Scoot names every aircraft, some of them can be silly. My plane today, 9V-OJC is Inspiring Spirit (one of the more rational and sober names)!
I logged on to the wifi and i thought its quite an elaborate system! ScootTV could just be part of this. Annoying.
So my ScootTV Page was all highlighted by these icons since i didn’t download the app.
With no IFE screen, safety demonstration is manual.
Then pushback. Next to my beloved SQ.
It is always a sight to take off from Sydney. We headed south first and what I view I had from the right side of the plane. Stunning.
The sunshades soon were dimmed centrally by the FA although later on, we each individually could override it.
Where I peeped to look at some interesting scenes of the red centre.
While the single meal service was served. It started with a selection of beverage which includes wine served in plastic cup
The actual meal itself came about 20 minutes after that. It looks like an economy class meal. Main, potato salad, cookie, and water. I wish it was the Haagen Dasz as shown in the menu.
The Nasi Goreng was delicious. Totally worth it. The satay was moist and I thought it was even better than SQ’s!
And then almost 4 hours into the flight, we left the continent near Broome.
Another 2 hours later, we flew over Bali. The smaller island is the island of Nusa Penida.
and then onwards to Singapore.
Overall impression:
I am really happy with ScootBiz and would not hesitate to fly with them again. I think it’s a good balance of an affordable price point and space. I wouldn’t mind it even on European routes (day time eastbound routes).not sure about the westbound overnight but may be ok too. I am only annoyed by having to download ScooTv app prior to the flight. It’s silly to tell us so onboard. But then, I wouldn’t face this issue again.
