Over the past decade, the aviation industry has undergone several significant changes regarding the premium side of travel. There are now fewer first class cabins, and business class cabins are becoming more luxurious to fill this gap. More airlines have also begun offering premium economy seating, with this slowly becoming the more affordable version of what business class once represented.
With the popularity of premium economy cabins growing across airline fleets worldwide, it’s not just the full-service carriers offering them anymore either; many low-cost carriers have jumped on the bandwagon. One such example is Singaporean budget carrier Scoot – here’s all you need to know about its premium economy offerings.
What is ScootPlus?
More often than not, airlines call their premium economy cabins as it is or term it fancifully with the frequent word ‘plus’ added, such as British Airways’ ‘World Traveller Plus.’ In Scoot’s case, the airline’s premium economy offering is better known as – cue the drumroll – ScootPlus. But before this name, ScootPlus was known as ScootBiz when the airline marketed the cabin as a business class cabin comparable to premium economy on major full-service carriers.
After much feedback from passengers on how ScootBiz seemed misleading – considering it was nothing like business class – Scoot re-campaigned the cabins as ScootPlus, a premium economy cabin with extra comfort and small amenities that can make all the difference for its passengers. This product is only available on the airline’s flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliners, although your ScootPlus fare may still offer benefits on non-Dreamliner flights if part of your itinerary (more on that below).
Of the 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in the low-cost carrier’s fleet, those with registrations ranging from 9V-OFA to 9V-OFG are configured with 21 ScootPlus seats. Then, 9V-OFH to 9V-OFK are fitted with 18 seats. And finally, 9V-OJA to 9V-OJJ feature a more premium-heavy layout consisting of 35 ScootPlus seats.
What are the benefits?
Passengers wishing to upgrade their travel with Scoot on ScootPlus can expect a cabin baggage allowance of 15 kilograms total for up to two pieces, on top of a checked allowance of 30 kilograms. Compared to the economy class allowances of only 10 kilograms of cabin baggage and 20 kilograms of checked baggage, ScootPlus indeed allows premium passengers to carry a significant amount more.
Since Scoot operates a no-frills, low-cost business model, its economy fare types do not come with any in-flight meals, except for FlyBagEat, where passengers get a hot meal with a beverage. But with ScootPlus, passengers will get a welcome drink, a snack, and a hot meal plus a beverage. Seat selection for any of the seats with extra legroom is also complimentary, as opposed to paying a fee to choose seats for other fare types.
Photo: Scoot
Also free for passengers flying in ScootPlus is the budget carrier’s priority boarding program, known as BoardMeFirst (only available at certain airports), as well as a 30MB onboard WiFi plan and in-seat power to stay connected throughout the flight. Passengers can also enjoy certain ScootPlus perks even if part of their itinerary is operated by an aircraft without a ScootPlus cabin, made possible through the ‘Mixed Cabin ScootPlus’ option.
This option allows passengers to access the premium perks on the Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and for connecting sectors on an Airbus A320, passengers still get to enjoy complimentary seat selection on a first-come-first-serve basis, the same baggage allowances, priority boarding, and a meal with a non-alcoholic drink. Although there will not be any welcome drink service available, flights below 90 minutes will see passengers getting snacks instead of a meal.
How much more?
Given that ScootPlus is a premium product, there’s a difference in airfare prices, which usually varies based on availability, demand, and the route. For example, the ScootPlus fare on a non-stop flight service from Singapore’s Changi International Airport to Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport on October 10th will demand S$1,479.82 ($1087.46), compared to the economy price point of S$824.82 ($606.13).
Photo: Scoot
The return leg on the same day goes for S$539.91 ($396.76), while economy class is priced at S$219.91 ($161.60). On the other hand, a red-eye non-stop flight service from Changi Airport to Tokyo Narita Airport on the given day will see ScootPlus offered at S$653.70 ($480.38) compared to economy pricing of S$392.90 ($288.73). For the morning return segment on October 11th, ScootPlus will cost S$505.88 ($371.75), and economy, S$268.08 ($197).
As we can see, a ScootPlus fare will generally be priced somewhere around double an economy seat. In return for the added premium, passengers will get:
- Wider seats
- More legroom
- Drinks and meals without charge
- Complimentary seat selection
- Extra baggage allowances
- Priority check-in and boarding
If passengers already booked in economy class don’t fancy spending so much on an upgrade to ScootPlus, the carrier does have a bidding scheme, much like those offered by various full-service carriers. All that is required is for passengers to choose their flight and bidding price, review their selection, and submit this request. Passengers will be notified at least 20 hours before departure if their bidding request was accepted or denied and will only be charged if accepted.