Airline review: This economy class is ‘very economy’, but excels at it

I like to call this “very economy”, with purchased meals and no entertainment system. I’m in 42F, with seats in a 3-3-3 configuration. The seat allocation algorithm is a mystery on par with the Bermuda Triangle. What forces are at play? Does my extra luggage purchase influence the aisle seat allocation instead of a middle? Oddly, the adjacent window seat is empty.

I wriggle immediately from my middle row aisle, but am asked to wait until take off. In lieu of a physical territory claim, I ‘nest’ and move bags, newspapers and water bottle into 41K, then sprint like Usain Bolt when allowed. Another brave conquistador joins me and we have a spare middle seat.

Baggage

I’m breaking the cardinal rule of flying with a pay-for-all-extras airline by travelling with a snowboard bag and second suitcase. I’ve bought a ticket that includes 20 kilograms of checked luggage and almost faint at the online offer to purchase another 20 kilograms for just €31 Euro ($58) extra. Take my money, please, this is a bargain compared to a full-service carrier’s baggage charges. Disappointment cuts when my bags total only 31 kilograms. In the spirit of budget flying I ask at check in if the unused nine kilograms can be refunded pro rata. It’s a no.

Entertainment

There are no seatback screens. A reason I’ve switched to a window seat is for the ancillary entertainment of watching central Australia roll out below, including a hypnotising show of cloud shadows on red dirt. I normally miss this, busy with other distractions.

Service

Having created my own inflight food and entertainment biosphere, service is redundant. There are six staff for 335 economy passengers and staff seem youthful and earnest.

Food

Just knowing there’s a food surcharge makes me feel like I’m entering The Hunger Games. I overcompensate with four sushi rolls, an apple and a bag of Caramello Koalas (children’s gifts but some won’t survive the flight).

Given mains cost $19, my $30 sushi feast is excessive, but I feel food secure. The pre-booked meals online (the teriyaki chicken looks delicious) are fresh and made to order pre-flight. They differ to the ScootCafe onboard menu, where meals are the type with a six-month lifespan. Order online.

Carbon emissions

Scoot is in the process of receiving seven new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 28 Airbus A320neos and 13 Airbus A321neos to maintain a young and fuel-efficient fleet. The airline also has a carbon offset program.

One more thing

My 2½ hours pre-flight arrival still places me at the queue’s end – so come early. No meals are to be brought onboard but anyone with allergies is excepted (though no one questioned my stow-away snacks).

The price

From $232 economy, one way.*

Verdict

Scoot is a low-cost airline and excels in this regard. The flight was $300 cheaper than any other one-way flight at the time. I wouldn’t be keen flying to Europe in one hit, but will book another shorter Scoot flight soon – this time with young kids. Now aware what to expect, I can prepare and endure.

Our star rating out of five

★★★

The writer travelled at her own expense.

*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.