Scoot – Singapore Airline’s Low-Cost Carrier

The last 20 years have seen a constant rise in the number of airlines attempting to master the complex and complicated art of long-haul low-cost flights. What makes this endeavour quite complicated is that it's not easy to have planes flying as much as possibile on long distances while maintaining low levels of disruptions which can drive up the cost per unit. However, the most successful attempt to master this complicated business model is Scoot. So, let's find out what Scoot is, how the airline operates and where it does so you can possibly consider it for your next trip.

What is Scoot and When Did It Start Flying?

Scoot, with its distinctive yellow livery is a budget airline based in Singapore Changi airport. The airline started operations in 2012 when Singapore Airlines management decided it needed a new division to intercept a quite different market segment.

Singapore Airlines is in fact one of the most premium airlines in the world. Therefore, being associated with cheap fares can be seen as detrimental to the brand's image. To cater to those more price sensitive passengers the airline decided to follow what Qantas had done years prior with the launch of Jetstar, by starting up its own low-cost carrier.

The idea is quite straight forward and simple. Create a new budget airline which can offer cheaper tickets to those willing to save on flights by have a more barebones experience onboard. Something that just cannot be associated with the premium parent company.

The first flights took off back in June 2012 when the airline started its service from Singapore to Sydney.

What is Scoot's Core Business Model?

The airline is primarily a long-haul low-cost carrier. However, it also serves many medium and short-haul destinations in southeast Asia and east Asia.

Its operations structure in many ways mirrors what Singapore Airlines offers but on a low-cost business model. The airline will offer cheap flights for passengers connecting to their destination via Changi Airport. The airline's network spans as far as Australia's east coast and central Europe.

Furthermore, as Scoot is part of the Singapore Airlines Group it also allows travellers to book mixed tickets. What that means is that you can book an itinerary comprised of both Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights. This often will happen when booking flights on Singapore Airlines outlets and there is no space on SIA flights. In this case Scoot will be offered as an alternative for one of the legs of the journey.

Is The Airline Part of an Airline Alliance?

This is a remarkably interesting topic. Scoot is in fact part of an airline alliance, however, not the same alliance its parent company is part of and nor a major airline alliance. Scoot is part of the so-called Value Alliance. An alliance that groups together 4 Asian low-cost carriers.

What About Scoot's Frequent Flyer Program?

Scoot doesn't have its own frequent flyer program. On the contrary it shares its parent company one, namely Singapore Airlines' Krisflyer. You can therefore earn miles when flying Scoot, albeit at a much slower rate, and redeem reward flights on the carrier too. This is a fantastic way to offer greater flexibility to frequent travelers and adds value to Krisflyer miles.

What do You Get When Flying Scoot?

Very little is the honest answer if you are booking an economy fare ticket. With the lowest fare tickets on Scoot, you'll get just the seat to get you from point A to point B and a cabin bag weighing up to 10kg. Anything extra, including power sockets you'll have to pay for.

Scoot Plus however, the airline's premium economy product, will give you access to an included checked bag, a meal, 30mb of data, electrical sockets and a better larger seat. Scoot Plus though comes with a hefty premium when compared to the Economy option.