[REVIEW] Scoot Economy vs ScootPlus: My 12-Hour Budget Flights from Singapore to Vienna and Back!

Thinking of flying long-haul on a budget airline—and wondering if it’s worth paying extra for a better seat? I’ve got you.

I recently flew Scoot’s new and longest non-stop route from Singapore to Vienna (Approximately 12 hours!) and tried both Scoot Economy in the Scoot-in-Silence zone and ScootPlus. The flight runs on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which fits 329 passengers across two cabin classes (Economy and ScootPlus).

So on my way there, I flew Economy. On the way back, I flew ScootPlus. Here’s how they compare:

Seat and Space

On my flight from Singapore to Vienna (it was the inaugural flight!), I flew Scoot Economy in the Scoot-in-Silence zone. These are essentially the ‘better’ Economy seats located at the front of the plane, just behind ScootPlus and ahead of standard Economy. The zone is reserved for passengers aged 12 and above—so no risk of a bawling toddler beside you—and the seats cost slightly more than those in regular Economy.

I found my Scoot Economy seat adequate—it offered around 30 to 31 inches of seat pitch, which was comfortable enough for my frame, and probably would be for most average-sized Singaporeans too.

In comparison, my return flight on ScootPlus felt downright luxurious: 38” pitch, 22” wide leather seats, and a much deeper recline—I felt like I was almost lying flat. It was basically a recliner armchair in the sky. Not to mention the ample legroom!

All seats, whether in Scoot Economy or ScootPlus, have adjustable headrests—great for dozing off without waking up with a sore neck or accidentally drooling on your neighbor.

Entertainment

No seatback screens here—whether you’re in Scoot Economy or ScootPlus. So, bring a book or load your devices with shows, podcasts, or whatever keeps you entertained.

Need to charge your device? Every seat on Scoot’s Boeing 787s has a three-point power outlet. It is free for ScootPlus passengers, and available to Scoot Economy passengers too—for a small fee.

ScootPlus also comes with free Wi-Fi for the entire flight (capped at 30MB). It won’t stream Netflix, but it’s enough to scroll Instagram, reply to texts, or post that airport selfie before takeoff.

Food & Drink

ScootPlus– you get a complimentary meal included—and you can choose your preferred option when booking. Changed your mind later? No problem—you can switch it up through Manage My Booking anytime between 2 to 72 hours before your flight.

Scoot Economy–  Meals are not included, but you can still pre-purchase one during booking, through Manage My Booking, or at Web Check-in—just make sure to do it 2 to 72 hours before takeoff.

Forgot to pre-order? You can still buy a meal onboard—if they haven’t run out by the time the trolley reaches your row. Nonetheless, there is no need to worry, you won’t starve as snacks are always available for purchase. Check out the Pokémon-themed snack pack I enjoyed!

Baggage & Boarding

For Scoot Economy, you get a respectable 10kg cabin baggage allowance—actually 3kg more than most budget airlines. But ScootPlus seriously ups the ante: 15kg cabin and 30kg checked baggage, and you will enjoy priority boarding,

Final thoughts

Personally, I find Scoot Economy comfortable enough—especially on red-eye flights, when the sleep fairy shows up and I’m out cold before I can even judge the seat pitch.

But if you’re anything like the Princess and the Pea—the type who needs three pillows, a silk eye mask, and a chiropractor on speed dial to get some shut-eye—or if you’re on the taller or wider side of the human spectrum, ScootPlus is your better bet.

Just know ScootPlus can cost nearly double (or more) compared to Scoot Economy, depending on the day, your luck, and the mysterious algorithms of airline pricing—so your wallet might need to stretch as much as your legs.