Info not on website, then how I know?

So we all (ok majority of travellers) know the check-in deadline for most airlines is 45 minutes before departure, including budget carriers.

And if you assume Scoot practices the same policy, it's time to read their Conditions of Carriage NOW, or carry on reading here.

Clause 7 clearly spells out the check-in deadline to be 60 minutes.

7 – CHECK-IN / BOARDING

7.1 – CHECK-IN DEADLINE

You must present yourself for check-in with your Booking reference, Baggage, official documents and any other items necessary for travel at least sixty (60) minutes prior to the scheduled departure time of your flight.

7.2 – BOARDING PASS AND BAGGAGE TAGS

We will issue you a boarding pass and baggage tag(s) for any Checked Baggage. Please ensure you keep these documents with you until you complete your travel with Scoot.

7.3 – BOARDING DEADLINE

You must be at the boarding gate at least forty-five (45) minutes prior to the scheduled departure time of your flight.

7.4 – REFUSAL TO TRANSPORT

Failure to meet the deadlines specified in 7.1 and/or 7.3 may result in Scoot being unable to accept you for transport. In such case, your fare and all associated fees may be forfeited without refund, in Scoot's sole discretion. 

With no information whatsoever on its website or itinerary, the onus is on the passenger to read the "Conditions", where the Preface sets the tone for indemnity against all sorts of claims.

PREFACE

It’s very important to Scoot that the Conditions of Carriage governing our relationship are clear and understood. We therefore strongly encourage you to read this document and to seek any necessary clarification from us prior to making your purchase – Further information can be found on our website www.flyscoot.com or by calling our guest call centre. Please note that, upon completing the purchase process, you will be deemed to have read, understood and accepted these Conditions of Carriage.

A consumer has no right to contest the 60-minutes check-in deadline, but at least have it somewhere on the website. The absence of check-in information on flyscoot.com is confirmed as of 16 August.

Check-in information not on FAQ or Travel Information

Other than the three main LCCs that have been mentioned in previous posts, most if not all airlines have check-in information clearly listed or hidden somewhere on their websites. Even the notorious Ryanair says in a FAQ that its Bag Drop counters (all check-ins have to be done online) "closes strictly 40 minutes before departure".

China's first LCC Spring Airlines even has a chart showing the check-in process and deadlines. 

The check-in deadline of 45 minutes is not unique to LCCs, legacy carriers operating widebodies are also practicing the same policy, some like Thai Airways are even generous enough to extend the deadline to just 30 minutes before departure. 

Scoot clearly needs to communicate the real serious stuff better to its customers. Consumers too, should look beyond the cheap fares and get to know the details, such as the exorbitant fees - highest amongst all Singapore-based LCCs.  

Check-in anytime anywhere

AirAsia was among the first LCCs in this region to start online/mobile check-in, and they've pushed the envelope further by opening check-in from seven days before flight to the moment your ticket is confirmed.

Reach airport two hours before flight, queue and waste precious time getting irritated by the slow-moving queue? That's so 90s.

Once the name and passport details are entered, and after declining the travel insurance option, an 'Important Notice' page will pop-up at the 5th stage of the check-in process-reminding you of the deadlines for checking of documents and luggage deposit, and other usual security notices.

While they recommend 45 mins as a cut-off time for documents check (self-printed boarding pass and passport), and do not say explicitly whether you will be denied boarding if you reach the counter later than that, I'd say 30 mins is the latest if you want to clear immigration and make it to your gate on time.

Not sure if they still handle 'counter check-in', but all of AirAsia's counters at Changi only display 'Baggage Drop'.

The last I checked, there was no need for document check at KL's LCCT.

Jetstar has an online check-in function too, but it's only open for flights 48 hours before departure, and you'll still have to go to the counter to get a proper boarding pass.

Standard check-in cut-off deadline of 40 mins apply.

Tiger and Scoot do not have web check-in facilities.

Jetstar $168 NON-STOP to Osaka

Jetstar flies DIRECT to Osaka from 1 Nov!

Finally a cheap non-stop flight to Japan - $168 one-way all in now on sale!!

Long-haul flights are on A330 so not to worry, its not the usual squeezy A320 used on regional flights.

Awesome schedule:

SIN 2230 - 0600 KIX

KIX 1030 - 1620 SIN

1 Nov - 17 Dec on Thurs, Fri, Sat

18 Dec onwards Mon, Thurs, Fri Sat

With the new service, they have up to 4 flights a day to Osaka, the two others via Taipei and Manila, so make sure you select the right 'Direct flight'.

According to their sale page, fares to Tokyo, Fukuoka and Sapporo are also available on a single through fare via Osaka (domestic flights on Jetstar Japan)!

At just $261 one way, Sapporo suddenly seems alot closer! Then again, with so many new budget flights flying to Hokkaido, I'm sure there's always another promo to be had.

Hooray no more expensive SIA charter flights! Also, SIA is the only other airline operating direct flights between Singapore to Osaka.

Scoot to Taipei $88 nett!!

Update 11 Jul: New round of promo fares to all destinations - $49 to Bangkok and $99 to Sydney, Gold Coast, Tianjin and Taipei. For travel dates, visit http://bit.ly/NSOOvi

Scoot to Taipei $88 ONE-WAY ALL-IN

Book now decide later!

Travel between Sept and March 2013

Schedule:
Sept 18 to Oct 27 - 3 flights weekly, Tue, Sat and Sun
Oct 28 onwards - Daily


SIN 0105 - TPE 0540
TPE 1540 - SIN 2010

Scoot launching Taipei on Monday

update 8 July : Scoot says its promo launch fares to Taipei will be  for travel till March 2013. I think we can assume its from October till March, including the December holidays.

Scoot has announced on their FB page that they're launching promo fares to Taipei on Monday 9 July.

But what about Tokyo? Perhaps it's a marketing tactic to separate the two launches to gain maximum publicity.

Stayed tuned for launch details on Monday. Start planning your trip now.

Nom Nom

They've recently their booking page to include more ancillary products such as pre-booking of meals, iPad rental and insurance.

By showing huge pictures of hot dishes, you can be sure those meals will be pre-booked like hot cakes.

At $16 for a hot dish, a drink and fruit cup, it's only $1 cheaper than purchasing onboard. If you find the hot dishes familiar, that's because Jetstar Asia also serves them. The hot meals are from the same supplier.

More information on inflight F&B here http://www.flyscoot.com/index.php/en/in-flight/food-beverage.html .

You can also view the entire very colourful PDF menu here http://www.flyscoot.com/images/Ref_PDFs/ancillaries/scoot_menu_resized.pdf .

Get ready for Taipei and Tokyo

Scoot should be launching ticket sales for its Taipei and Tokyo route either this week or next. If you need to plan, it's advisable to start now.

What we already know:

• The new route will start in October
• It's a daily service
• It will fly to Tokyo via Taipei, which means the entire journey will take at least 9 hrs - 4 hrs 35 min to TPE, followed by a 1 hr 15 min layover, then another 3 hr 10 min to NRT 

What we're anxious to know:

• The flight schedule
• Launch fares

A direct flight from Singapore to Tokyo takes between 7 hrs and 7 hrs 15 min.

Economy seats

Like Jetstar's Taipei - Osaka service, all connecting passengers will have to disembark and go through security screening again at Taipei airport.

Soya chicken rice 

But will you subject yourself to such inconvenience for a SG$300 nett return fare to Tokyo? To leisure travellers, I think the answer is a resounding yes.

So, are you ready to grab those dirt cheap launch fares?

Economy stretch seats

My guess is SG$68 to Taipei and SG$88 to Tokyo, one-way, all-in. 

12 inches - Bigger the Better?

New Economy screens

Do you see what I see?

Yes those are humongous IFE screens, 12.1 inches to be exact, with new control handsets beneath. 

Emirates have installed these on the Economy seats of their new B777s and new A380s from next year.

The current screens are just 10.9 inches, 0.3 more than other airlines'. 

Current Economy screens

Not only will IFE screens get bigger across all three classes, they will also feature HD resolution, with content increasing from 1200 to 1300 choices. A new interface system developed by Panasonic and Emirates will also make navigation easier.

New Business Class screens

New Business Class screens will increase to 20 inches, and First Class seats will feature 27-inch screens.

Emirates' ICE system is still the world's best inflight entertainment system, but the same cannot be said for its onboard service, which is often hit-or-miss, or at times simply unacceptable. 

Do note that the economy class layout on their B777-300ERs is 3-4-3 or 10 in a row, can be quite a squeeze if the flight is full. Other airlines using the same aircraft typically install only 9 seats or 3-3-3 per row.

Emirates B773ER's 3-4-3 layout 

While some continuously upgrade their IFE hardware, others like Cathay Pacific recently said it has plans to remove IFE systems to save one or two tonnes of weight per plane. Instead, it would install power sockets at every seat so passengers could plug in their tablets. 

Cathay Pacific's new Economy seats with 9-inch (only) screens

For LCCs like Scoot, this concept is a no-brainer. But for premium carriers such as Cathay, it seems odd that they are even considering scrimping on passenger experience and comfort, given the state of competition and yes, high fuel prices.

Emirates president Tim Rice once said airlines that don't offer IFE "are fools". 

Oh one disadvantage I foresee from the big screens is that, the flickering "light" from your neighbouring screens could be a nuisance if you're trying to sleep on an overnight flight. Then again there's always the complimentary eye-shade.

Jetstar opens early check-in counter

Jetstar

Jetstar has quietly started an early check-in counter, which means you can check-in anytime from 10am on the day of your flight, hence no more queues and you can get that preferred row ahead of everyone else.

It is located at Row 8 at Changi's Terminal 1. I would think this benefits those on transit, or someone who plans to shop alot before their flight, otherwise why would anyone be at the airport so early? 

You often hear people say "oh must be at the airport 2 hours before flight", but do you question why? There is absolutely no reason for you to do so. Jetstar Asia (3K) and Valuair (VF) flights close 40 minutes and Jetstar (JQ) flights close 1 hour before departure, so long you present yourself at the counter even just 1 minute before the deadline, you'll still be checked-in for the flight.

Do take note even if you've checked-in online, you'll still have to get a proper boarding pass at the counter.

The instructions don't specify a cut-off time, but I assume its "safe" to reach the counter 40 minutes before the flight, especially if you have bags to check-in.

Tiger Airways

Tiger has an early check-in counter too, at the far right side of the hall. I see no reason why anyone would want to check-in and head into airside early, since the area's a dump.

Otherwise, their counters close 45 minutes before flight times. I have seen people still queueing to check-in about 30 minutes to their flight, but that was due to lousy management of check-in logistics. They implemented common check-in counters and got everyone to form snaking queues. Of course they couldn't clear everyone in time and had to open another counter 5 minutes before every flight closes just to check-in those folks who have obediently queued for 1 hour.

I think they're reverted back to specific counters for individual flights, can't wait for them to move to Terminal 2 in September.

Tiger does not have any web check-in facility.

Hong Kong


If you're departing Hong Kong on Jetstar or Tiger, in-town check-in at Kowloon or Hong Kong stations are available, should you be taking the Airport Express. However, I find the Airport bus services alot more convenient, and the ticket price is just 1/4 that of Airport Express. But that's another story altogether.

Hong Kong Station

Kowloon Station

AirAsia

The most innovative of the lot, all in the name of cost-saving - the need for less airport manpower, and it benefits customers too.

You can check-in online or via the mobile app, up to seven days before the flight.

If using web check-in, you'll have to print the boarding pass and get it stamped or verified at the counter 45 minutes before the flight. I suppose if you have no bags to check-in you can afford to be a little late, say 35 minutes?

For mobile app check-ins, you'll have to scan the bar code at the kiosk to obtain a boarding pass, then get it stamped by a customer service personnel. Both web and mobile check-ins close 1 hour before flights, and 4 hours for AirAsia X flights.

Kiosks at Changi's Terminal 1 Row 11.

Scoot

No relevant information on its website, one can only assume counters open 2 hours and close 45 minutes before flights.

Seoul near yet Seoul far

So it seems neither Scoot not Jetstar can start services to Seoul in the near future, because SIA has used up all the slots allocated to Singapore carriers, says a Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) article.

The industry website adds that in addition to the four (4!) daily services, SIA also flies seasonal charters to Busan. But even if SIA cancels Busan, it only frees up a maximum of three weekly services.

"Scoot could only operate more services if SIA reduces its operation of four daily flights, which it is unlikely to do as the services feed into its key departure banks." CAPA adds.

It also says the Singapore government tried "on numerous occasions" to expand the bilateral agreement but the South Korean government just didn't budge.

Is protectionism at play? or are we not lobbying hard enough?

Looks like the only cheap option of getting to Seoul for now remains with AirAsia X.

S Korea has LCCs too 

Did you know, South Korea was the pioneer in the region's LCC industry? The airlines ply short-haul routes (within a 5-hour radius) domestically and internationally.

Asiana has Air Busan and Korean Air owns Jin Air, other independent airlines include Jeju Air, T'way air and Eastar Jet.

They now fly many new routes out of Incheon and the previously domestic-only downtown Gimpo airport to neighbouring cities within the North Asia region, such as Bangkok, Taipei, Hong Kong and Macau.

Except Korea and the ports they fly to, nobody really knows these small Korean carriers, mainly because there is very little publicity and they don't operate in the LCC model that we're used to.

Their fares are by no means cheap. A random check on Jin Air's Bangkok to Incheon route shows usd350 one-way, inclusive of taxes. A ticker on the homepage says the route's lowest fare can be had for THB5900 or S$245 one-way. For a five-hour flight, the price seems acceptable, but a return trip would then come up to S$600, which I believe would be quite close to a promo fare on THAI, Korean or Asiana.

According to CAPA, the Korea-style LCC which offers perks such as free luggage allowance and drinks (and high prices) "is all the market will tolerate". But now that Peach has entered the market, followed very soon by Jetstar and AirAsia, the players may soon have to adopt the stripped-down LCC model to compete.

So maybe one day when someone in Korea decides to start a long haul LCC and wants to fly to Singapore, we can then perhaps expect a similar reciprocal arrangement to accommodate the additional landing rights.

Scoot to Tokyo via Taipei

update: Scoot has officially confirmed Taipei and Tokyo, as tweeted by Channel NewsAsia @cnalatest moments ago.

update: In a Business Times interview, CEO Campbell Wilson revealed the airline is looking to add another four more destinations by end of the year, which "could include second-tier cities in China and two more around the region - mostly cities not served by local carriers". Somehow Taipei and Tokyo don't seem to fit the list? I've also heard Dalian could be one of the potential cities, we'll see. 

You heard it first here.

According to a route map picture tweeted by @9VSKA, Scoot has indicated Taipei and Tokyo as destinations. These two have never been made public till now.

S$48 to Taipei, S$88 to Tokyo? Cannot wait!

Jetstar Asia operates twice daily services to Osaka, via Taipei.

Can we have Seoul next please? 

HUGE s-q-u-e-e-z-e on Scoot

update at 10am Jun 5: TZ2 touched down in Sydney to a water canon salute, arrival delayed by 100 minutes thanks to last night's technical.

update at 1.16am Jun 5: Aircraft is back on runway and ready to Scoot!


update at 12:22am Jun 5: TZ2 back to gate, pilot cites maintenance issue. Hope it won't be a long night for everyone.


update at 11:44pm - TZ2 has pushed back and is on its way. Here's a collection of "live" twitter pics taken onboard the flight.

This post is being "lived" as the inaugural Scoot flight TZ2 prepares for take off from Changi to Sydney. I cannot say it heralds in a new era of budget travelling, because Jetstar clinched the frontrunner position when they launched flights between Singapore and Melbourne in 2010, followed by Auckland and Beijing.

However, Scoot's selling point has been CHEAP and they play the numbers game well. They promise $158 all-in one-way fares to Australia all year round, and it is indeed significantly cheaper than full service carriers, if you stick to these basic fares without add-ons. 

We all know they use B772s from SIA, have 10-abreast seating in Economy class, and an all-inclusive ScootBiz. Here are the pictures released this morning.

ScootBiz (2-4-2, 38" legroom)

Scoot Economy stretch (front section of cabin, 3-4-3, 35" legroom)

Scoot Economy (3-4-3, 31" legroom)

Major difference (other than the obvious legroom) between ScootBiz and rest of the cabin - one seat less per row and no adjustable head rest on economy seats.

Do note that most full service carriers install only 3-3-3 or 9 seats per row on their B777s, Scoot's 10-abreast economy cabin means everyone will be in for a good squeeze should the flight runs above 80% load. Emirates is the only other carrier that has 10 seats each row, and you really don't want that when you're paying "full" fares.

Also, the absence of winglets may cause significant discomfort if you're on the seat for 4 hours and above, I feel.

I also noticed there's no leg rest (not foot rest) on ScootBiz seats, which I think should be a basic component on any seat that calls itself  "Biz".

Jetstar's A330 Business Class (2-3-2, 38" legroom)

Economy (2-4-2, 31" legroom)

I've travelled on Jetstar's A332 Economy and the seats are frankly pretty comfortable, with really good recline and the 31" legroom-also on Scoot Economy-seemed decent too. Also, the 2-4-2 or 8-abreast seating is in line with the configuration of full service carriers using the A330, including SIA.

Just by looking at stats and pictures, Jetstar's comfort level seems alot higher (in both classes), but Scoot has emphasized from the start that its target market "wants value...they just want to get from A to B in many aspects", so it is only right they draw a clear line somewhere, and offer the best value product significantly different from its parent.

AirAsia X's A330 Premium cabin (2-2-2, angled lie-flat seat)

Economy class (3-3-3, 31" legroom)

I have tried both classes and I can only say AirAsia X is a great way to fly, especially the lie-flat Premium seat, if the price is right (to offset the troublesome transit). Until either Scoot or Jetstar starts flights to Seoul, I may still be tempted if the fare is super low, say S$150 one-way all-in from KL. 

With low margins and high fuel prices, you wonder how long these long haul budget flights will last, so I say enjoy while the fun lasts.