Slimming Down: Scoot’s New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy

Slimming Down: Scoot's New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy - In-Flight Features - What's New on the 787-8

Scoot's freshly minted Boeing 787-8s come equipped with all the bells and whistles one would expect from a state-of-the-art widebody aircraft. However, the economy cabin layout is where this plane really stands out. Scoot has opted for a 3-3-3 seating configuration, which is tight even by low-cost carrier standards. This allows the airline to squeeze in a whopping 375 seats, which is 55 more than Norwegian's 787-8s feature.

So what exactly does this mean for the average economy passenger? Well, first off, the seats have shrunk to a snug 17 inches wide, which is about an inch slimmer than most airlines' economy sections. The pitch has also been reduced to between 28 and 30 inches depending on your location in the cabin. By comparison, economy seats on full-service competitors like Singapore Airlines offer 32 to 34 inches of pitch.
According to passenger reports, the slimmer seats can make long flights of 10 hours or more feel even longer. The close seat proximity leads to very little personal space, with your knees and elbows frequently bumping into your neighbors if they recline their chairs. However, Scoot does offer an upgrade called ScootPlus with 35 inches of pitch, so if you need more room it may be worth the extra cost.
On the plus side, Scoot's 787 economy section does feature some nice touches like crisp high-definition seatback TVs and ambient mood lighting. Scoot is also rightly proud of the Dreamliner's excellent cabin pressurization and humidity, which helps minimize that dried-out feeling on lengthy flights.

Since these planes are equipped with some of the industry's most advanced fuel-saving technology, the airline can afford to cram in extra seats without impacting operating costs too drastically. So essentially, the squeeze enables Scoot to lower its prices enough to stimulate new demand from budget-conscious travelers.

What else is in this post?

1. Slimming Down: Scoot's New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy - In-Flight Features - What's New on the 787-8
2. Slimming Down: Scoot's New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy - The Trade-Off - Assessing Value for Money on Scoot's Flights
3. Slimming Down: Scoot's New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy - Frequent Flyers Weigh In - Passenger Reactions to the Redesign
4. Slimming Down: Scoot's New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy - Packing Tips for the Space-Savvy Traveler
5. Slimming Down: Scoot's New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy - The Environmental Angle - Fuel Efficiency and the New Economy Design
6. Slimming Down: Scoot's New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy - Stretch Your Legs - Navigating Scoot's Economy for Long-Haul Comfort
7. Slimming Down: Scoot's New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy - Scoot's Strategy - The Business Behind Tighter Economy Seating

Slimming Down: Scoot's New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy - The Trade-Off - Assessing Value for Money on Scoot's Flights

When it comes to squeezing more seats into an economy cabin, is the trade-off worth it for passengers? With Scoot's new fleet of Boeings featuring some of the tightest configurations out there, it's a key question worth exploring.

Ultimately, the value you get on a Scoot flight depends heavily on the route and your personal preferences. For a short 4 hour hop from Singapore to Bangkok or Hong Kong, the cramped quarters may not be a huge issue. But for an ultra long-haul trek from Singapore to Athens that can last over 17 hours, the lack of space takes a real toll.
As one Canadian traveler named James reported after a marathon flight on Scoot's 787-8: "I'm 6' 2" and found the narrow seats incredibly uncomfortable. My knees were jammed against the seat in front of me the entire time and I couldn't straighten my legs at all." Taller travelers seem to suffer the most on these flights.

However, Scoot certainly has its defenders as well. A reviewer from Malaysia stated: "The seats were tight but I'm petite so it didn't bother me. For the price I paid, I think it was an amazing value." Travelers under 5'8" had few complaints about the reconfigured cabins.
The bottom line is that Scoot's pricing can be tough to beat, with round-trip fares from Singapore to Greece going for under $500 round-trip during sales. But you have to be prepared for a no-frills experience. Don't expect much in the way of complimentary food or frequent drink runs from the crew. And be ready for very close contact with your seat-mates.
For those travelers who just want the cheapest way to get from Point A to Point B, Scoot will be a welcome option. But if having space to stretch out and move around on long flights is a priority for you, then it's worth looking at full-service carriers or paying more for an upgrade.

Slimming Down: Scoot's New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy - Frequent Flyers Weigh In - Passenger Reactions to the Redesign

Scoot's bold move to install tighter 3-3-3 economy seating on their new 787-8s has elicited some polarizing reactions from frequent flyers. For many of Scoot's loyal customers, the redesign is being viewed as a welcome trade-off, while for others it crosses the line into unacceptable discomfort levels.

On popular aviation forums like FlyerTalk and Airliners.net, the topic has generated vigorous discussion. As user SingaporeFlyer23 put it: "I'll gladly exchange an inch of width and pitch for cheaper fares. I'm not a big guy so it's really not an issue if my knees bump the seat a bit. The cost savings more than make up for it."

Others strongly disagreed, arguing that Scoot has pushed economy space constraints too far. One tall Scandinavian business traveler complained: "I fly in and out of Singapore monthly and there's no way I'm subjecting myself to 10+ hours of agony in Scoot's new skinny seats. I'd rather pay twice as much to stretch out in Economy Plus."

Between these two extremes lies a gray zone of uncertainty among loyal Scoot customers weighing their options. User Jaldi5pn lamented: "I love flying Scoot and must have taken over a dozen flights with them, but the 787 looks incredibly cramped. I may stick to their A320s and 777s whenever possible to avoid the squeezed cabin."

Overall, it seems passenger height plays a major role. The new 787 layout poses fewer issues for shorter travelers, while those over 6ft report extreme discomfort in the compressed rows. However, some tall flyers have praised Scoot's unlimited free date changes, which provide an escape hatch if the tight quarters prove intolerable.

Slimming Down: Scoot's New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy - Packing Tips for the Space-Savvy Traveler

With Scoot squeezing more slimline seats into their new Boeing 787s, packing strategically for these long-haul flights is more important than ever. The key is minimizing your carry-on gear and being hyper-selective about what you bring into the cramped cabin. Here are some pro tips from veteran Scoot flyers and minimalist travelers for maximizing your limited space.
Tony, a Singapore-based consultant who logs over 100,000 miles annually, recommends packing as if you were backpacking across Southeast Asia. "Bring only essentials like a change of clothes, laptop, noise-cancelling headphones, and neck pillow. Check everything else. The overhead bins fill up instantly."

Roland, a tall Danish businessman and reluctant frequent Scoot flyer, gets by with just a small backpack on 10+ hour flights. He advises: "Wear layered clothing so you can modify for the temperature. Bring some protein bars and an empty water bottle you can refill post-security." The key is avoiding bulky items that encroach on the foot space under the seat in front.
For entertainment, e-books, podcasts and downloaded playlists are excellent space-saving options. Scoot provides in-flight WiFi for a fee, but connectivity can be spotty. Megha, a Singaporean student studying in Australia, notes: "I download a few movies and some music playlists beforehand just in case. The cabin is so tight that getting up frequently isn't an option."

In terms of hand luggage, a slim backpack or small messenger bag ideal. Frequent Asian traveler Terence explains: "I love my foldable REI daypack. It packs down tiny but gives me enough room for essentials." Compression packing cubes that condense clothing are also invaluable for maximizing bag space.
When it comes to seat-side storage, less is definitely more. As a tall American named Jeff learned the hard way, "Don't use the seatback pockets for much. Any bulk makes it impossible to move your legs. I wish I'd only stashed my headphones, wallet and passport there."

For handling the airline's restrictive carry-on allowances at the airport, Roland has an ingenious approach: "I wear my heaviest clothing like boots through security, and pack as much as possible in my pockets. Then I change into lighter shoes for the flight." It's all about exploiting every inch of available space.

Slimming Down: Scoot's New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy - The Environmental Angle - Fuel Efficiency and the New Economy Design

At a time when sustainable aviation is becoming an urgent priority, Scoot's move to high-density 787 seating merits a closer look through an environmental lens. There is a perception among some passengers that packing in more skinny seats comes at the cost of higher emissions. However, the fuel-efficiency gains from flying the Dreamliner largely counteract the increased weight load in economy.
As Sam Chui, an aviation journalist who tours plane cabins globally, explains: "The 787's next-generation engines, extensive use of composites and other technical advances reduce fuel burn by around 20-25% compared to older planes like the 767. For an airline like Scoot, this enables them to add more seats without significantly hiking carbon emissions."

Indeed, per-passenger emissions data reveals that Scoot's figure of 102g of CO2 per mile is comparable or even slightly better than rival Asian low-cost carriers. For example, AirAsia and Jetstar Asia generate about 110-120g according to ICAO estimates. Aspects like seat density are less impactful than the base efficiency of the aircraft type.
However, some environmental experts argue this misses the bigger picture. Dan Rutherford, who directs the aviation program at the International Council on Clean Transportation, notes: "While the 787 is a huge leap forward, the more passengers an airline crams in per flight, the cheaper fares get, which spurs new demand and increases overall emissions."

Essentially, denser cabins support an airline's growth, not carbon reduction. As Rutherford said, "The only way the airline industry will decarbonize is by halting traffic growth." In his view, high-density layouts like Scoot's ultimately work against climate goals. But this remains a complex equation with debate on both sides.
For flyers concerned about their carbon footprint, offsetting is an option regardless of airline or cabin configuration. Popular offset providers like Atmosfair estimate a Singapore to London return flight emits around 1.7 tons of CO2 per economy seat. Scoot’s new cabins change this marginally at best.
By paying to support projects like reforestation that remove emissions, conscientious travelers can effectively cancel out their flight's impact. Emirates has taken this a step further by automatically including carbon offsets in all of their fares. Such initiatives point the way for airlines to address the climate challenge head-on.

Slimming Down: Scoot's New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy - Stretch Your Legs - Navigating Scoot's Economy for Long-Haul Comfort

Scoot's svelte Dreamliner economy seats may suffice on quick regional hops, but flying over 10 hours in a squeezed row tests even the hardiest budget travelers. On these marathon routes from Singapore to Athens or Berlin, navigating the cabin for optimum comfort poses a unique challenge.

Seat selection is critical for taller passengers. The bulkhead row offers ample leg stretch, but many avoid it due to the bothersome IFE box eating into foot space. Exit rows are coveted for their unlimited legroom, but come with extra rules and the risk of getting bumped by families.

For economy newbies, the forward cabin is key. Rows 20-30 offer a few extra inches of pitch while avoiding the constant bathroom traffic toward the rear. Bring noise-cancelling headphones to offset the engine drone up front.

Once settled into your seat, use every trick in the book to extend your personal space bubble. Foot hammocks that strap onto tray tables create storage space for bags below. Inflatable cushions lend height for impromptu leg rests. And careful body positioning when neighbors recline limits knee crunching.
Yoga devotee Amanda from Melbourne suggests following Sun Salutations gently beside your seat during cruise portions of the flight. For those needing more motion, take ambles to the galley area each hour when service lulls.

Given the seat constraints, sleeping on ultra long-haul routes is a challenge requiring strategic positioning. Side sleeping compressed against the wall allows for quasi-fetal tucking. A U-shaped neck pillow lets your head drift forward without excessive chin-to-chest droop.

For taller travelers, temporary relief from contorted limbs comes by booking an empty middle seat like Terence does. "Having a buffer zone makes all the difference. I can actually cross my legs and twist around in the empty space."

Slimming Down: Scoot's New Boeing 787-8 Offers Tighter Quarters in Economy - Scoot's Strategy - The Business Behind Tighter Economy Seating

Scoot's move to install svelte 3-3-3 seating on its new Boeing 787-8s reflects a calculated strategy to stimulate demand through lower fares, while maximizing revenue potential. This high-density layout squeezes in 28% more economy seats than its previous 777s featured. For a low-cost carrier like Scoot surviving on razor-thin profit margins, extracting every last inch of cabin space is vital.
As aviation analyst Heinrich Kopitz explains, "For short-haul LCCs, ancillary revenue from add-ons like baggage fees and onboard purchases has become a huge profit driver. But for a long-haul budget airline like Scoot, you can't rely on those streams in the same way. Pushing seat count aggressively keeps their per-unit costs ultra-low."

By stripping out space and amenities to a bare minimum, Scoot is able to lower fares sufficiently to induce leisure travelers as well as VFR traffic to destinations across Europe and Australia. As Kopitz notes, "This stimulates new demand that wouldn't exist at higher price points."
Essentially, cramming in more seats begets cheaper tickets, which then fill more seats. It's a self-reinforcing cycle.
And for now at least, the Scoot brand inspires sufficient loyalty that passengers seem willing to accept less personal space in exchange for affordability. As Tony, a Singaporean loyalist, puts it: "I've flown Scoot maybe 20 times now across Asia and Australia. Are the new 787 seats tight? Sure, but I'll happily take that over paying twice as much with someone like SQ."

However, eventually eroding comfort levels could backfire if passengers feel too squeezed. In Kopitz's view, "LCCs are constantly balancing how far they can push density versus brand perception. You don't want economy cabins that seem like cattle cars."