So after years of flying budget airline Air Asia between Malaysia and Melbourne, I decided to combine a visit home with a trip to Singapore. Enter Scoot Airlines*. The budget arm of Singapore Airlines flies directly from Singapore to various Australian cities.
I was impressed from the start: the Scoot check in counter at Melbourne airport is a kiosk that allows you to scan your passport and self-check in your bags, so no endless queues. I breezed past all the suckers in the long lines, and sailed past the new security gates at Melbourne international.
To add to my luck, I discovered that the airport now has a noodle shop! No more overpriced dry sandwiches or $25 burgers my friends! This welcome addition has everything- pho, baos,dumplings, bhan mhi, and gourmet soup noodle options like duck and soft shell crab! *
My wait at the boarding gate flew by as I was seated near two international students having a very entertaining conversation, which I of course proceeded to eavesdrop on. One of them was going home to Singapore for a week, but he was going to visit his girlfriend, who his parents don’t approve of. He planned to not tell his parents he was in Singapore, and hoped he wouldn’t bump into them. He was also very sad that his parents don’t accept his girlfriend, because she is not Indian, but he planned to marry her anyway as soon as he graduated. Who needs in in-flight entertainment? This was a roller coaster of emotions!
I then proceeded to board my flight and was lucky enough to have a whole row to myself. The Scoot staff were very friendly and helpful and we arrived more than an hour early! I haven’t been to Changi Airport in years, and I have to say I was extremely impressed. I am not sure if it is because I am comparing it to Air Asia’s KLIA 2, but this was the most enjoyable airport experience I have had in years.
The duty free retail staff are very friendly and helpful but not pushy. The toilets resemble a hotel bathroom, and smell and look better than my own. They have an electronic rating system for the bathroom with a range of sad to smiley emojis (I pressed the most smiley face -excellent). They have water fountains INSIDE the boarding gate! In Asian countries, you can’t bring liquid into the boarding gate and I hate this as I dehydrate easily. It’s so convenient to be able to top up your empty bottle.
While this was just a layover, I will be back to Singapore in a few days after visiting my family in Malaysia and I can’t wait to leave the airport and explore the city I haven’t been to in years!
*This post is not sponsored by Scoot , Changi or the Melbourne airport noodle shop (name forgotten) . I just had a really good flight!
kkpills 