Flight experience

Departure: 14 August 2012 0210 - 1140 on TZ2

The plan was to have a really heavy dinner and then just knock out the entire flight. We did have a very full korean buffet the night before. By the time we reached airport and checked in, I was already feeling sleepy.

The queue at the check-in counter was long but the staff worked fast. There was a separate staff who worked to collect passports for them to be checked before returning them to the passengers. For what reason, I did not know UNTIL we were called out of the queue and informed that we don't have valid visas to travel to Australia.

Tobs looked at me and sighed, wondering how he could have trusted me with planning for this trip. But hey all our other trips to most parts of the world did not require a visa!

So we had to apply for one from the airport information counter and that was S$50 each.

Thereafter, everything else was fine. We requested for seats in the centre block, along the aisle and got them. The plan is to secretly hope that there was not going to be any one else sitting in our row so that we can have ample space.

Boarding was prompt and relatively fuss-free. By this time I was already desperately past bed time and urgently requiring some shut-eye. When we got to our seats, we promptly brought out our sleeping pack and readied ourselves. There was another guest on our row so we did not get the whole row to ourselves as hoped for.

• TIP: pack a sleeping pack that you can use to make yourself comfortable for an overnight flight. Ours contained (1) inflatable pillow (2) eye shade (3) ear plugs

Not that it would be a problem, really. I found, to my surprise, that the leg space was decent, and possibly more than a regular economy flight. What is definite is that seats are able to incline further than usual. I actually prepped some sleeping pills because I am well known for being unable to sleep in dire conditions and was thankful I required none.

After I dozed off, I slept continuously until the cabin announcement on commencing descent in 30 mins' time. This was when thefreshen-up pack came handy and I prepped myself to enjoy my Day 1 in Sydney. Tobs woke up much later, when the plane had actually commenced descent.

• TIP: pack a freshen-up pack to get ready in the morning before you land. Ours contained (1) cleansing wipes (2) sample sized moisturiser (3) sample sized sunblock (4) mouth rinse

Arrival: 20 August 2012 1250 - 1900 on TZ1

Coming back was no problem although our pick up came slightly late but we still arrived at the airport on time. Plenty of food options in Sydney International Airport so we ate before we got on board and relied on random snacks on the flight.

• TIP: you will be needing a lot more water on the return leg because you won't be sleeping as much. Pack a few empty bottles to fill up either before you get on board or on board itself. Scoot has a tap that allows all passengers to get drinking water.

No problems with the return flight either, although this time, it was a full flight and we had to find things to amuse ourselves with for 8 whole hours. A book or a iPad will suffice. You can even rent one from Scoot and enjoy the preloaded content.

FAQs
Q: Should I upgrade my seat to stretch or super stretch?
A: Honestly, I found the regular seats comfortable and didn't think there was a need for stretch, much less super stretch. (I would rather spend the money on food!) If you really need a stretch, then get up and walk around the aircraft, I say.

Q: How's the food on Scoot?
A: We didn't get any. Just didn't feel like having them due to the full lunch. But some of the other passengers around us ordered meals and it did smell good.