Flying with Scoot, the low-cost carrier subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, often presents a classic dilemma: should you pay extra to choose your seat, or leave it to chance and save the money? The answer isn't always straightforward. Seat selection fees on Scoot can add anywhere from SGD 6 to SGD 60 or more per passenger per segment, depending on the seat type and route. For a family of four flying from Singapore to Osaka, that could mean an additional SGD 240 one-way, enough to cover a night at a decent hotel in Namba. Yet, for some travellers, the peace of mind of sitting together or having extra legroom is worth every cent.
This article examines the concrete costs of Scoot's seat selection options, the actual benefits of each seat category, and the scenarios where paying up makes sense versus when you are better off letting Scoot assign your seat for free. We draw on real pricing data as of early 2025 and practical experience to help you decide.
Understanding Scoot's Seat Categories and Pricing
Scoot divides its cabin into several seat types, each with a different price point and feature set. The following table summarises the standard seat types and typical price ranges for seat selection on a medium-haul route like Singapore to Bangkok or Singapore to Taipei.
- Standard Seat (Regular): The basic seat on board. Recline is minimal (about 2-3 inches). Seat pitch is 29-30 inches. Selection fee: SGD 6, SGD 12 per seat per segment.
- Super Seat: Located in the first few rows of the economy cabin or at the emergency exit rows (subject to requirements). Offers up to 34-35 inches of pitch. Selection fee: SGD 18, SGD 40 per seat per segment.
- Scoot-in-Cabin (Stretch) Seats: These are actual business-class style seats on certain aircraft (Boeing 787 Dreamliners). They come in a 2-3-2 configuration, with wider seats, more recline (up to 8 inches), and a seat pitch of 38 inches. Selection fee: SGD 50, SGD 120 per seat per segment, depending on demand.
Note that prices vary by route and time of booking. Booking seat selection early during the initial ticket purchase is almost always cheaper than adding it later via Manage Booking. For example, selecting a Standard Seat for a Singapore, Perth flight at booking may cost SGD 8, while the same selection added post-booking could be SGD 12.
When It Makes Financial Sense to Save (and Not Select a Seat)
For solo travellers and couples who do not mind sitting apart, skipping seat selection is a legitimate money-saving tactic. Here are the main scenarios where saving wins.
1. You Are Travelling Solo
If you are flying alone, you have no one to coordinate with. Scoot's check-in system (including online check-in, which opens 48 hours before departure) will assign you a seat. Unless you have a strong preference (e.g., window or aisle), you will likely get a random Standard Seat. In most cases, the assigned seat is fine.
Real-world example: I flew alone from Singapore to Narita on Scoot. I checked in online exactly 48 hours before departure. I was assigned an aisle seat in row 31. No extra fee. Cost saved: SGD 10.
2. You Are a Couple Willing to Sit Separately (or Play 'Seat Swap Roulette')
Couples who book together on a single reservation are sometimes seated together automatically by the system if seats are available. Even if they are not, you can often ask neighbours politely to swap. On less full flights, empty seats may allow you to move after takeoff.
Risk: If the flight is full and your seats are far apart (e.g., one in row 20 and one in row 35), you may not be able to sit together. For a 2-3 hour flight, some couples accept that.
Cost comparison: On a Singapore, Penang flight, selecting two Standard Seats together would cost SGD 12, SGD 16. Not selecting saves that. For a budget traveller, that's a meal in George Town.
3. You Are Booking Multiple Separate Tickets Under One Booking
If you are booking a group of 3 or more on one booking, and you do not care about sitting together (e.g., a school trip with assigned group activities at the destination), you can skip selection. Scoot will likely scatter you across rows 25-40 anyway, but you may not care.
When Splurging on Seat Selection Is Worth the Cost
There are clear situations where paying for seat selection is not just a luxury but a practical necessity. Let's break them down.
1. Families with Young Children
If you are travelling with an infant or a child under 12, sitting together is not optional, it is essential for safety and practical care. Singapore's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations and Scoot's own policy require that a child under the age of 2 must be seated with a parent or guardian. For children aged 2-11, airlines recommend (and in practice require) that they sit with an accompanying adult.
Cost: On a Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City flight, selecting three Standard Seats together for a family of two adults and one child (aged 4) would cost around SGD 24 (SGD 8 each). That is a small price for peace of mind and avoiding a stressful boarding experience trying to swap seats.
2. Travellers with Medical Conditions or Mobility Needs
Passengers with a medical condition requiring extra legroom (e.g., deep vein thrombosis risk) or needing to be near a lavatory may find a Super Seat or an aisle seat worth the fee. If you have a cast or recent surgery, you may require an aisle seat for easier access.
Recommendation: Call Scoot's customer service at +65 6308 0900 to discuss your needs. They may waive the seat selection fee for a medical necessity if you provide documentation. But if you prefer to guarantee an aisle or window, prepayment may be simpler.
3. Passengers Who Prioritise Legroom and Comfort
Scoot's Standard Seat has a pitch of 29-30 inches, which is tight for anyone over 180 cm (about 5'11"). A Super Seat at 34-35 inches can make a real difference. On a 7-hour flight to Taipei or a 5-hour flight to Perth, the extra room can mean the difference between arriving refreshed versus stiff and cramped.
Price premium: On a Singapore, Bali route, a Super Seat costs about SGD 25, SGD 30 extra. That's about SGD 5 per hour of flight. For a tall person, that is money well spent.
If you want a fully lie-flat experience, Scoot's Scoot-in-Cabin seats on the 787 Dreamliner are the only option. These are priced around SGD 80, SGD 150 on longer routes like Singapore, Athens (seasonal). They include priority boarding and meal service. For an overnight flight, this can be a genuine splurge worth considering.
How to Strategically Select Seats Without Overpaying
You do not have to choose between paying the full seat selection fee and leaving everything to fate. Here are middle-path strategies.
1. Use Online Check-in at the 48-Hour Mark
As mentioned, online check-in opens exactly 48 hours before departure. At that point, you can see available seats and select one for free (if you do not have a preference for a specific type). If you are willing to accept a random Standard Seat, this is the best way to avoid fees.
Tip: Set a timer. Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you check in, the better your chance of getting an aisle or window.
2. Check Seat Map Immediately After Booking (But Don't Pay Yet)
After you book your ticket, you can view the seat map via Manage Booking without paying. Note which rows are blocked. On many Scoot flights, rows 1-10 and the exit rows (which are Super Seats) are marked as paid. Regular rows 20-40 are mostly free. Bookmark the seat map, then wait until 48 hours before departure to act.
3. Consider Seat Selection Only for the Outbound Leg
If you are on a round trip (e.g., Singapore, Bangkok, Singapore), you might only pay for seat selection on the outbound (which is likely more important if you have a tight connection at the arrival airport) and skip it for the return. Or vice versa.
Example: On a round trip to Chiang Mai, paying for a Super Seat outbound (SGD 25) and leaving the return to chance (assigned on online check-in) cuts your seat selection costs by half.
Comparing Scoot's Seat Selection with Other Budget Carriers
To put Scoot's fees in context, let's compare with similar airlines that serve Singapore: Jetstar Asia and AirAsia. All three charge for seat selection but with different pricing models.
- Jetstar Asia: Standard seat selection starts at SGD 5 per seat per segment during booking. Exit row seats (called Extra Legroom) cost around SGD 18, SGD 30. Jetstar allows free seat assignment at online check-in (same as Scoot). Jetstar Asia Booking Secrets details tips for minimising fees.
- AirAsia: Seat selection is mandatory for all passengers except those who opt-out and accept random assignment. AirAsia's fees start from MYR 8 (around SGD 2.50) for standard seats up to MYR 50 (SGD 15) for hot seats. AirAsia also does not offer free online check-in seat selection, you must either pay at booking or accept a random assignment at airport check-in. AirAsia Booking Mistakes to Avoid includes a section on seat selection traps.
- Scoot: Fees are generally higher than AirAsia but comparable to Jetstar. The main advantage of Scoot is the Super Seat and Scoot-in-Cabin options, which are not available on Jetstar's A320 fleet.
- Cebu Pacific and Vietjet: Both charge for seat selection but at lower base prices (e.g., Cebu Pacific standard seat selection starts at PHP 200, PHP 400 or about SGD 5, SGD 10). Cebu Pacific Fare Types Explained and Vietjet Book Like a Pro provide more context.
Keep in mind that Scoot's seat selection fees are non-refundable if you cancel or change your flight, so think twice before splurging if your plans are uncertain.
Hidden Costs: What Happens If You Don't Select a Seat and Everything Goes Wrong
Most travellers who skip seat selection have no issues. But there are horror stories worth considering.
1. Separated from Travel Companion on a Full Flight
The most common complaint is that a couple or family is split across the aircraft. On a packed Scoot flight from Singapore to Guangzhou during Chinese New Year, seats are tight. If you are assigned row 25 and your partner is in row 34, you cannot move. The cabin crew cannot swap seats with other passengers who paid for their selections. You are stuck.
Mitigation: Check in exactly 48 hours before departure. If you see that your reservation has two seats far apart, you can choose to pay for seat selection at that point (if available) before the flight departs. However, if seats are limited, you may have to pay a premium.
2. Being Placed in a Middle Seat
Solo travellers who check in late often end up in a middle seat. For a 5-hour flight to Tokyo, that can be miserable. If you are a solo traveller who hates the middle seat, paying SGD 6, SGD 10 for a window or aisle is a fair insurance.
3. No Seat Assignment at All (Overbooking)
Very rarely, Scoot may overbook a flight. Passengers who did not select a seat are the most likely to be involuntarily denied boarding. In those cases, Scoot must offer compensation (typically SGD 250, SGD 500 depending on delay) or rebooking. But if you have a time-sensitive connection, this is a disaster.
Bottom line: If your trip is non-refundable and you absolutely must be on that flight, consider paying for seat selection as a form of guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scoot Seat Selection
Can I select a seat for free if I have a Scoot Platinum membership?
No. Scoot's loyalty programme is called ScootPlus and offers priority boarding and extra baggage but does not include free standard seat selection. You still pay for seat selection unless you are travelling on a ScootPlus fare (which includes a standard seat selection).
Do infants get a free seat selection?
Infants (under 2) do not occupy a seat but sit on a parent's lap. The parent must select a seat for themselves, and the infant will be assigned to the same seat. So the parent's seat selection fee still applies. There is no separate infant seat selection charge.
Can I select a seat at the airport kiosk for free?
At Changi Airport, Scoot's self-service kiosks (available for check-in from 12 hours before departure) allow you to select a seat for free if it is a Standard Seat. However, availability is limited. By that time, many seats are already taken. This is useful if you missed the online check-in window.
Are exit row seats worth the extra money?
Exit row seats (Super Seats) offer extra legroom, but they have restrictions. You must be at least 15 years old, able-bodied, and willing to assist in an emergency. If you meet those requirements and are tall, it is one of the best value-for-money upgrades on Scoot. At SGD 18, SGD 30, it is cheaper than paying for extra legroom on full-service carriers like Singapore Airlines (which starts around SGD 50 for a comparable upgrade).
Summary: A Decision Framework
To help you decide quickly, here is a simple decision matrix.
- Are you travelling solo and don't care about exact seat? → Save money. Do not pay for seat selection. Check in exactly 48 hours before departure for best chance at a decent seat.
- Are you a couple/family that must sit together? → Pay for seat selection. The cost (typically SGD 6, SGD 16 per seat) is worth the certainty. Choose adjacent Standard Seats.
- Are you tall (over 180 cm) or have a medical need for legroom? → Splurge on a Super Seat. Price is SGD 18, SGD 40, which is cheaper than buying a premium fare on a full-service airline.
- Are you on a 7+ hour overnight flight and value sleep? → Consider a Scoot-in-Cabin seat if budget allows. It is a genuine upgrade that includes recline and meal service.
- Are you travelling with infants or toddlers? → Pay for seat selection for the adults. Always choose adjacent seats. No compromise.
- Are you on a tight budget and willing to accept a middle seat far from companions? → Save money. Accept the risk.
Remember that Scoot's seat selection fees are dynamic. During peak periods (school holidays, Christmas, Chinese New Year), prices can double. Always check the seat map at the time of booking and compare to the cost at online check-in. For more tips on obtaining the lowest fares, see our dedicated guide: How to Find the Cheapest Fares on Scoot.
If you routinely fly Scoot and want to minimise seat expenses, consider using a credit card that offers travel credits or sign-up bonuses that can partially offset these fees. While no card directly reimburses seat selection, some like the UOB PRVI Miles or DBS Altitude card offer miles that can be redeemed for travel vouchers.
Finally, keep in mind that your seat selection fee is non-transferable. If you change your flight to a different date, the fee is lost. So only select a seat once your travel plans are solid. For more general strategies on low-cost travel, read our Complete Guide to Flying Low-Cost Carriers from Singapore.