A travel expert shared what he describes as a “cheat code” for those considering booking a long-haul flight east in the near future.
Maximillian Angel took to TikTok to explain his money-saving tip for UK travellers heading to Southeast Asia and Australia. He suggested instead of booking directly from the UK, it might be more cost-effective to first fly to another European city before embarking on the long-haul journey.
Using Singapore as an example, due to its extensive connections “all around Asia”, Maximillian revealed on his two recent trips back from the country, he travelled via Athens, Greece.
From there, it’s a “simple flight back to the UK”. He recommended FlyScoot.com, a carrier operating between Singapore and Athens, boasting prices that are “hard to beat” as his simple solution.
“A number of these routes throughout March are just £179 and Scoot only operates direct flights,” he said. In contrast, he pointed out the main route with British Airways from the UK can exceed £400.
Maximillian elaborated: “On top of this price you’re going to have to factor in the price it’s going to cost you to get to Athens. Throughout March there are an incredible number of options for less than £30 that get you from London to Athens. So all-in from London to Athens and Athens to Singapore that’s not much more than £200.”
He did note, however, there is an extra charge for checked luggage. Wrapping up his video, he shared from Singapore, travellers can reach several sought-after destinations like Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia, with an average flight cost of about £50 when booking through Skyscanner. Additionally, a journey to Perth, Australia, is just another £99.
Some TikTok users were sceptical about the tip, however, with one commenting: “Scoot is not for the weak. Cramped seating and no food (have to buy food) for a flight over 10hrs is rough.” Another concurred, adding: “From what I’ve heard and seen, Scoot is really awful. Apparently you cannot bring outside food because they want you to spend more money. also their aircraft are designed to be dense so little comfort.”
Meanwhile, Scoot’s official stance on their website reads: “At Scoot, we strive to provide a smooth and comfortable travel experience for all. Scoot is not your typical low-cost carrier (LCC). We are defined by our unique Scootitude – a passion for travel, connecting people and cultures, and pushing boundaries, which drives us to continually innovate, strive for improvement and seek new opportunities.
“We are an airline for the young, the young-at-heart and the value-seeking. People who believe that travel is all about spontaneous discovery, building connections and creating fresh experiences.”