Scoot is Singapore Airlines' low-cost subsidiary, flying from Changi, while AirAsia X is the Malaysian long-haul low-cost carrier based at Kuala Lumpur. Travellers compare them mainly on budget routes between Southeast Asia and Australia, Japan and other Asia-Pacific points, where both sell cheap base fares with paid extras.
Quick verdict
Both are low-cost carriers, so the base fare buys a seat and little else. Scoot suits travellers who want a large network, a mixed fleet with Dreamliners on longer routes, and a premium economy-style option in ScootPlus. AirAsia X suits those flying via Kuala Lumpur who want an angle-flat Premium Flatbed fare with 40 kg of baggage included, but its route map has been changing, so check the timetable.
Choose Scoot if…
- You want to fly via Singapore, with a wide Asia-Pacific network including Australia, China, India, Japan and South Korea.
- You want a step-up option: ScootPlus on Boeing 787s, with a meal included and about 38 in of pitch.
- You prefer a carrier backed by Singapore Airlines, with KrisFlyer membership and a fleet of A320neo-family and 787 aircraft with more A320neo-family jets on order.
Choose AirAsia X if…
- You are starting from or connecting through Kuala Lumpur.
- You want Premium Flatbed, with 40 kg checked baggage, a meal, seat selection and fast-track immigration in Kuala Lumpur included.
- You want long-haul low-cost flights to Australia or Japan, or the Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London Gatwick service.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Scoot's hub is Changi Airport, with Taipei Taoyuan as a focus city, and it serves a large list of destinations across Asia-Pacific. AirAsia X is based at Kuala Lumpur International and concentrates on medium- and long-haul routes to Australia, Japan and beyond. Its network has been shifting: Sydney is being suspended with capacity moved to Melbourne and Perth (Aviation A2Z, August 2026), and Delhi flights are being cut (Aviation Week).
Cabins and seats
Scoot offers Economy, with Super seats and extra-legroom seats for a fee, and ScootPlus on Boeing 787s only, in a 2-3-2 layout with about 38 in of pitch (Point Hacks). There is no business class. AirAsia X offers Economy and Premium Flatbed, two rows of angle-flat seats on the A330-300 (Australian Frequent Flyer).
Baggage and fares
Scoot allows up to 10 kg of cabin baggage in Economy, and checked baggage depends on the fare (Scoot baggage). AirAsia X allows 7 kg carry-on; Economy checked bags are bought separately, and a Value Pack is available. Premium Flatbed includes 40 kg. On AirAsia X, add baggage and meals at booking rather than later to avoid higher charges. Scoot allows changes and name changes for a fee plus any fare difference.
Food and entertainment
Neither includes meals in Economy; food is bought separately or pre-ordered. ScootPlus includes a meal, and Premium Flatbed includes a meal and water, plus a pillow and blanket. Scoot streams entertainment through the ScooTV app, so download it to your own device before flying and bring headphones. Carry your own device on AirAsia X too.
Fleet and ownership
Scoot operates 63 aircraft: Boeing 787s, A320-family jets and Embraer E190-E2s, and in May 2026 ordered 11 more A320neo-family aircraft. AirAsia X flies Airbus A330-300s only and plans to move towards A321-family aircraft, including the A321XLR. It also completed its acquisition of the AirAsia Berhad and AirAsia Aviation Group businesses from Capital A, and plans to rename the listed company AirAsia Group, though tickets still carry the AirAsia X name.
Loyalty and alliances
Neither airline belongs to an alliance. Scoot is part of Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer programme, while AirAsia X uses BIG Loyalty. Neither has a lounge of its own for Economy passengers. AirAsia X Premium Flatbed passengers get priority check-in, boarding and fast-track immigration in Kuala Lumpur.
Frequently asked questions
Is Scoot better than AirAsia X?
Scoot offers ScootPlus on its Dreamliners; AirAsia X has an angle-flat Premium Flatbed fare with 40 kg of baggage. Which is better depends on whether you are routing via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur and which cabin you want.
Do Scoot and AirAsia X include checked baggage?
Not always. Scoot's checked baggage depends on the fare, and AirAsia X Economy sells checked bags separately, with Premium Flatbed including 40 kg. Both allow cabin baggage, 10 kg on Scoot Economy and 7 kg on AirAsia X.
Do Scoot and AirAsia X serve free meals?
Not in Economy on either airline. ScootPlus and AirAsia X Premium Flatbed each include a meal.
About Scoot Read more
Overview
Scoot is a low-cost airline and a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in November 2011 and began flying on 4 June 2012. Its head office is at Changi Airport. It is not a member of an airline alliance and was formerly part of the Value Alliance.
The original Scoot (IATA TZ, ICAO SCO) merged with Tigerair Singapore in 2017. The merged airline kept the Scoot brand and the SCOOTER callsign but operates under Tigerair's certificate and codes, TR and TGW. Some older listings still show TZ/SCO.
Network and hubs
Changi Airport in Singapore is the main hub, and Taipei Taoyuan is a focus city. Wikipedia lists 83 destinations, mostly across Asia-Pacific, including Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia. Boeing 787 routes include flights from Singapore to Perth, with other medium and long-haul services. See the Scoot website for the current route map.
Fleet
As of May 2026, Travel Weekly reported 63 aircraft: 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 30 Airbus A320-family jets and nine Embraer E190-E2s. The six remaining A320ceos are due to leave the fleet by 2028. In May 2026 Scoot ordered 11 more A320neo-family aircraft, which takes its orderbook to 20.
On board
- Economy: standard seats, plus Super seats and extra-legroom seats for a fee. Child-free zones are available on some flights. See the Scoot economy page.
- ScootPlus: on Boeing 787s only, in a 2-3-2 layout with about 38 in of pitch, according to Australian Frequent Flyer and Point Hacks. Scoot has no business class.
- Meals and entertainment: food in Economy is generally bought on board or pre-ordered. Entertainment is streamed through the ScooTV app on your own device, so download it before the flight.
Good to know
- Scoot allows up to 10 kg of cabin baggage in Economy. Checked baggage depends on the fare. See the baggage page.
- Changes and name changes are allowed for a fee plus any fare difference. See the fare rules and the Scoot Fees Chart.
- Scoot is part of the KrisFlyer frequent-flyer programme.
- No Scoot-operated lounges were found in the sources checked. No published on-time figure was found.
About AirAsia X Read more
Overview
AirAsia X is the Malaysian long-haul low-cost airline of the AirAsia group. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 2007 as FlyAsianXpress, began flying on 2 November 2007 and is based at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It is not a member of an airline alliance. Its IATA code is D7, ICAO code XAX and call sign XANADU.
The corporate structure changed in 2025–26. Journal de l'Aviation reports that AirAsia X completed the acquisition of AirAsia Berhad and AirAsia Aviation Group from Capital A, which remains a minority shareholder. A Bursa filing of 24 April 2026 proposed renaming the listed company AirAsia Group Berhad, subject to shareholder approval. The airline continues to sell flights as AirAsia X.
Network and hubs
The hub is Kuala Lumpur. Routes run to Australia, Japan and other medium- and long-haul markets. Flightradar24 reported that daily Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London Gatwick flights on the A330-300 were due to start on 26 June 2026. This is the airline's first UK service since 2012. An August 2026 report says the Sydney route is being suspended, with capacity moved to Melbourne and Perth. Aviation Week reports that Delhi flights are being cut. Check the current timetable before booking.
Fleet
The fleet consists of Airbus A330-300s. Wikipedia lists 18 aircraft, while ch-aviation counted 19 in October 2025. The group has cancelled its order for 15 A330-900s and plans to retire the A330-300s within about six years. It will shift towards A321-family aircraft, including the long-range A321XLR.
On board
- Economy: a no-frills fare, with seat selection, meals and baggage as paid extras.
- Premium Flatbed: Australian Frequent Flyer describes two rows of angle-flat seats on the A330-300. The fare includes 40 kg of checked baggage, seat selection, a meal and water, a pillow and blanket, priority check-in and fast-track immigration in Kuala Lumpur.
No verified details on seat pitch, entertainment or Wi-Fi were found.
Good to know
- The carry-on allowance is 7 kg. Checked baggage is not included in the basic Economy fare. The Value Pack includes 20 kg, according to Alternative Airlines, which describes the sister carrier Thai AirAsia X.
- Baggage and meals cost less when added at booking than later, according to a 2019 review.
- The loyalty programme is BIG Loyalty, according to Wikipedia.
- No lounge access, change fees or punctuality figures were verified, so check the airline's website.
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