Steve speaks Scoot
Following Scoots successful performance at this year’s Marketing Excellence Awards 2014, Travel Today spoke to Scoot's head of commercial, Steve Greenway, during his visit to Sydney, on future expansions and what the budget airline has to offer.
Travel Today: What separates Scoot from other budget airlines?
Greenway: I think it’s the platform. What we can do is offer a product that is differentiated. We have four different types of seating options, we have a ‘scoot in silence area’, we can offer a lot more equipment on our 787’s and our aircrafts are a lot more spacious.
Travel Today: In a few words define what ‘scootitude’ is?
Greenway: There is no definition. It’s a principle. We want people to reflect themselves rather than be cardboard copy types of people. We really try and employ a sense of individuality and let people express themselves. Simply it’s a fun attitude that pushes the boundaries.
Travel Today: Online you have over 850,000 likes on Facebook, how did you achieve this?
Greenway: We spend a lot of time on social media updating our base with a lot of on-the-ground activation. For example, we are running a competition in Hong Kong in accordance with our first anniversary that gives customers the chance to win free tickets.
Travel Today: Do travel agents get paid commission?
Greenway: We will enter into performance agreements if the volume is there. We don’t pay just because you book a ticket for two. If you are legitimately able to produce a decent amount of volume we will have a conversation.
Travel Today: Any plans for expansion?
Greenway: Absolutely. We have our first 787 arriving in January, second one coming in February and the third arriving in March. By April next year all of Australia will be operated by 787’s. We are also looking to go Daily on Perth, which should happen hopefully by next year.
Furthermore, we will also be expanding to hopefully 20 destinations in total next year, including one Australian destination, with a couple in North Asia and the rest will probably double in size in China
Travel Today: What big changes will the 787’s bring?
Greenway: The product goes to the next level. It will bring with it four different types of seating options, wireless capabilities so you can check your emails on board and the potential to stream the last videos and movies. It’s not so much a revolution but an evolution.
Travel Today: Dennis Bashman was recently appointed as the general manager for Australia, what will he bring to the table?
Greenway: The interesting thing about Dennis is that he brings a real trade focus; he knows the trade like the back of his hand and has been doing it for the past 14 years. That emphasis will certainly carry through.
Travel Today: Why should people choose Scoot?
Greenway: From an economic standpoint, if we maintain a strong leadership and continue to offer great fares people will choose cheaper air travel so that they can spend more money at their end destination.
Second thing is our simplicity, people are finally waking up and realising that whilst some passengers want in-flight entertainment and meals others are quite happy to fall asleep and receive the bare essentials. So why should they have to pay the same fares?
This is why Scoot allows its customers to enjoy a customisable experience.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Latest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.