By The Escape desk · Last verified 11 October 2026
On a budget airline, the headline fare buys a seat and a cabin allowance; almost everything else is extra. Scoot economy includes two cabin pieces up to 10kg combined, while Jetstar and AirAsia starter fares include two pieces up to 7kg combined. A checked bag, a chosen seat and a meal are paid add-ons unless you buy a bundle such as Scoot’s FlyBag or AirAsia’s Value Pack, which typically includes 20kg. All three airlines say the same thing about timing: adding baggage when you book is cheaper than paying at the airport. One change for Singapore flyers: Singapore-based Jetstar Asia stopped flying on 31 July 2025, so check which routes, if any, other Jetstar airlines fly from Changi before you plan around the brand.
A $79 fare can be a bargain or a trap, depending on what you tick on the way to payment. Here is what each extra is, and which ones are worth paying for.
Quick facts
- Scoot cabin: two pieces, 10kg combined in economy; 15kg in ScootPlus.
- Jetstar cabin: two items, 7kg combined on Starter fares; top-up to 14kg on selected routes.
- AirAsia cabin: two pieces, 7kg combined; Xtra Carry-On raises it to 14kg on eligible flights.
- Checked bags: extra on basic fares; Scoot FlyBag and FlyBagEat include 20kg.
- Bag weight cap: no single checked bag over 32kg on Scoot or AirAsia.
- Golden rule: add bags at booking, never at the airport.
Cabin bags compared
| Airline | Included cabin allowance | Main bag size | Top-up option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoot (economy) | 2 pieces, 10kg combined | 54 x 38 x 23 cm | ScootPlus: 15kg |
| Jetstar (Starter) | 2 items, 7kg combined | 56 x 36 x 23 cm | +7kg to 14kg on selected routes |
| AirAsia (standard) | 2 pieces, 7kg combined | 56 x 36 x 23 cm | Xtra Carry-On to 14kg on eligible flights |
The second, smaller item must fit under the seat in front (Scoot specifies 40 x 30 x 10 cm). Overweight cabin bags can be sent to the hold at the gate with excess charges, which is the most expensive way to check a bag.
Checked bags and bundles
| Airline | Basic fare | Bundles that include a bag | How extra weight is sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoot | Fly: no checked bag | FlyBag and FlyBagEat (20kg); ScootPlus (30kg) | Up to 40kg extra online; airport excess charged per kg |
| Jetstar | Starter: no checked bag | Bundles vary by route | Add in Manage Booking; cheaper before the airport |
| AirAsia | Usually no checked bag | Value Pack and Premium Flex (commonly 20kg) | Weight tiers by route; cheaper during booking |
Prices change by route, date and demand, so the airlines do not publish one fixed price. As a guide, a 2026 comparison of Singapore-Bangkok flights reported a 20kg bag at about S$25 to S$45 one way when added online, and seat selection at about S$10 to S$20 per flight, on both Scoot and AirAsia.
Seats and meals: worth it?
- Seats: if you skip seat selection, you get a free seat at check-in. Pay only when it matters, such as for families who must sit together or for extra legroom on a long sector.
- Meals: pre-ordered meals are usually cheaper and more certain than buying on board. Bundles such as Scoot’s FlyBagEat fold a meal into the price.
- Food from home: check each airline’s rules on consuming your own food on board before you pack a picnic.
A worked example: the true price of a cheap fare
| Item, one way Singapore-Bangkok | Reported range |
|---|---|
| Advertised base fare | S$79 |
| 20kg checked bag added online | S$25 to S$45 |
| Seat selection | S$10 to S$20 |
| Base fare plus bag and seat, before taxes | S$114 to S$144 |
Taxes and airport charges come on top, which is how the same comparison found a S$79 fare reaching about S$180 to S$220 one way. Compare the final total on the payment page with a full-service fare that includes a bag and meal; sometimes the gap is smaller than it looks.
The WahLiao Verdict
Decide your luggage before you book, not at the counter. If you need a checked bag, buy the bag bundle there and then; if you can travel light, Scoot’s 10kg cabin allowance is the most generous of the three. Skip paid seats unless you need them, weigh your cabin bag at home, and always compare the final payment-page total, not the headline fare.
Questions people ask
Does Jetstar still fly from Singapore?
Singapore-based Jetstar Asia ceased operations on 31 July 2025. Other Jetstar airlines may serve particular routes, so check jetstar.com for your city pair.
Is the cabin weight per bag or combined?
Combined. Scoot’s 10kg and AirAsia’s and Jetstar’s 7kg cover both your main bag and the small under-seat item together.
Can I add a bag after booking?
Yes, through Manage Booking, and it is still cheaper than paying at the airport. Prices often rise closer to departure.
What is the heaviest bag I can check?
On Scoot and AirAsia, no single bag may exceed 32kg; larger allowances must be split across bags.
Sources: Scoot, baggage allowances; Jetstar, carry-on baggage; The Travel Tinker, AirAsia baggage rules; ShopBack, Scoot and AirAsia Singapore-Bangkok cost comparison; Time Out Singapore, Jetstar Asia closure. The Escape explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Airfare Rules Explained: Fare Classes, Changes, Refunds and No-Shows · Hand Luggage Rules at Changi: Liquids, Sharp Items and Duty-Free Bags · Back to The Escape
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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