'I'm a travel expert – there's one thing you must know to bag cheap flights to east'

A money-savvy travel expert revealed a simple yet effective “cheat code” for globetrotters looking to save money on flights to long-haul eastern destinations.

Maximillian Angel, who shares his flight advice to TikTok, advised UK holidaymakers eyeing escapes to Southeast Asia and Australia in particular to take note, as he divulged a key strategy to slash costs.

“Sometimes, rather than booking directly from the UK, it’s best to head to another city in Europe, before then taking your long-haul flight,” Maximillian counselled. According to him, Singapore stands out as a pivotal hub with networks “all around Asia”, making it an essential stop-off point – a place from which you “can pretty go much anywhere”.

Maximillian shared his personal experience of cost-effective travel by flying back from Singapore via Athens, Greece, describing it as a “simple flight back to the UK”. He spotlighted FlyScoot.com, a budget airline connecting Singapore with Athens, which he praised for offering unbeatable fares.

“A number of these routes throughout March are just £179 and Scoot only operates direct flights,” he noted, highlighting how this compares favourably to the “main route with British Airways from the UK” which is in excess of £400.

Maximillian added: “You’ll also need to consider the cost of getting to Athens, but in March, there are many options for under £30 from London. So, in total, you’re looking at around £200 from London to Athens to Singapore.”

After pointing out there is an extra fee for checked luggage, however, he concluded by revealing that from Singapore, you can reach popular destinations like Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia, for an average of £50 using Skyscanner, while Perth, Australia, is only another £99 away.

Nevertheless, some TikTok users were skeptical, 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.” While another TikTok user agreed: “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.”

Scoot’s website states: “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.”