Flying with Scoot from Singapore to Padang is a convenient way to reach West Sumatra, especially for international travellers heading to Padang, Bukittinggi or the Mentawai Islands for a surfing trip.
However, there is something you should know before booking your flight: your checked luggage may not arrive with you.
During our trip from Singapore to Padang, we arrived at Minangkabau International Airport only to discover that our suitcases were missing.
The surfboards had arrived, but many passengers were left waiting for their luggage.
Fortunately, the airport staff explained the situation, recorded our details and arranged for our suitcases to be delivered to our accommodation once they arrived.
Our luggage eventually reached Padang the following day.
Although the situation was resolved, it is worth understanding what happened and how you can prepare for a similar experience.
About Scoot’s Flight from Singapore to Padang
Scoot is a Singaporean low-cost airline and a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines.
Based at Singapore Changi Airport, the airline operates flights to destinations across Asia and beyond.
Its direct service to Padang provides a convenient connection between Singapore and West Sumatra without requiring passengers to transit through Jakarta or another Indonesian city.
As of October 2026, the aircraft scheduled on the Singapore to Padang route is the Embraer E190-E2.
This is a smaller regional jet compared with the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft commonly used on short international routes.
How Small Is the Aircraft?
The Embraer E190-E2 used on this route is listed with a capacity of 112 economy passengers.
The aircraft is approximately 36 metres long, making it considerably smaller than many aircraft used on busy international routes.
The cabin has a 2-2 seating arrangement, with two seats on each side of the aisle.
Unlike the common 3-3 arrangement on an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737, there are no middle seats.
The flight from Singapore to Padang takes approximately one hour and 20 to 30 minutes, making it a relatively short international journey.
The aircraft itself is a modern jet designed for regional routes.
Its size is not necessarily a problem for passengers, but it becomes relevant when considering the amount of passenger baggage and bulky equipment that needs to be carried.
Aircraft assignments can change, so check your booking before departure if you want to confirm the aircraft operating your flight.
The Problem: Surfboards and Delayed Luggage
One thing we noticed on the Singapore to Padang route was the number of passengers travelling with surfboards.
West Sumatra is a popular destination for surfers, particularly those heading to the Mentawai Islands.
Many travellers bring their own boards, which can be long and bulky and require special handling.
During our experience, the surfboards arrived at Minangkabau International Airport, but many passengers did not receive their checked suitcases.
The situation appeared to be related to baggage capacity and the handling of bulky surfboards on the flight.
However, we cannot confirm the airline’s exact operational reason for leaving the suitcases behind.
This was particularly frustrating for passengers who had arrived in Indonesia expecting to collect their belongings and continue their journey.
Scoot’s direct flights to Padang operate on a limited weekly schedule, so a suitcase that does not travel on the same flight may not reach its destination immediately.
In our case, we were told that the missing luggage would be transported separately.
We also understood that luggage could be routed through Kuala Lumpur before reaching Padang.
Kuala Lumpur has additional flight connections to Padang, including services operated by AirAsia and Super Air Jet.
However, the route and delivery time for delayed luggage depend on the arrangements made by the airline and its baggage-handling partners.
Our advice is simple: do not assume your checked luggage will always arrive at the same time as you.
This is especially important if you are travelling with surf equipment or connecting to another destination in West Sumatra.
What Happened to Our Luggage at Minangkabau International Airport?
When we arrived at Minangkabau International Airport, we went to the baggage carousel to collect our suitcases.
Instead of seeing our luggage, we noticed that the surfboards were arriving on the carousel.
Several passengers were also waiting for their suitcases, which never appeared.
Airport staff then asked passengers who had not received their luggage to gather together.
They began recording the details of the missing bags and explaining the situation.
We were advised that the luggage would be delivered directly to our address once it arrived.
This could be a home, hotel or other accommodation anywhere in West Sumatra, depending on the delivery arrangements.
The airport staff explained that local couriers or drivers using minibuses could be used to transport the luggage to passengers.
We were also given a WhatsApp contact number so we could follow up on the situation.
This was helpful because we did not have to return to the airport just to ask whether our belongings had arrived.
We provided our details and kept the baggage report for our records.
The staff advised us to contact them with our full name and a photograph of the suitcase, if available, so they could identify our luggage.
The following day, at around 2 pm, we received a message informing us that our luggage had arrived.
The airport staff sent us photographs of the suitcases and confirmed the delivery destination before arranging to send them to us.
Thankfully, our luggage was returned without us having to collect it ourselves.
Although we were not panicked by the situation, it was a reminder that luggage delays can affect travel plans.
Especially when arriving in a destination where you may not have easy access to replacement clothing or personal belongings.
What Should You Do If Your Luggage Does Not Arrive?
If you fly to Padang and your checked luggage does not appear on the carousel, do not leave the airport without reporting it.
Here are the steps we recommend.
1. Report the Missing Luggage Immediately
Speak to the airline’s baggage service staff or the airport staff handling missing luggage before leaving the airport.
Ask them to record the details of your missing suitcase and provide a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), or the equivalent official baggage report.
This document is important because it records that your luggage was delayed or missing when you arrived.
You may need it when following up with the airline or making a travel insurance claim.
2. Keep Your Boarding Pass and Baggage Tags
Keep your boarding pass and the baggage tags issued when you checked in your suitcase.
These documents help establish that the luggage belongs to you and identify the journey on which it was checked in.
Take photographs of the tags and boarding pass as a backup, but keep the original documents until your luggage has been returned and any claims have been resolved.
Also Read 10 Things You Probably Don’t Know About West Sumatra
3. Take Photos of Your Suitcase Before Check-In
Before checking in at Singapore Changi Airport, take clear photographs of your suitcase from several angles.
Include any distinctive features, such as its colour, size, stickers, straps or other identifying marks.
If your suitcase goes missing, these photographs can help airport staff identify it, particularly when several passengers have similar bags.
4. Pack Essential Items in Your Cabin Baggage
Prepare for the possibility that your checked luggage may take an extra day or longer to arrive.
Pack enough essential items in your cabin baggage to get through the first couple of days.
These could include a change of clothes, underwear, toiletries that comply with cabin baggage restrictions, medication and important travel documents.
If you take prescription medication, keep it in your cabin baggage whenever possible, subject to applicable travel requirements.
Having these essentials with you can make a luggage delay much less stressful and reduce the need to buy replacement items immediately after arriving.
5. Buy Travel Insurance That Covers Delayed Luggage
Travel insurance can help cover eligible expenses if your checked luggage is delayed or lost.
Before purchasing a policy, check the terms carefully.
Policies differ in their waiting periods, benefit limits, exclusions and the types of expenses they reimburse.
Keep receipts for essential purchases made while waiting for your luggage.
You should also retain your Property Irregularity Report and any written communication from the airline or airport.
A baggage report alone does not guarantee that an insurance claim will be approved, so make sure you understand the requirements of your policy.
6. Stay in Contact With the Airport or Airline
Ask for an official contact number or email address so you can follow up without returning to the airport.
In our case, airport staff provided a WhatsApp number and asked us to send our full name and a photograph of the suitcase, if available.
When contacting the relevant staff, provide your flight details, baggage tag number and report reference if you have one.
Once the luggage arrives, ask for confirmation of the delivery arrangements and make sure the destination address is correct.
Contact for Missing Luggage at Minangkabau International Airport
During our experience, airport staff provided the following WhatsApp number for luggage follow-up:
WhatsApp: +62 822-8810-0121
Contact details and baggage-handling arrangements may change.
If your luggage is missing, report it to the airline or the airport’s baggage service desk first.
Keep your official report and baggage tags, then use the contact details provided by the staff to follow up.
Be Prepared When Flying Scoot to Padang
Our experience flying from Singapore to Padang was a reminder that even a short international flight can come with unexpected problems.
We were fortunate that the airport staff explained the situation, gave us a way to follow up and arranged delivery once our luggage arrived the next day at around 2 pm.
Still, having your suitcase arrive late can be inconvenient, especially if you are planning to travel straight to another destination in West Sumatra.
If you are flying to Padang, particularly with surfboards or other bulky equipment, prepare for the possibility of delayed checked luggage.
Keep essential items in your cabin baggage, photograph your suitcase and retain your baggage documents.
Most importantly, report missing luggage before leaving the airport and ask for a Property Irregularity Report.
With a little preparation, you can reduce the inconvenience and spend less time worrying about your suitcase and more time enjoying West Sumatra.
