Arrivals & Departures Dreaming up names for planes

Photo of Niall McIlroy

By Niall McIlroy

Travel Photojournalist
West Travel Club & The West Australian

Scoot's network continues to expand throughout Asia and to Europe on the most modern passenger aircraft in the sky.

What's in a name?

Fun and imagination when it comes to the monikers staff at Scoot come up with for each new addition to an all-Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.

When boarding at the airport, you may notice through the gate window the "name" of the plane written on the fuselage. 

Some airlines name aircraft after places or people. In the case of Scoot, it's usually a fun play on words.

When the airline took delivery of its first 787 from Boeing at Everett near Seattle, I went along for the ride and Dream Start certainly lived up to its name as we crossed the world, flying back to Singapore via Osaka. 

The first of what will be a 20-strong fleet for the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines had no sooner landed when it was off again to serve the route to Perth.

Scoot crew pose in front of Dream Start at Boeing before the plane's first passenger flight.
Scoot crew pose in front of Dream Start at Boeing before the plane's first passenger flight. Picture: Niall McIlroy

It was quickly followed into Singapore by the likes of The Future is Yellow, Big Yella Fella, Scootalicious and Lickety-Split.

And the sight of Scoot's latest Dreamliner should also raise a smile. The airline has begun flights to the Indian cities of Chennai and Amritsar, its 12th Dreamliner will depart Singapore for Jaipur on October 2.

And the name on the plane? What else but Kama Scootra!

A rare look inside Boeing's Dreamliner Gallery and the Everett factory -  a building so big, it once rained inside.

Airline officials choose the fit-out for their new 787s at the Dreamliner Gallery in Everett.
Airline officials choose the fit-out for their new 787s at the Dreamliner Gallery in Everett.
Boeing has a model for each Dreamliner customer at the gallery.
Boeing has a model for each Dreamliner customer at the gallery.
The Boeing Everett factory is so big that workers get around the facility by bike.
The Boeing Everett factory is so big that workers get around the facility by bike.
A line of Dreamliners sold to All Nippon Airlines on the factory floor.
A line of Dreamliners sold to All Nippon Airlines on the factory floor.
A future Jetstar Dreamliner is not far from completion.
A future Jetstar Dreamliner is not far from completion.
Eventually the big doors will open and the plane will roll out.
Eventually the big doors will open and the plane will roll out.
Dreamliner number 280 will go to the ANA fleet.
Dreamliner number 280 will go to the ANA fleet.

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