Agreed, I fly Scoot between SIN & MEL (which uses a 789 usually, that has a bank of seats with adjustable headrests and extra legroom) and can survive without IFE, and with QF & SQ return fares regularly in $1200-$1500 SGD mark, they are definitely a good option. But a hard no on their Europe services - not interested, as longer haul (so lack of IFE becomes more of an issue), they operate the 788 on those routes (which have far less "good" seats) and there are plenty of full service alternatives at reasonable prices.
I think westbound the only palatable way would be if they followed a schedule that departed west coast US mid-late morning and arrived in AU early evening where it remains daytime for the whole flight. But that sort of schedule doesn't really exist across the southern pacific, despite being common across the northern pacific.
