Jetstar MEL-HNL: What's it Like?

[mjt57]

Missus has booked us on flights to Hawaii on Jetstar. I think that we're flying on a B787 but I don't know for sure. If so, what is Jetstar's version of the Dreamliner like for long haul flights?

I know that its A320s are a little short of miserable, particularly the longer flights. I hope that we won't be on one of these.

 

[yohy?!]

Re: Jetstar MEL-HON - What's it Like?

JQ only has 787s for long haul now

JQ 787 Nightmare-liner to Bali

a search will yield many other discussions on the JQ787 cabin

 

[opusman]

Re: Jetstar MEL-HON - What's it Like?

Get to the airport early, try to get paid upgrades to *class.

 

[Mattg]

Re: Jetstar MEL-HON - What's it Like?

Get to the airport early, try to get paid upgrades to *class.

Is this allowed now? I tried doing this when I flew from BNE to HNL about a year ago and was told that they don't sell paid upgrades at the airport at all. Instead, they said you needed to upgrade online ~2 weeks before the flight.

My flight wasn't great, although it definitely helps to get seats in row 10 or an exit row on the 787.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Re: Jetstar MEL-HON - What's it Like?

Get to the airport early, try to get paid upgrades to *class.

This was offered 5 years ago, upgrades are by email invitation only.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Re: Jetstar MEL-HON - What's it Like?

Is this allowed now? I tried doing this when I flew from BNE to HNL about a year ago and was told that they don't sell paid upgrades at the airport at all. Instead, they said you needed to upgrade online ~2 weeks before the flight.

My flight wasn't great, although it definitely helps to get seats in row 10 or an exit row on the 787.

I have been told no upgrades at the airport now, and your only hope is an offer about 2 weeks out via a call or email. I have done the MEL-HNL a few times and its fine, even better if you can get the exit rows

 

[snabbu]

Re: Jetstar MEL-HON - What's it Like?

IMO you get what you pay for with JQ. Sub $500 fares AU-HNL return, don't expect too much.

 

[mjt57]

Re: Jetstar MEL-HON - What's it Like?

IMO you get what you pay for with JQ. Sub $500 fares AU-HNL return, don't expect too much.

The flights that we got are the only ones that were available for when we want to travel. Otherwise it would've been Qantas or Virgin.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Re: Jetstar MEL-HON - What's it Like?

The flights that we got are the only ones that were available for when we want to travel. Otherwise it would've been Qantas or Virgin.

You will be fine, like I say if you can find and pay for some exit row seats then do that, if you want food make sure you have ordered it prior and take an Ipad loaded/book/music - it really is OK and you will forget all about any flights once you hit Hawaii

 

[Dr Ralph]

Re: Jetstar MEL-HON - What's it Like?

It's a lot like this:

 

[mjt57]

Re: Jetstar MEL-HON - What's it Like?

You will be fine, like I say if you can find and pay for some exit row seats then do that, if you want food make sure you have ordered it prior and take an Ipad loaded/book/music - it really is OK and you will forget all about any flights once you hit Hawaii

That's our thinking. We stay for two nights in some hotel in Honolulu then jump onto a cruise ship for the next 13 for a trip around the islands then head up to Vancouver.

As for the iPad, yep, it'll be chockers with TV shows and movies (all legit, of course), as well as my Kindle ebook reader. Hopefully, though, I'll sleep.

 

[FlyWithPoints]

Re: Jetstar MEL-HON - What's it Like?

Was able to fly 3 family members including myself using Classic Rewards in Starclass from HNL to MEL in Nov last year. Seats were actually not bad, felt like old business class before lay flat era. Service was hit and miss, they gave out menus, took our orders and delivered completely different meals each serving time, although we were Seat 1A across. Walked the whole plane and Economy was extremely crowded and looked very unpleasant. Did enjoy returning to starclass and having a Baileys. For us MEL souls Jetstar is only direct option from HNL

 

[mjt57]

Just some feedback on our Hawaii trip. Once we exited HNL airport it was fantastic. The trip over was miserable. I swear that they're using recycled Jetstar A320 seats in economy, they were that hard, narrow and cramped. Never again will I fly on a Dreamliner (should be renamed Nighhtmareliner) of any flavor. United's version coming home from LAX was as bad.

My wife just flew to New York on QF93/11. She said that premium economy was far superior in every respect, plus the aircraft was much quieter. It's a damned pity that Qantas is dumping the A380 for some of its major routes.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Just some feedback on our Hawaii trip. Once we exited HNL airport it was fantastic. The trip over was miserable. I swear that they're using recycled Jetstar A320 seats in economy, they were that hard, narrow and cramped. Never again will I fly on a Dreamliner (should be renamed Nighhtmareliner) of any flavor. United's version coming home from LAX was as bad.

My wife just flew to New York on QF93/11. She said that premium economy was far superior in every respect, plus the aircraft was much quieter. It's a damned pity that Qantas is dumping the A380 for some of its major routes.

JQ 787 Economy is not much fun, that has to be said with a very dense configuration. However, the seats on JQ's B787 Y are a smidgen more comfortable than some full service airlines such as AY on their A350, with its rock hard , slim line seats with little padding in their Y seats.

 

[samh004]

Late to the party, but not been a fan of JQ's seat pitch on the 787. Always feels far more cramped than on Qantas. I know one is technically an LCC, but it's why I rarely fly them. Luckily my next flight is in Business, first time to try that, so will see how I go.

 

[mjt57]

Late to the party, but not been a fan of JQ's seat pitch on the 787. Always feels far more cramped than on Qantas. I know one is technically an LCC, but it's why I rarely fly them. Luckily my next flight is in Business, first time to try that, so will see how I go.

Unfortunately it's all that we could get at the time. I booked through Qantas initially and it came up with the codeshare on JQ.

Then my wife booked through United given that we needed a flight home from LAX after the ship cruise to Vancouver. It too codeshared with Jetstar. What was a kicker with this arrangement was that UAL has 23kg baggage limit, JQ has only 20kg. And we had to use JQ's restrictions because of some rule.

The flight to Hawaii wasn't an issue in that respect as we had yet to buy the usual souvenirs, but on the way home we ended up throwing out stuff to keep under the 20kg limit.

Then when we got to Sea-Tac, our bags weren't even weighed at the drop-off point. Straight onto the belt and off they went...

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Have flown BNE/HNL in 'Business' on JQ after being emailed an offer to upgrade (AUD400.00 pp for points & SC vs AUD300.00 without) on the A330 on the overnight flight. I've always found the inflight service good on JQi but the seats are not in the same league obviously as on major airlines but it's better than flying in whY. We flew HNL/BNE on JQi in whY on the A330 which was doable as it was a day flight plus the 2 seats on the side is good seating for couples with adequate legroom.

We flew MEL/BKK on the 787 in 'Business' which IMHO is pretty much same same when compared with the A330. As far as leg rests go the metal ladder rung on the footrest doesn't really cut it but again it's more a choice to fly something that isn't economy. From memory it was a pretty cheap J fare from the get go with the bundle added so we took advantage of a date change for no fee. Coming back in whY on an overnight flight in the 3x3x3 config is pretty awful as the legroom is probably the worst I've had on any aircraft ever as you can't even stretch your legs out under the seat in front of you.

Usually I'm a window person but if there was a next time I would choose an aisle seat in the centre row of 3 so if travelling as a couple you don't have climb over anyone else, nor they climb over you as they use the other aisle.

Unfortunately it's all that we could get at the time. I booked through Qantas initially and it came up with the codeshare on JQ.

Then my wife booked through United given that we needed a flight home from LAX after the ship cruise to Vancouver. It too codeshared with Jetstar. What was a kicker with this arrangement was that UAL has 23kg baggage limit, JQ has only 20kg. And we had to use JQ's restrictions because of some rule.

The flight to Hawaii wasn't an issue in that respect as we had yet to buy the usual souvenirs, but on the way home we ended up throwing out stuff to keep under the 20kg limit.

Then when we got to Sea-Tac, our bags weren't even weighed at the drop-off point. Straight onto the belt and off they went...

Hindsight is always 20/20 however it sounds like you had two separate one way fares which probably means you paid more than what it would have cost if you did a return fare in the same booking albeit with an open jaw sector where you were on the cruise.

Sometimes it's better to find a good travel agent (not the first chain that pops into your head) as often airline websites charge more than TA's when it comes to open jaw itineraries when you use a multi-city booking tool as they don't always use the cheapest airfares.