Article: Things Jetstar Does & Doesn’t Do Well

[moa999]

and it is relatively niche - is that it still offers some great SC / $ offerings when business (as we can't get economy Max anymore) is on sale.

Agreed the typical $200 extra for Business Max if you are already buying Business is generally pretty good value on a $/SC basis.

I've generally had pretty good on time experiences with JQ (both domestic, international, now closed Asia).
And my one substantial displeasure on delays on JQ7 (8hrs) was probably helped by sitting it out in the MEL F Lounge.. and having them move my 3K connection to the next morning.

 

[Nank]

Good to see you still doing articles Matt!
I mostly agree with you, I’ve flown JQ many times in Australia, twice in NZ and once with 3K (Jetstar Asia). I can’t think of a single occasion where I’ve had a properly bad experience. Sure a few delays in the mix here and there but I’ll challenge anyone to find me a single airline on the planet that’s got perfect OTP.
I mostly don’t fly them these days because I don’t see the value if you need anything more than just a seat on the plane. Almost every time I’ve done a search on JQ in the past couple years by the time I add on checked baggage and seat selection the fare is the same price, or even MORE expensive, than Qantas. At that rate it doesn’t make the choice very hard and I end up sticking with QF as a result. I have to say though this is no different to a lot of European and American LCCs I’ve looked at. Almost all are brilliantly priced for a seat and no more but as soon as you think about bags it’s all over. The one notable exception was my 3K MNL-SIN flight which off the top of my head was ~$189 for their max bundle with everything included, and for a 3.5hr flight I thought that was brilliant! The beef rendang curry they served me was possibly one of the best economy class meals I’ve ever eaten too.
I won’t fly JQ long haul, but for short trips within Australia or NZ I think they’re fine. You just need to plan properly and play by the rules, which is something most of the anti-JQ folk seem to conveniently forget about…….

 

[tassie6]

"I suspect it’s also not uncommon for people to board Jetstar flights in a bad mood because they had a bad ground experience at the airport. "

Living in Hobart Jetstar can sometimes be the best option for flight times and price or points.

We'd flown out of Terminal 4 at Tullamarine a number of times but after the most recent experience my wife and I have sworn never to use Jetstar again if it involves Melbourne. We were to leave at Gate 49 which is as far down that long walk as you can go. Flights, including ours were delayed and you would have thought we were in a 3rd world country. You could barely move because of the crowds. Had there been seats to sit in it would have made the wait less uncomfortable. Call me spoilt but I was surprised at the lack of seating.

A couple of people with mobility issues actually left the area because of not being able to sit .

Agreed, departing T4 in Melbourne is horrific, also agreed being from HBA that Jetstar is often the best option!

 

[dajop]

Jetstar AU-SIN. NO. Just fly Scoot or others, similar product, but more likely to get you there. Jetstar scams its pax when selling MEL-SIN-MEL. It seems that thet get cancelled more often than they fly (poetic licence).

When it works it works, when it doesn't it doesn't. Not one for the faint hearted, and not advisable to have non-cancellable accommodation on night 1 in SIN. I'm OK with MEL-SIN it as long as I don't need to be back in SG at a specific time. But I have the luxury of not needing to deal with hotels at either end of the journey. A couple of weeks ago I needed to get back to SG earlier than anticipated, Scoot was $700 with luggage JQ plus bundle only $585 with a meal, luggage and decent dose of QFF points that went with it.

 

[amp-qld]

We live on the Sunshine Coast and Jetstar has far more flights in/out of MCY at convenient times than Virgin . They are even starting DPS flights, which we'll be on in October. Unfortunately, their return flight from DPS is overnight so we will still be on the flight into BNE.

 

[Pushka]

At least JQ fly internationally out of Adelaide. . And not just across the ditch.

 

[Hvr]

I've flown JQ quite a few times on the MEL-BKK route. Usually in their business class.
I liken JQ to Thailand. It usually works even if you're not sure how.

And when it goes wrong, it does so spectacularly.

The JQ product is exactly as advertised which means that if you read and research the offer then you'll be fine.

 

[AuSammy]

I've flown JQ quite a few times on the MEL-BKK route. Usually in their business class.
I liken JQ to Thailand. It usually works even if you're not sure how.

And when it goes wrong, it does so spectacularly.

The JQ product is exactly as advertised which means that if you read and research the offer then you'll be fine.

Yeah "no bait and switch" like QR and some others

 

[AustSerbKor]

Jetstar does business well for the price: the seats are only premium, but the service was excellent. Unfortunately, Jetstar is in the process of Jetstaring this. When they increase the number of seats from 21 to 44, there will still only be 3 flight attendants (*) for the business cabin, which is why they've transitioned from tray service to trolley service.

* Information from the flight attendant on my last flight.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Jetstar does business well for the price: the seats are only premium, but the service was excellent. Unfortunately, Jetstar is in the process of Jetstaring this. When they increase the number of seats from 21 to 44, there will still only be 3 flight attendants (*) for the business cabin, which is why they've transitioned from tray service to trolley service.

* Information from the flight attendant on my last flight.

Sounds appalling!

 

[clifford]

Sounds appalling!

Perhaps time to reconsider Scoot Plus. Cheaper by far and similar seat. And they're flying the 788 to SYD with only 3 rows of Plus (I've booked one for May).

Just pay for your F&B if you want more than the basic offering. OK, no lounge access, but that's why you have PP, and the PP lounges at SIN aren't too bad at all.

 

[AustSerbKor]

Perhaps time to reconsider Scoot Plus. Cheaper by far and similar seat. And they're flying the 788 to SYD with only 3 rows of Plus (I've booked one for May).

Just pay for your F&B if you want more than the basic offering. OK, no lounge access, but that's why you have PP, and the PP lounges at SIN aren't too bad at all.

I'm in Brisbane and need to visit Korea a couple of times a year, so my direct options are Jetstar or Korean Air. Of course if Trinity Air (T'Way) starts BNE-PUS that would be great. Until then, I'll try Jetstar (Pwhy) again, unless Korean Air in why is significantly cheaper.

Jetstar's A321 seat pitch is unacceptable at 29", and their 787 at 30" is also too small.

 

[AuSammy]

I'm in Brisbane and need to visit Korea a couple of times a year, so my direct options are Jetstar or Korean Air. Of course if Trinity Air (T'Way) starts BNE-PUS that would be great. Until then, I'll try Jetstar (Pwhy) again, unless Korean Air in why is significantly cheaper.

Jetstar's A321 seat pitch is unacceptable at 29", and their 787 at 30" is also too small.

JQ have special atm - free return flight