Airline review: Jetstar A320 economy, Adelaide to Denpasar, Bali

[whatmeworry]

Interesting review on JQ. Some of the highlights.

The economy seat pitch is a leg-scrunching, in-your-face 29 inches (74cm), which is a couple of inches short of Virgin. There's a more pleasing 17.9-inch (45.5cm) width and a standard recline of 4 inches (10cm). The A320 has a 3-3 configuration.

The early-December midweek flight is light on passengers so the sardine factor is mitigated. I'm in front of the emergency rows so the seat doesn't recline; luckily the guy in front doesn't push back while I'm drinking any sort of hot beverage. The aircraft is clean and newish and there's a pleasant charcoal leather upholstery. Small comfort, however, (especially on the packed return flight, when sleeping passengers have to contort themselves).

No screens. No rental iPads. No USB sockets for those needing extra power for their portable devices.

My pre-booked inflight meal (chicken dish in a foil tray, $15) turns out not to have been pre-booked, so I rely on the snack menu for two meals and drinks, costing $45. The Pot Belly classic beef pie is listed as "a truly memorable eating experience" though it's really a mediocre pie that costs $9. The cabin trolley is a credit card-only deal, which is bad news for the couple behind me. On their five-hour international flight they are given a glass of water.

Airline review: Jetstar A320 economy, Adelaide to Denpasar, Bali

 

[moa999]

And this is why being an informed passenger is critical. Apart from the seat width, the Jetstar 787 is way better than a 320 any day of the week

 

[Mattg]

I must admit that I had a bit of a laugh reading this review. And not because I thought it was poorly written - the author is pretty much spot-on.

Brutal honesty at its best! I guess that's what happens when the reviewer actually paid for their own ticket.

 

[samh004]

I've not had a problem pre-ordering food.

And as for the CC-only service trolley, I once sat next to a very old lady on a JQi sector where they gave her the food before checking she had a card (and of course she didn't) so she just ignored them and strangely they ignored her after a little bit of haggling.

 

[trooper]

Airlines like Jetstar only exist because there is a demand for low price... at any cost. I'm sure we have all flown on similar airlines when it was the logical thing to do......but with foreknowledge of how it would be. (I flew Norwegian from ARN to LGW...because for a flight that short...where we only had one bag between us...the cost was irresistible. As it turned out, it was perfectly alright. My admittedly low expectations were exceeded by a wide margin)

I have little sympathy for folks who check nothing.... look only at price.... and THEN cough.

 

[dajop]

Apart from the seat width, the Jetstar 787 is way better than a 320 any day of the week

Yes, but wouldn't go out of my way for the 787 if it means adding cost, and spending 9+ hrs travelling (at least 7 in the air), instead of just 5 hours on the plane.

Jetstar A320's leg room is tight, and there is little that can be done about that - apart from paying for exit row - but a little of planning/preparation before the flight can overcome lack of IFE & food. It is very easy to pack a sandwich, some fruit and a few munchies to keep yourself from going hungry during the five hours.

Also, most full service airlines will only provide one meal on a five hour flight anyway - so looking at the cost of two meals is a bit misleading - I certainly don't find it necessary to have two meals within a four hour period (assuming they aren't served within first and last half hour of a flight).

 

[gpr49697]

For less than $200 each way the expectation is?