Another JQi stranding passengers incident

[BD1959]

...I think Garuda may still at least be worth a look at the very least, especially if their prices were competative. Sure they are Star Alliance but once you add up all the bundles and food/baggage fees JQ Y and JQ Starcless are not that great value compared to other airlines anyway. So if it was a widebody or nothing you do have a choice of JQ or GA, and if the budget permits - I would take GA J class over JQ starclass any day if the prices were similar.

I priced this up yesterday, for the dates I'm looking at:

GA is $1,324 return in D
VA is $1,909 return in D
JQ is $2,645 return .... as our TransPac cousins say ... Go figure!!

Regards,

BD

 

[eastwest101]

Sorry - don't know what D is, are those AUD prices per person for GA VA Business Class and JQ Starclass return? Or are they economy class prices. :shock:

 

[DC3]

Oh I have moved on ...

LOL. What a total crock. Dwelling on all of this.



Edited so as not to upset a poster.

 

[docjames]

Good suggestion for BD1959 there about taking the narrowbody punishment and pooling into VA for a quick run to VA Gold but the downside is the B737 and no widebody for some.

If trying to fly MEL-DPS direct, its a pity the good alternative offered in this post is somewhat detracted by the anti Garuda sentiment. Given that GA are offering A330s nonstop from MEL-DPS then I think Garuda may still at least be worth a look at the very least, especially if their prices were competative. Sure they are Star Alliance but once you add up all the bundles and food/baggage fees JQ Y and JQ Starcless are not that great value compared to other airlines anyway. So if it was a widebody or nothing you do have a choice of JQ or GA (or take the narrowbody punishment on a VA B737), and if the budget permits - I would take GA J class or VA J class over JQ starclass any day if the prices were similar. Unfortunately even the GA option DPS-MEL return flight is an overnight horror so reason enough to compare prices between VA J class vs JQ Starclass vs GA J class.

I was trying not to get into the whole GA thing (as there's a variety of opinion on AFF) but:
1. I'd like a little more time to have confidence that GA are on top of their safety issues.
2. If there's an issue (delay, lost luggage etc) I'd rather be dealing with VA than GA.

You are right though: price and product are excellent but for me I'm not prepared to compromise #1 especially at this stage.

YMMV

 

[medhead]

LOL. What a total crock. Dwelling on all of this.



Edited so as not to upset a poster.

Indeed. You posted Y?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Got the son-in-law's milestone birthday coming up next year, yes you've guessed where he intends to spend it (at least it's in a luxury resort ....). Last week August, first week of September.

So, for the bemused among us who advise against booking JQ (and I'm one who avoids them like the proverbial) and I'm not too keen on GA - are my MEL-DPS options restricted to:

OW: MH and CX - massive detours but I have my WP status
Direct: VA and GA - no status, but looking at J, so less of a hassle, but nothing rewarding and no MEL FLounge.

Looking to purchase (probably hard-earned) 2 x J returns, luckily outside of school holidays. Traditionally, isn't Christmas/New Year sale time for the airlines too?

What would the good people suggest?

Regards,

BD

What I would suggest is doing a JASA (or buy a sale fare if no points to burn) to DRW, having a night there to look around then buying a cheap sale fare DRW/DPS - it's only 2.20 hours for that leg & do-able in whY.

On the return sector DPS/DRW on Fri Sun Mon JQ84 operates 1830/2255 DPS/DRW so you avoid the less popular 0300 arrival in DRW. This would be handy for those who planned on stopping over in DRW on the way back for a look around unless they fancied taking the red eye flight immediately after.

I think it's a good idea to combine a couple of destinations into one trip as it gives you an intro into what you might want to do when to you back.

 

[eastwest101]

What I would suggest is doing a JASA (or buy a sale fare if no points to burn) to DRW, having a night there to look around then buying a cheap sale fare DRW/DPS - it's only 2.20 hours for that leg & do-able in whY.

On the return sector DPS/DRW on Fri Sun Mon JQ84 operates 1830/2255 DPS/DRW so you avoid the less popular 0300 arrival in DRW. This would be handy for those who planned on stopping over in DRW on the way back for a look around unless they fancied taking the red eye flight immediately after.

Another really good suggestion, I was thinking the same thing but from some of the experiences here with the airfares from SE Australia to DRW I have heard that simply the cost of getting to DRW from say MEL makes a stopover in DRW less economic, no matter how cheap the fares are DRW-DPS you can still pay through the nose getting to DRW - as you say its only 2:20 from DRW to DPS so good idea.

BD1959 and docjames - I take your point about not wanting to re-open the whole GA argument - we are already totally off topic on this thread anyway!

 

[BD1959]

Sorry - don't know what D is, are those AUD prices per person for GA VA Business Class and JQ Starclass return? Or are they economy class prices. :shock:

D = Discount Business, the JQ fare is Starclass

All in AUD and per person return.

Regards,

BD

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I was trying not to get into the whole GA thing (as there's a variety of opinion on AFF) but:
1. I'd like a little more time to have confidence that GA are on top of their safety issues.
2. If there's an issue (delay, lost luggage etc) I'd rather be dealing with VA than GA.

You are right though: price and product are excellent but for me I'm not prepared to compromise #1 especially at this stage.

YMMV

I haven't heard any reports from GA about crew so tired they don't think it's safe to operate the flight. I haven't heard any reports from GA about pilots distracted by their phone on landing and having to abort.

I happily fly garuda and will would not pay twice the price to fly economy on jetstar than business class on Garuda.

If I had concerns about Garuda there would be no way I'd even think about driving to the airport. It's far too dangerous to drive!!!

 

[Awesom Andy]

I haven't heard any reports from GA about crew so tired they don't think it's safe to operate the flight. I haven't heard any reports from GA about pilots distracted by their phone on landing and having to abort.

Although I would guess that they simply don't say anything, not until an aircraft becomes permanently unserviceable due to a blunt impact anyway...