Are Jetstar really that bad??

[wendlle]

Some of you may have helped me in previous threads looking for a way home from Vancouver, some suggested via Hawaii which is exactly what we have decided to do.
Now, I see flights with Jetstar are half the price of Hawaiian Airlines but I am wondering if I should just pay the $2K extra and go with Hawaiian ??
The flight isn't at a great time either, 8:30am I don't find an appealing time while on vacation, meaning we need to be at the airport with two kids at 5:30am, Hawaiian leaves at around noon - much better. But I guess for $2K I can suck it up!

Budget for me is of importance, this is a vacation - no one is paying for this trip except myself and a large chunk of it is in the USA so with the dollar so weak costs are rising, but I am really thinking these Jetstar flights aren't very good - hence the price.

Are you getting what you pay for? Never flown with them before.

 

[jrfsp]

The JQ 787s are fine, don’t expect a full service carrier but 2k is a lot of money!
Pay for the IFE and pay for some food / drinks etc and won’t notice much difference.

 

[TravsTravels]

Jetstar is fine but you do get what you pay for. You won't get any food, service or drinks on board without paying extra. Their 787s are more comfortable but I've even found the a330s are tolerable for an 8-10 hour flight when it's cheap enough. Take some food or expect to pay for it on board then use the ~2K savings for a nicer holiday on the ground (or even just save the money) and you're unlikely to regret it.

Edit: oh, don't forget to check costs including baggage. Sometimes it's not too different from full service carriers if you haven't already included those costs.

 

[wendlle]

I’ve already included some food and bags I don’t need entertainment and it’s a $2K difference
But I hate the departure time

 

[AIRwin]

But I hate the departure time

It may be delayed?

 

[TravsTravels]

I’ve already included some food and bags I don’t need entertainment and it’s a $2K difference
But I hate the departure time

I hate early wake ups and early flights more than most but I'd take the 2K over an extra 3.5 hrs of sleep/rest any day. As for entertainment, download stuff on your phone from a streaming service you're probably already paying for. It really just comes down to your preferences and financial situation. $2,000 means a lot of different things to a lot of different folks.

 

[Quickstatus]

meaning we need to be at the airport with two kids at 5:30am

delayed

unfortunately yes.
However you can look up JQ3 which arrives into HNL prior to 6am on FlightRadar24.

If you flight is significantly delayed departing SYD (or cancelled) - is it possible to contact JQ to see if can bag drop later?

The HA A330-200 have better seats than JQ 787. Possibly 1-2 inches more leg room and maybe an inch wider. However, when you have kids, it is less of a problem. $2k is significant spend. I would save it. Put it toward something else.

Just get an early dinner prior to 6pm and put the kids to sleep early.

 

[wendlle]

It may be delayed?

LOL, too true. A "delay" isn't so bad - Cancelled is. We both (adults) have to be back at work and it takes a few days to get over such a long trip so I need my buffer.
I will think it over for the next few days.
I just wish Hawaiian Airlines would drop a sale!!

Also as a side question: I keep getting told to get good insurance, but I can't find a single company that covers flight cancellations as a result of the airlines fault - they all say it's up to the airline to give compensation - and I know for a fact Jetstar don't give nearly enough to cover Honolulu accommodation and food. Apparently it's $150 a day.

 

[Quickstatus]

it takes a few days to get over such a long trip so I need my buffer.

how long are you stopping over in Honolulu? By doing this you actually improve your body clock resetting when you arrive home.

 

[wendlle]

how long are you stopping over in Honolulu? By doing this you actually improve your body clock resetting when you arrive home.

WE will be in Honolulu for 4 days.

 

[Quickstatus]

4 days.

Excellent, the jet lag will be much easier to deal with with a Honolulu stop over of that length. Also you are travelling west which for most people is better than travelling east

 

[clifford]

I've even found the a320s are tolerable for an 8-10 hour flight

I guess you were the only passenger, as the max duration of a 320 is 5-6 hours under normal conditions. Maybe a bit more with as tailwind and light load.

However I do agree that the Jetstar option would be preferable to Hawaiian, given the cost difference, particularly if you can snag an exit row or bulkhead.

 

[wendlle]

well, it seems I waited too long to decide! Price has gone up and I also didn't realise it was in US$ so the price difference is now $1000 which for the peace of mind and sleep in, I think i'll go with Hawaiian Airlines and hope they have a sale in the next 7 days because I want to book by next weekend.

 

[Quickstatus]

I think i'll go with Hawaiian Airlines

Price comparison QF HNL-SYD one way?.

 

[TravsTravels]

I guess you were the only passenger, as the max duration of a 320 is 5-6 hours under normal conditions. Maybe a bit more with as tailwind and light load.

However I do agree that the Jetstar option would be preferable to Hawaiian, given the cost difference, particularly if you can snag an exit row or bulkhead.

A330* lol. The a320 is comfortable for about 90 minutes tops

 

[wendlle]

Price comparison QF HNL-SYD one way?.

$2K more than HA with QF

 

[JohnK]

Jetstar are ok but don't expect much.

In October I had a 15hr transit in SIN to save $300-$400.

Next month we arrive SIN around 3:00am and depart for BKK after 12:00noon saving ~$200 each.

Wife and 6 year old daughter are both OK. Transit hotel costs $200+ for 6 hours and nearby hotels are $120+ and then taxi fare on top. We can sleep at airport. I have lounge access and can bring one of them as guests and if we're lucky can bring both as guests. Sandwiches more than adequate.

 

[Duffa]

Just did this exact trip on Jetstar (but paid extra $ for business class - more later). Here is my take.
In the foyer at 06.00 - central Waikiki hotel - taxi took 22 minutes to get to Terminal 2. Sunday morning, so do your own research on weekdays.
In the queue before 6.30 which is 2 hrs prior to departure and a full hour before bag-drop/check in closes. I don't envisage anyone with those timings, being left behind on account of being late?
Queue was long-ish but not nightmare.


J experience.
No-one else in business class lane at the time of our arrival, despite the front cabin being FULLY booked. Maybe they all turned up at D-75 [departure-75minutes] or less?? Stood at front of our queue for less than 30 seconds, upon which time one of the check-in/bag-drop staff signalled her readiness for next customer. The queue supervisor was just about to send an economy passenger her way when she noticed us. She apologised (to them) and sent us forward. A bit awkward but handled pretty well, I thought. And certainly a lot better than some of the full-service debacles I have endured. Credit to Jetstar!

Boarding experience was the same. J pax boarded early, just after families with young children, which is not a problem for me.

In-flight was excellent. Crew were fantastic. Food was good. Wine very impressive. Seat was very OK for a day flight - I struggled to sleep on an overnight flight to Vietnam a few years ago.
The economy passengers directly behind us with extra legroom seats seemed almost as comfortable so that is certainly an option.

 

[wendlle]

Just did this exact trip on Jetstar (but paid extra $ for business class - more later). Here is my take.
In the foyer at 06.00 - central Waikiki hotel - taxi took 22 minutes to get to Terminal 2. Sunday morning, so do your own research on weekdays.
In the queue before 6.30 which is 2 hrs prior to departure and a full hour before bag-drop/check in closes. I don't envisage anyone with those timings, being left behind on account of being late?
Queue was long-ish but not nightmare.


J experience.
No-one else in business class lane at the time of our arrival, despite the front cabin being FULLY booked. Maybe they all turned up at D-75 [departure-75minutes] or less?? Stood at front of our queue for less than 30 seconds, upon which time one of the check-in/bag-drop staff signalled her readiness for next customer. The queue supervisor was just about to send an economy passenger her way when she noticed us. She apologised (to them) and sent us forward. A bit awkward but handled pretty well, I thought. And certainly a lot better than some of the full-service debacles I have endured. Credit to Jetstar!

Boarding experience was the same. J pax boarded early, just after families with young children, which is not a problem for me.

In-flight was excellent. Crew were fantastic. Food was good. Wine very impressive. Seat was very OK for a day flight - I struggled to sleep on an overnight flight to Vietnam a few years ago.
The economy passengers directly behind us with extra legroom seats seemed almost as comfortable so that is certainly an option.

We ended deciding to come home via Tokyo instead of Honolulu but still with Jetstar

 

[elanshin]

Just took a JQ flight from SYD to MEL on their a321NEO. Plane is definitely nicer a little quieter and much bigger overhead bins. I wouldn't mind flying it for short hops if it saves a few bucks or gives decent SC but not convinced for longer haul. 3 toilets for a 7+ hr to Asia with 200+ PAX might be a bit tight.