Bali. Flying (maybe) Jetstar Business Class MEL-DPS-MEL.

[Austman]

I thought to share some experiences about the current travel situation to Bali.

This might not be like a regular TR. In fact I might not go at all! The final yes or no will be made in the next hours.

The Route: MEL-DPS-MEL on nonstop JQ 787 business class flights (already not going to happen ... ).
The Hotels: The first night at the Hilton Garden Inn, which is beside DPS airport. The rest at the Hilton Bali Resort, near Nusa Dua. I'm Hilton Diamond.

I've been to Bali over a dozen times. This trip was intended to be a bit of a "relaxing at the resort" style of trip.

When I looked to book there were daytime Jetstar Business Class flights between MEL and DPS available for a little over $900 for each direction. I know JQ Business is more a Premium Economy type product but for a ca 6 hour, non-redeye flight it has been OK with me before.

About one minute after my booking was confirmed there were media reports of 1,000s of Jetstar pax getting stranded, especially in Bali.

About two minutes after my booking was confirmed there were media reports of a DNATA strike affecting some Australian airports on the booked day of my departure - which is tomorrow.

Oh dear, it was not looking good ...

 

[ZigZagWanderer]

... one minute after my booking was confirmed there were media reports of 1,000s of Jetstar pax getting stranded, especially in Bali.

About two minutes after my booking was confirmed there were media reports of a DNATA strike affecting some Australian airports on the booked day of my departure - which is tomorrow.

Oh dear, it was not looking good ...

Personally, I'd get paranoid if all that started being reported as soon as I'd booked!

 

[Austman]

With the JQ 787 maintenance issues their schedule was thrown into chaos. I looked each day on what was happening MEL-DPS and it was a bit of a mess. Flights were being cancelled all over the place and those that did operate were running hours late.

My flight was then still some days to go and still being sold, so I hoped for the best. Not much I could do really.

The better news for me was that the DNATA strike got called off.

And the Hiltons, in something that was new for me, sent me two emails from a hilton.com domain stating "We're upgrading your upcoming stay, Austman!". And they did. Now, if JQ could get their issues sorted ...

As the days ticked by, it seemed that less and less JQi flights were being cancelled but their on-time performance was still pretty bleak.

Still, my booked flights were still being sold. So fingers crossed.

But yesterday, when I checked my booking online, it showed that the operating aircraft was now an A321neo. Oh dear, that's bye bye to the 787 business class seat and cabin. There was no notification from JQ about the change and the booking still shows as:

"Cabin: Business Duration: 6hrs Aircraft: Airbus A321neo Operated by: Jetstar Airways"

But there is no "Business Class" on JQ's A320/1 aircraft. I also can't select a seat or check-in online. But I can see the A321neo seat map at least ... with all seats blocked and a message: "We'll allocate seats at check-in for free".

So I started a chat session with JQ to see what my options were. They were online in a minute or two. They confirmed the aircraft equipment change and gave me the options:

1. Cancel for a full refund.
2. Take the flight and receive a $400 Jetstar travel voucher as compensation.

I also had it confirmed, in writing I guess, that if I take the flight the original Business Class benefits will apply re luggage (including the carry-on allowance), inflight meals and drinks.

So now I'm deciding. If I can snag an exit row seat, the brand new A321neo (if it stays that way) even in Y might be OK?

 

[Austman]

Before the chat session with JQ I looked to see what other Business Class flights might be available. But there was nothing in Business for MEL-DPS for all of next week. So I think the options JQ gave were probably fair enough.

I did see that my booked flight has been subbed from a B787 to an A321neo for all of next week and has been removed from sale, even for Y class.

So what will happen to all the bumped "Business Class" passengers? I wonder if JQi might have a go at implementing a Eurobusiness type service on its A321neo for a week? Probably not.

 

[Austman]

At less than 24 hours to departure, I've just now received an email from Jetstar!

Here it is:

Hi Austman

The aircraft you’ll be flying on for your upcoming Jetstar flight has been changed to our brand new, state-of-the-art Airbus A321LR (NEO). The NEO takes passenger comfort to a whole new level and is set to provide an enhanced in-flight experience.
Our NEO has a different seat configuration than the original aircraft, so if you've chosen a seat as part of your booking, please click the ‘Manage my booking' button below to confirm your new seating position. If you purchased an exit row seat and your seating has changed, you can opt to select a seat in an alternative exit row for no extra charge.
If you cannot find seating similar to your original purchase, please contact us for options.
Haven’t chosen a seat yet? Get in quick to secure yourself a prime position. Otherwise, you'll be allocated what's left at check-in.
Please note that there are no changes to your flight’s schedule. You can see your flight details and resend yourself a copy of your itinerary available by following the 'Manage my booking' button below.

Of course the "Manage my booking" button doesn't allow me to make any seat choice at all and simply still states:

Seat selection not available​

We'll allocate seats at check-in for free

Mmmm. Who knows?

At least today's subbed flight from the B787 to the A321neo wasn't much delayed and might even arrive early!

 

[MelMel]

With the JQ 787 maintenance issues their schedule was thrown into chaos. I looked each day on what was happening MEL-DPS and it was a bit of a mess. Flights were being cancelled all over the place and those that did operate were running hours late.

My flight was then still some days to go and still being sold, so I hoped for the best. Not much I could do really.

The better news for me was that the DNATA strike got called off.

And the Hiltons, in something that was new for me, sent me two emails from a hilton.com domain stating "We're upgrading your upcoming stay, Austman!". And they did. Now, if JQ could get their issues sorted ...

As the days ticked by, it seemed that less and less JQi flights were being cancelled but their on-time performance was still pretty bleak.

Still, my booked flights were still being sold. So fingers crossed.

But yesterday, when I checked my booking online, it showed that the operating aircraft was now an A321neo. Oh dear, that's bye bye to the 787 business class seat and cabin. There was no notification from JQ about the change and the booking still shows as:

"Cabin: Business Duration: 6hrs Aircraft: Airbus A321neo Operated by: Jetstar Airways"

But there is no "Business Class" on JQ's A320/1 aircraft. I also can't select a seat or check-in online. But I can see the A321neo seat map at least ... with all seats blocked and a message: "We'll allocate seats at check-in for free".

So I started a chat session with JQ to see what my options were. They were online in a minute or two. They confirmed the aircraft equipment change and gave me the options:

1. Cancel for a full refund.
2. Take the flight and receive a $400 Jetstar travel voucher as compensation.

I also had it confirmed, in writing I guess, that if I take the flight the original Business Class benefits will apply re luggage (including the carry-on allowance), inflight meals and drinks.

So now I'm deciding. If I can snag an exit row seat, the brand new A321neo (if it stays that way) even in Y might be OK?

I flew the neo MEL to CNS and personally it was the most uncomfortable seat I’ve ever sat on, it was like sitting on a board. Sorry

 

[Austman]

I flew the neo MEL to CNS and personally it was the most uncomfortable seat I’ve ever sat on, it was like sitting on a board. Sorry

Eek! That's not good to know.

On tonight's email advice I contacted Jetstar chat again and they offered an "extra leg room seat" 1A. I asked if any of the (I think) exit row aisle seats were available and I was allowed 18D.

I can now see that in my booking. But I'm not completely sure 18D is really an exit row. But it does show as one on the seat map!

 

[Daver6]

I'd be interested in hearing how the Hilton compares to the Conrad (assuming you've been) once you're finished.

Good luck for the flight tomorrow. That seat looks awful with the lack of lumbar support.

 

[Austman]

I'd be interested in hearing how the Hilton compares to the Conrad (assuming you've been) once you're finished.

Indeed I have been to the Conrad.

And decision made: I'm going to do it! (or at least try to ...)

Stay tuned, if interested, for updates on how the whole process goes...

 

[Guvner]

I flew the neo MEL to CNS and personally it was the most uncomfortable seat I’ve ever sat on, it was like sitting on a board. Sorry

The blurb doesn't actually say if the whole new level of comfort is a higher or lower level.

The NEO takes passenger comfort to a whole new level and is set to provide an enhanced in-flight experience.

Also, the dreaded "enhanced" was dragged out again. That's always a bad sign.

 

[Flying Fox]

Thanks for the photos.

The photo of the window makes it look very small.

 

[Austman]

I’m soon to check-in.

Let’s see how that goes.

It’s looking a bit of a mixed bag, online:

 

[Austman]

And off I go.

Check-in was OK with no one in the Business line. Actually open before the 3 hours. No kiosks - all staffed counters.

The exit row has quite good leg room. 1A has a panel in front of it.

The pax beside me is also a displaced “business class” passenger.

We got $30 airport vouchers at check-in. Not sure yet what we’ll get on board.

 

[Austman]

And my Indonesian customs declaration had been completed online. You get a QR code.

No entertainment on board. At least there’s USB charging.

 

[clifford]

The exit row has quite good leg room. 1A has a panel in front of it.

I'd have gone with 1A, as I'm not overly tall and I like a window seat.

I've sat in 1A on a non-Neo 321 and it was fine. But YMMV.

 

[Austman]

Flight 1. MEL-DPS JQ35 Business Class (downgraded to Economy).

All in all it wasn’t too bad. I used the $30 airport vouchers to buy some takeaway for onboard. At MEL airport prices $30 only just covered a chicken schnitzel baguette, a fruit salad and a bottle of water.

Seat 18D had great legroom. And even in economy the seat width is not too bad on A320 series aircraft. Which was needed because it was a full flight. Pax in 18E and 18F were also displaced business class pax. 18F for the second time!

Initially we were treated as non pre-ordering pax and passed over by the crew who delivered all the pre ordering pax first. We were told that, when they eventually get to us we each had a $25 credit. Looking at the in flight menu $25 would not quite cover a hot dish and a wine. That came to $26.

We waited quite a while. When I noticed that already attended pax were ordering further items, I had a word to the crew.

The crew were actually pretty good. They then came and took our orders (3 x displaced business pax) and said we could order anything we wanted off the menu.

We each ordered a hot dish and a wine. Later in the flight I ordered a second wine. No charge.

The A321neo was brand new. It does have very good size lockers. It’s very quiet. I thought the seat, while very firm, wasn’t too bad.

We left about 45mins late and arrived about 30mins late.

Arrival in Bali.

Bali airport was the same as ever but quieter. It was a very long walk for us from the arrival gate to the main part of the terminal.

As if Indonesia needed more formality, there are now 5 processes you have to go through on arrival:

1. You have to go to a desk and show your passport and COVID vaccination certificate.

2. You have to then go to a desk to buy a Visa on Arrival. A wide range of currencies accepted. AUD 50 or USD 35 are examples of the cost.

3. You then have to go to a passport control desk.

4. You then, after collecting checked luggage, have to go to a customs desk. You can now fill out the declaration form online and receive a QR code. I did that and it worked well. I had even declared 500g of ground coffee. That was fine.

5. You then have to have your luggage X-rayed.

At least none of the desks were crowded! So it was reasonably quick…

I had pre-booked a car for the short trip to the Hilton Garden Inn, avoiding the taxi mafia. It was only $11. Apparently I had to pay the driver’s airport parking fee too - oh well, $1.50 more.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

We too have 2 x JQ J booked MEL-DPS-MEL Sep 18/26 - I just checked and can still purchase Y tix for our flts - J sold out - we might be lucky - we may not - we live in challenging times do we not?

 

[Austman]

Jetstar offers further compensation, post flight!

This was unexpected. Today I was getting a message, after logging on to the Jetstar website, to contact them.

So I did using chat. I didn’t ask for it but Jetstar have now said that they will refund the fare difference as well as supply a $400 Jetstar travel voucher. In my case it’s a fare difference refund of nearly $600. I don’t know how they calculated that - it seems to be the difference between the cheapest “starter” fare of about $400 and the most expensive “business” fare of about $1,000?

So really, it’s been pretty good compensation. With $30 airport vouchers, an exit row seat, in-flight meals (to $25 it was probably supposed to be), a $600 refund and a $400 voucher.

Jetstar probably should have been clearer up front. They did initially say all food and drinks on board. In reality I only went past the on board $25 allowance by one wine mini-bottle.

I was fairly happy with the original compensation. Add a $600 refund and I’m happier!

 

[encryptededdy]

That's a lot better compensation than QF gives on downgrades Did you get full Business Status Credits (assuming you booked Max)?

 

[Pushka]

Jetstar offers further compensation, post flight!

This was unexpected. Today I was getting a message, after logging on to the Jetstar website, to contact them.

So I did using chat. I didn’t ask for it but Jetstar have now said that they will refund the fare difference as well as supply a $400 Jetstar travel voucher. In my case it’s a fare difference refund of nearly $600. I don’t know how they calculated that - it seems to be the difference between the cheapest “starter” fare of about $400 and the most expensive “business” fare of about $1,000?

So really, it’s been pretty good compensation. With $30 airport vouchers, an exit row seat, in-flight meals (to $25 it was probably supposed to be), a $600 refund and a $400 voucher.

Jetstar probably should have been clearer up front. They did initially say all food and drinks on board. In reality I only went past the on board $25 allowance by one wine mini-bottle.

I was fairly happy with the original compensation. Add a $600 refund and I’m happier!

Yet they make passengers stranded in Bali by their cancelations having to pay the Indo Govt for overstaying their visa.