Business Class Max with Jetstar

[redmussie]

Just used Jetstar to Hawaii and back and used the Business class max fare. Few comments,
1. Business class on Jetstar is like econ or premium econ on Qantas, dont be fooled
2.A330 seats on Jetstar are just seats the dont recline all that much and some of the A330's are old, the one we had the entertainment system was broken and we were given ipads for entetrainment
3. Food on Jetstar is not good and frankly most other airlines can do better
4. the staff while ok are not all that attentive and seems to be tired.
5. I am not convinced the extra fare was worth it but if you want to earn points and credits you have to use business class max to get them

I would have used Qantas but they are using a decades old 767 and wanted the earth then some for business class.

I have been told Hawaiian Airlines are very good.

Peter

 

[QF029]

I think your comparison with premium economy is valid but it's certainly a big step up from any economy I have ever experienced.

 

[moa999]

Welcome redmussie

Didnt think any of the JQ A330s had an entertainment system, thought it was all ipads / clunky digiplayers.
If you had read any of the reviews here you would not have expected much more.

Most of the JQ A330 planes are circa 2000/2001 deliveries which is not that old versus QF 747s or 767s, although some only delivered in the last couple of years.

 

[oz_mark]

Most of the JQ A330 planes are circa 2000/2001 deliveries which is not that old versus QF 747s or 767s, although some only delivered in the last couple of years.

Some of the newer A330's have a starclass config similar to what was introduced as the new domestic business class in the new Qantas A330's. We all know how well that was received!

 

[mannej]

The newest of the A330's have AVOD installed in both classes (PAYG maybe?). So if this is the set up the OP is talking about, it is the configuration that has not had the best reception domestically with QF. The planes are about the same age (apart from the latest few) as the 333's that QF use internationally.

However as a comparison of the LCC (having used Premium on AAX (D7) and Starclass on JQ) I can tell you that the food offering is immensely better on JQ, and that the Flight Attendants did not hide on JQ, unlike on D7. It may have helped having Lauren Dickson as CSM.

Fair point about the 767's QF use, and the price they charge. It should be kept in mind that they have the most seat pitch out of the 3 carriers who go direct from SYD-HNL.

 

[11sjw]

Flying *class SYD-HNL in 5 weeks (to the day, but who is counting?), will be interesting to see what we get.

 

[eastwest101]

Seems to be a common trend of 1 and 2 poster members coming in and being highly dissatisfied with the QF and even the JQ products. Must be a lot of infrequent travelers going to/from HNL lately, due to high AUD and self destruction of Air Australia/Strategic.

Even though they are 1 and 2 poster newbies it quite surprising how common the complaints are, and some of them are real legitimate complaints as well. And before anyone accuses me of bias I have also seen some annoying things about the Hawaiian Airlines hard and soft product as well, so they haven't got it completely right yet either.....as one poster mentioned - "the best of a very bad bunch"

The common theme seems to be overpriced and uncompetative product.

 

[redmussie]

Just to make it clear I am not a 1 an 2 poster member, just a newer member, and this flight as the 9th International I had taken this year. Business class to USA with QF was superb, econ with QF to London on the A380 was poor (business or premium was not available) the seats are just too tight and dont accomodate a taller person. If you want bad airlines let me recommend some of the Euro carriers one dare not mention, but beware of SAS. If you really want a poor airline and old aircraft try AA in the USA . I am quite sure some of their aircraft were used in WWII ...lol.

Possibly the worst seating is on the QF associate that flies Aus to NZ in the Kiwi registered 737's. My boss and I use that regularly and can attest these are sardine cans. These flights are not cheap and are the only QF alternative. Asked QF what to do when you cant get you knees behind the seat in front. I was told to pay extra and buy an exit row. QF if you have travelled over 30 yrs with them just keep lowering the bar and reducing the quality of the experience, sadly. When QF is good it is excellent but you pay for that hnour. Premium on QF is about the same standard as Business max on Jetstar.

Seems to be a common trend of 1 and 2 poster members coming in and being highly dissatisfied with the QF and even the JQ products. Must be a lot of infrequent travelers going to/from HNL lately, due to high AUD and self destruction of Air Australia/Strategic.

Even though they are 1 and 2 poster newbies it quite surprising how common the complaints are, and some of them are real legitimate complaints as well. And before anyone accuses me of bias I have also seen some annoying things about the Hawaiian Airlines hard and soft product as well, so they haven't got it completely right yet either.....as one poster mentioned - "the best of a very bad bunch"

The common theme seems to be overpriced and uncompetative product.

 

[eastwest101]

Just to make it clear I am not a 1 an 2 poster member, just a newer member, and this flight as the 9th International I had taken this year. Business class to USA with QF was superb, econ with QF to London on the A380 was poor (business or premium was not available) the seats are just too tight and dont accomodate a taller person. If you want bad airlines let me recommend some of the Euro carriers one dare not mention, but beware of SAS. If you really want a poor airline and old aircraft try AA in the USA....

My apologies redmussie - wasn't casting any aspersions onto you personally. As you say - even very experienced flyers will have to put their 1st or 2nd post somewhere! I can see that you are pretty well travelled - I just find it significant that your initial comments about JQ from SYD-HNL agree with almost everyones opinion. The only thing MAX about this flight was the price right? Certainly not the legroom, seat, IFE, food or service.

Do you agree with some of the other posters about Hawaiian being the "best of a very bad bunch"?

Interesting that you also mention QF Jetconnect trans-tasman product. Another case of "the best of a bad bunch", as others in the forums have reported the VA trans-tasman product as absolute rubbish. Have you tried Air NZ's trans-tasman product yet?

 

[mannej]

The QF ZK registered 738's apparently have less room than the older domestic 738's.

 

[redmussie]

Thanks for the reply I guess I am rather too well travelled and frankly tired of the over promise and under delivery by most airlines. We choose JQ assuming the A330 to be well advanced on the old as Adam 767. Wrong call the A330 are old too with pretty average seats and as stated in our case poor IFE. I have not tried Hawaian so I cannot really comment.

I have not tried ANZ as our company account is with QF and I guess I feel some loyalty to the national carrier. Seems many have deserted them given their Intl Market share.

JQ were ok but it does surprise me many of the flight cabin crew are not Australian and dont add the Aussie touch like you often get on QF. JQ is almost souless if that makes sense.

I have recently used Cathay in Asia due to the 777 a great aircraft to fly but in Cathay's hands they have lost the brilliant touch they once had.

Have used BA= bloody awful internally in Europe , their planes are very tired and show it. AA and American Eagle as stated in the US is much like BA and sadly that's where we are headed with Qantas.

The much lauded A380 in my humble opinion is over rated in economy so many people in a large aircraft does make is noisier , thank goodness for noise cancelling headphones. At least the IFE on the A380 is good.

I think the reality is that unless the air line is state supported or funded like SQ and Emirates we are destined to ever declining levels of service due to the low margins forced by the relentless pursuit of low fares. It is simply a case of pay peanuts you get monkeys.

Always happy to hear of better solutions but in 6 months this year my conclusion is unless you pay big and go premium or business you are destined to travel in some form of discomfort.

My apologies redmussie - wasn't casting any aspersions onto you personally. As you say - even very experienced flyers will have to put their 1st or 2nd post somewhere! I can see that you are pretty well travelled - I just find it significant that your initial comments about JQ from SYD-HNL agree with almost everyones opinion. The only thing MAX about this flight was the price right? Certainly not the legroom, seat, IFE, food or service.

Do you agree with some of the other posters about Hawaiian being the "best of a very bad bunch"?

Interesting that you also mention QF Jetconnect trans-tasman product. Another case of "the best of a bad bunch", as others in the forums have reported the VA trans-tasman product as absolute rubbish. Have you tried Air NZ's trans-tasman product yet?

 

[mannej]

Sorry but I'd hardly call the 330's old. Did you have seat back IFE? If that was the case your 330 wasn't very old at all...

 

[redmussie]

It was White Jetstar A330 rego VH-EBC with two small screens on the bulkhead and no seat back IFE. It was no spring chicken. The offered alternative is a rather bulky Ipad with extra battery and you need to have the tray table out to support.

Sorry but I'd hardly call the 330's old. Did you have seat back IFE? If that was the case your 330 wasn't very old at all...

 

[oz_mark]

It was White Jetstar A330 rego VH-EBC with two small screens on the bulkhead and no seat back IFE. It was no spring chicken. The offered alternative is a rather bulky Ipad with extra battery and you need to have the tray table out to support.

EBC is about 9 years old. While hardly old, last time I flew in one of that era ,the interior did look a bit tatty.

 

[jetlagger]

EBC is about 9 years old. While hardly old, last time I flew in one of that era ,the interior did look a bit tatty.

IMO.. That is getting 'long in the tooth" for the sectors it is servicing.. & the lack of IFE, that is definitely antiquated

 

[v8Statesman]

I have recently used Cathay in Asia due to the 777 a great aircraft to fly but in Cathay's hands they have lost the brilliant touch they once had.

Just wondering if you'd care to elaborate a little on this comment? I've always found CX in-flight service to be excellent.




Sent from my iPad using Australian Frequent Flyer app

 

[markis10]

Sorry but I'd hardly call the 330's old. Did you have seat back IFE? If that was the case your 330 wasn't very old at all...

Considering HA now use their new A330s on the route, and the odds of getting seat back IFE are 5 out of 11 for JQ, I can imagine how they would feel old.

 

[redmussie]

I used to think the same Cathay were renowned for excellent service. I have flown 4 times with them in the last six months and a bit like most other airlines they have lowered the bar. The food was just ok, the cabin attendants as polite as ever, IFE pretty average and the seat pitch I am sure has been reduced my knees were in the back of the seat in front. This was on 777's from Seoul to Hong Kong. Also did the leg Hong Kong to London . Sad to say times are tough for airlines and it shows. But compared to BA or AA I would agree much better. Cathay are not cheap either. Seems to me long haul is best when you fall asleep before take off and wake up on landing if you can. Not complaining about Cathay just observe what is now to what was . There are many lesser airlines before Cathay.

Just wondering if you'd care to elaborate a little on this comment? I've always found CX in-flight service to be excellent.




Sent from my iPad using Australian Frequent Flyer app

 

[JohnK]

Have used BA= bloody awful internally in Europe , their planes are very tired and show it. AA and American Eagle as stated in the US is much like BA and sadly that's where we are headed with Qantas.

Interesting statement that has been posted more than once on AFF.

I actually think BA is OK most times including intra-Europe. At least they have hot breakfast available (bacon and eggs) on LHR-ATH flights. I would not hesitate to use them on my next Oneworld award.

Just wondering if you'd care to elaborate a little on this comment? I've always found CX in-flight service to be excellent.

And this is where we are all different.

CX can be hit and miss like any airline and to date my experiences in economy are not so good including losing a pre-allocated seat.

 

[fbrimfield]

Just used Jetstar to Hawaii and back and used the Business class max fare. Few comments,
1. Business class on Jetstar is like econ or premium econ on Qantas, dont be fooled
2.A330 seats on Jetstar are just seats the dont recline all that much and some of the A330's are old, the one we had the entertainment system was broken and we were given ipads for entetrainment

I think most people on this forum know what to expect when they get on a jetstar flight.

Hard to be fooled into what you might be getting when you're paying 1/3rd-Half of other full service carriers Business class.