Food on Jetstar International? Worth it or not? Is water available or only sold?

[dmgale1960]

I am going on a girls trip to Honolulu in October and it seems we have been quoted the Jetstar Starter fares (although with 20kg of luggage).

I understand food and drinks are available for purchase (or pre purchase). My question is - is it worth it? I have seen some sites suggesting that it isnt.
I can imagine taking a couple of protein bars surviving on them if necessary but what about drinks?
Once again I know they are for sale but do the have water (that they arent selling) or is everything for sale only??

My normal holidays are with family on QF so this has not be an issue. Appreciate any advice....

 

[Simo]

They charge for everything...

 

[oz_mark]

The A330s usually have water fountains, so you should be able to get water.

Flown other sectors and would rate the prepaid food as ok.

 

[Algie]

I flew to Honolulu in Oct last year and due to being on a group fare got meals etc included. Whilst not fantastic, they weren't terrible either. You got one hot and one cold drink, and I can't really remember the food.

I always find getting food breaks up the flight and distracts you for a little while. They had plenty of snacks etc available to purchase as well. An option would be to buy a few sandwiches and drinks after customs, although there were very few options at Honolulu airport (out flight was delayed 4 hrs and all that was open at 5am was Starbucks).

 

[Aussie_flyer]

there is definitely free water available from fountains as mentioned. small paper cups provided at the fountains.

 

[Foreigner]

My experience with Jetstar International is on the SYD-CNS leg of their flight to Japan. Apart from the fountains, I wonder off to the rear galley and crew have never refused to give water when requested.

 

[Simo]

Didn't think of the fountains.

When I did the JQ International flight we drank Scotch,water was not an option.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Hey Simo, would've thought that H2O would spoil the flavour!

 

[Simo]

Hey Simo, would've thought that H2O would spoil the flavour!

Corrected the grammer

 

[blu]

If it's overnight in economy, do you have an exit row. Airline food may not be the biggest problem.

 

[AV8]

I have pre purchased food on this flight in the past and would say that it was no worse than some international QF Y meals - the risk you take by not pre purchasing is that they may not have any hot meals in stock to sell to you if you are wanting to pay for one while in flight.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

I have pre purchased food on this flight in the past and would say that it was no worse than some international QF Y meals - the risk you take by not pre purchasing is that they may not have any hot meals in stock to sell to you if you are wanting to pay for one while in flight.

I definitley agree with AV8 and have done this trip many times and have seen many pax who have not pre ordered miss out, the meals are OK and break up the journey

 

[hdfb]

Have flown to Asia many times with JQ and for me, the food is noticeably worse than QF whY. What I did the last couple of times, as I was travelling with someone else, was buy a $10 roast chicken from woolies, buy some nice bread and salad, and just make enough roast chicken, salad and mayo sandwiches to last you the flight. A much nicer option!

 

[stewiejp]

Flew JQ earlier in the year Y to BKK then J coming back with the Good Lady. We purchased the package which gives you the QFF points, selected seating baggage etc, and food (in Y). Whist I found the J food and service really good, the food was disappointing to say the least in Y, she struggled to eat it. A much better option, I have found in the past is to either eat up big before boarding the plane (there's an Irish bar at my local airport - hearty food washed down with a few pints), made it easier to sleep on the plane. OR try to get a pass to the Qantas lounge (Ebay or gumtree still has them) for around $50 (which you may or may not spend at the airport on food anyway the way they charge) - and have a good feed/drink there.
From memory drinks were available for purchase on the plane at around $5 or $6 for a beer or wine, a bit more for spirits.

Don't know how long your flights are, but if it's longer than you think you can go without food, taking a picnic lunch with you could be your best option.

Have a good trip!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I have found in the past is to either eat up big before boarding the plane (there's an Irish bar at my local airport - hearty food washed down with a few pints), made it easier to sleep on the plane. OR try to get a pass to the Qantas lounge (Ebay or gumtree still has them) for around $50 (which you may or may not spend at the airport on food anyway the way they charge) - and have a good feed/drink there.

I love the chicken and avocado sandwiches at Hudsons at Tullamarine Airport (International).

Also, if flying in the US there's no Island Dining or buffets to graze on you pay and order food just as you would in a food court or cafe so no-one could ever be accused of 'pigging out' eg in the AC.

Even supposed 'full service' airlines like HA you can go hungry. We ate at Burger King before our flight but due to our 767 going U/S & waiting for a substitute a/c we were late departing & ravenous by the time the meal was served. Also the menu stated pretzels or some kind of nut mix when they brought around drinks but they failed to materialise & when we enquired the response was "oh they didn't load many we'll come back later with the meal" which ever happened. You also had to pay for snacks. My overall opionion of HA was a LCC carrier masquerading as a full service one.

If weighing up HA vs JQ to HNL, IMHO you'd be better off flying JQ then just pre-paying your meal & luggage on top of the fare - you'd still be in front.