Jetstar is swapping Dreamliner for Airbus with no J Class on MEL-DPS

[AndyC1970]

Just a heads up that JQ is swapping out the Dreamliner for Airbus without J class - just heard from friends at the airport today JQ 35 Mel-DPS. Apparently it has been going on for the last 2 weeks, although the first they heard of it was at the airport today.

 

[lovestotravel]

Premium Economy into Economy

 

[Quickstatus]

Premium Economy to Economy Lite.

 

[Sbb4]

I’ve been following the equipment type on this route as I am on JQ35 in “business” coming up this week. 9 out of the last 10 days’ JQ35s have been downgauged to A321s.

I called Jetstar to ask about options and they are insisting it is still scheduled as a 788 so no options/downgrade compensation but I reckon they’re kidding themselves.

My return flight in December has already been officially downgauged and I got a pretty generic email - but they have said there will be further comms to those booked in J.

Not the end of the world for a MEL-DPS but would be super salty if I didn’t find out until the airport.

@Austman had a really useful trip report on a downgrade to a JQ A321 on this route too

 

[Saab34]

I drove past the other day and noted 2 787's in the hanger getting engineering. I guess the A321Neo is better vs getting cancelled I guess.

 

[Mattg]

@Austman had a really useful trip report on a downgrade to a JQ A321 on this route too

Indeed - that was a great trip report.

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

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...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I would be curious what the options are for those who booked JQ Business on QF ticket stock (i.e. QF classic award booking). Would they be given an option to get rebooked onto the QF J service? I ask because I've been on JQ award flights that were cancelled and the QF online rebooking portal gave me QF flights as options to rebook (in addition to JQ flights). Needless to say I chose the QF option!

-RooFlyer88

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

I am on JQ35 in a couple of weeks - still listed as 787.

Got email today from Qantas 'flight has changed' - could not work out the change as date and time was still the same. Change was from JQ35 to JQ1035. Seat map is still showing 787. Flight is marked sold out on Jetstar website.

 

[AndyC1970]

I am on JQ35 in a couple of weeks - still listed as 787.

Got email today from Qantas 'flight has changed' - could not work out the change as date and time was still the same. Change was from JQ35 to JQ1035. Seat map is still showing 787. Flight is marked sold out on Jetstar website.

you need to be careful - there is another thread here where swapping from 35 to 1035 is the first in the step to moving the flight to an Airbus. I would call to confirm what is happening.

 

[Saab34]

Likely they are buying time for engineering reasons. I would say it’s because VKD is still stuck in Singapore since mid last month and will be stuck for longer.

Seems like another is broken in Bali also. Has not left since Tuesday.

I had a NEO flight in about 2 weeks, that has now changed to a standard A321 so you can sort of see they are preparing for it.

 

[clifford]

I've got a return flight (to DPS) in August in VA J.

Maybe the 737 recliner isn't so bad and I should be grateful.

JQ and 787's? Get real...

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I've got a return flight (to DPS) in August in VA J.

Maybe the 737 recliner isn't so bad and I should be grateful.

A good recliner seat can make all the difference! There are two recliners I particularly enjoyed flying domestically in the us: Alaska Airlines with the old Virgin America BusinessFirst flying SFO > LAX and United's classic 737 BusinessFirst seats that service the BQN > EWR route. Nice enough recline and a wide enough seat where you can make yourself real comfortable. Was it as good as a QF A330 lie flat? No, but way better than most narrow body BusinessFirst seats.

JQ and 787's? Get real...

JQ does fly 787s. I can confirm this having flown SYD > HNL with them earlier in the year. I think the key is to fly a route where it's impossibly to swap with a narrow body like SYD > HNL. As for JQ 787 Premium Economy versus Virgin 737 Business on the route, it's a real roll of the dice. Neither offer lie flat seating, but the 787 has the advantage of offering a better cabin climate. The 737 probably has better service compared to the JetStar cheerleaders delivering your hot pockets from the microwave. Then again, if the 737 seat they use for the DPS pineapple run is the same as the seat used on their SYD > BNE service I frankly wouldn't enjoy that too much.

-RooFlyer88

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

confirmed changed to A321neo, got email with slight departure time change and then moved back to JQ35

 

[kangarooflyer88]

confirmed changed to A321neo, got email with slight departure time change and then moved back to JQ35

Yikes!

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

grabbed row 1 so hopefully not too bad...

 

[kangarooflyer88]

grabbed row 1 so hopefully not too bad...

With your luck they'll down gauge it to one of the A319s or A320s that doesn't have a first row!

 

[AIRwin]

With your luck they'll down gauge it to one of the A319s or A320s that doesn't have a first row!

No A319 in JQ fleet?

 

[Saab34]

A320 with sharklets has been operating MEL-DPS most of this week. Probably better vs a fully loaded A321.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

No A319 in JQ fleet?

One would hope not but you never know! I can't tell you the number of times pre-COVID where I flew on Continental birds which looked beaten to hell paint wise. And this was after the CoUniHound merger. Frankly as long the toasties aren't like the ones you see on QF J routes, that'll be an upgrade

-RooFlyer88

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

Made it to Bali on JQ35 - ended up being the new Neo. Very comfortable plane, did seem a bit quieter and excellent large bins (had extra leg room row) and the crew was great - and it was (basically) on-time. Many people aboard from cancelled flights (including displaced J passengers who got a $30 food voucher) over the last few days (they must be still having extensive 787 issues). When going into the Qantas Club I asked will they do a boarding call, the reply I got was 'hopefully...'.

787 issues - one was parked at Mel and one at Dps...