Jetstar nonstop services between Australia and the Cook Islands

[Saab34]

In Jan we flew the A321 from SYD to RAR. It was the most uncomfortable seat I have ever had on a flight and the plane was only around 60% full. The JQ seats feel like hard plastic and barely reclined. Awful for an overnight flight, especially one that arrives at 3.35 am at your departure point. However, a great destination, so it quickly made up for it. We flew back Jetstar via AKL on A320s which was a marginal improvement.

They are the new are Recaro seats and are becoming the new norm around the world now, even full service carriers use these now.

Qantas are taking the same seat albeit with clothing padding and a headrest on its A321s.

Bonza had the same seat as Jetstar but invested in a headrest which was half decent.

I feel like JQ could do with a headrest.

 

[marki]

In Jan we flew the A321 from SYD to RAR. It was the most uncomfortable seat I have ever had on a flight and the plane was only around 60% full. The JQ seats feel like hard plastic and barely reclined. Awful for an overnight flight, especially one that arrives at 3.35 am at your departure point. However, a great destination, so it quickly made up for it. We flew back Jetstar via AKL on A320s which was a marginal improvement.

Good to know

 

[Harrison_133]

Brisbane to Rarotonga commences in May 2026.

Flights operate 3x weekly.

Source: https://newsroom.jetstar.com/jetsta...ghts-with-launch-fares-from-just-249-one-way/

 

[AIRwin]

Anyone on the inaugural flight?

https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/newsroom/jetstars-first-brisbane-to-rarotonga-flight-takes-off

 

[Rayesfeg]

In Jan we flew the A321 from SYD to RAR. It was the most uncomfortable seat I have ever had on a flight and the plane was only around 60% full. The JQ seats feel like hard plastic and barely reclined. Awful for an overnight flight, especially one that arrives at 3.35 am at your departure point. However, a great destination, so it quickly made up for it. We flew back Jetstar via AKL on A320s which was a marginal improvement.

There was another thread talking about these seats, but I can't seem to find it. I flew the SYD-RAR and can confirm that the seats were on the uncomfortable side. It's rough because this is the only option for a direct flight from Syd and Brisbane and the flight over is a red eye so you're arriving on the back foot. The return flight is a daytime flight, which wasn't as bad but the seats were still noticeably uncomfortable.
Personally, I loved the destination and will certainly return but next time I'll fly over via New Zealand to avoid the redeye on a Jetstar narrowbody and just suck it up for the return to Sydney.

Anyone on the inaugural flight?

https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/newsroom/jetstars-first-brisbane-to-rarotonga-flight-takes-off

Not me but I met other travellers who were on that flight. Very similar experience to above, bit of a torturous journey over but when you arrive in such a great destination, you quickly forget the pain endured