JetStar StarClass Trip Report

[Brisbane Flyer]

Travelled JQ 11 from OOL to NRT in StarClass, 31 August. Underestimated the drive time from Brisbane to OOL, arrived at OOL parking at 10a, check in cut off was 1015a, fortunately, small parking lot so easily made in time.

Went thru immigration, bypassed the JetStar lounge, waited 20 mins and boarded. 14 out of 38 seats were taken, used seatguru prior to departure so selected an aisle seat with an empty seat in front. I had heard the leg room was tight when the passenger in front reclines, thanks to previous AFF posts!

Left a few minutes late, had to wait for incoming aircraft, take off smooth, leveled out and drinks/lunch offered after 30+ mins. Decent lunch, I guess my expectations were not too high, its was a beef/bok choy, would rate it 6 out of 10, but with the rushed drive from Brissy, I was hungry so didnt complain...

They were pouring a 2006 shiraz, got topped up a few times without asking, cheesecake for desert was very tasty, finished off with another shiraz and settle in to finish my Richard Branson book and listen to some old time rock n' roll on the audio channels.

Arrived on time in NRT, flew thru immigration/customs, and boarded the bus for Shibuya.

JQ12 on the return, three day visit to Tokyo, arrived at 6p for 825p departure. Quick check-in, was waiting on the only StarClass check in counter, an economy counter opened and the 'line attendant' motioned me to 'go there', so I did. 15 minutes later in the QP, quick shower, catchup on emails, a ginger ale or two (way too much partying in Shibuya). Incoming flight was 20 mins late, hence pushed our take off back a bit, but in the air quickly.

For this leg, I used seatguru to inform me that 2D does not have a seat in front of it, max legroom. Booked that seat, glad I did as 1E reclined and left very little room next to me. Only 10 passengers in the cabin, dinner service was quick, had the salmon, again a 5/6 out of 10. Passed on the wines, I did notice they had the 2006 Shiraz and a 2008 Sav Blanc. Fell asleep, got in 5-6 hours, woken up for breakfast, which was a 'breakfast sandwich'. Didnt eat it, but did have the yogurt and muffin, followed by coffee.

Landed 20 mins late, quick thru customs, then waited 30 mins for baggage, literally the last bag off the line was mine. Waived thru customs, found my car and drove home.

All in all, good experience. I have trips to Japan every other month in 2010, so will use this option as opposed to JAL from BNE to NRT. Slightly more expensive, my ticket was A$1900, but I like the privacy up front.

Have to admit, the QFF offer of double points for StarClass tempted me to book and give it a go.

Cheers

John

 

[Dee Thom]

.

All in all, good experience. I have trips to Japan every other month in 2010, so will use this option as opposed to JAL from BNE to NRT. Slightly more expensive, my ticket was A$1900, but I like the privacy up front.

Number 1 son resides in Japan, and recently flew JQ NRT, OOL sheep class with eldest daughter. They got the two return tickets for $735 on a special in Japan, but for the price couldn't complain, except for lack of space (he's 6'2" ). For the return trip he asked for upgrade to *class, and picked it up for $250 for bothof them. He said the same as you, more room and privacy, free meals and drink etc., we had a coffee in the JQ club, and it was basic, unlike QC, especially the new one at NRT.
My only complaint was the trip from the Sunshine Coast to OOL and return driving, but anything for family I suppose........

Cheers Dee

 

[Spider]

How did you find the seat recline? Was it ok? What about legroom? You were lucky to have noone in front of you but what about those seats where pax in front had reclined their seat fully?

 

[dragonman]

How did you find the seat recline? Was it ok? What about legroom? You were lucky to have noone in front of you but what about those seats where pax in front had reclined their seat fully?

Have flown *class a few times now. The seats recline as much as domestic business on QF. Seats reclining in front of me has never been an issue yet (I am 5"11).

For me its about the level of onboard service (very good), the SC's for the $ (excellent) and even check-in is smooth. If you expect a full international J experience you would be disappointed. As others here have said its better than Y+ on BA and QF, and often cheaper. The points and SC's seal the deal for me.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

How did you find the seat recline? Was it ok? What about legroom? You were lucky to have noone in front of you but what about those seats where pax in front had reclined their seat fully?

As discussed, seat recline was same as QF domestic J, I'm 6', it would have been fine, but I do suggest pre-assign 2D. Legroom was fine. All in all, good value for 240 SC's and 40k points, double points promotion.

I'll be on this route next year, JQ 11/12, alot!

 

[Alanslegal]

Flew HNL-SYD in StarClass a few weeks back, and was in Seat 2A (although being bumped from the preallocated 1A seat for pax's requiring bassinet holds). With 1A fully reclined, it was impossible to get out of my seat and I'm a short guy 5'5. I had to ask 1A to move forward and person in 2B to get out of his seat.

Food wise; Main Meals were the type of food you receive in most full service Economy Cabins, so I would not even rate this as good food but more of something you eat just because its complimentary. Although you get a nicer selection of alcohol, plus dessert, cheese and fruit selections.

Service wise, yes its nice to have more attentive staff but that's a gimme in a premium-ish cabin that has a far better ratio of pursersassengers than that in Y.

The CSM said that the current A332 fleet is being leased from QF but does not expect any improvements in the next 12-24months. However he said JQ is expanding rapidly and says A350-600's ? are next on the way ??, and their soon to be SYD to LAS direct flights w fully flat beds!

Anyway, unlesss I was sitting in Rows 1 or 2D, or extra keen on earning QF SC's, I'd be sticking in the back of the plane.

 

[dragonman]

However he said JQ is expanding rapidly and says A350-600's ? are next on the way ??, and their soon to be SYD to LAS direct flights w fully flat beds!

Really Sydney-Vegas direct? Must have missed this announcement.

 

[notzac]

The CSM said that the current A332 fleet is being leased from QF but does not expect any improvements in the next 12-24months. However he said JQ is expanding rapidly and says A350-600's ? are next on the way ??, and their soon to be SYD to LAS direct flights w fully flat beds!

Just ... wow.

 

[Alanslegal]

Really Sydney-Vegas direct? Must have missed this announcement.

Well that's what the CSM told me, he said JQi now have landing rights into LAS now but are waiting for the newer planes. He also said he and other crew members have already been trainied for these new planes.

 

[serfty]

Well that's what the CSM told me, he said JQi now have landing rights into LAS now but are waiting for the newer planes. He also said he and other crew members have already been trainied for these new planes.

Presumably, these new planes are the much delayed 787's ... the 788's/789's have an expected range allowing SYD/LAS.

 

[meloz]

Presumably, these new planes are the much delayed 787's ... the 788's/789's have an expected range allowing SYD/LAS.

Word on the street is JQ ARE planning to use the 789's to LAS and will not be taking the 788's.

Meloz

 

[harvyk]

Would there really be that many pax that would fly SYD to LAS direct?
Yes it's a leasure route which is keeping with JQ's business plan, but I can't see them filling hundreds of seats a day. How many times a week would they be flying? I also don't know of too many people who have gone to the US and only visited LAS without going anywhere else.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Would there really be that many pax that would fly SYD to LAS direct?
Yes it's a leasure route which is keeping with JQ's business plan, but I can't see them filling hundreds of seats a day. How many times a week would they be flying? I also don't know of too many people who have gone to the US and only visited LAS without going anywhere else.

What makes flying directly into LAS mean you can't go anywhere else??

There is also millions of people who fly SYD-LAX and don't step foot in Los Angeles. It's just a gateway into the USA, from LAS you can go wherever the heck you want.

 

[notzac]

It's just a gateway into the USA, from LAS you can go wherever the heck you want.

Sure you can, but there are comparitively much fewer flights you could connect to out of LAS. If it's real, it's an odd choice of destination -- though if there are *Class special lead-in fares, I could easily be tempted! Hmm, maybe not so odd a choice afterall...

 

[Dee Thom]

Sure you can, but there are comparitively much fewer flights you could connect to out of LAS.

If the B789 can make LAS, it could possibly fly direct to PHX, gateway to "The West," and the southern rim of Grand Canyon. Could probably do SEA as well, both of which are leasure type destinations.......

Cheers Dee

 

[docjames]

DFW would be the best you'd think for connection, but it's (a lot) further


per gcm: SYD-LAS 7720mi; SYD-DFW 8578mi

DEN doesnt fit really well with oneworld SYD-DEN 8348


You'd wonder given it's one stop to anywhere virtually other than LAX that SYD-HNL-various would be an option for JQi given the aircraft has the range to comfortably make US east coast from HNL


Edit: I should add LAS is the 14th busiest airport in the world by total pax numbers, second busiest on the US west cost (ie within range of SYD).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_busiest_airports_by_passenger_traffic

I'd rather transit LAX due to current better options to US east coast (cant believe i'm saying i'd rather transit LAX than anywhere else but there you go!).

 

[harvyk]

What makes flying directly into LAS mean you can't go anywhere else??

There is also millions of people who fly SYD-LAX and don't step foot in Los Angeles. It's just a gateway into the USA, from LAS you can go wherever the heck you want.

Nothing, except LAS is not considered a gateway airport (unlike LAX) and thus your options would be more limited. It doesn't make much sense to fly over LAX to get to LAS to then fly back to LAX to then go somewhere else (then again I should remember the ethos of this forum )

As for someone who has used LAX without stepping foot into LA -that would be me. My first US trip this year I did just that. LAX was simply a stepping stone on a much larger trip. I can certainly see someone using LAS as either a first or last point of call, I just don't many people using LAS for a quick weekender trip or as both entry and exit port, and certainly not people who fit JQ's target market.

 

[dragonman]

...and certainly not people who fit JQ's target market.

You gotta be kidding. JQ target the people who want to get OS for a lot less than used to be the case. Cheap fares to the USA west coast landing in a city where generally accommodation can be plentiful and inexpensive seems like good thinking to me.

 

[harvyk]

Actually JQ very much so has a target market.

Just reading their "about us" page pretty much defines their target market as holiday makers on lower incomes who are unable to afford to fly on normal legacy carriers, and people who are happy to pay for extra's such as food and entertainment as an additional expense rather than as part of the ticket.

So whilst SYD-LAS fits in with the types of routes it flys, it does seem a strange place to start flying into, considering there are larger hubs it could use. That said, I'm sure they have looked into this more than I have...

Also don't get me wrong, I love the fact that airfares to the US can be had for a fraction of the price that they where last year. But then again this was not of JQ's doing.

 

[dragonman]

Also don't get me wrong, I love the fact that airfares to the US can be had for a fraction of the price that they where last year. But then again this was not of JQ's doing.

My point is that a lot of people can now travel to Asia for a lot less than they used to. If JQ target US mainland fares the same way many people will go to LAS and try to get a LCC ticket to LAX or SFO or wherever.

Given the amount of accommodation, proximity (relatively) to the tip of the grand canyon and even in a rental car to Bryce, Zion etc, I think its a smart move.

Personally I will be hoping for accessible *class fares.