Jetstar starclass v Qantas premium economy to SIN

[Stephen65]

Am booking a family holiday MEL to SIN flying with two small children and have the option of either Jetstar Starclass on an A330 or Qantas PE on the A380. The Starclass fare is about 70% of the PE fare.

Pros and cons of these options?

 

[moa999]

Starclass
- Bigger seats
- More QF points / SCs
- Food but not QF Business
- Faster deboarding (A380 PE at back of top deck)

Premium
- Newer plane
- Better IFE. A380 much better than Jetstar handset
- Much better food /wine (QF Business standard)

 

[taswegian77]

moa summed it quite well. an extra perk if flying JQ *class is lounge access in Business lounge whereas PE with QF does not entitle you to lounge access unless you are of course a Gold or higher member or own QC membership. Not sure if JQ still do it but you also get priority outward immigration pass, I do not think you get that with PE??? The last time I flew to BKK from MEL I received a nice Ornage express card, no use as no lines that time of day in MEL but nice touch.

 

[docjames]

I'm a fan of QF's Y+ but would probably lean to the *Class for the trip you propose.

Other than the pros/cons mentioned, another factor is the number of flights/day SIN-AUS with QF vs JQ. If the JQ plane has an issue, you may be stuck in SIN for some time (not ideal with small children) whereas you have a better (but not 100%) chance of being rebooked/rerouted to get you home in a reasonable timeframe on QF.

Whilst the seats themselves are not hugely different, you might like to consider the seating layouts depending on whether you plan to buy seats for the children. If I recall correctly, the Y+ is 2/4/2 iirc on the A380 (and 747) whereas *class is 2/3/2 from memory.


EDIT: A380 is 2/3/2 in Y+, not 2/4/2. Sorry about that.

 

[yohy?!]

I'm a fan of QF's Y+ but would probably lean to the *Class for the trip you propose.

Other than the pros/cons mentioned, another factor is the number of flights/day SIN-AUS with QF vs JQ. If the JQ plane has an issue, you may be stuck in SIN for some time (not ideal with small children) whereas you have a better (but not 100%) chance of being rebooked/rerouted to get you home in a reasonable timeframe on QF.

Whilst the seats themselves are not hugely different, you might like to consider the seating layouts depending on whether you plan to buy seats for the children. If I recall correctly, the Y+ is 2/4/2 iirc on the A380 (and 747) whereas *class is 2/3/2 from memory.

Any reason why they would'nt put you onto a QF flight? I'm sure I've read of this happening before at HNL and BKK.

 

[Stephen65]

The offspring are 2 and 4 so will require their own seats.

Does *class get access to a QF lounge at Singapore? I couldn't find any reference to this on the JQ website. I'm a QPNB member now but I am probably going to drop it before this trip. In any event I have a priority pass membership via amex so we will not end up lounge-less and the PP lounges look nice - I am assuming JQ flies from Terminal 1.

 

[samh004]

I’d be leaning towards JQ too, as I would value the SC’s, you however may not.

 

[markis10]

I would do Starclass if it is cheaper, a few more points back and bigger seats, poorer catering but that is not a big deal, and poorer entertainment. If you dont have connections that are needed and the timing is similar (day/night) then save the money!

4687 pts and 120 SCs each way in *class
4124 pts and 60 SCs each way in PE

 

[docjames]

Any reason why they would'nt put you onto a QF flight? I'm sure I've read of this happening before at HNL and BKK.

I guess not, but i'd not heard of it happening. Fair enough, count that out then!