Jetstar to cease BNE-HNL services from Oct 2016

[eastwest101]

Surprised that no-one had mentioned this already - or if so - apologies for double posting but couldn't find it mentioned previously on AFF.

Paradise lost: Jetstar cancels Brisbane-Honolulu flights

As per the SMH headline - JQi to cease flights between BNE and HNL, no doubt a number of factors in this with the US$:AUD exchange rate killing demand ex Australia especially out of QLD.

I noticed in other forums that people had commented that it was often cheaper to fly on HA direct A330 service or on QFi mainline A330s from SYD to HNL especially once you added in all the %&*@# fees. Given the horrible pax configuration of the JQi B787s - they were the most expensive price for undoubtably the worst product which didn't help. Notable that HA also cut frequency but I think they would be satisfied to see a partial end to the JQ experiment around them.

 

[TheInsider]

Given the horrible pax configuration of the JQi B787s - they were the most expensive price for undoubtably the worst product which didn't help..

How is it a horrible pax configuration?

 

[Dr Ralph]

How is it a horrible pax configuration?

It's Jetstar. Enough said.

 

[moa999]

It's Jetstar. Enough said.

Obviously from someone who hadn't flown on them.
Before the refurbs, the JQ787s in Y imho were much better than the QF 330s - much nicer cabin, bigger IFE, better cabin pressure - granted the seat width doesn't bother me

With HNL accom regularly at US$200+ its no surprise.

 

[juddles]

I flew BNE-HNL earlier this year in J - wasn't too bad - and it was a great way to get to the USA when one needs a one-way ticket.

 

[Quickstatus]

How is it a horrible pax configuration?

9 seats across on most 787 on a plane not much wider than 767

 

[Mattg]

Not terribly surprising. I did think that the BNE-HNL market was quite saturated with HA also flying an A330 on the route.

I just had a look at Jetstar's loads to Hawaii for the last 4 months of last year (which is the latest available data) and they were consistently around the 80% mark (or slightly less). But that doesn't reveal the breakdown between loads ex SYD/BNE/MEL. BNE is probably underperforming compared to the rest if they've chosen to axe that particular flight.

I flew BNE-HNL on JQ's 787 last year. The flight was very uncomfortable - doubt I would do it again in Y. As others have said, 9 abreast on a 787 is way too tight. The plane was designed to be 8 abreast.

 

[Quickstatus]

Mattg,

Can you give a review on the JQ 787 international please - maybe in the travel section. Several destinations I want to visit but Im baulking at notsosqueezy JQ

 

[moa999]

I flew BNE-HNL on JQ's 787 last year. The flight was very uncomfortable - doubt I would do it again in Y. As others have said, 9 abreast on a 787 is way too tight. The plane was designed to be 8 abreast.

I think it was designed to be either 8 or 9, just that every order (apart from early JAL/ANA ones) has been 9 across

 

[Mattg]

Mattg,

Can you give a review on the JQ 787 international please - maybe in the travel section. Several destinations I want to visit but Im baulking at notsosqueezy JQ

It could be okay if you get an exit row, or row 10. Row 10 will definitely be my pick for future flights as there is a little more legroom being a bulkhead/front row of Y, and it's only $25 extra to sit there. It's also in a mini-cabin at the front of Y, which is quite small and I guess you could say a little more private. You're also the first off the plane. I would make sure to get an aisle seat in any case - you lose a little bit of shoulder room in the window seats due to the curvature of the fuselage combined with the tight configuration. The plane itself is quite nice though; new and very quiet.

If you get a plus bundle, you get two meals on the HNL runs. For the overnight BNE-HNL sector, there was a hot option after takeoff (fried rice, from memory), and a cold breakfast with free tea or coffee served before landing. Drinks with dinner were extra, as was pretty much everything, although tap water was available for free. On the daytime return from HNL to BNE, catering was notably American. We got a banana frosted cake (seriously) with a small wrap for breakfast after takeoff, and a hot Asian dish with apple pie for lunch mid-flight.

Seatback IFE was available for $10; there was a pretty good range of movies/TV/music/games. Touch screen very responsive. Blankets/pillows were $10 extra.

All crew except for the CSM were Thai.

Have I missed anything?

 

[Quickstatus]

Are you able to wheel a usual sized cabin carryon down the aisle?

 

[eastwest101]

How is it a horrible pax configuration?

Given the same price - would you choose to fly in a 9 abreast B787 configuration or in an 8 abreast A330?

 

[Mattg]

Are you able to wheel a usual sized cabin carryon down the aisle?

I think you would be able to.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

A few rumours floating about on some of the "other" forums that JQ is doing maintenance to their flight map. HKT getting more services is the most likely outcome.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Obviously from someone who hadn't flown on them.
Before the refurbs, the JQ787s in Y imho were much better than the QF 330s - much nicer cabin, bigger IFE, better cabin pressure - granted the seat width doesn't bother me

With HNL accom regularly at US$200+ its no surprise.

You've hit the nail on the head.

Consumer behaviour has changed. HNL is becoming far too expensive for price sensitive consumers which LCC airlines such as JQ and to a lesser extent HA have had to responded to with capacity cuts.

 

[JohnK]

Given the same price - would you choose to fly in a 9 abreast B787 configuration or in an 8 abreast A330?

Same size aircraft?

 

[Mattg]

Same size aircraft?

The 787 is slightly wider, but having 9 seats in a 787 is definitely more crammed than 8 across in an A330.

 

[PLANT]

It could be okay if you get an exit row, or row 10. Row 10 will definitely be my pick for future flights as there is a little more legroom being a bulkhead/front row of Y, and it's only $25 extra to sit there. It's also in a mini-cabin at the front of Y, which is quite small and I guess you could say a little more private. You're also the first off the plane. I would make sure to get an aisle seat in any case - you lose a little bit of shoulder room in the window seats due to the curvature of the fuselage combined with the tight configuration. The plane itself is quite nice though; new and very quiet.

If you get a plus bundle, you get two meals on the HNL runs. For the overnight BNE-HNL sector, there was a hot option after takeoff (fried rice, from memory), and a cold breakfast with free tea or coffee served before landing. Drinks with dinner were extra, as was pretty much everything, although tap water was available for free. On the daytime return from HNL to BNE, catering was notably American. We got a banana frosted cake (seriously) with a small wrap for breakfast after takeoff, and a hot Asian dish with apple pie for lunch mid-flight.

Seatback IFE was available for $10; there was a pretty good range of movies/TV/music/games. Touch screen very responsive. Blankets/pillows were $10 extra.

All crew except for the CSM were Thai.

Have I missed anything?

Bring your own toilet paper?

 

[Limewood]

Been looking at QF awards BNE or SYD/HNL, near impossible to find QF out and back keeps showing JQ, nice fees to about a grand :evil: for 2 of us.