Jetstar to commence nonstop services between Australia and the Cook Islands

[Harrison_133]

Commencing 29th June 2023, Jetstar will fly direct between Sydney and Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Twice weekly service onboard the A321neo. Fares start at $229.

Source: https://newsroom.jetstar.com/jetstar-to-take-off-from-sydney-to-the-cook-islands-non-stop/

Good day of service announcements for the Cook Islands. Hawaiian also today announced new services, with an A321neo service to Honolulu launching in May 2023.

 

[drron]

So no JQ business class. With max bundles I priced it in the first week going thursday and coming back Sunday after 10m days at $A810.

 

[p--and--t]

No Business

Economy return for one week holiday leaving Jul 13th $520pp (Lite fare)

 

[jrfsp]

Hopefully will grow to 3 PW. The red eye on the A321 doesnt look much fun though - those seats look very basic (uncomfortable) compared to whats on the 787s

 

[Saab34]

That’s a long one for a A321, 7.5hrs on the return. Hopefully full and strong winds won’t result in any AKL fuel stops.

 

[p--and--t]

That’s a long one for a A321, 7.5hrs on the return. Hopefully full and strong winds won’t result in any AKL fuel stops.

The neo is allegedly good for 7,400km. Sydney to Cook Islands is less than 5,000.

I have no idea of the fuel impost, but seemingly would have to be a strong headwind to suck up 30% margin on distance capability?

 

[jakeseven7]

Hopefully will grow to 3 PW. The red eye on the A321 doesnt look much fun though - those seats look very basic (uncomfortable) compared to whats on the 787s

Yes, the new Virgin and Jetstar slimline seats are awful.

Won't be using this service!

 

[ANstar]

Yes, the new Virgin and Jetstar slimline seats are awful.

Won't be using this service!

TO be honest it appeals versus having to overnight in NZ for the Air NZ options.

 

[marki]

Yes, the new Virgin and Jetstar slimline seats are awful.

Won't be using this service!

yep the slim line seats put me off and remind me of coffin class especially in the old Business Cathy P

 

[Mattg]

I would possibly consider doing RAR-SYD in an exit row. I don't think you'll see me on the SYD-RAR redeye, I would rather stop in AKL than take that flight.

The Cook Islands is a great destination - and at least there's a direct option now that NZ has canned its weekly SYD-RAR service.

I wonder if QF would ever consider running SYD-PPT?

 

[henrus]

Good day of service announcements for the Cook Islands.

I believe the Cook Islands gov is paying a subsidy to Jetstar and Hawaiian airlines.

Pre Covid they used to subsidise Air NZs flights from SYD-RAR and RAR-LAX. There are quite a few public reports and documents about the cost and benefits of these routes.

 

[jpp42]

RAR-HNL does make a lot of sense instead of LAX - plenty of competition to numerous US mainland ports, and less subsidy required as much shorter.

Interesting that they choose SYD over AKL however. I would think most people going to RAR would be happy connecting - or are they chasing a new tourism market ? Or maybe just Jetstar can offer a better deal with their offshore cabin crews and newer planes for a lower cost basis ?

 

[AIRwin]

Interesting that they choose SYD over AKL however.

I think JQ has already resumed flights between AKL and RAR

 

[SmallWorld]

Hopefully will grow to 3 PW. The red eye on the A321 doesnt look much fun though - those seats look very basic (uncomfortable) compared to whats on the 787s

Imagine 6 or 7 hours on these would be tough

 

[Tiki]

We are going to RAR via AKL in Feb, award ticket booked on QF.
I was just trying to do seat assignments for the JQ segments but the website keeps giving me an error message

Oops. Something went wrong.​

You can try your request again or click the button below to start over.
I can't find the seat assignments in the app. The ones I want are $5 pp but if the call centre books it they want an extra $5 each.
Anyone know how to get around this? I don't care about the return but passport control at RAR can take forever unless you are one of the first off the plane.

 

[henrus]

Anyone know how to get around this?

Have you tried the live chat? Explain the website errors out and they should be able to sort it out.

 

[Tiki]

I did the live chat and got semi-automated responses that because my booking came from an agent I needed to contact the agent (QF award). The system is still not letting me access my booking. I just want to know if this is system wide or just me. Are others able to access their bookungs and assign seats? When I enter Manage my Booking, it loads for like 2 seconds and then switched to the error screen before I can click or scroll on anything.

 

[aikman]

I just want to know if this is system wide or just me. Are others able to access their bookungs and assign seats?

I have had no problems choosing seats on our JQ flight to Seoul booked as a QF reward. Checked again today and still no problem.

 

[jb747]

The neo is allegedly good for 7,400km. Sydney to Cook Islands is less than 5,000.

Take all makers' numbers with many grains of salt. You'd need to know exactly what reserves were being used, as well as the load, and assumed met conditions for their numbers to mean much. For instance, an aircraft taking off at MTOW, and with maximum fuel load, is a quite different proposition to one going at exactly the same MTOW, but with maximum zero fuel weight (i.e. payload).

The Cook Islands are also very isolated, with alternates like Tahiti around 700 miles away. That means that CASA will impose large holding fuel conditions on them for arrival, no matter what the weather.

I have no idea of the fuel impost, but seemingly would have to be a strong headwind to suck up 30% margin on distance capability?

Their TAS would be in the order of 460 knots. For your journey to take 30% longer you'd need the groundspeed to be reduced by 95 knots. Winds of 200 knots are quite common....though generally they'd negatively affect you on the journey to Oz, not the other way around.

 

[Tiki]

I have had no problems choosing seats on our JQ flight to Seoul booked as a QF reward. Checked again today and still no problem.

Was able to get in an within a split second click on to the add seats button. From there I selected seats, paid and it gave a confirmantion screen for a split second before reverting to the error screen again. But this time, the seats showed up in the app so all good - finally!