Jq mel/ool/mel

[ReLoad]

Jetstar trip report.
Pardon my rather irrelevant trip report to neither an interesting destination, or a unique flight for a lot of people.
I found it interesting in that I learnt a lot about JQ (at least domestically) and may offer something to someone looking for some info.

First off, Flying MEL to OOL you have two choices, JQ or DJ,and as my client booked me, I didn’t have a choice, JQ it was. My client also did not add the “Plus” Bundle to my fare.
I added the pus bundle to the fare separately paying both the bundle price, but also the JQ change fee, which was $50. That meant that I was going to earn 30 SC for $94, certainly not in US SC run territory, but nothing too shabby downunder.

Sat 17[SUP]th[/SUP] March 2012 JQ 442 MEL/OOL Departing at 12.20.
Aircraft VH-VWZ
I did not do OLCI for this flight.
I was assigned seat 12A which is in the seat behind the exit row, however it does not have a seat in front of it, much similar to 80A/K on the A380.
(I found this interesting and wondered whether this seat assignment was because I am a SG, or that I had purchased the plus bundle.)
Leg room is excellent. The seats I found to be comfortable for a 2 hour flight.

The flight pushed back on time, and arrived 5 minutes early. The flight was for my perspective looking forward and back 100% full.
Arriving in OOL, the luggage took some time, but arrived intact.
No food or beverages were purchased on the flight; it seemed to my observation that the majority of passengers purchased something.

Airport Transfer;
Taxi, there was a 30 minute wait for a taxi, so shared aride with 2 people who were dropped off in Burleigh heads, a good way to savesome money without impacting the length of the journey.

Accommodation; Sofitel Gold Coast.
Room 1814. – High floor ocean view.
I found the hotel to be somewhat dated, the amenities are still good, however it’s starting to get pretty tired. In the morning there was only luke warm hot water for example.
The beds are of Sofitel Quality, which means for those who are not used tothem, very soft.

Sunday 18[SUP]th[/SUP] March 2012 JQ 447 OOL/MEL departingat 19:50

Aircraft VH-VWX
I again did not do OLCI as I had checked in on the previous day, Seat 12F which is again, not an exit row, but has no seat in front of it.
It is an excellent seat; it is much quieter than row 1, not near any toilets and has benefits of a window seat with your own private aisle exit.

As I had finished work I arrived at the airport 2.5 hours prior to the flight, the check in guy said it wasn’t ready to check in yet (a sI had luggage) however he opened the flight up, made a quick call to the baggage guys out the back and he allowed me to check in, he changed my seat, from 12Fto 11D an actual exit row. I didn’t see any point in complaining.
Again I am not sure if being a SG or that if being on a plus fare had anything to do with this great seat selection.

As I was early I thought I would purchase entry to the Lounge to check it out. However they do not allow you to purchase entry or enter until 2 hours prior to your flight. Nope, not 2.15 hours, but only 2 hours or less.
So shunned like Alan Joyce’s surrogate adopted red headed step child I headed down to the Black Stone bar at gate 6 to get an earlyish dinner and a few drinks. Said G’day to Kerry Obrien who was looking rather dishevelled, I’m not so sure it was from drinking, perhaps more exhaustion, but he looked spent.
The food and drink there was good, I had a window seat and plane spotted in between reading a book. The guy who ran the bar there was a good bloke and looked after me.
I had a feeling that he could spot a frequent traveller and knew what they wanted before they asked.

The plane was late arriving so we were 30 minutes late in taking off. The flight was only half full, the chap next to me was a seasoned travel veteran, equipped with QC15’s and a pre loaded ipad.
The plane itself was filthy, it clearly had not been cleaned here in OOL, or perhaps even the leg before, rubbish was everywhere! I didn’t use the toilets on this flight, but I can hazard a guess as to their condition.
The flight was smooth and we made up some time coming back into Melbourne, landing at 11.30pm ish. - Luggage arrived safe and sound without any issue.

Summary:
I had some serious pre disposition as to how cough these flights would be, but I must say getting good whY seats (and although next to no service) the flight was fine.
The physical seats are fine for 2 hours. So overall Jetstar delivered exacty as advertised without any significant issues.

 

[Kangol]

Great TR! I am doing that same trip (staying at the Meriton though) in a few months so it will be interesting to see how it compares. Kinda odd but good about the seat 12A, I have a forward aisle selected but I may change it to get that one if it's available...

 

[AdMEL]

Interesting! I flew the very same route a couple of weeks ago and don't recall seats 12A/F not having seats in front of them, as you mention, on on either of my flights. Also flew JQ MEL-AKL-MEL the week prior and don't recall 12A/F not having seats in front of them. For all four flights, I was sitting in exit row seats - row 13 on both AKL flights and row 12 on the OOL-MEL (assume I was in row 13 MEL-OOL, but I can't find the boarding pass). All planes had two rows of exit seats - 12 and 13.

A quick Google search shows both your planes were A321's, but I'm not sure whether mine were A320's or A321's (and I don't know what the difference is anyway!).

Initially, I thought it might have been because one of yours planes is getting on a bit (built in 2000), but the other was built in 2009!

Maybe someone who knows a bit more about this can shed some light?

 

[markis10]

Interesting! I flew the very same route a couple of weeks ago and don't recall seats 12A/F not having seats in front of them, as you mention, on on either of my flights. Also flew JQ MEL-AKL-MEL the week prior and don't recall 12A/F not having seats in front of them. For all four flights, I was sitting in exit row seats - row 13 on both AKL flights and row 12 on the OOL-MEL (assume I was in row 13 MEL-OOL, but I can't find the boarding pass). All planes had two rows of exit seats - 12 and 13.

A quick Google search shows both your planes were A321's, but I'm not sure whether mine were A320's or A321's (and I don't know what the difference is anyway!).

Initially, I thought it might have been because one of yours planes is getting on a bit (built in 2000), but the other was built in 2009!

Maybe someone who knows a bit more about this can shed some light?

The A321s have 34 more seats which also explains the missing seat at the exit, as the extra room facilitates the egress of those extra passengers in the required time for the aircraft to be certified as safe, ie half exits working, max capacity all out in 90 seconds.

 

[Simo]

Great TR,

When is did jetstar to SIN they had the same seating config.

I thought it was maybe International config

 

[ReLoad]

One thing I did forget in the TR was that on the flight home, all pershiable food was sold at half price the FA called it "Last Leg specials" I didnt purchase anything anyway, but the obvious need for the great unwashed to get extra bargains seemed to take hold and they did a good trade.

I am assuming this is a regular occurance given that the food would have had to have been thrown out otherwise.

 

[amaroo]

Great TR. After nearly 4 years of weekly commuting with JQ, MCY-SYD-MCY I have an acute understanding of this airline....it's not that bad for short haul. Particular if you pay extra to get the all important exit aisle.

Mine you, it's not the easiest way way to earn WP!

 

[lilypily]

recently flew JQ442 MEL to OOL,same prob with rear of cabin restrooms being filthy,mind you,they were also looking old and tired,but I think the cleanliness,lack of,was due to kids unsupervised going in and out for fun.this being on an A 321

 

[Kangol]

I recently did the same trip, in 12F both ways. On the way up 12E was blocked due to a light load but on the return there was someone sitting there due to it being a full flight. Seat selection was complimentary during online preselection but I did have my WP QFF number in the booking if that made any difference. Here are some pics of the seat and of the OOL J* Lounge.

As you may have already imagined, the J* lounge was somewhat dismal. After being to QF dom J and int F lounges and AA F/Ls it is only human to compare those to whatever lounge you visit. Entry is complimentary for WP and CLs and they had a look at my SMS BP and WP card but not of that of my colleague with me on the same flight. He was on the phone at the time though. Don't think it'd be worth the cost unless you really needed wifi and wanted to drink as much beer / eat light snacks as possible. There were 2 taps of beer - self serve (one was xx_X gold, forgot the other), some wine, a small food offering and some basic soft drinks - both fountain and from a bottle in a fridge behind the counter.
As you walked in, it was like an L-shape - with the food and some seats to the right (with a small childrens' area at the end), then to the left some couches, a business area and another area for kids. Bathrooms were in that left section.

First two photos of the left section, this next one is of the right food and drink area:

All in all not a horrible trip - seat was good but the lounge was exactly what I had expected.
I ended up going to the MEL J Lounge on arrival at ~6pm to get something to eat.