Looking for opinions - QF3/4 J or JQ3/4 Starclass?

[bsymons]

Have flown a number of times now back and forward on QF3/4 in business, has anyone done JQ starclass for this route and how does it compare?

I ask because its an old 767, service has been consistently shocking (always "experienced" staff going for a stopover in hawaii), and im considering giving the newer planes on JQ a shot.

 

[QF029]

Assuming that Jetstar is significantly cheaper, I'd be going with them. Granted they may not be quite as reliable as QF with their on time performance but I suspect a lot of the critics have actually never flown them, or at least not in StarClass. The only time I'd be nervous on JQ is 'connecting' to another flight on a different PNR.

 

[Austman]

StarClass? You mean Business Max?

 

[QF029]

StarClass? You mean Business Max?

I think most people know the name has changed. It's just an easy way to distinguish between QF J and JQ Business. The Max bit is probably irrelevant.

 

[Austman]

I think most people know the name has changed. It's just an easy way to distinguish between QF J and JQ Business. The Max bit is probably irrelevant.

I seriously doubt it. And was pointing it out to the OP.

 

[petermac123]

I flew JetStar Business Max 2 weeks ago - normally travel QF J. First time that I have travelled JetStar - and have to say I was pleasantly surprised given the stigma that surrounds them. Service was good (better than many DOM J QF flights), seats where equivalent of DOM J and food was OK. At half the price and the same status credits as QF, I would do it again.

Cheers,

Pete

 

[Austman]

I flew JetStar Business Max 2 weeks ago - normally travel QF J. First time that I have travelled JetStar - and have to say I was pleasantly surprised given the stigma that surrounds them. Service was good (better than many DOM J QF flights), seats where equivalent of DOM J and food was OK. At half the price and the same status credits as QF, I would do it again.

Cheers,

Pete

Yes. I've done it many times too and think of it as QF domestic-like. But when a poster talks about "StarClass", they are referring to a product that finished nearly 1 year ago. And with Business Class without the "Max" you do not get lounges (unless you have Qantas access) or FF points! And at HNL it seems you will might not get lounge access either way.

 

[bsymons]

Yes. I've done it many times too and think of it as QF domestic-like. But when a poster talks about "StarClass", they are referring to a product that is nearly 1 year old. And with Business Class without the "Max" you do not get lounges (unless you have Qantas access) or FF points! And at HNL it seems you will not get lounge access either way.

Ill admit not knowing that starclass was an out of date product to settle the argument.... not up to speed on jetstar...

so to be correct, im trying to compare QF J to JQ business max from HNL/SYD.

 

[jazza1971]

And at HNL it seems you will might not get lounge access either way.

Are they removing the QF club? I used it in Aug last year on JQ4 and it was chockers. Our JQ4 flight was delayed by 14 hours and when we all came back to the airport that night the club stayed open till after midnight to accommodate the delay....

 

[Austman]

Are they removing the QF club? I used it in Aug last year on JQ4 and it was chockers. Our JQ4 flight was delayed by 14 hours and when we all came back to the airport that night the club stayed open till after midnight to accommodate the delay....

Sorry, I was thinking of this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....program/refused-access-hnl-qp-when-33794.html

But it should be fine if you are on QF4/JQ4.

 

[Limewood]

Done this trip twice in past few years in Business (J) JQ OK if you can get bulkhead seats even better lots of room. Q lounge in HNL still like it was 20 years ago drab, uninviting and long walk, we stayed only 1/2 hour only.

Paid JQ on special $2150 each for Bus Max received all QFF points and status points

One trip JQ return cancelled came back on QA in J, seat larger, service and food OK, cost a lot more if had to buy though.

 

[Origin]

Yes the QP in HNL is not worth the walk. When I was there last June it was not open with people sitting outside. The cook eventually let people in and then someone from Qantas arrived later on and said they "didn't realise there was a JQ flight that Monday morning" He then went around and checked everyones BP.

Tiny lounge as well and long way from anywhere. Renovations were happening at the airport at the time and it was not a pleasant walk out in the hot open air.

I find 1E and 1F great seats in JQ Business. Anywher in the first row is good (of course) as well as 2D has heaps of legroom on most of the planes.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I would prefer to fly on an older QF B767 rather than a younger JQ A330 as I'm quite happy with the 1-2-2 config J cabin with the Dreamtime seats. I prefer knowing that there is an experienced technical crew & cabin crew which is invaluable if something goes pear shaped with the flight.

We flew on a JASA HNL/xSYD/BNE last December & what appealed to me was that it was a day flight so we didn't have to try & sleep on the plane & with an evening arrival could get home & go to bed thereby getting back in sync with the local time zone.

A lot of people think they will get the Millenium seating that they may have travelled on previously on domestic congi 2-2-2 J cabin so get put off by that as there is a lot more space on the international configured 767.

My only experience flying JQi was on JQ35 SYD/MEL & I did think to myself at the time that I wouldn't really want to spend an extended period of time ie several hours even up the front on their A330.

With the fare structure the way it is, the actual cost of paying for a HNL/SYD flight on QF in J is prohibitive so if you're not travelling on a JASA or Classic J award on QF the only real affordable way of travelling in J is JQ.

As for lounge access I really prefer to walk around doing retail therapy at the airport shops but the QP is a good place for SO as he prefers to chill out there on his computer whilst minding our carry on.

 

[Limewood]

I'm yet to see any reasonable points buy JASA on Q in J.

i agree shop browsing is better than that awful Q lounge, when will they learn its rubbish.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I'm yet to see any reasonable points buy JASA on Q in J.

i agree shop browsing is better than that awful Q lounge, when will they learn its rubbish.

We booked the first JASA HNL/xSYD/BNE on 23 Oct 2011 for travel 02 Dec 2011 for 60,000 pp plus AUD755.39 pp.

The second JASA HNL/xSYD/DRW for May this year was booked a few weeks ago & IIRC was 72,000 points plus AUD500.00 pp approx.

 

[Limewood]

We booked the first JASA HNL/xSYD/BNE on 23 Oct 2011 for travel 02 Dec 2011 for 60,000 pp plus AUD755.39 pp.

The second JASA HNL/xSYD/DRW for May this year was booked a few weeks ago & IIRC was 72,000 points plus AUD500.00 pp approx.

1st one got me stumped each time i looked it was double that.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

1st one got me stumped each time i looked it was double that.

Remember the actual availability column will have the higher all inclusive points level eg HNL/xSYD/DRW is 121,251 which is with nil cash payment but when you select that option and move on to the next screen you then use the slider to scroll back to the minumum points required ie 72,000 plus cash of AUD500.45 pp.

Ditto for HNL/xSYD/BNE the initial availabililty column for J shows the all inclusive level of 138,920 points however moving on to the next screen gives you the option of scrolling back to the minimum points of 60,000 plus cash of AUD754.02. Of course you can select your choice of points & cash in between that but I always choose the absolute minimum as for me it represents the best value.

 

[Limewood]

I've looked and looked and cant find any a week apart in J at those points/pay.

 

[JohnPhelan]

I've done this trip in J on both QF and JQ. The QF 767 is far superior. The Dreamtime seats have much more legroom and are just much more comfortable. Food and service is also better on QF than on JQ.

Having said that, I am OK with doing the HNL-SYD leg on the JQ A330, because it's a day time flight so I don't need to sleep. But I would never do the overnight SYD-HNL service on JQ. I can sleep quite well on the QF Dreamtime seat; simply can't sleep on the JQ Millennium seat - not as much recline and nowehere near as much legroom.

Of course, the whole thing would be improved hugely by QF replacing the 767 on this route with either a QF A330 or one of the soon-to-be-surplus 744s. And soon, please, Mr Joyce.

 

[Origin]

I've done this trip in J on both QF and JQ. The QF 767 is far superior. The Dreamtime seats have much more legroom and are just much more comfortable. Food and service is also better on QF than on JQ.

O.

Considering the price difference it would want to be!! That's if you are paying cash.