Jetstar Expands International Flights from Brisbane

Jetstar is massively expanding its international network from Brisbane Airport, with several new routes launching from October 2023 and more flights on existing routes.

Complementing Qantas’ huge international expansion, Jetstar will launch a new Brisbane to Tokyo (Narita) service, replacing the existing Gold Coast to Tokyo (Narita) route. Jetstar will also add new services from Brisbane to Osaka (Kansai) and Seoul (Incheon). Furthermore, Jetstar is increasing the frequency of its existing Brisbane to Bali (Denpasar) route, and adding more seats between Brisbane and Auckland.

The new services are supported by the Queensland Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF), an initiative funded by both the Queensland State Government and major Queensland airports.

“The new partnership with Brisbane Airport has unlocked about half a million new seats between Brisbane and some of the most popular international destinations on our network,” Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said.

Here’s an overview of the changes…

New routes from Brisbane to Japan and Korea

Beginning from 29 October 2023, Jetstar will commence flying between Brisbane and Tokyo (Narita) five times a week, using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. This will replace the existing Gold Coast-Tokyo (Narita) service and will be ramped up to a daily service from 3 December 2023.

The first flight on 29 October will actually be the return from the final Gold Coast flight, operating as JQ10. The schedule will be as follows:

• JQ9 Brisbane 10:40 – Tokyo (Narita) 18:40 (Tuesdays-Fridays & Sundays until 3 December 2023, then daily)
• JQ10 Tokyo (Narita) 21:00 – Brisbane 06:35 (+1 day) (Tuesdays-Fridays & Sundays until 3 December 2023, then daily)

Jetstar will also launch 4x weekly Boeing 787-8 services between Brisbane and Osaka (Kansai), starting from 2 February 2024. Flights will run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays with the following schedule:

• JQ23 Brisbane 11:45 – Osaka (Kansai) 19:45
• JQ24 Osaka (Kansai) 21:45 – Brisbane 07:25 (+1 day)

The first flight of the Brisbane-Seoul route will take place a day earlier, on 1 February 2024, likely using the same B787-8 as the Osaka service. This route will be served 3x weekly with the following schedule:

• JQ53 Brisbane 14:45 – Seoul (Incheon) 23:15 (Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays)
• JQ54 Seoul (Incheon) 00:50 – Brisbane 11:00 (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays)

Jetstar will get the extra Dreamliners needed to operate these new routes by taking them off the Brisbane-Bali route. Jetstar will in turn use its new A321neo LR jets on Brisbane-Bali services.

The new Japanese routes come amidst a flurry of new routes from Australia to Japan. This includes Virgin Australia’s Cairns to Tokyo (Haneda) service starting next week and ANA’s Perth-Tokyo route which relaunches in October. Qantas will also double the number of flights its operates to Tokyo from November 2023.

Using Qantas points to fly Jetstar from Brisbane

Jetstar releases up to four Business Class reward seats per flight, which you can book using Qantas Frequent Flyer points.

There is a smattering of Business Class reward availability in February for Brisbane-Osaka (Kansai), although there appears to be more seats available on the outbound leg for those dates.

It costs 51,300 Qantas points + $188 in taxes & carrier charges to fly Jetstar Business Class from Brisbane to Osaka. Note that Jetstar Business Class is closer to Premium Economy on other airlines, but still reasonably comfortable for a daytime flight.

You will have more luck finding Business Class reward seats on the Brisbane-Seoul (Incheon) route, with up to three being available on some days in February. This is true for both the outbound JQ53 and inbound JQ54.

Changes to existing Brisbane-Bali and Brisbane-Auckland routes

Jetstar have also announced the addition of three extra flights between Brisbane and Bali (Denpasar), to complement the current daily service. This will be the Brisbane-Bali schedule from 1 February 2024:

• JQ57 Brisbane 07:15 – Bali (Denpasar) 11:15 (Daily)
• JQ59 Brisbane 16:10 – Bali (Denpasar) 20:25 (Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays)

And in the other direction:

• JQ58 Bali (Denpasar) 12:55 – Brisbane 20:45 (Daily)
• JQ60 Bali (Denpasar) 21:40 – Brisbane 05:30 (+1 day) (Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays)

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner currently operates the daily Brisbane-Bali (Denpasar) service. But from February 2024, all flights will be operated by smaller Airbus A321neo LR planes with Economy-only seating.

This change results in a small net loss of 25 seats per week between Brisbane and Bali (Denpasar) and, more significantly, the loss of Business Class on the route.

Jetstar’s A321neo LR’s only offer Economy Class, with a total of 232 seats each with 29 inches of seat pitch. In contrast, the B787-8 has 314 Economy Class seats with 30 inches of seat pitch and 21 Business Class recliners. For the six hours between Brisbane and Bali, you may want to purchase a seat with extra legroom!

Also, from 29 October 2023, Jetstar’s service from Brisbane to Auckland will increase its frequency from 4x weekly to daily. The schedule from 29 October 2023 to 31 January 2024 is as follows:

• JQ149 Brisbane 17:35 – Auckland 23:50 (Daily)
• JQ150 Auckland 15:45 – Brisbane 16:35 (Daily)

The A320 currently servicing the route will be replaced with an A321neo LR from 1 February 2024, offering an additional 46 seats per flight. The schedule will be:

• JQ147 Brisbane 06:30 – Auckland 12:45 (Daily)
• JQ150 Auckland 14:00 – Brisbane 14:55 (Daily)

The change in scheduling from 1 February 2024 is most likely to utilise the aircraft to operate the second Brisbane-Bali (Denpasar) flight. The tight scheduling could affect on-time performance.

Gold Coast Airport loses more international flights

After a three year build, the new $260 million Gold Coast International Terminal was opened in late 2022. At the time, it serviced international flights departing to Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and New Zealand. In addition, Gold Coast Airport was used as a base for Jetstar’s 787 aircraft.

However, Scoot will suspend its Singapore-Gold Coast service from 17 July 2023, citing the need to “optimise resources and accommodate other operational considerations”. After Jetstar changes to Brisbane-Tokyo on 31 October 2023, the only remaining international routes will be to:

• Kuala Lumpur on AirAsia X,
• Bali on Virgin Australia, and
• Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch & Queenstown on Jetstar and Air New Zealand.

For Jetstar passengers, a major benefit of moving from Gold Coast to Brisbane is the lounges available. Business Max passengers, Qantas Club members and those with Gold, Platinum or Platinum One status are able to enjoy the Qantas Brisbane International Lounge prior to their Jetstar flight. Furthermore, you can access the Aspire Lounge and Plaza Premium Lounge in Brisbane with a Priority Pass membership.

Wilson McTaggart

Wilson's love of travel started from a young age, but his love for points developed after figuring out ways to travel on a gap year for less - leading naturally towards Australian Frequent Flyer! Wilson's hobbies include skiing, cricket and planning trips, both with and without points.

Wilson posts on the AFF forum as @WilsonM.