The Risk & Reward of Jetstar First Lounge Runs

If you have Qantas Platinum or Platinum One status, you’re entitled to use the excellent Qantas First Lounges when flying internationally with Qantas, Jetstar or any Oneworld airline.

The Qantas First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne are arguably the best airport lounges in the southern hemisphere. They offer fine dining, premium amenities and great service, all in a relaxing environment above the main airport terminal. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to enjoy a complimentary spa treatment before your flight (although priority for spa appointments usually goes to passengers booked in First Class).

Generally, to access these lounges in conjunction with your Qantas Frequent Flyer status, you would need to be flying overseas. But if you happen to fly on the domestic leg of an international flight that departs from the international terminal in Sydney or Melbourne, you can also use the lounge.

For Qantas Platinum members flying from Melbourne to Perth, QF9 is a popular flight because it leaves from the international terminal. This service continues onwards to London on the same aircraft, but you can disembark in Perth. Qantas flight 9 departs Melbourne daily at 3.05pm, allowing for a leisurely lunch in the First Lounge before boarding.

When it returns over winter, QF5 from Sydney to Rome via Perth will present a similar opportunity to visit the Sydney First Lounge. There’s also QF197 from Sydney to Apia via Brisbane, which departs on Friday and Sunday mornings – although that flight leaves Sydney at 6am.

QF9 is not even the cheapest or shortest flight that Platinum frequent flyers could book to access the First Lounge. Jetstar also operates various domestic tag flights each week that depart from international terminals. These flights are operated by Jetstar’s wide-body Boeing 787-8 aircraft and are either the first or second leg of an international flight.

Current Jetstar domestic flights from international terminals

Over the years, Jetstar has operated many different domestic tag flights in conjunction with various different international routes.

For example, JQ63 is currently scheduled to depart Sydney’s international terminal at 11.45am every Monday. This Boeing 787 service then makes a short stop in Melbourne, before continuing to Ho Chi Minh City.

Fares on JQ63 from Sydney to Melbourne typically start from around $119 one-way in Economy or $445 for Business Class. There are extra charges for things like checked baggage, or if you’d like a bundle that includes Qantas points & status credits.

While schedules are subject to change, you can also currently find Jetstar 787s operating from the Melbourne international terminal on these flights:

• JQ15 Melbourne 06:00 – Cairns 09:20 on Thursdays
• JQ15 Melbourne 07:35 – Cairns 10:55 on Mondays
• JQ11 Melbourne 06:00 – Gold Coast 08:00 on Tuesdays

See our guide to finding domestic widebody flights for tips on how to find these flights yourself.

These domestic tags primarily operate as positioning flights, in order for Jetstar to rotate aircraft around its network. But Jetstar still sells seats to passengers on these sectors.

Jetstar lounge runs can be risky

If everything goes to plan, and you get to enjoy some time in the Qantas First Lounge, these Jetstar domestic flights from international terminals can be great value. But that can be a big “if” at times…

Jetstar’s Boeing 787 operation is not exactly the most reliable. Jetstar stretches its Dreamliner fleet hard, and flights are often delayed or cancelled as there is little “slack” in the schedule.

When there are disruptions, these domestic tag flights are often the first to get cancelled. For example, yesterday’s scheduled JQ15 service from Gold Coast to Cairns did not operate. Two out of the last four scheduled JQ63 services from Sydney to Melbourne were also cancelled at short notice.

Many other flights have been delayed. So, if you must reach your destination punctually, it’s probably not a great idea to book one of these flights.

If Jetstar cancels your flight, you’ll probably get rebooked on another Jetstar flight departing from the domestic terminal. This could depart hours after you originally booked, and you’ll also miss out on using the international lounge.

As one AFF member (and his annoyed family) found out a few years ago, things can get bad very quickly if Jetstar cancels your flight.

A chance to visit the Qantas First Lounge can make this risk worthwhile. But these flights do also come with the added hassle of an earlier check-in cutoff time, having to clear immigration (albeit only as a domestic passenger) and international security, where the international liquids & gels limits apply. The Jetstar website has some more information about procedures for these flights.

Although you’ll be in the international terminal, you’re also not entitled to purchase duty-free.

Have you booked a Jetstar lounge run in order to use one of Qantas’ international lounges? Let us know how it went…

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include aviation, economics & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.