Are Jetstar really that bad??

but how pathetic on JQ’s behalf.
Agree, but the system did put the price on the table hoping you would pay it. Is it worth the $9 - not for me under the same circumstances

We once were dispersed on an AC Dom flight. 2 adults, 3 children - one was 5 and the boys were 3. We asked if we could sit together at checkin but was told to ask at the gate. We thought that if the airline could not be bothered, then neither would we. Put kids in their respective allocated seats. Didn't take long for the CC to rearrange us together. They even tried to insinuate that it was our responsibility. Didn't play that game.
 
Of course...but I've flown JQi many, many times and never experienced more than an hour delay.

I flew JQi MEL-SIN last September and my flight was delayed about 9-10 hrs, however JQi being what it is still got me to my destination only 2 hrs later than scheduled.

It was really very simple. When I learnt of the delay it allowed you to reschedule which is what I did, I moved to the flight from the day before … which was running 26 hrs late 🤣
 
If you are a smaller than average human, who doesn't enjoy comfort, foodstuffs, getting to your destination on time or the same day, or to receive your luggage then no, they are not that bad. For everyone else: work harder. You don't have to do this! 🤓 🤪

Cheers,
Matt.
 
Somehow (at least historically) JQ on the PER-DPS route was mundanely "normal"
Maybe worth trying again
When I will be wandering
Fred
 
When I saw the thread "Are Jetstar really that bad??", I immediately thought this should be in the Bit of Humour thread:)
However, I think the answer is yes. My son was on a 6.30am JQ flight from Sydney to Cairns, and then supposed to connect to a 12.30pm JQ flight to Tokyo. Well, while he sat at Cairns JQ kept delaying the second, and then cancelled it at 8.15pm. It's not all doom and gloom, as JQ then gave my son and his GF $120 each to find accommodation at that time of night. So the answer is yes.
 
It's not all doom and gloom, as JQ then gave my son and his GF $120 each to find accommodation at that time of night. So the answer is yes.
Sounds not dissimilar to some 'full service' airlines. QF abandoned me in SFO on a Saturday night, the weekend of a major event, and were prepared to pay A$200 towards a hotel room - no assistance in finding a room. I checked Qantas hotels and there was a fleapit with shared bathrooms in the Tenderloin - the only option at that price point. Did I mention I was in business class?
 
QF abandoned me in SFO

QF cancels the flight at 2am. Everyone had to get their luggage. J pax queue told maybe 2 hr wait. Y pax another queue.

Another couple in J queue we met did not have phone with local access. I told them to come with us.
Organised x2 Ubers.
Found hotels downtown none at airport
Schlepped there

Got to bed at 0330am.

Cost of transport and accom more than QF reimbursement,

Help from QF?. Maybe, if we waited long enough. We didn't wait based on the long Y queue - if we did what would we have got hotel wise and when? sunrise?.

To be fair it is always difficult for airlines to scramble last minute contingencies. Sometimes it's better to go your own way,

Business class?. Meh. I don't look for exceptional service in the routine - that does not define exceptional service. An organisation is only exceptional when it provides exceptional service in exceptional circumstances.

I keep saying. Airlines are great when they look after their customers when the s*** hits the fan. For example. JQ cancellations - when the passenger wants a refund their money appears immediately if paid by CC or within days if bank transfer. None of this application form then wait for weeks.
 
Last edited:
To be fair it is always difficult for airlines to scramble last minute contingencies. Sometimes it's better to go your own way,
In my case the inbound aircraft never left MEL so it wasn't exactly last minute. The delay ended up being 24hrs plus...and I was downgraded...and put on UA via SYD. 😆
 
EXCLUSIVE OFFER - Offer expires: 20 Jan 2025

- Earn up to 200,000 bonus Velocity Points*
- Enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges worldwide
- Earn up to 3 Citi reward Points per dollar uncapped

*Terms And Conditions Apply

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Main gripe I have with Jetstar is their appalling on time performance and cancellation rate, worst in Australia. We’ve also paused booking on Virgin who are also really struggling. But at least Virgin are slowly improving, Jetstar really hasn’t moved the needle much in the last 3 months.
 
Last edited:
I would think that QF did not abandon you when it found you a seat with one of its transpacific competitors
I was abandoned in SFO for 1 night with my A$200 hotel budget. Yes I had travel insurance. Any point claiming if paying the excess, no.

Anyway, this thread is about Jetstar...my point was simply that using examples of bad service where some full service carriers are as bad, if not worse, doesn't stack up.
 
Another hands up for someone who has never had a problem with JQ
Crew have always friendly and efficient, Hard product fine for what it is

Appreciate I'm only one flight away from disaster but when you choose a low cost carrier you gets what you pay for and I adjust my expectations accordingly
 
I've only had one flight with JetStar; it was about ?15 years ago. 1A, and it went off without a hitch. So 100% for JQ. Unlike ...
 
IME not that bad - didn’t book them but were shunted from QF due to schedule change or whatever. Flight wasn’t overly delayed or uncomfortable.

Only problem was our transferred fare was meant to include onboard menu items up to a certain value. The apologetic FA couldn’t honour this and showed me the tablet which agreed we weren’t meant to get anything. Follow-up with customer service failed to resolve.
 
Still on my banned list and haven’t flown with them in many years and no plans to either. I actively avoid flying with them even if the opposition is twice the price in Y such as a few recent flights in NZ.
 
Still on my banned list and haven’t flown with them in many years and no plans to either. I actively avoid flying with them even if the opposition is twice the price in Y such as a few recent flights in NZ.
More fool you to pay twice the price! How much were you out of pocket with your JQ experience? Sounds like you are more than paying for it after the event!
 
More fool you to pay twice the price! How much were you out of pocket with your JQ experience? Sounds like you are more than paying for it after the event!
Wasn’t out of pocket a whole lot but had a couple of bad experiences a long time ago which culminated in a few nasty emails and me choosing to black list them.
Domestically we fly all J with VA or QF where possible and because NZ has no J domestically we had to choose Air NZ or Jetstar so Air NZ it was
 
Flew JQ several times across the past 15-20 years, however avoid them like the plague unless there's ABSOLUTELY no other option. Put simply, you get what you pay for. No flex, no wiggle room, no allowances. When working for my previous employer I had plenty of travel that I had to arrange for others - QF or VA might delay your flight, but they wouldn't leave you stranded without assistance. JQ OTOH... 😑😑😑
If it were me I'd be paying the extra $$ and going with HA.
 

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.
Back
Top