Are Jetstar really that bad??

[aikman]

pray that my flight gets cancelled. That way instead of earning 40 SCs (on my non-stop MAX fare), I can choose a routing where I connect through ADL or MEL

Unfortunately the rebooking page referred to in this post doesn't work anymore. You used to be able to use the rebooking page to convert your flight into two connecting flights to maximise SCs, even if your original flight gets a 5 minute schedule change. Now you have to chat to a human. I'm not sure if a human will allow you to change to a creative routing just because of a 5 minute schedule change on your original flight.

 

[Pushka]

We flew back from Dps today (we ditched the Qantas flight via Sydney) direct to Adelaide in Y as that's all the Neo has. Flight was excellent but departed 1hr 40 mins late but we knew that from a notification last night so had a less rushed morning. We will have been home four hours before the Qantas flight departs, and that one is ON and then the wait and fly on into Adelaide tomorrow morning. Neo plane is rather nice.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

 

[XWu]

Delays, schedule changes and cancellations are a compelling reason to book JQ. I'm flying with them in 2 weeks back from DRW and pray that my flight gets cancelled. That way instead of earning 40 SCs (on my non-stop MAX fare), I can choose a routing where I connect through ADL or MEL and earn 60 SCs (thereby allowing me to earn Platinum status before my next big international trip). That and the possibility of getting a free hotel and meals on JQ's dime.

JQ can be a very effective way of earning status credits on the cheap. During mid to late 2021 I booked a ton of MAX fare flights on JQ for next to nothing (i.e. SYD to DRW for $340 return on MAX which earns 80 SCs). I would also agree from my observation that most people aren't buying the MAX fare. But I reckoned a big part of that is if you are looking for the cheapest fare, the MAX fare ain't it. The only people who really care about MAX fares are those chasing status. After all, I don't think anyone is looking forward to the catering on JQ (i.e. ham & cheese toastie and Pepsi Max). For international flights, sometimes the Plus fare can be attractive when there's a sale. Case in point I booked SYD > HNL on a Plus fare for $500 return which netted me 70 status credits (plus a trip to the QFi Business lounge at SYD and QF lounge operated by Delta Airlines at HNL).

-RooFlyer88

Sorry a late reply to your post

are you part of some secret club I am not aware of?

in my limited experience, when JQ cancels flights the usual thing is either rebooking you to some other days‘ flight if you are lucky someone bothered (and you sort out your own accomodation and meal until then) or they just tell you to put in your application for a refund

I don’t think any premium QF status attract better service.

either that or I have been badly treated or plain unlucky, my last JQ must be 5 years ago and only because I refused to pay extortion charges of $800 by QF for a weekend BNE-ADL flight

or I completely missed the iron/sarcasm!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Follow up to post 2 up - JQ flt home from Bali yesterday was totally acceptable for a LCC - almost departed on time - arrived early - YES we paid $2.5K for their alleged J - maybe a Sstep up from SQ S seat wise - F & B very very average - IFE just so so but found enough to keep me occupied - no WiFi onboard - service excellent - but daytime flt over and back absolute bonus - all in all will def fly JQ again next year of similar product offered

Edit - One very important omission which I intended to post is the totally UNACCEPTABLE point that JQ do not affix any Priority Bag Tags to J class pax bags - on arrival into DPS we cleared immig in like 30secs via Bali Fast Forward but then had to wait 40mins for baggage to arrive near last on carousel.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Against my better judgement (but working with the judgment of my wallet) for a reasonably short notice trip to SYD for family I am flying JQ BNE-NTL in a fortnight's time. Whilst the 6K QFF points + $38 taxes was a reasonable expense, I'm also not expecting anything more than get on, fly, get off...and hopefully on time. Let's see how we go...

PS - on a related note, apparently a QFF Reward fare on JQ doesn't include free seat selection

 

[RooFlyer]

@Cruiser Elite Flighty app tells me to prepare for the worst for my upcoming DPS to BNE on JQ

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I would seriously cancel if I was you - clearly 1 JQ flt will be just too much for you

 

[aikman]

Now this is a diversion I wouldn't mind having.

Jetstar flight diverts to Guam after pilot discovers cracked windscreen - Travel Weekly

 

[AIRwin]

Now this is a diversion I wouldn't mind having.

Jetstar flight diverts to Guam after pilot discovers cracked windscreen - Travel Weekly

But no ESTA?

 

[wendlle]

Just a follow up as I was the OP who started the conversation.
My flight from japan to cairns was around 15mins delayed which was fine, the flight was smooth and comfortable however it was FREEZING and I believe this is to make people purchase the blankets - luckily I had a cardigan in my bag so draped that over myself.
The flight was half empty and the food I had prepurchased was quite tasty.

The next flight was from Cairns to Sydney this flight was on time, the woman at check in was extremely helpful and got us on a much earlier flight saving us a 3 hour layover which i was grateful for with two small kids.
Again flight was delayed around 10mins which was fine, flight was smooth and I purchased some sandwiches for myself and the kids which were surprisingly pretty good.

Overall I was really happy with my Jetstar flights, having never used them before I wasn't sure what to expect but was happy with the price I paid and service I received.

 

[Pushka]

Just a follow up as I was the OP who started the conversation.
My flight from japan to cairns was around 15mins delayed which was fine, the flight was smooth and comfortable however it was FREEZING and I believe this is to make people purchase the blankets - luckily I had a cardigan in my bag so draped that over myself.
The flight was half empty and the food I had prepurchased was quite tasty.

The next flight was from Cairns to Sydney this flight was on time, the woman at check in was extremely helpful and got us on a much earlier flight saving us a 3 hour layover which i was grateful for with two small kids.
Again flight was delayed around 10mins which was fine, flight was smooth and I purchased some sandwiches for myself and the kids which were surprisingly pretty good.

Overall I was really happy with my Jetstar flights, having never used them before I wasn't sure what to expect but was happy with the price I paid and service I received.

I think when Jetstar are good, they are very very good. Even the food. But when they are bad they are rotten. We flew back from Bali last month. No complaints at all. A flight delay of 2 hours was advised the night before so we could take our time. Flying again next year.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Against my better judgement (but working with the judgment of my wallet) for a reasonably short notice trip to SYD for family I am flying JQ BNE-NTL in a fortnight's time. Whilst the 6K QFF points + $38 taxes was a reasonable expense, I'm also not expecting anything more than get on, fly, get off...and hopefully on time. Let's see how we go...

PS - on a related note, apparently a QFF Reward fare on JQ doesn't include free seat selection

As a follow-up to this, flight departed on time, flight arrived in NTL on time, and aside from having to pay $8 per person to select the seat on a QFF booking it was fine...

 

[elanshin]

The new a321NEO exit rows are pretty good i must say. Should be the biggest leg room in any narrow body plane atm. The ABC side is preferred over DEF slightly as theres a crew jumpseat (and bulkhead) in front of F.

 

[CaptJCool]

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/travel-stories/sydney-couple-are-club-jetstars-most-travelled-members/news-story/38e411833fcd8b194a4846b654ba742c

Seems JQ is pretty good when it comes to this couple because they’re Club Jetstar, utilising $19 airfares !

 

[RooFlyer]

I think when Jetstar are good, they are very very good. Even the food. But when they are bad they are rotten. We flew back from Bali last month. No complaints at all. A flight delay of 2 hours was advised the night before so we could take our time. Flying again next year.

And I just flew JQ DPS to BNE in biz Max, and it was very good. B787, very orderly boarding, left on time, in seat amenities, even though it’s a day flight, very good crew. I didn’t eat anything but some banana bread, but the guy next door had a decent looking meal presented.

To be more consumer oriented, I really just got what I paid for but with JQs reputation, it was a surprise on the upside.

But as you say Pushka, the risk always is cancelled flights, or very delayed flights, and then the downside will be very large.

 

[Scarlett]

But no ESTA?

ESTA is not required for Guam.

Let me repeat that again for any Philippine Airlines staff who might be reading (and tried to deny us boarding when travelling SYD-MNL-GUM - even when the check in supervisor was shown the Guam government website AND DHS website - she couldn’t have cared less) - an ESTA is not required for Guam. There is a separate Guam form to be filled in but if the aircraft diverted there then that could be filled out after arrival no problems.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

To be more consumer oriented, I really just got what I paid for but with JQs reputation, it was a surprise on the upside.

Loosely translated JQ is a LCC and they delivered what they were paid for.

.But as you say Pushka, the risk always is cancelled flights, or very delayed flights, and then the downside will be very large.

And of course LCCs are not the only ones who suffer delays and cancellations - they are just an easy target for the lazy media and for some AFF Members who like to try to impress others .

Always has been and always will be a very important role for LCCs in our aviation landscape - provided they get pax to and fro in 1 piece long may they live and prosper. .

OK enough from me - back to Champagne breakfast in 19D on SQ324 SIN-AMS

 

[dajop]

To be more consumer oriented, I really just got what I paid for but with JQs reputation, it was a surprise on the upside.

That's a good business maxim isn't it, under-promise and over-deliver? On the other hand there are some airlines that over-promise and under-deliver ..

 

[alexczarn]

a little aside, JQ appears to have added a few more international pre-ordered meal options in Y