Have you flown Jetstar?

[ejb]

Like others I have only used JQ for Flounging.

Although I have thought of using *C to DPS.

ejb

 

[MelUser]

Used them to Hamilton Island.

I found check in staff very rude at both ends.

On outbound flight: things like snapping at wanting to charge extra luggage until I explained that I had prepaid and then calmed down like a rabid animal that had been given a sedative injection.

On return flight: things like refusing to assist with blocking seats except for a fee. I explained to her that we were Qantas Platinums but it seemed that this turned her on us even more. I explained that flight was empty and that it would be unlikely that someone would want to sit in between 2 pax, 1 at window and 1 at ailse. She reluctantly agreed.

I was not after red carpet service but at least being friendly and trying to assist would be nice. If Qantas staff cannot do something they normally apologise and state that the can;t do whatever. The jetstar checkin staff seem to take pleasure in denying requests which would make a passengers journey more comfortable.

The cabin staff I found to be very friendly and we spent up on snacks/meals/drinks. I figured with the savings on flight I wasn't holding back in the cabin!!

 

[notzac]

On return flight: things like refusing to assist with blocking seats except for a fee. I explained to her that we were Qantas Platinums but it seemed that this turned her on us even more. I explained that flight was empty and that it would be unlikely that someone would want to sit in between 2 pax, 1 at window and 1 at ailse. She reluctantly agreed.

As you've discovered, QF status means nothing on JQ. Telling the check-in staff you want x or y because you're a WP is going to come off as being DYKWIA-ish to them, even though you would never have intended that!

As an aside, I've also found the cabin crew on JQ to be v friendly.

 

[straitman]

Depending on where you want to go there are always other options like ships, trains, buses, horses, walking, swimming, crawling....

JohnK,

I reserve those options for TT.

 

[ozimax]

Am not a big JQ fan, but they're not that bad if nothing goes wrong. Great for FLounge runs!

I would say the same for Aeroflot!

 

[Batesy]

JQI three sectors. SYD-HKT-SYD and SYD-DPS (one way)
Domestic SYD-BNK several times, SYD-OOL and SYD-HTI.

International as long as you plan ahead for food, drink, entertainment, setaing etc in Y then no worries. Understand what a LCC is so you know what to expect, plan ahead and dont whinge if you are charged a motza for a drink.

Domestic on the short runs no problems.

No major delays, cabin crew good, check in fine.
I am doing SYD-HKT-SYD in *class in May.

 

[jackgotjacked]

I flew with them once because my father was able to use his frequent flyer points on a flight from Sydney to Coolangatta for Schoolies in 2008.

SYD-OOL was on time as far as I remember. The return flight OOL-SYD was a mess and myself and a hundred other 18 year olds were stranded in Coolangatta airport for about two hours because of a bird strike. It was a bit of a cluster**** because they let everyone board the plane before the pilot told us to get off again. Unhappy days man.

 

[Maca44]

I have never flown them, but have my first flight booked with them for next week. I am trying to keep an open mind as I have read so many adverse posts about them, especially one of my mates who was stranded in Hawaii for, I think, two days due to the aircraft being rendered u/s. Even if it is a bad flight, its only SYD-OOL so don't care, and am only going one way to try them out.

 

[klavdy]

In the order of what I will fly
Qantas<Jetstar<Virgin Blue<Flapping my Arms<Tiger

Yep, pretty much nailed it.

 

[tedly03]

Only once - Melb Bangkok return using FF. No problems. Would do it again.

 

[Must...Fly!]

In the order of what I will fly
Qantas<Jetstar<Virgin Blue<Flapping my Arms<Tiger

Could not possibly have said it better myself

On JQ red eye PER-MEL as part of an award to WLG next week, so add another flight to my list.

 

[Dougo]

I'd have to be desperate to get on another Jetstar flight.

Mind you, perhaps its the route (SYD-OOL rtn) that we've flown that tends to attract large groups of yahoos and people who've never flown before or people who will only fly because they got a very cheap ticket.

Our last two flights with them were the pits in terms of pax and their behaviour and I couldn't wait to get off the plane, so much so I was practically flapping my arms to get to our destination more quickly.

Never flown Tiger but why would I want to after reading some of the experiences of past passengers?

 

[Grooba]

I've flown them quite often however only where QF doesn't fly (SYD-OOL-SYD) is my regular.

I gasp when work comes up in OOL!

 

[oz_mark]

I've flown them quite often however only where QF doesn't fly (SYD-OOL-SYD) is my regular.

I gasp when work comes up in OOL!

'
I take DJ when going to OOL. (My little protest against Qantas)

 

[alwoodsy]

I hate Jetstar with a passion. The A320s are soo cramped. I only fly when there's no other option.

 

[Paul_PER]

I don't seem to have much luck with JQ - late departures, cancelled flights, etc.

Strangely enough Air Asia, DJ, and TT have all outperformed JQ for me personally.

So in terms of LCC's JQ is my last choice.

 

[RSD]

Jetstar seem to be a strange lot - it either goes pretty much perfectly or it's a complete disaster - there doesn't seem to be an in-between.

Did MEL - DPS return once - what a disaster! Somehow they had forgotten to organise a crew for the outbound flight so we were 3.5 hours late departing while they flew a crew down from SYD. The return flight was a joke because there was no food, catering or anything put on board in DPS - all we had was the leftovers from the trip up.

Have done PER - DPS return and it was a dream flight both ways - on time, great staff, everything went perfectly. The best bit was 11 minutes from seat on plane to loading bags into waiting car in DPS - usually it's a two or three epic.

 

[GCC]

I fly them for work if QF doesn't fly direct - usually Hobart / Launceston / NZ. I use Jetflex fares so usually get row 1 and its fine - but not always, have been squished back in row 20 something on a full flight from Christchurch.
Agree that Platinum card seems to just make the ground staff more determined to make you suffer. Flight crew generally good, & I much prefer them to the "hip" Virgin FA's.
Latest JQ experience last week, Syd - Maroochydore, traveling with wife. Rang on Monday to check allocation, set as me 1 c wife 1 d. Requested reallocation me 1 c, wife 1 b - confirmed. Arrive airport 1 hour before flight, me in 1 b, wife in 9 c. "sorry sir, nothing we can do." Nice way to treat people paying 3 - 4 as much as other passengers who are choosing their seats.
Never again. (but probably will have to for reasons above)

 

[anat0l]

I don't get it with JQ.

I haven't met one staff member at JQ that can actually properly understand all the aspects of their job. I even have doubts if Simon Westaway knows what he's doing. Or Bruce Buchanan.

This isn't a big issue when things are smooth sailing or just little challenges, but when things go a bit awry JQ are awful in the damage recovery. Also, things we take for granted with QF like understanding an itinerary, routing and so forth seem like foreign concepts to many of the JQ staff.

Even junior QF front line staff do a much better job than most JQ staff. What the hell is going on here.

 

[drron]

Just flew JQ again yesterday MEL-MCY.No choice as DJ only flies this sector once a day at a time that just doesn't connect with my flight from DPO.Really went just as expected.they left 20 minutes late and arrived 30 minutes late but no biggie as no one should have a connection at MCY.
I was hand carry only so did OLCI at 28 hours-better than DJ where it is only 24 hours out.I had done well at 6C-but still 5 rows in front.Basically the whole back of the plane was open so I selected 28C.Why?Because at MCY they deplane back and front.The back stairs are nearly always in position first.As i was HCO and mrsdrron was waiting aiming to be near first out.
Why not row 29?On JQ the overheads here have emergency equipment and FAs bags-different to DJ where I would select 29.
Then there are the pax on JQ(or any LCC)-woman in 28F had to put her bag above 27.When she tries to retrieve it the large fellow in 27D blocks her way and admonishs her for using his overhead and how he had to put his bag on the other side-big deal what does he expect for $99.Fortunately my arms are long and I was able to retrieve her bag for her.
So if price and scheduling are similiar I choose DJ.If either are favouring JQ I am reasonably happy to use them.Major drawback in the past is reliability-seems to me more chance of significant delay on JQ.