I Give In to Jetstar

[justinbrett]

After vowing never to fly with them unless I had a choice (have flown with them a total of 3 flights, all on B717) - I'm now ashamed to actually consider flying with them.

I fly DRW - BNE - DRW a lot for leisure, weekend breaks (in addition to the other business and personal travel elsewhere). I'm currently silver, soon to be gold.

With the new jetstar services, it is now only possible to fly Qantas out of Darwin around 1300 (which suits me very well) but their return service leaves Brisbane at 0900. A waste of a weekend if you have to fly back Sunday morning.

Until now I've been flying BNE - CNS - DRW, which leaves BNE at around 1530 and gets me in to Darwin around 2030. With this option, I end up getting more SC than direct, 30 instead of 20. As with all QF flights in/out of Darwin you have to book early to get the cheap flights.

However, I'm now considering flying the return service on Jetstar, paying full fare - for two reasons. First, it doesn't leave Brisbane until 2100 which gives me nearlly 6 extra hours.. Secondly, I will actually get 40SC - which at $/SC is about the same as the cheapest QF red-e-deal DRW-BNE.

And of course the obvious benifits of paying full fare I don't have to worry about booking early or changing the date. The Jetstar full fare is a lot cheaper than QF, even $150 cheaper than the flexisaver.

However - the thought of paying to fly Jetstar (and full fare at that) chills me to my bones.

Happy though it will let me select the exit row - that almost makes it worth it.

PS. What is row 1 like compared to the over wing exit? Never flown on a Jetstar A320. And do they serve Rum & Coke in a can - or with the mini-bar bottles like Qantas? (I much prefer to mix myself).

 

[jakeseven7]

After vowing never to fly with them unless I had a choice (have flown with them a total of 3 flights, all on B717) - I'm now ashamed to actually consider flying with them.

Happy though it will let me select the exit row - that almost makes it worth it.

PS. What is row 1 like compared to the over wing exit? Never flown on a Jetstar A320. And do they serve Rum & Coke in a can - or with the mini-bar bottles like Qantas? (I much prefer to mix myself).

I've had 90% of my JQ flights in the exit row and it has tonnes of space, I'm a big fan of the A320 (though I did like the 717's). Never sat in the first row - but you would get served first I guess, and I don't drink when I fly so can't help you with the alcohol question!

 

[flyer4703]

Row one does have more leg room if you are in seats 1A 1B or IC. Seats IB or 1C would be best; the front door seems to take some space from 1A when it is closed.
Seat 1D, 1E and 1F seem to have only standard seat pitch because of the partition that separates them from the galley.
I can't comment on the alcohol because I am always traveling to work if I am on Jetstar.
imho Jetstar is much better than it's made out to be. It has even less going against it now that you can choose your seat when you book rather than having get into a scrum at the departure gate.

 

[pauly7]

I have no issues with Jetstar and am not ashamed to fly them - though I do understand the feelings of the staunch QF and DJ supporters.

I've sat in rows 1 and exit rows on the Airbus - my preference is the exit row as row 1 (LHS near door is right near the cabin controls which the crew sometimes access, and the door which may be cold.

Enough isn't posted here on the JQ service which I consider equal (and probably more consistant) to DJ I think in Australia we are very luck to have 3 excellent airlines all in all, I have no problems with QF service either - which I have noticed has been steadily improving as well - as have DJ who seem to have culled back on the fake cheerfulness to just being happy, courteous and polite.

 

[bravoecho1]

The only problem I see with your plan is JetStars schedule reliability.

This board has had a number of posts advising of a change to the schedule by many hours and sometimes days. If you are trying to get back to DRW for work this may be a problem.

 

[Commuter]

I'd actually fly on an A320 anytime in preference to a 737. I wish Jetstar's timetable was a bit more friendly to my schedule!

 

[Expon]

I am in the same boat as you, I vowed never to fly Jetstar again after I was offloaded on xmas day last year for missing the 30min checkin cutoff. Just wish I didn't spend 40mins in the line at Melb airport to be told I was 5mins late....not happy.

However as they are the only carrier to fly MEL - TVL DCT and at a cheaper price, its actually a good alternative. Outside of the ticketing and boarding troubles, once you sit down there is really no difference between Jetstar and Qantas/Virgin. Unless you can't handle not been in bussiness class. But as I fly for leisure I can put up with economy for a 3hr flight for 20% of the business class ticket price.

With an answer to your alcohol.... they serve in a can.

When they first launched it was mixers but they never had coke ?!? or ginger ale. I could only mix scotch with water or lemonade

The cans aren't what you think though, they are lesser known brands. Don't expect Bundy or Johnny Walker, the scotch was Highland, which I hadn't heard of until then. From memory alot of the softdrinks were cheaper substitutes at full price.

Also they don't allow the consumption of alcohol not bought on the flight. But the prices are reasonable - depending on where you normally drink, about $6/UDL.

Hope that helps

 

[Yada Yada]

However, I'm now considering flying the return service on Jetstar, paying full fare - for two reasons. First, it doesn't leave Brisbane until 2100 which gives me nearlly 6 extra hours.. Secondly, I will actually get 40SC - which at $/SC is about the same as the cheapest QF red-e-deal DRW-BNE.

And of course the obvious benifits of paying full fare I don't have to worry about booking early or changing the date. The Jetstar full fare is a lot cheaper than QF, even $150 cheaper than the flexisaver.

However - the thought of paying to fly Jetstar (and full fare at that) chills me to my bones.

Happy though it will let me select the exit row - that almost makes it worth it.

PS. What is row 1 like compared to the over wing exit? Never flown on a Jetstar A320. And do they serve Rum & Coke in a can - or with the mini-bar bottles like Qantas? (I much prefer to mix myself).

I haven't flown Jetstar yet but now that they allocate seats I might give them a go when the schedule suits, and as long as I can check-in online and avoid the queues! It seems like a win-win for you given the schedule and SC earn.

As for row 1, there was another post here recently about the front row on the A320. It sounded identical to the front row on Virgin Blue on the 737, i.e:

• the arm rests are fixed and contain the tray table, so it feels a little more confined than other seats;
• the tray tables in this row are smaller than the rest and hinged in the middle, so not great if you intend to use a notebook computer on them;
• there is no storage for small items (because there is no seat back pocket in front);
• the front overhead lockers are often marked "no stowage" and used for storage of crew equipment, so your bag may be located a few rows back;
• seat 1A has slightly restricted leg room because of the curvature of front door;
• pax will congregate in front of you on longer flights to use the loo;
• it can be a bit noisy that close to the front galley;

I rarely see a spare seat in row 1 but often the over-wing rows will have the middle seat empty, which is another bonus.

 

[Rick93]

Am I correct in thinking, (conspiracy theory here!), that Qantas want to totally off load ALL ECONOMY seats to Jetstar, and develop into a 'business class airline'???

(not sure if this has been raised elsewhere)

It just seems to me, that Qantas are making it hard on regular 'Red E deal' passengers to stay with the airline, and keep their QFF benefits! (points / SC)

Shoot me down in flames, if need be!!!

?????

regards,

 

[pauly7]

When they first launched it was mixers but they never had coke ?!? or ginger ale. I could only mix scotch with water or lemonade

The cans aren't what you think though, they are lesser known brands. Don't expect Bundy or Johnny Walker, the scotch was Highland, which I hadn't heard of until then. From memory alot of the softdrinks were cheaper substitutes at full price.

Jetstar carry Pepsi-Cola - and I for one am SO happy that they carry Schweppes products not Coke (have massive moral issues drinking Coke products). Scwheppes/Pepsi products are hardly cheaper subsitutes.

I'm a big fan of Pepsi Max and am so annoyed QF and DJ don't carry it, the funniest time was when I walked past a QF galley and saw 2 cans of Pepsi Max, anyway I got excited and asked for it when they were serving drinks, got the same old 'Unfortunately we are bound to Coke by contract and cannot serve Pepsi products'..... Anyway after an arguement it turned out it was the CSM's!! And he was really nice and let me have one of his! Great service!!

 

[Yada Yada]

Am I correct in thinking, (conspiracy theory here!), that Qantas want to totally off load ALL ECONOMY seats to Jetstar, and develop into a 'business class airline'???

(not sure if this has been raised elsewhere)

It just seems to me, that Qantas are making it hard on regular 'Red E deal' passengers to stay with the airline, and keep their QFF benefits! (points / SC)

Shoot me down in flames, if need be!!!

?????

Nothing like this has been announced and I doubt that this is QF's intention. My guess is that QF wants to concentrate on the mainline activities where they can get the best yields. Domestically, this would probably be the CityFlyer trunk routes (SYD/MEL/BNE/PER/ADL).

I would not be surprised if other lower volume places become the mainstay of Jetstar (e.g. North Qld, NT, Tas).

I was in Newcastle on Monday (drove up from SYD) but picked up two colleagues that flew in, one from BNE and the other from MEL. I noticed that QF only have Qantaslink serving NTL. I'd rather fly on a JQ A320 than a QF Crash8. The guy from MEL was on a Crash8 and it took over 2 hours to get to NTL!

 

[Expon]

Jetstar carry Pepsi-Cola - and I for one am SO happy that they carry Schweppes products not Coke (have massive moral issues drinking Coke products). Scwheppes/Pepsi products are hardly cheaper subsitutes.

I'm a big fan of Pepsi Max and am so annoyed QF and DJ don't carry it, the funniest time was when I walked past a QF galley and saw 2 cans of Pepsi Max, anyway I got excited and asked for it when they were serving drinks, got the same old 'Unfortunately we are bound to Coke by contract and cannot serve Pepsi products'..... Anyway after an arguement it turned out it was the CSM's!! And he was really nice and let me have one of his! Great service!!

I don't mind Pepsi Max by itself, but does anyone here actually drink Pepsi with alcohol? However I would much rather drink Pepsi max and mix it myself than the dodgy premix cans they are selling atm.

 

[NM]

I don't mind Pepsi Max by itself, but does anyone here actually drink Pepsi with alcohol? However I would much rather drink Pepsi max and mix it myself than the dodgy premix cans they are selling atm.

What!! Mix softdrinks with alcohol :evil: . Now that is a good way to ruin a good scotch. Then again, not many airlines serve good scotch on domestic flights .

 

[oz_mark]

I don't mind Pepsi Max by itself, but does anyone here actually drink Pepsi with alcohol? However I would much rather drink Pepsi max and mix it myself than the dodgy premix cans they are selling atm.

I've seen it done in places that have had exclusive contracts with Pepsi (i.e. no coca cola anywhere to be see on the premises)

 

[pauly7]

I don't mind Pepsi Max by itself, but does anyone here actually drink Pepsi with alcohol? However I would much rather drink Pepsi max and mix it myself than the dodgy premix cans they are selling atm.

HAHA Well, I'll let you in to a secret. When you order a 'rum and coke' or whatever at around 1/2 of any pubs or clubs in Australia you will actually be getting Pepsi-Cola and rum. Staff don't even bother telling you it is Pepsi because people can't tell when it is mixed with alcohol (especially if they have had a few). And don't let the pourers which say ''Coca-Cola" fool you either.... heh heh.

 

[Mal]

HAHA Well, I'll let you in to a secret. When you order a 'rum and coke' or whatever at around 1/2 of any pubs or clubs in Australia you will actually be getting Pepsi-Cola and rum. Staff don't even bother telling you it is Pepsi because people can't tell when it is mixed with alcohol (especially if they have had a few). And don't let the pourers which say ''Coca-Cola" fool you either.... heh heh.

Or Schweppes Cola. Same scam, different brand

 

[JohnK]

When you order a 'rum and coke' or whatever at around 1/2 of any pubs or clubs in Australia you will actually be getting Pepsi-Cola and rum. Staff don't even bother telling you it is Pepsi because people can't tell when it is mixed with alcohol (especially if they have had a few). And don't let the pourers which say ''Coca-Cola" fool you either.... heh heh.

Don't get me wrong I prefer Pepsi to Coca-Cola but when mixed with scotch the Scotch & Pepsi is sweeter than Scotch & Coke! I guess once you have had a few it would be hard to notice.

 

[acampbel]

A good scotch should never be mixed with anything but ice or water, but my wife and I have developed a peccadillo for scotch and Diet Co*e with vanilla. I get the soft drink free at work so splash out $25 per bottle for White Heather, but in all honesty the brand of scotch hardly matters.

Try it .... you may get hooked!


Cheers,


Andrew

 

[NM]

A good scotch should never be mixed with anything but ice or water, but my wife and I have developed a peccadillo for scotch and Diet Co*e with vanilla. I get the soft drink free at work so splash out $25 per bottle for White Heather, but in all honesty the brand of scotch hardly matters.

Try it .... you may get hooked!

Yep, for the non-drinkable scotch,diet vanilla coke is a good mixer.

 

[oz_mark]

Yep, for the non-drinkable scotch,diet vanilla coke is a good mixer.

Next I will be hearing that real coke with a scoop of ice-cream makes a good mixer.