Jetstar launching Brisbane-Bangkok route

[Mattg]

I guess Jetstar must have seen an opportunity for BNE-BKK after Thai didn't resume flying it after Covid, and Thai AirAsia X pulled out.

3x weekly flights commencing in December 2024, on Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Afternoon flight out, redeye back (which is predictable).

I had a quick look at initial airfares - $275 one-way in Y and $1,199 one-way in J. Business and Business Max is currently the same price for some reason.

 

[samh004]

My parents regularly fly out of Thailand right now as they have property there, but not sure they'd want the recliner style-J of JQ over the proper seat on QF, despite not having to connect through SYD.

 

[nancypants]

Any idea when in December?

 

[AIRwin]

Any idea when in December?

13 December:

https://newsroom.jetstar.com/jetstar-to-offer-the-only-direct-flights-between-brisbane-and-bangkok/

 

[HS-TQE]

27th route subsidised by the Queensland Government and BNE under the AAIF.

I would assume BNE / Queensland approached JQ with the taxpayer funded AAIF cash to operate the service at 3x weekly for a contracted period. All in the name of 'Tourism and Jobs for Queensland'.

 

[Mattg]

27th route subsidised by the Queensland Government and BNE under the AAIF.

I would assume BNE / Queensland approached JQ with the taxpayer funded AAIF cash to operate the service at 3x weekly for a contracted period. All in the name of 'Tourism and Jobs for Queensland'.

How is a JQ flight from BNE to BKK going to bring a meaningful number of tourists into Queensland?

 

[JohnK]

How is a JQ flight from BNE to BKK going to bring a meaningful number of tourists into Queensland?

The backpackers travelling around SE Asia including Thailand looking for cheap airfares into Australia?

This could be a possibility for me if award availability opens up as I'm not really interested in earning QF SCs or points.

 

[jakeseven7]

How is a JQ flight from BNE to BKK going to bring a meaningful number of tourists into Queensland?

I’d suggest the reverse. But our extremely intelligent state government loves spending our money and giving it to big corporations so

 

[HS-TQE]

How is a JQ flight from BNE to BKK going to bring a meaningful number of tourists into Queensland?

Probably for the same reasons the Qld Government is subsidising UA, AA and shortly DL from SFO, DFW and LAX respectively, attempting to get (inbound) tourists; even though it's possibly more likely that they're either VFR or Budget Backpackers (the low yielding type) as opposed to their wish of 'high spending' (high yield leisure) tourists.

If it wasn't for the joint airport/taxpayer funded AAIF, it's safe to say most of those AAIF routes wouldn't be operating.

I'd predict DL isn't going to find much luck on BNE-LAX after UA's withdrawal. If UA couldn't make it work outside of the Queensland School Holidays, even with VA feed, it would make it more difficult for DL which is largely point to point with a base at best at LAX.
The better time for DL to enter BNE-LAX was when they were still partners with VA and at the start of Bain's ownership, they've missed the ship on that one.

 

[BNEFlyer]

How is a JQ flight from BNE to BKK going to bring a meaningful number of tourists into Queensland?

You don't think people in Thailand visit Australia?

 

[hwy]

Plenty of rich Thai people travelling all over the world. Look at Ginza, Tokyo store signs- languages are english, chinese, korean and thai.

 

[elanshin]

Plenty of rich Thai people travelling all over the world. Look at Ginza, Tokyo store signs- languages are english, chinese, korean and thai.

But Australia is significantly pricier than those places. And if you can afford that, would you be flying JQ to BNE?

Not Qantas or Thai to Sydney?

 

[AIRwin]

Not Qantas or Thai to Sydney?

Or SQ via SIN

 

[hwy]

Yeah- good point. Thais mainly like shopping and eating. Not too sure how enticing BNE is over SYD. Each to their own...
But for sure, not having a full service airline may be a deal killer if you have $$$$$$$$$$ burning a hole in your pocket.

 

[dajop]

I'd predict DL isn't going to find much luck on BNE-LAX after UA's withdrawal. If UA couldn't make it work outside of the Queensland School Holidays, even with VA feed, it would make it more difficult for DL which is largely point to point with a base at best at LAX.
The better time for DL to enter BNE-LAX was when they were still partners with VA and at the start of Bain's ownership, they've missed the ship on that one.

OT, but it might be more successful than UA, as it will be DL's only BNE service, so not directly competing with itself (UA also had SFO route). Interestingly, for DL, LAX might only be a "base at best" at but it does serve about the name of destinations (45) to the N/S/E of LAX that AA does.

 

[JohnK]

I was looking at award flights for 3 people BKK-BNE on 24/Apr/25 and this route came up.

21,500 QFF points + AUD140 per person.

I think thats great but can't convince wife to have extra trip next year or switch our cycle back to April/September instead of June/December.

Hope this route stays as I think it'd be a great way to get rid of QFF points especially as award flights include luggage. Curious to see if there are ever 30%-50% off award bookings.

 

[Wing Nut]

Another DeathStar route to make your travel life just that more miserable.

 

[yachty]

Another DeathStar route to make your travel life just that more miserable.

Good contribution.

 

[Happy Dude]

Curious to see if there are ever 30%-50% off award bookings.

They're referred to as Classic Rewards now aren't they?

 

[JohnK]

They're referred to as Classic Rewards now aren't they?

Yes they used to have discounted Classic rewards although that may no longer be the case.