Jetstar Star Class Impressions

[serfty]

As mentioned, the Loui's Taverns are down on level 3 near the intersection of concourses F, E, G & D. The First lounge is about 30 metres along from the beginning of 'F' to the right. As you walk down concourse D though the intersection of E & G it become concourse F. The Business lounge entrance is on the right about 40 metres down concourse G from the intersection.

I used the term "Fishtank" in reference that those inside are very visible to people in the concourses. "Fishbowl" may be better but the lounges are rectangular with glass walls and I find 'tank' is more descriptive.

This Tank effect is very much the same with the Loui's Tavern F lounge; it's near the J lounge on the same level, just around the corner. Here is a shot taken of it from near the J lounge entrance. You can see the west transfer desk located beneath it, one level down.

The J lounge had a varied offering of sandwiches and cold pastries such as mini sausage rolls. There was a selection of canned soft drinks and beers, various spirits as well as a red and a white wine. There was also a coffee machine. This was all self serve. A bookshelf contained a selection of magazines and newspapers from Asia and Europe.

Seating was in the form of low squarish chairs/sofas. They were comfortable enough. I found the lighting a bit strange and needed to relocate a few times until I finally found a seat sans any annoying glare.

The roof was concrete and painted air conditioning ducts. Quite Stark really.

Some indoor greenery had been placed here in a reasonably successful attempt to break up this starkness. There was also a large TV screen but this was not working. Actually from its screen it appeared to be operational but it was simply not getting a signal.

I had few sandwiches and an ale or two then went to investigate my gate. Finding x-ray would need to be negotiated before I could get there, I resolved to allow some extra time when heading out for boarding commencement.

 

[serfty]

You can see the lounges on this map: (Level 3 - meetings)

The Business lounge is represented on the map with the only TeePee symbol on concourse G; There may have been other locations for Loui's Taverns, but these were the only ones indicated on the back of my invitation.

 

[serfty]

Looking at this Level 4 - Departures Map, you can get an idea of where the x-ray is.

 

[serfty]

With about 35 minutes to go before scheduled departure I collected my bags and went from the Business lounge to my gate in Pier E. I had to go up one level near the concourse intersection and through the E x-ray. There were no delays.

The walkways are elevated and run down the middle of the piers with staircases/escalators every so often leading down to each of the gate lounges. With the design these "lounges" reminded me more of 'holding pens' for livestock. My gate was the third along on the left so it was a significant walk.

Proceeding down to the gate lounge an announcement was made that there would be a 15 minute delay before boarding. So I located a seat near the gate and watched proceedings.

After about five minutes about 25 people appeared from the skybridge; they included a couple of "Suits" but were mainly Flight Attendants, some who I had travelled with on the way up. These people separated into two groups with the larger heading down the arrivals hallway. The remainder prepared to board us.

(Later on I was able to ask what it was about and I was told most were undergoing training. One of the 'Suits' was actually a high up executive with Jetstar and accompanied us in the StarClass cabin back to MEL.)

Boarding soon commenced, as I was near the gate I was straight on and soon seated in my 2E seat (now renumbered 2D) and sipping the proffered juice.

As the passenger boarded there was a bit of a kerfuffle with some Chinese looking people trying to bring a large bag on board. I could see this clearly from my seat. They were not happy at being told it had to be gate checked but I was not surprised; this bag looked like a cube about 1 meter in all dimensions. I have since heard that a lot of travelers in Asia deliberately try to carry on as much as possible, even knowing the carry-on limits, to avoid excess baggage fees; even if it gets gate checked they rarely pay an extra fee.

The were less StarClass passengers in this flight with myself, one PAX in 3A, 1A and the aforementioned exec in 4K.

Boarding soon completed; by this time it was 15 minutes after nine. We still waited another 5 minutes finally pushing back about 20 minutes late. With 20 minutes of taxiing/waiting/taxiiing it was 9:40pm before we took off.

After takeoff I migrated to 2G for a bit more privacy; it was all a bit vague after that. However, I must say I prefer to sleep on the Cloth seats of QF rather than the JQ Leather (Sweaty).

 

[simongr]

My hotel was the Hilton Millenium; nice place.

In the morning I found the "continental" breakfast on the exec floor to be exceptional. They even had a chef cooking egg based meals to order.

This was the highlight of our trip to BKK - there is a great view out over the city (when not obscured by young guys hang from the side of the building working with no form of safety equipment.

Mrssimongr loved the congee - I loved the french stick with nice cheeses Shame Pattaya was not quite up to the same standard

 

[Mrmaxwell]

As mentioned, the Loui's Taverns are down on level 3 near the intersection of concourses F, E, G & D.

Is this the QC lounge equivalent at Bkk ??? Can regular QFF QC members use this?

 

[serfty]

No, the new QP/J lounge opened in May this year.

It's on concourse G, just down from the aforementioned Louis Tavern.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

How much legroom do you get in 1J/1K *Class? As much as you get in 2D? My next flight is SYD-HKT and I will be solo but 2D is already booked (someone in here perhaps?!?!).

I may change flights (day before or after) if it means getting 2D

 

[serfty]

There's enough legroom for the footrest to be just short of the bulkhead when the seat is fully extended/reclined.

I would use 1J/K for the evening flights like MEL-BKK and 2D for the red eye (e.g. BKK-MEL).

 

[rambisyouth]

Thanks Serfty.

Does anyone know if star class passengers can use the QF lounge in Bangkok now it's open rather than Louis Tavern?

 

[KateMayo]

Does anyone know if star class passengers can use the QF lounge in Bangkok now it's open rather than Louis Tavern?

Yes, you can. I used it this week.