Jetstar's seat free-for-all ends

[Dave Noble]

Interestingly, if I want to fly from Melbourne to Newcastle on the 7th of July next year (a random date I picked), there are no exit row seats available. Isn't that funny...

I would assume that the same approach that Qantas takes is being used in that exit row seats cannot be selected online

Dave

 

[Philip76]

So would the best move be to not select a seat online and then turn up and ask for an exit row, or should one ring up to ask for an exit row?

 

[Dave Noble]

So would the best move be to not select a seat online and then turn up and ask for an exit row, or should one ring up to ask for an exit row?

The best option would be to take the best you can now and then request an exit row with a check in agent.

Dave

 

[simongr]

I would advise booking online and then asking to change when you get to the airport - unless you have status. At least if you check in on line you can guarantee (all guarantees subject being unguaranteed at the discretion of the carrier) a decent seat and then ask for a change.

Kind of defeats the purpose of OLCI then I guess :/

 

[serfty]

The best option would be to take the best you can now and then request an exit row with a check in agent.

Dave

Flying back from SYD on Monday, I took my B-I-L to T2 QP. He had a JQ light to OOL and one can't check in for a JQ flight in the SYD T3 QP. He was looking for a Blue BP.

It was over 2½ hours before his flight and was told could not check in until 2 hours before - even in the QP. Also told it was allocated seating for the flight so a blue BP would not matter.

Anyway, he waited the 30 minutes and went up again to check in. He requested and obtained an Exit row seat for his flight on the spot.

sweet ...

 

[JohnK]

I missed this, but the two Jetstar flights I had had no recline installed. So they conviently have addressed this issue and provided this customer service at no extra charge!

My goodness, that has to be the first positive thing that Jetstar has ever done. An aircraft with non reclining seats! I'd like to see that!

 

[Commuter]

Does it make any odds andy more what colour you have now that it is using allocated seating?

Dave

Wouldn't have mattered. It was mainly amusing that they were still using the colours while they had allocated seating already. It was quite weird, in fact...

 

[Altair]

Wouldn't have mattered. It was mainly amusing that they were still using the colours while they had allocated seating already. It was quite weird, in fact...

It may matter on the international flights. I was told by a JQ FA that when their flights are over 60% to NZ the overhead bins are packed, must be due to the generous NZ DF allowance , so it would be better to have the earlier boarding pass.

 

[azza_1992]

On the JetStar website I can't see any fees for choosing a seat. Also, if anyone has any comments on a good place to sit on a Jetstar A320, please leave them here. That is excluding rows 1-5 and the exit rows as they are usually always taken or not able to be allocated.

 

[Commuter]

I would assume that the same approach that Qantas takes is being used in that exit row seats cannot be selected online

Dave

I'd say so too - due to regulations that you have to be able bodied to sit on the exit row seat. It means they'll face some embarrassment if they let people choose and that person happens to have a disability.

 

[pauly7]

I'd say so too - due to regulations that you have to be able bodied to sit on the exit row seat. It means they'll face some embarrassment if they let people choose and that person happens to have a disability.

Hmm, I grabbed a cheapie trans-tasman flight with JQ several months ago and was able to select an exit row seat - however it flashed up a box saying I would be checked at the airport to make sure I was suitable or something like that.

I'd love to know if someone has got confirmation on whether you can select exit rows with Jetstar domestically.

 

[serfty]

JQ are reserving Exit Rows for Premium PAX

Hmm, I grabbed a cheapie trans-tasman flight with JQ several months ago and was able to select an exit row seat - however it flashed up a box saying I would be checked at the airport to make sure I was suitable or something like that.

I'd love to know if someone has got confirmation on whether you can select exit rows with Jetstar domestically.

I did a (dummy) JetSaver booking for a flight well into the future (i.e. looking for a flight with little or no existing preallocation).

Rows 1 (exit), 2, 3, 5, 12 (exit), 13 (exit) & 30 (last) were not available for preselection; all other rows/seats were. (Note that Row 30 only has 3 seats (30A/B/C) in the JQ A320.)

Then I did a JetFlex booking for the same flight and of the exit rows, all seats in rows 12 & 13 + seats 1A/B/C became available. Also rows 2 & 3 could now be selected. Seats 1D/E/F, all row 5 and row 30 (last) were the only ones still not offerred.

I guess row 5 and the last row (30) are being reserved for specific purposes.

One of the flight I checked was SYD-CNS, $149 JetSaver and $399 Jetflex (AVV-SYD was $79 and $199).

When selecting a seat in exit row 1 the following pop-up appeared:

... Securing your preference for an exit row seat will be subject to Jetstar and CASA safety requirements. Passengers must meet the following criteria:

- be 15 years or older
- be able to understand and converse in English
- appear mobile/agile
- willing and able to assist in the unlikely event of an emergency,
- not be carrying an infant or using an extended seat belt.

Passengers who do not meet the additional requirements on the briefing card must be relied upon to ask to be reseated. The inability to fulfil the criteria may not be readily observable by the cabin crew.

and for rows 12 & 13:

Securing your preference for an exit row seat will be subject to Jetstar and CASA safety requirements. Passengers must meet the following criteria:

- be 15 years or older
- be able to understand and converse in English
- appear sufficiently mobile/agile to reach, open and discard the exit door onto the wing
- willing and able to assist in the unlikely event of an emergency,
- not be carrying an infant or using an extended seat belt.
- positively acknowledge the Exit Row Briefing given by cabin crew.

Passengers who do not meet the additional requirements on the briefing card must be relied upon to ask to be reseated. The inability to fulfil the criteria may not be readily observable by the cabin crew.

 

[Altair]

On the JetStar website I can't see any fees for choosing a seat. Also, if anyone has any comments on a good place to sit on a Jetstar A320, please leave them here. That is excluding rows 1-5 and the exit rows as they are usually always taken or not able to be allocated.

As you are able to choose the seat if you book the JetFlex I give this review.

The two times that I have flown Jetstar have been on JetFlex tickets. I flew both times in seat 1A, LOTS of legroom, you get to stare and talk to the CSM and an FA, they serve you first so no chance of running out of food, negatives, windows are dirty (from the airbridge connections), tray table is weak (fold out from arm rest and could hardly support my laptop), arm rests do not move (see tray table), need to put everything into overhead lockers, row one has a tiny pocket on the sidewall be 1A for safety cards and magazine for all three seats.

 

[Yada Yada]

The two times that I have flown Jetstar have been on JetFlex tickets. I flew both times in seat 1A, LOTS of legroom, you get to stare and talk to the CSM and an FA, they serve you first so no chance of running out of food, negatives, windows are dirty (from the airbridge connections), tray table is weak (fold out from arm rest and could hardly support my laptop), arm rests do not move (see tray table), need to put everything into overhead lockers, row one has a tiny pocket on the sidewall be 1A for safety cards and magazine for all three seats.

It's exactly the same on Virgin Blue. On longer flights (e.g. SYD-PER) another negative is that other pax congregate in front of you waiting to use the loo.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

It may matter on the international flights. I was told by a JQ FA that when their flights are over 60% to NZ the overhead bins are packed, must be due to the generous NZ DF allowance , so it would be better to have the earlier boarding pass.

Says something for the intelligence of the average JQ punter. The DF is much cheaper on arrival in NZ.

 

[Altair]

Says something for the intelligence of the average JQ punter. The DF is much cheaper on arrival in NZ.

Only if you pre-order using the frequent buyer card that you sign up for (free).:mrgreen:
A 20% discount is very good!:shock:
Oh that reminds me I need to order for my flight back home on next Friday.
The other thing could be that they do not have QP access and got sucked into the DF shop while waiting for the JQ flight.

 

[JohnK]

Only if you pre-order using the frequent buyer card that you sign up for (free).:mrgreen:
A 20% discount is very good!:shock:

While we are Off-T, again, care to explain the frequent buyer card. Better still if you have a link!

Open to all travellers? Can it be used when arriving and departing NZ? As I am due to cross the ditch in January a bottle or 2 of Chivas Regal or Dimple wouldn't go astray.

 

[oz_mark]

While we are Off-T, again, care to explain the frequent buyer card. Better still if you have a link!

Open to all travellers? Can it be used when arriving and departing NZ? As I am due to cross the ditch in January a bottle or 2 of Chivas Regal or Dimple wouldn't go astray.

Try this link: Duty Free Stores New Zealand - Get the best deal on your New Zealand duty free shopping with the Frequent Buyer Club

 

[straitman]

Try this link: Duty Free Stores New Zealand - Get the best deal on your New Zealand duty free shopping with the Frequent Buyer Club

Thanks oz_mark,

I'll definitely use this.

 

[Altair]

Thanks oz_mark,

I'll definately use this.

Yes definitely use it and make sure you give them two business days to get the goods to the airport if they do not have a shop there eg. AKL. The DF shops in AKL are not part of the group so you cannot use the card there.
In WLG where there is a shop and I miss the 2 days cut off I call them and they still offer 20% and have the goods ready for pick up.