Sydney to Rarotonga online check in issue

[KarenD]

Hi all, flying jetstar Sydney to Rarotonga (The Cook Islands) on Tuesday this week. Just tried to online check in and it failed saying we need to check in at the airport. Is this anything I should be concerned about?

We did book through the Qantas website as a classic reward, if that makes any difference. I am trying to check in with the jetstar website and jetstar booking reference.

We also chose exit row seats for the extra legroom so maybe that has something to do with it too. However I checked the jetstar website and neither of these reasons are listed as exclusions to checking in online.

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks all!

 

[05flyer]

Had a similar experience recently. KIX-BNE booked as a Qantas CR. Was able to initiate the check-in process on JQ website (or app, can't remember which), but was told to check in at airport.

We had no issues when checking-in at airport (other than a pretty significant queue), and our pre-purchased seats were allocated as expected.

At worst, there might be some sort of issue with your extra legroom seats being re-allocated due to operational requirements, but most likely you'll have no problems.

 

[KarenD]

Had a similar experience recently. KIX-BNE booked as a Qantas CR. Was able to initiate the check-in process on JQ website (or app, can't remember which), but was told to check in at airport.

We had no issues when checking-in at airport (other than a pretty significant queue), and our pre-purchased seats were allocated as expected.

At worst, there might be some sort of issue with your extra legroom seats being re-allocated due to operational requirements, but most likely you'll have no problems.

Thanks, yeah I think it must be because we booked through Qantas. Even though it's not one of the reasons listed on the jetstar check in FAQ for situations where you can't check in online

It's strange that it allows you to start checking in, and then at a point in time on the passport details page, then decides that you can't check in online.

Flying out tomorrow night, hopefully no issues when we get to the airport.

 

[henrus]

Hi all, flying jetstar Sydney to Rarotonga (The Cook Islands) on Tuesday this week. Just tried to online check in and it failed saying we need to check in at the airport. Is this anything I should be concerned about?

No issue they just want to see your ticket to know you’re leaving and may ask for proof of accommodation as well.

 

[AIRwin]

We did book through the Qantas website as a classic reward, if that makes any difference.

Was it a one-way booking?

 

[KarenD]

Was it a one-way booking?

No it was a rare occasion where I booked return flights in the one reward booking. Economy reward seats don't disappear as fast as business class.

 

[ellen10]

On our recent Qantas flight to Singapore, we could not check in online. We booked and paid fro exit row seats, so I was a bit worried.

No problems at the airport with a checkin operator. Maybe they wanted to ensure we could sit in the exit row seats?

Also some feed back on those Jetstar flights to the Cook Islands would be appreciated. I am looking at booking those Jetstar flights as they are direct.

 

[KarenD]

On our recent Qantas flight to Singapore, we could not check in online. We booked and paid fro exit row seats, so I was a bit worried.

No problems at the airport with a checkin operator. Maybe they wanted to ensure we could sit in the exit row seats?

Also some feed back on those Jetstar flights to the Cook Islands would be appreciated. I am looking at booking those Jetstar flights as they are direct.

Flying out tonight, hopefully all fine.
It's the only direct flight from Sydney so not a lot of choice! I looked at air NZ but most of their flights use the same type of plane and it adds at least 4 hours to the trip. The jetstar flight seems to take off on time for the most part. We booked extra legroom seats as a compromise so we might be slightly more comfortable than the regular seats at least

 

[p--and--t]

Flying out tonight, hopefully all fine.
It's the only direct flight from Sydney so not a lot of choice! I looked at air NZ but most of their flights use the same type of plane and it adds at least 4 hours to the trip. The jetstar flight seems to take off on time for the most part. We booked extra legroom seats as a compromise so we might be slightly more comfortable than the regular seats at least

In my experience if you book an exit row they have to see the passenger before checking you in. You must be able bodied etc etc etc.

 

[henrus]

In my experience if you book an exit row they have to see the passenger before checking you in.

I was able to online check in from BNE-KIX a couple of months ago seated in the exit row.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Also some feed back on those Jetstar flights to the Cook Islands would be appreciated. I am looking at booking those Jetstar flights as they are direct.

Not from my personal experience @ellen10 but my tall friend and his petite wife flew the inaugural flight to Raro last year. They do charity work then have a bit of a holiday there.
They have booked Air NZ this time even though they have to overnight in AKL each way.......He said "never again"!

Guess it would be similar to the SYD-DPS flights?

 

[ellen10]

Thanks @Flyfrequently for your feedback. I read that the type of plane they use for these flights is quite uncomfortable.
I’m just not sure.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thanks @Flyfrequently for your feedback. I read that the type of plane they use for these flights is quite uncomfortable.
I’m just not sure.

My pilot nephew flies them and he has reassured me, I will never cope @ellen10 !

 

[Saab34]

The seats are slimline Recaro, probably not ideal for anything over 4 hours. They don’t have headrests either, was a positive that Bonza who have the same seat, added the flexi headrest.

They are installing these slimline seats into the 787s soon and talking about 15 hour treks.

 

[05flyer]

Flying out tonight, hopefully all fine.
It's the only direct flight from Sydney so not a lot of choice! I looked at air NZ but most of their flights use the same type of plane and it adds at least 4 hours to the trip. The jetstar flight seems to take off on time for the most part. We booked extra legroom seats as a compromise so we might be slightly more comfortable than the regular seats at least

@KarenD how did check-in end up going for you? Any issues?

 

[KarenD]

@KarenD how did check-in end up going for you? Any issues?

Was just thinking I needed to respond with an update. Check in was all fine, nobody mentioned any issues. The only awkward thing was that we couldn't pre order food (since we booked through Qantas we were supposed to have food included). Anyway when they came around on the flight I asked about it and the flight attendant just said we can have $15 worth of food each.

Flight itself was fine, the seats are very uncomfortable and low budget, paying for extra legroom was a good choice. I regret not taking my neck pillow as the seats don't even have a headrest to rest your head on. But it's the most efficient way to get to Rarotonga from Sydney so it did the job

 

[05flyer]

Was just thinking I needed to respond with an update. Check in was all fine, nobody mentioned any issues. The only awkward thing was that we couldn't pre order food (since we booked through Qantas we were supposed to have food included). Anyway when they came around on the flight I asked about it and the flight attendant just said we can have $15 worth of food each.

Flight itself was fine, the seats are very uncomfortable and low budget, paying for extra legroom was a good choice. I regret not taking my neck pillow as the seats don't even have a headrest to rest your head on. But it's the most efficient way to get to Rarotonga from Sydney so it did the job

Great to hear - thanks for the update. Sounds like a pretty standard JQ journey with the food and comfort, but as you say, it gets the job done. Enjoy the rest of your time in Rarotonga!

 

[ellen10]

Was just thinking I needed to respond with an update. Check in was all fine, nobody mentioned any issues. The only awkward thing was that we couldn't pre order food (since we booked through Qantas we were supposed to have food included). Anyway when they came around on the flight I asked about it and the flight attendant just said we can have $15 worth of food each.

Flight itself was fine, the seats are very uncomfortable and low budget, paying for extra legroom was a good choice. I regret not taking my neck pillow as the seats don't even have a headrest to rest your head on. But it's the most efficient way to get to Rarotonga from Sydney so it did the job

Thanks @KarenD for the update and review. Was your flight a daytime flight? What about your return flight? Will it be a night time flight?

 

[KarenD]

Thanks @KarenD for the update and review. Was your flight a daytime flight? What about your return flight? Will it be a night time flight?

The flight from Sydney to Rarotonga is at 930pm so it's a night time flight. Flight home is at 9am and daytime, but takes almost two hours longer due to the winds

 

[Catweazle]

Ah, the winds. Tonnerre de Brest!

Re. this route – if we're flying RAR–SYD–MEL next month, will we be able to check in our bags at RAR all the way to MEL if all legs are with JQ?

Futhermore, thinking of changing the MEL–SYD to a QF flight. Will that mean we'd then have to go pick up our bags then head over to the domestic terminal to re-check-in our bags? We've got 2.5 hours layover, which isn't bad actually.