Why fly Jetstar?

[mannej]

I personally found the pitch was not acceptable for MEL-CHC. On 3K SGN-SIN was okay because the flight time was only 1:20, but that's about my limit.

I struggled with PER-MEL. The other way was ok as we received the exit row at checkin (hint it helps to be nice if you were behind a nasty traveler).

 

[lastrow]

Its all to do with the pitch. JQ have 31 inches which is an inch less that most other airlines. OK the exit row is nice but only if you are a young agile person. The FA's frown at anyone over about 60. My wife has hearing aids so the exit row is out for her and I have seen glasses wearers shown to an alternative seat.

 

[mannej]

Its all to do with the pitch. JQ have 31 inches which is an inch less that most other airlines. OK the exit row is nice but only if you are a young agile person. The FA's frown at anyone over about 60. My wife has hearing aids so the exit row is out for her and I have seen glasses wearers shown to an alternative seat.

You are talking about their 330's. I believe QF is a standard 31 inches across most of the fleet from memory.

Try 28 inches for the A320 and 29 on the A321. Not my idea of fun...

 

[dfcatch]

As a certified "not JQ's biggest fan" I believe I'm perfectly placed to answer the question.

The answer is simple -

IF the timing and price and conditions suit you, and you are flying JQ by CHOICE - then JQ is a good choice. Period - that's what it comes down to.

If you are a family of 5 wanting to fly MEL-OOL - then JQ is probably a great option (and maybe the only way you could afford such a vacation).

And if you live in the Golden Triangle where you have so many options that you genuinely have a choice between carriers/price/schedule then that's great.

And I 100% believe the positive experiences of those that have chosen to fly JQ and have had no problems with JQ.

BUT....

That is not the experience of everyone.

- If you have a problem - the experience of many is that JQ customer service is cough - simple as that (not guaranteed to be cough - but often is).

- If you are in a port that has been Jetstarised - you have no choice. I promise you - I didn't CHOOSE to have to pay $369 for a flight on JQ with no inclusions (would have happily paid that price if it was QF - but QF handed the route to JQ).

- A 1 hour bus-ride MEL-SYD is a totally different experience to longer flights where comfort/baggage/IFE/service are bigger factors.

- Some of us are sick and tired of QF screwing us over by forcing us to fly JQ with zero incentive to do so.

- There is a reason for the "I Blame JQ" mentality (eg the rants to JQ Customer Service on the FB page). Just because an individual post might be considered "ridiculous" to us informed regular flyers, doesn't mean the poster is a moron (they maybe a JQ-flying, bintang-drinking, wifebeater-wearing, thong-displaying, tramp-stamped bogan; but this is not my point).

There have been many incidents of LCC-Behaviour by JQ and not all are NoNews beatups - despite what we here at AFF might think of it.

It is an axiomatic fact that many punters view JQ negatively - such a brand perception is always rooted in fact.

Does that mean that you will have a negative experience - NO IT DOESN'T.

Does your lack of negative experience mean that someone else's is wrong, or that they are wrong to complain - NO IT DOESN'T.

So enough with the fanbois behaviour - enough with attacking JohnK for his personal choices to dislike JQ. And on the flipside - if you have a rant/bad experience, fair enough but provide the details so others can avoid the same trap.

If you're making in informed personal choice to fly JQ because it suits your circumstances - great. But respect others who choose not to, or who fly JQ for reasons other than choice.

PS - JQ is great for $9 Price Beat JQ35 fares

 

[medhead]

I did try to fly Jetstar in July based on schedule. But they cancelled the flight. They then asked me to prove I had to be at work at 5pm to accept that a 5:25pm flight was unacceptable.

I think I'm back to my golden rule of only flying Jetstar if they give me free champagne.

I personally found the pitch was not acceptable for MEL-CHC. On 3K SGN-SIN was okay because the flight time was only 1:20, but that's about my limit.

I'm struggling to make the connection. Was MEL-CHC on an A320 or A330? Just that the pitch question came from a report about business class on a Jetstar A330. I'm sure that would be different to Y on an A320.

 

[TomVexille]

I'm struggling to make the connection. Was MEL-CHC on an A320 or A330? Just that the pitch question came from a report about business class on a Jetstar A330. I'm sure that would be different to Y on an A320.

Sorry, upon reading that again it does seem to lack a little context.

I was talking about the A320 which is rather cramped IMO. I have yet to be on a Jetstar A330.

 

[medhead]

Agreed about the a320!

 

[mannej]

I was talking about the A320 which is rather cramped IMO. I have yet to be on a Jetstar A330.

In Y it is basically the same as the domestic QF 330's.

 

[Kefci2000]

I would fly QF everyday of the week over VA or JQ if money was not a consideration.

however given I fly every week to Sydney on my own account for work, JQ602 out of Avalon for $39 ($50 if I pay for 1D) is a far more economical decision. Only ever been late once! And that was 20mins

Usually use points flying back on Fridays on QF, 150 lashes in the J lounge

 

[Deleted member]

I flew JQ today ZQN - AKL.
It was a fairly full flight and while 1hour 50 isn't long. If I had to put up with being crammed in beside a pleasant enough ( but not sweet smelling) young person for an extended period , I would have become quite distressed. My main problem with the experience was more to do with the ground staff naz_'s. I had a very confusing conversation about carry on bags.
Mrs GPH had her usual quite large hand bag , I had my standard wheelie carry on. We have a 10kg limit ( each) 20kg collectively, because my bag was 13 kg ( mrs GPH) had about 3kg , I was forced to unload 3 kg into a 3rd bag ( I carry a cloth spare for emergencies ) to satisfy the 10kg rule. I am confused as to why mrs GPH couldn't just put the extra in her bag! ?
Then just before boarding, I realised I had left my hat in the terminal , before security. I was able to go and retrieve it (then I had to be re screened) while I was gone , one of the ground staff accosted Mrs GPH and said " you will need to check that bag into the hold" ( not the smartest way to get her attention ) mrs GPH replied "no I don't" an an aggressive exchange ensued before eventually the ground staffer decided to ask why not. " because it's not my bag " replied mrs GPH ! No apology from ground staff. While this exchange is happening , other ground staff are working to assist about 4 or 5 Asian tourists with more luggage than Marco Polo , to re pack and board. Double standard? I think so . Am I thrilled with Jet* ? Not really.
In summary , I can deal with the jammed on like a sardine tin seating, the menu that's almost never complete , the lack of IFE, even the odd smelly pax in the next seat. But treat me like I'm second class just because my airline of choice isn't available to me on that particular route. That is annoying.
Rant Over ...For now

 

[dfcatch]

When my ex and I flew ZQN-AKL a few years ago (couldn't justify NZ at twice the price), the flight was uneventful, there were no issues, and I had no reason to complain. We even had a shadow so it was just the two of us in the row.

I had never coughed about JQ to my gf prior to this, she simply knew JQ was not a "preferred" airline for me.

When we disembarked she simply said "I now know why you don't like flying JQ..... There was nothing "wrong" per se, but they just make you "feel" like a 2nd class statistic."

 

[cambriamarsh]

When my ex and I flew ZQN-AKL a few years ago (couldn't justify NZ at twice the price), the flight was uneventful, there were no issues, and I had no reason to complain. We even had a shadow so it was just the two of us in the row.

I had never coughed about JQ to my gf prior to this, she simply knew JQ was not a "preferred" airline for me.

When we disembarked she simply said "I now know why you don't like flying JQ..... There was nothing "wrong" per se, but they just make you "feel" like a 2nd class statistic."

Interesting, I've flown Jetstar in NZ quite a bit and always found them fine. If they had a better timetable and weren't so cough about cut off times they'd beat Air Kiwi for sure,

 

[Himeno]

I avoided a reroute onto JQ last year after weather in SYD would have caused a miss connect on a connection to QF21. They offered to fly to MEL, then JQ to NRT via DRW and MNL. I took the second option of CX via MEL and HKG.

This year, I'm going to Tokyo for the same reason as the above trip. Taking the new MEL-NRT JQ23 in J (instead of QF21). Have Y+ on QF22 back. The only reason I'm taking the JQ flight is because I have friends traveling on that flight and I can guest them into the MEL J lounge. If it was a different date, or my friends weren't traveling, I would not be on the JQ flight.

 

[boomy]

This year, I'm going to Tokyo for the same reason as the above trip. Taking the new MEL-NRT JQ23 in J (instead of QF21). Have Y+ on QF22 back. The only reason I'm taking the JQ flight is because I have friends traveling on that flight and I can guest them into the MEL J lounge. If it was a different date, or my friends weren't traveling, I would not be on the JQ flight.

Tell us how it was. I'm interested to hear how JQ J is compared to QF PE.

 

[s4mmy]

I just booked MEL-ADL for me and my GF f@ $139 return.... total... thats why
Thanks to the fly a friend for free sale!