Qantas economy or Jetstar business to Honolulu

[DIANNENICOLOFF]

Am looking to book a flight to Honolulu. What would be a better option. I have flown Jetstar starclass before but was wondering what the difference
would be now with the new Qantas plane in economy. Also is the extra leg room an option flying Qantas. Thanks.

 

[greenfish]

Assuming cost is not an issue, then Jetstar business - it will have:
- Better food
- More leg room
- More recline
- Option of lounge access (if no status / Qantas Club)
- Option for more status credits

It'll be a while before you can be guaranteed a refitted A330 to HNL on QF too. So consider the risk of the old plane.

 

[DeKa]

- Option of lounge access (if no status / Qantas Club)

Just for the OP's benefit, lounge access is an option that costs money on Jetstar Business - you have to pay for the Max package.

 

[yohy?!]

added comfort vs schedule - QF less likely to have long delays or cancellations in their network

 

[Mattg]

If costs are roughly equal, I would actually choose Jetstar "Business". It's more or less like premium economy on Qantas - which is a step up from Qantas economy.

The QF3/4 HNL flights will probably be the last to get an upgrade to the refurbished A330s, so for the time being you'll probably get an older international configuration with Qantas. Jetstar has newer 787s on the route.

However I wouldn't pay more than double QF economy for JQ Business.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Jetstar 'business' class hands-down!! I think JQ's starclass is a lot of fun, and they go out of their way to make sure you have a great flight.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Having flown JQ Star Class MEL/BKK recently on the B787 which leaves MEL around 1610 getting to BKK local time around 2115 I can vouch for getting more legroom however the foot rest is like an aluminium rung on a ladder so it wouldn't be a very comfortable option on an overnight flight. It's still better than flying whY which we did in the other direction on an overnight flight which was pretty uncomfortable as not enough legroom so you can't stretch your legs under the seat in front of you properly.

Our next trip in HNL next year we purchased an (upgradeable) Saver fare for the outbound overnight flight and have put in a points upgrade request for J. It's only the Mk1 Skybeds however heaps more comfortable than the JQ offering. On the return we booked a (non-upgradeable) sale fare as it's a day flight so doable in whY. I'd rather fly on the QF A330 as we can get two seats by the window and more legroom than the JQ B787 with it's 3x3x3 configuration.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

however the foot rest is like an aluminium rung on a ladder so it wouldn't be a very comfortable option on an overnight flight..

i think the key is a bulkhead seat, with cabin bag to be used as a full horizontal legrest?

 

[JohnPhelan]

added comfort vs schedule - QF less likely to have long delays or cancellations in their network

For whatever reason, JQ's HNL services very rarely have any delays or cancellations - they're probably the most reliable services JQ has.

 

[Flying Fox]

JQ J wins over QF Y hands down.

In addition, J SCs & points.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Do not fly Jetstar.

 

[moa999]

Do not fly Jetstar.

You're missing out Dr Ralph

I call Jetstar fit for purpose at the right price
(and have done 25 flights across JQ/3K)

 

[Dr Ralph]

You're missing out Dr Ralph

I call Jetstar fit for purpose at the right price
(and have done 25 flights across JQ/3K)

Yep, I'm missing out on being left stranded again by Jetstar for 2 days at my own cost because Jetstar claim flight impacted by weather yet all other carriers including Qantas flew the exact same route at the same time. Fly Jetstar at your own peril. They will abandon you when it suits them. Never again for me.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

JQ J wins over QF Y hands down.

In addition, J SCs & points.

I would agree Also.

JQ "business class" is quite acceptable, although certainly not to the same standard of QF business class.

With thanks to a lower AUD and subsequent lower demand .... The fares to HNL have dropped considerably over the last 12 months.

 

[Steelo]

I would agree Also.

JQ "business class" is quite acceptable, although certainly not to the same standard of QF business class.

With thanks to a lower AUD and subsequent lower demand .... The fares to HNL have dropped considerably over the last 12 months.

I agree. I have flown JQ Business to Singapore and Denpasar on a number of occasions. While it is not comparable with Business on QF, service is cheerful, food is good, drink choice a little limited but none the less generous. The only risk is in selecting your seat - if you can select Row 1 - it will result in an excellent flight - far superior than Y in QF.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I agree. I have flown JQ Business to Singapore and Denpasar on a number of occasions. While it is not comparable with Business on QF, service is cheerful, food is good, drink choice a little limited but none the less generous. The only risk is in selecting your seat - if you can select Row 1 - it will result in an excellent flight - far superior than Y in QF.

As row 1 is a bassinet row you would need to prepare yourself for the possibility of people travelling with infants will ask to swap.

Every JQi flight we'd had in J - OOL/NRT, BNE/HNL & MEL/BKK has had both infants and children.

A lot of these families have been offered the paid upgrades a few days prior to departure and BSCT rows already full by then.

We were in row 4AB BNE/HNL on the A330 and family group with 2 infants had rows 3 and 5 so asked if we wouldn't mind swapping from 4AB to 3AB which wasn't a problem.

The 3rd infant in their party already had thd BSCT in 1J.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As row 1 is a bassinet row you would need to prepare yourself for the possibility of people travelling with infants will ask to swap.

Every JQi flight we'd had in J - OOL/NRT, BNE/HNL & MEL/BKK has had both infants and children.

A lot of these families have been offered the paid upgrades a few days prior to departure and BSCT rows already full by then.

We were in row 4AB BNE/HNL on the A330 and family group with 2 infants had rows 3 and 5 so asked if we wouldn't mind swapping from 4AB to 3AB which wasn't a problem.

The 3rd infant in their party already had thd BSCT in 1J.

Interesting. What is the position with 'late upgrades' and entitlement to bassinet seats? Are fully paid (revenue or award) pax required to give up the prime bulkhead in the event the bassinet is required?

 

[Hvr]

Interesting. What is the position with 'late upgrades' and entitlement to bassinet seats? Are fully paid (revenue or award) pax required to give up the prime bulkhead in the event the bassinet is required?

I actually had this situation awhile ago when returning from BKK on J*, the woman with baby was most insistent on getting the aisle seat I was in and the FA refused to move me once I declined. She sat next to the window.

I was a fully paid J pax and she purchased an upgrade at the airport.

 

[Limewood]

More recline, try for bulkhead seats in JQ J (PE) on HNL overnighter or might have the set in front in your face.

 

[DIANNENICOLOFF]

Thanks to all of the replies. I didn't mention that I was using Qantas points, so have gone with Jetstar business.
Would have been nice if Qantas had business seats but I have read on here that there never are any released.