Happy Chinese New Year everyone! This would be a short report of the weekend trip I did to Macau and Hong Kong over the last weekend and also my first trip of the year. As Jetstar was offering a rather good deal on the dates I wanted, at around S$300 return (Starter Plus fare) inclusive of meals and drinks, one-way luggage from HKG, priority boarding, free seat selection and QFF miles/$30 Jetstar voucher, i pounced on it and booked the weekend trip. The main focus of the trip was food, food and more food! As most of us here are well-versed on service provided by budget airlines, I will keep the descriptions short and let the photos do the story-telling.
12 January 2012
Jetstar Asia
3K 565
Singapore (SIN) - Macau (MFM)
A320
9V-JSB
Economy Class
This would be one of 3K's last flights to Macau as 3K would be suspending the route from early Feb. Guess the SIN-MFM route is really hard to sustain, with SQ, MI and now 3K pulling out, leaving Tiger and Air Macau serving the sector. Guess the lack of business travellers is a major disincentive for serving the city.
Just some comments regarding the flight, I feel that Jetstar provides the best cabin service among all budget carriers operating from Singapore. The cabin crew are mostly friendly and professional, very willing to assist in boarding (assisting in stowing luggage, showing passengers to seats), keeping a strong cabin presence during flight, answering call-bells promptly etc, just as in any other full-service carriers. This flight is no exception, with really good service for a LCC. On my past experiences on Tiger and AirAsia, the crew would mainly use their "eye-powers" to "welcome" passengers onboard, rush through cabin service and followed by the disappearing act. If I would to rate cabin service among the 3 major budget airlines, I would rate:
1. Jetstar
2. AirAsia
3. Tiger
However Jetstar still have some way to go regarding punctuality. 2 out of my 6 flights with them in the last half year have seen more than 2 hours delay, including my flight back from HKG on this trip. Enough of ramblings, on to the photos proper.
Jetstar issues proper boarding passes now! Supermarket receipts are a thing of the past.
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Some plane-spotting. China Southern A320.
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My plane to MFM being catered.
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A "Sweet" China Airlines A330. And more Jetstars (A320 and A330).
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Another view of 9V-JSB.
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Boarding. The flight was not too full, probably about 60% full at most. Some of the pax could get a whole row each.
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Legroom at row 25 was really tight! Learnt my lesson, avoid rows 25 and above on all budget airlines' A320s. Row 24 on my flight back had slightly more legroom.
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The stuff in the seat pocket. Inflight magazine was quite worn.
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At the gate.
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Pushback. Myanmar Airways A321 just arrived into the gate beside.
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Safety demo by the crew. The crew member at the front is a Japanese crew.
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We had a tour of Changi during taxi to Rwy02C. More Jetstars at T1.
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ycp81
Jan 22, 12, 8:04 am
SriLankan Airlines A320 at T3.
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SQ A333 and B772.
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Of course couldn't miss the A380!
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Garuda baby Boeing B735.
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Crossing over the bridge to the other side of Changi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDZQJXHo26o&feature=plcp&context=C37db7d8UDOEgsToPDskKHf4X2rRF079UabdaXCM75
Finally reaching the runway after a very long taxi! A Firefly ATR72 ahead of us.
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We are next for departure.
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Takeoff from Runway 02C.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwSiZAzMUVg&feature=plcp&context=C3d58b4eUDOEgsToPDskIp7LXnyaXM7lgx4QFUKY9Q
View of eastern Singapore. My place of residence could be seen from here!
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Ascending over Malaysia.
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Climbing. Not sure at what altitude were we flying as the pilot did not address us during the entire flight. It was very cloudy for most of the flight with patches of light turbulence, but the seatbelt signs never came on.
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As our Starter Plus fare includes a meal and 2 drinks, a crew approached us shortly after the seatbelt signs went off and asked for our choices. 4 choices of meals were offered. Just like in Business Class! Hahaha! A link to the inflight menu can be found in the link below:
http://www.jetstar.com/sg/en/what-we-offer/in-flight/%7E/_media/2B614B0556574F71A138640D5D2A3764.pdf
The choices on this flight were:
- Nasi Lemak
- Vietnamese Curry Chicken with Rice
- Japanese Curry Chicken with Rice
- Rendang Chicken with Rice (Chef's special)
I chose the Rendang chicken while my friend had the Nasi Lemak.
Meal with drinks.
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My "chef's special", Rendang Chicken. Seriously, it is almost tasteless. I wouldn't fork out S$8 for this. Bad!
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ycp81
Jan 22, 12, 8:05 am
My friend's Nasi Lemak. Slightly better choice, but still not that fantastic.
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Conducting the buy-on-board meal service. There were quite a number of takers for snacks and drinks.
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and their B747SP. Luxury charter for the high-rollers!
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Welcome to Macau! Air Macau A319 beside.
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Landed 5 minutes early into Macau despite our late departure. Overall a reasonably comfortable flight for this sector, especially with the light passenger load.
Interesting to see someone flying into MFM instead of taking the ferry from HKG.
What's the airport like? Are there long lines at immigration? What are the food and shopping options like at the airport?
UA_Flyer
Jan 23, 12, 6:10 pm
Thank you for doing a trip report on Jetstar and Macau.
I did a Macau TR in 2010 and enjoyed my trip there. Great place to visit and a good alternative to the busy metropolitan-like Hong Kong. Macau has its own charm. Food is also great!
Jetstar will likely to be the only non *A carrier I will fly this year as I am looking to do a few SE visits later this year.
Thanks for this TR on Jestar: i've been lurking a for while on the SIN MFM route
And i've always enjoyed your previous TR ^
Airlib
Jan 25, 12, 2:09 pm
Great food pictures, quite tempting!
sonomawine
Jan 25, 12, 9:26 pm
Great food pictures. We have a 24 hour stop in HK in a few weeks. Any special dim sum place you can recommend, or a 'must try'?
Omar84
Jan 26, 12, 12:10 am
Great Trip Report and that Dim Sum looks amazing
ycp81
Jan 28, 12, 2:39 am
3 nights just went by so quickly and it was soon the day to fly home. On the morning of the day of departure at around 0600am, I received an SMS that my Jetstar flight had been retimed from 2025hrs to 2155hrs. Groans... Another delay on Jetstar. Well, at least this time they sent the correct message and I could shop for an additional hour in Hong Kong.
On to the trip home. Jetstar uses HKG's Terminal 2, which is just basically a check-in and departure immigration/security terminal, no gates or arrival facilities. After checking in, you would still need to board a train to Terminal 1 where the plane would be parked. However Terminal 2 houses an Aviation Discovery Center, which I made a short visit to, and a outdoor viewing gallery (which was closed due to bad weather)
HKIA Terminal 2, which is only a check-in terminal to house more counters.
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Looks more like a mega-mall than an airport terminal.
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A must to visit the Aviation Discovery Center!
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Lots of airplane models! Can you identify all of them?
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Wonder if any of this type is still flying?
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Everything about airplanes!
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Pretty ladies through the years.
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Trying out the old CX First Class seat!
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After a short tour around the center, we proceeded through immigration (long queue!!) and security to board the shuttle train to Terminal 1. Now, if one would to be late for a flight, the hassle of transferring terminals to reach the plane would definitely not be very fun, especially if your plane is parked at the far-end of Terminal 1 (which required another train transfer), at the remote terminal (which my Jetstar flight would depart from and requires a bus transfer) or a bus gate (which you would have to board also at T1).
However, we decided to check out the Traveler's Lounge, which is Plaza Premium Lounge's new flagship lounge, in T1 after reading good reviews about it. I was definitely not disappointed!
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ycp81
Jan 28, 12, 9:37 am
Some facts about The Travelers' Lounge, which opened in Jan 2010.
Featuring 15,000 sq ft of extravagance and luxury, the flagship lounge is located in Terminal 1, near Departure Gates 1-4 at the Hong Kong International Airport. No expense has been spared from the tasteful designer furnishings to the private members club style service. Everything is built to give travelers the perfect pre-flight pampering. The concept, a brainchild of Mr. Song Hoi See, Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Lounge Management Limited has been created to bring the level of luxurious comfort unheard of previously in the world.
It is divided into different zones to suit the mood of the visitors. "The aim is to give all travelers the ultimate pre-flight experience. It is the fusion of innovation, creativity and designer luxury," says Mr. Song Hoi See, CEO of Plaza Premium Lounge Management Limited.
Upon arrival at the grand entrance, the tasteful décor is graciously accentuated by the displays of authentic antique statues from Han dynasties. Adjacent to the reception, a lively oval-shaped bar dominates the heart of the lounge. In a new concept that brings together traditional coffee houses and high-end chic wine bars, the lounge also provides the irresistible freshly baked pastries. Take a seat and our baristas will serve you with a selection of specialty coffees and a fudge chocolate brownie topped with a scoop of home-made ice-cream.
For those with an appetite, there will be a sumptuous all day buffet which includes authentic Hong Kong style culinary delights, heart-warming mini-clay pot steamed rice with a choice of toppings. There are also drinks, treats and healthy snacks at our renowned noodle and salad bar for the health- conscious. In keeping with the international travelers passing through the airport, there will also be choices of Vegetarian and Halal food. Airport lounge catering has never been that enticing!
For the busy business executives, wireless hot spots are available. On top of that, there is also a full service business centre with fully equipped workstations and networked printers for last-minute proposal printing. There is also a secluded library, featuring Hong Kong's rich and varied historical images over the decades. The library, whilst historic in design, is equipped with the latest hi-tech meeting facilities such as large screen LCD TV and video conferencing system.
After a hectic day, sometimes all you want to do is chill out. Check out the Galleria, an oasis of tranquillity. Featuring extra-wide sofas with extra leg room, there is also a 24 hours a-la-carte menu, wine bar, private resting suite with shower. This is to pamper the tired and stressed out executives who are rushing to catch a flight straight from work.
In terms of entertainment, the lounge area which surrounds the bar features designer plush leather sofas, LCD TV with international channels showing flight schedule, news, latest movies and sporting events.
For the ultimate pre-flight indulgence, take advantage of our in-lounge spa that features a full range of spa enjoyment: soothing massage, barber services, manicure and pedicure services. Don't forget to try out the first in Asia, the "Relaxing Float Spa System". This popular European spa treatment is currently rocking the spa industry worldwide. Suspended gravity-free, your body is relieved of all pressure on the spine and joints, allowing you to slip into a state of deep relaxation.
Lets take a look at the lounge, which is also used by a number of airlines' premium customers.
Upon entering, there is an oval-shaped bar with lots of comfortable seating around it. A business center is also situated near the entrance.
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Tapas were offered at the bar in the evening.
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As well as delicious-looking desserts and pastries!
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Further in is the main F&B area, where there is a salad bar,
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hot food buffet,
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and snacks/beverages area.
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I really had a feast in the lounge!
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More food!
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After having our fill, we left the lounge to proceed to the gate. Our flight would be departing from gate 510, which is actually at a remote terminal housed with 10 gates for narrow-body aircraft. In order to go to the terminal across the tarmac, we had to board a 5min shuttle-bus ride.
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The small terminal is self-sufficient on its own, with some eateries and shops.
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Our departure gate, 510. By this time, the flight had been further delayed due to late arrival. New departure time is now 2215hrs, almost a 2hrs delay from the original scheduled time.
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The A320 which will ferry us back. It turned out to be 3K's oldest A320, 9V-JSA.
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ycp81
Jan 29, 12, 5:57 am
15 January 2012
Jetstar Asia
3K 696
Hong Kong (HKG) - Singapore (SIN)
A320
9V-JSA
Economy Class
Finally boarding began shortly after 2200hrs. Flight was almost full and crew were actively helping to store the tons of hand-carry luggage. Weather was rainy. According to the captain, the initial delay was due to operational reasons (what reason, I don't know) and the further delay was due to a punctured tyre that needs replacement in Changi.
At the gate.
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Crew were actively helping with luggage and ensuring all passengers get settled as soon as possible.
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Seat pitch was slightly better at row 24 than row 25 on the previous flight.
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We finally pushed back at around 2240hrs, a 2hrs delay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEMho10Xjp4
Had a very long taxi to the runway 07R. Passed lots of Cathays.
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Spot the SQ? Parked right at the 2nd last gate at the far end of the terminal.
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Finally took off at about 2250hrs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypLA6J6iymE
Weather was quite bumpy for the first 15min after takeoff. After that, the pilot turned off the seatbelt signs and the signs remained off even though there were instances of slight turbulence for the first hour of flight. I bet if it were SQ, the signs would be on for a full hour, haha. As usual, the friendly crew took our meal orders. On this sector, only the Japanese Curry, Vietnamese Chicken Curry and Vegetarian choice were available. I chose the vegetarian choice while my friend had the Japanese Curry. These 2 choices tasted better than the choices we had on the flight up.
Mock braised chicken with mushroom and rice. Very flavorful.
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Japanese style chicken curry with rice. Not bad too!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6741815093_0e39336017_b.jpg
Very friendly crew members conducting the buy-on-board service.
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After the meal service, the cabin was dimmed and I knocked out till we were almost approaching Singapore. As our flight was delayed till the wee morning, there were no hold for arrival and it was a straight descent to the runway.
Lights of Batam.
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Final approach into Rwy02C.
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Landing at 0215hrs, a delay of 2 hours. The announcements made by the purser were actually quite outstanding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YewCnD05mHQ
Arrived at Terminal 1, parked beside a sister plane.
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Service wise, Jetstar is still my preferred low-cost carrier. However, probably I am unlucky with them, 2 out of the past 6 flights being delayed for more than 2 hours did not sit too well. I am not too sure of the reason for the "operational" delay, probably because of aircraft scheduling due to maintenance? Jetstar would need to enhance on its punctuality if it wants to attract business travellers as these frequent delays would not go down well with time-conscious travellers.
Next trip would be another regional hop to BKK in late Feb, but this time on a full-service carrier, Thai Airways. Till then! Comments greatly appreciated too!