Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Jetstar

Has anyone ever flown on this airline? I just learned about it today as I was looking for an inexpensive fare from Honolulu to Sydney. Its fares are a bit less expensive than Qantas and Hawaiian.

Brian

Has anyone ever flown on this airline? I just learned about it today as I was looking for an inexpensive fare from Honolulu to Sydney. Its fares are a bit less expensive than Qantas and Hawaiian.

Brian

Jetstar is Qantas' LCC and is well known in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Haven't flown them myself, but many on this board have.

I wonder if it has a good safety record...

Probably best if you ask those questions on the Qantas forum.

Welcome to Flyertalk. :)

I'm looking for a cheap rate from Sydney to Melbourne round trip. How does Jetstar compare with Virgin Blue from a standpoint of schedule and quality of service and baggage fees?

I'm looking for a cheap rate from Sydney to Melbourne round trip. How does Jetstar compare with Virgin Blue from a standpoint of schedule and quality of service and baggage fees?Sydney to Melbourne is only a 1 hour flight. Jetrats aircraft are newish and probably younger than QF & DJ on average. But be aware that some SYD - Melbourne Jetrats flights go in Avalon airport, Melbourne and not the larger - closer to the city Tullamarine airport (MEL). For bagage fees check the T & C's carefully, which they apply.

Jetstar are part of the Qantas group. I wouldn't worry about safety in the slightest. Very new fleet. Typical LCC - not much legroom in economy and you pay for meals / drinks. No IFE but you can hire a digital video player on board.

We flew Jetstar from Melbourne-Cairns (3.5 hours) in June. Overall I considered them better than most major US carriers like American, United, etc. The plane was only a few weeks old and the crew was friendly and cheerful. Pushback from the gate was on time, but weather caused takeoff delays. The pilot provided frequent updates on the situation.

The negatives- Checkin was very disorganized, there was one huge line for all flights. I noticed quite a few people in line for the same flight, but measuring the line's progress I didn't see how they expected to check everyone in on time. Fortunately an agent asked for Cairns passengers to form a separate line and then things went quickly. Also, Jetstar enforces their cutoff times for checkin and being at the gate *to the minute* as well as baggage weight.

Check the Qantas board and Aussies either love or despise Jetstar. I was personally impressed; some may argue we were lucky.

I have flown Jetstar domestically and internationally, and would have no concern re safety. FWIW I believe their fleet is generally newer than their parent Qantas.

Domestically I have come to the conclusion that their schedules often fall apart as the day progresses. Therefore I generally try to only ever book an early morning flight with them as afternoon flights seem to always be delayed (often by hours). I would also prefer Qantas (full service) and only fly Jetstar when there's little choice -e.g. Gold Coast.

Internationally I have flown in Starclass SYD-HNL (never been in their Y). Personally I found it a well priced choice between Y & J, and would not hesitate to fly Starclass again (for the right price of course). Whilst planes are newer, it is an LCC, so you will need to book & pay for blankets, IFE (portable digital player) etc. However presuming Qantas are still plying the route with their old 767's, I would almost be tempted to fly Jetstar Y in preference to Qantas Y on that route.

Internationally I have flown in Starclass SYD-HNL (never been in their Y). Personally I found it a well priced choice between Y & J, and would not hesitate to fly Starclass again (for the right price of course). Whilst planes are newer, it is an LCC, so you will need to book & pay for blankets, IFE (portable digital player) etc.Asiaflyer (or anyone else who has flown this route recently), do I understand that blankets, food, movies, etc cost additional in Starclass?

I have to fly this leg (SYD-HNL) later this month. I was looking for an alternative but Jetstar is the only available flight on this date.

TIA.

Tipsy

Asiaflyer (or anyone else who has flown this route recently), do I understand that blankets, food, movies, etc cost additional in Starclass?


They are free in Starclass. Additionally you will have access to the QP (Qantas Club) before your flight.

We flew Jetstar from SYD to CNS a couple of weeks ago. We, like Kenish, were also impressed. The seats were definitely wider and more comfortable than the economy seats we sat in on Air Pacific from LAX to SYD.

Check-in was easy, as well.

Carole

How is public transportation between Avalon airport and Melbourne City? I got a Jetstar Round Trip between Sydney and Melbourne for ~$100 US including a checked bag, but as mentioned earlier, it flies into Avalon. I'd prefer not to rent a car, as I really don't want it for the 2 days I'll be in Melbourne city proper - although the last day, I'm considering doing the coast drive.

More here: http://www.avalonairport.com.au/to-and-from-the-airport/transport-options.aspx

There is a bus that will get you to/from the airport from AUD20 each way.

Thanks for that link. I'm also considering touring the Mornington Peninsula the day before my flight, then taking the ferry to Queenscliff the evening before my morning flight out of Avalon. Is this relatively do-able with public transportation, or will I need to rent a car (if I do, I'd like to return the car in in Sorrento, rather than paying and extra $45 just to ferry it across).

D1andonlyDman- We went past Avalon Airport on our GOR tour out of Melbourne. It's about 40 miles west of the city in the middle of farmland. Suburban sprawl is reaching that area, sort of reminds me of Ontario Airport here in LA maybe 20 years ago. Since I see you're from SAN, you might be able to relate to that.

Due to the location, I'm not sure there's a lot of transit routes that pass by Avalon, it would be specifically to the airport. You may have to go into Melbourne or Geelong for that, locals will know for sure.

Be sure your rental car is allowed on the ferry; I've read some companies prohibit it.

D1andonlyDman- We went past Avalon Airport on our GOR tour out of Melbourne. It's about 40 miles west of the city in the middle of farmland. Suburban sprawl is reaching that area, sort of reminds me of Ontario Airport here in LA maybe 20 years ago. Since I see you're from SAN, you might be able to relate to that.

Due to the location, I'm not sure there's a lot of transit routes that pass by Avalon, it would be specifically to the airport. You may have to go into Melbourne or Geelong for that, locals will know for sure.

Be sure your rental car is allowed on the ferry; I've read some companies prohibit it.

Well I'm staying in Geelong the night before my morning flight out of Avalon (at the Sheraton 4 Points on an SPG cash plus points award), and Melbourne the 2 nights prior to that. I'm trying to figure out what I can do the day before, when I check out of my hotel in Melbourne - should I just do some stuff in Melbourne and head to the beach near Geelong, or could I tour the Mornington Peninsula and ferry over (I don't want to pay $40 extra to take a rent-a-car across on the ferry - so I'm trying to figure out if there are public tours I could take of the Mornington Peninsula, and then ferry over to Queenscliff).

Worst case, I could catch a cab or bus from Queenscliff to Geelong.