Nathan's Insights

Jetstar AU
Date: 06 May 2024
Flight Number: JQ8
Gate: 20
Seat: 31F & 32F (Economy Class Seat)
Plane: Boeing 787-8
Boarded: 20:10
Pushback: 21:04 (Scheduled 21:00)
Arrived: 05:50 (Scheduled 06:15)
Duration: 6 hour 46 minutes
Distance: 6,025 kms

This flight was from Changi (Singapore) International Airport to Tullamarine (Melbourne, Australia) International Airport.

The Cost

I purchased this economy flight as part of a reward ticket that covered Melbourne to Singapore (Jetstar –review), Singapore to Helsinki (Finnair – review), Helsinki to Berlin (Finnair – review), Split to Helsinki (Finnair – review), Helsinki to Singapore (Finnair – review), and Singapore to Helsinki (Jetstar – this flight). For each passenger (I am travelling with my niece) it cost 139,800 Qantas points and AUS $361.37.

To use point just for this flight it would have cost 21,500 Qantas points and AUS $129.00. To use cash it would have been AUS $250.00 on Jetstar Starter Fare but this would not have included a checked bag which costs AUS $70.00 per bag for 15 kilos so AUS $320.00 total cost.

Check In / Bag Drop / Border Control

Included with the award booking was checked bag up to 23kgs and 7kgs for carry-on. At Changi Airport there is an early check in service in Jewel for select airlines. For Jetstar this service can be used 12 hours before the flight until 3 hours before the flight.

Our flight was scheduled for 21:00 and we checked our bags in around 10:00. You need your passports to check in. This service means you can more easily do activities before your flight for use this was a visit to Universal Studios.

On return to the airport we cleared Border Control in Terminal 1 roughly 3.5 hours before our flight. While our flight was from Terminal 4 I had lounge access in Terminal 1.

Lounges

While I was travelling in Economy Class on Jetstar as a Qantas Lifetime Gold Member I’m allowed in Qantas operated lounges in this case the Qantas Singapore International Business Class Lounge. While in the Lounge we grabbed some food and drinks. I also took a shower and changed clothes which was great after a day in the hot and humid Singapore.

We left the lounge 2 hours before our flight and caught the bus to Terminal 4 from Terminal 1 Gate 21. It took around 40 minutes to transfer. We had to go though Border Control again at Terminal 4 and give up our water bottles.

Boarding

This flight boarded from Gate 20. For this flight Jetstar boarded in the following order from 20:10; 1) people needing assistance, 2) business class, 3) rows 44-57, and finally 4) general boarding (started 20:15).

The Seat

This 787-8 aircraft operates in a two-class configuration with 21 seats in Business Class and 314 seats in Economy Class with economy class seating in a 3 – 3 – 3 layout. I had paid the $11.00 AUD x 2 to select an aisle seat for the middle 3 seats on the right side (seat 31F) for myself and I selected the same for my niece in the row in front (seat 32F).

The hope was with the two seats next to us they would either be occupied by a couple who would exit the row without disturbing ourselves but preferably we would have the middle seat next to us empty. In the end all 3 seats in our middle grouping of seats were occupied on this full flight.

The economy seats are leather and are 17 inches (43 centimetres) wide and have a pitch of 30 inches (76 centimetres). They can feel confining unless you are a smaller person. There is also in seat power via a USB port which I used. The seats were comfortable.

Amenity Kit

As a low-cost carrier, no amenity kit is provided in the economy fare however you can purchase a kit.

Meals and Drinks

As a low-cost carrier there is no included meals or drinks. You can purchase a meal before the flight or onboard for slightly higher cost and pay using a credit card (with a surcharge).

There were 11 options all with a hot drink (prices are for pre-booking high once on board); Classic beef lasagne ($15.50), Vegetable teriyaki noodles ($14.50), Bacon & egg ciabatta($13.50), All-day quiche and roll ($13.50), Cheese & tomato relish toastie ($12.00), Ham & cheese toastie ($12.00), Banana bread ($6.00), Homestyle sandwich duo ($12.00), Gourmet beef duo pack combo ($12.00), Chicken wrap ($12.00), Chocolate loaf cake($6.00).

As an overnight flight and having eaten in the lounge beforehand I didn’t purchase a meal. Free water is provided during the flight.

Facilities and Service

The plane had one toilet at the front of economy, two toilets at the mid point of economy and two toilets at the rear of economy for five overall. The toilets were kept clean and were large enough to easily use.

While I didn’t really interact with the Flight Attendants it appeared they did a good job serving meals, handing out Arrival Cards, and providing water.

Entertainment System

You can purchase access to seat back entertainment system for $10 AUD per passenger. I had my iPhone setup with music and videos so did not purchase the entertainment service. I did however watch the flight map during the flight.

The Flight

This was a smooth flight with no turbulence during the flight. The cabin temperature was comfortable. Best of all the flight arrived early. Unfortunately my body was still on European time so I didn’t sleep during this overnight flight but that wasn’t due to anything wrong with this flight or the seat.

Arrival

We arrived 25 minutes early at 05:50. There were multiple flights all landing at the same time making Border Control crazy. Worse the kiosk you use to answer arrival questions broke down as it was printing my gate pass. In the end I had to see a Border Official and explain what happened.

Our bags arrived almost immediately after we arrived in baggage area, likely due to the delays in getting past Border Control. With our bags in hand we went through Customs which took roughly 10 minutes.

Summary

This was my second Jetstar international flight and my original fears, based on poor Jetstar Australian domestic flights, were proven wrong. The seats were comfortable, the passengers were considerate, the plane was clean and the staff professional. Overall a good low cost service worth considering.