Find out how it is to fly Jetstar business class between Denpasar, Bali to Melbourne , Australia.
The Check-in:
Bali airport is busy as always, but this time feels different with 2020 Chinese New Year and the global challenge of a virus. Travellers are looking around at each other and heading to their respective destinations. There was a sign with Business Class, but no staff were present, so I asked and duly taken care of.
It’s late evening and the good news is that the JQ36 flight is on schedule. After a quick peppermint tea in the Premier Lounge I walk out to gate 9, where boarding has commenced.
Boarding & Seating:
Boarding is completed quickly and I manage to locate my seat of 3A, even though one gentleman has sat down in my seat, but quickly understands he is in the wrong seat and changes.
The crew seem busy trying to get the flight underway and as I enter the Dreamliner Boeing 787-900 the steward checks to ensure that I am settled down. I am offered a glass of Champagne before take off and requested to look at the menu for dinner. It’s 11.30PM, not sure why I need dinner, but ok I shall have a read! I notice that on the Brisbane route breakfast is offered…….but nothing seems to be on offer for the Melbourne flight.
Overall the seat is fine, comfortable, but I don’t really understand the leg rest that barely extends. Seats are a 9-inch recline, 38-inch pitch and 19-inch wide seat cushion, in many ways very similar to Singapore Airlines Premium Economy, where they actually serve dinner and breakfast! The TV is like a Tablet style screen with a fair selection of entertainment.
The general seating configuration is 2+3+2 and there is good space. I turn on the TV and start looking for a show, I know I won’t manage much as I feel the sleep starting to creep up.
In-flight: service and dinning (well not much dining)
As we take off the steward returns to take my order. I request no supper or dinner, but just breakfast and I am told sorry we only serve dinner!
I am slightly puzzled why dinner is the only meal on offer, when its close to midnight and I would say 90% of the business class passengers would have been to the lounge or even maybe had dinner!! We are scheduled to land at 7.45AM so serving breakfast at say 6.30AM would seem fairly normal……. Why when the section only has a maximum of 21 passengers would they simply not ask the question well before take off so they know what guests are wishing for. If they can do it to Brisbane then surely to Melbourne?
The Extras…
Business class passengers are permitted 30 kilos of baggage plus two pieces of carry on weighing up to 7kg per bag.
I travelled with a small suitcase case that weighed 7kg, but as the size was compact the airport staff saw little issue with my case and briefcase.
The Aircraft
Boeing 787-900 with a total seating of 335 seats. I really enjoy the Dreamliner and have to admit that I find in-general sleep so much better than on other similar planes. The air is so much better and even crew often state the same, I love the automatic windows.
Frequent Flyer Program & Airline Alliance
Owned by Qantas, Jetstar is the “low cost” airline and does not offer a program, but have teamed up with Jetstar Asia, Jetstar Pacific and Jetstar Japan. Status Credits & points are earned on eligible Qantas, Emirates, Jetstar Asia and Fiji Airways, but you must fly certain classes to receive status credits and points.
The Crew
The service team were smartly dressed in their black and orange colors. and friendly.
The Airline Reviewers view
Overall the flight was fine, but maybe they need to sell it as Premium Economy, as it is with many leading airlines. Jetstar are trying to sell a business class product that runs second or third by a few miles to other business class products. The Dreamliner is excellent and overall the crew were friendly and the pilot did a great job of getting us to Melbourne on time and in good shape.
The Airline Review was undertaken by John Nielsen and was NOT paid for by Jetstar, but by www.theairlinereviewer.com team to ensure a fair review.
If you travel and feel like writing a review, then please help travellers to select their flights and airlines by being a Voice in the Sky www.theairlinereviewer.com
