THE ROUTE
Melbourne to Tokyo.
THE PLANE
A330-200.
THE LOYALTY SCHEME
The airline launched Club Jetstar last year, giving members exclusive access to airfare sales and discounts on travel insurance and car rental, but there is no loyalty scheme with points.
UP THE BACK OR AT THE POINTY END
Business class, seat 4B.
TIME IN THE AIR
Nine hours, 55 minutes.
THE SEAT STUFF
There are 38 dark-leather business-class seats with a pitch of 96 centimetres and a width of 50 centimetres. The business cabin has a 2-3-2 configuration. The best seat is 2D (aisle), which has more leg room because there is no seat in front. The best window seats are 1A and 1K. They are at the bulkhead, and there is space to get around the aisle passengers.
BAGGAGE
Two items of carry-on up to 10 kilograms and 30 kilograms of checked luggage.
COMFORT FACTOR
Compared with Qantas business class on 747s that fly from Sydney to Tokyo, the Jetstar offering is tighter on space and closer in dimensions to Qantas premium economy. The Jetstar seats have leg and foot rests and adjustable lumbar support, but they recline only 20 centimetres, a long way from flat-bed seats demanded by business-class travellers these days. Pillows, blankets and an amenities kit, including socks and eyemask, are supplied. There are two toilets at the front.
THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT
Business class passengers are offered video on demand iPads and headsets. The units are loaded with movies, television programs, games, e-mags and music, but the choices are noticeably smaller than on other airlines. It's a juggling act with the unit when the tray table is full during meals.
SERVICE
My seat pocket is missing an in-flight magazine. When the menus are handed out, I am overlooked. Consequently, I order last and cannot get my first-choice meal. I feel unloved. However, these are minor kinks in otherwise good, friendly service.
FEEDING TIME
My first-choice meal would have been wok-fried spicy sour chicken. There is also pumpkin soup and a multigrain sandwich with sunnyside-up egg, tomato relish, bacon and more. The sandwich is difficult to handle; is there anything worse than dropping food or drink in your lap during a flight? On the return leg, beef sukiyaki and sushi are the star plates.
ONE MORE THING
The first flight on this new route took off on April 29. Jetstar also flies direct to Tokyo from the Gold Coast and Cairns, but the only other direct flights from Australia to Tokyo are with Qantas and Japan Airlines, both out of Sydney.
THE VERDICT
The seating is not as generous as business class on other airlines and the entertainment options are more limited. However, this is a comfortable journey that is well-priced, with a lead-in business fare of $799 one-way. It is the poor man's business class.
FREQUENCY
Four times a week: on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with connections on Jetstar Japan to nine other cities.
Tested by Robert Upe, who flew courtesy of Jetstar.
Comments