Flight review: Jetstar SYD- ADL
Let’s be honest, Jetstar doesn’t have the best reputation. Product Review’s over 5,000 respondents give them a mere 1.4/5, with adjectives like terrible, appalling and worst featuring prominently in the critiques. Some other reviews are even more scathing!
The biggest gripes are around delays and cancellations, as well as a lack of professionalism from the staff. A couple of reviewers suggested they’d prefer to walk than fly Jetstar again.
So it was with some trepidation I took a flight with Jetstar, to a time sensitive event interstate.
At the Airport
After checking in online 48 hours before, I noticed the fine print requesting passengers turn up for a domestic flight two hours before departure. Gone are the days of rocking up to the gate with minutes to spare. But was two hours really necessary?
Jetstar departs from Terminal 2 at Kingsford Smith Airport, sharing the terminal with other budget carriers. With memories of the check in mayhem and lengthy security screening when I last flew REX I allowed 90 minutes but this time it took only 10 minutes from stepping into the terminal to arriving at the gate. However, those checking in luggage were in for a long wait.
The trick really is to fly with carry on only whenever possible, saving time, money and the stress of missing luggage. Read more about packing small and light for this flight.
On time performance?
Contrary to the reviews, the flight wasn’t cancelled and pushed back from the gate early. However the usual morning rush on the tarmac left us waiting on the apron for some time. Not Jetstar’s fault.
Time was made up enroute, landing just shy of the estimated 1hr 55 flight time.
The hard product
We were jammed in like sardines on a full Airbus A320-200.
In a 3-3 configuration, seats are a mere 45cm wide with a pitch of 73.7cm. Jetstar manages to pinch a whole inch/3 cm off the pitch compared to the other budget domestic carriers. Something I notice despite being shorter than average, it was a snug fit. If there was any seat recline, it was minimal.
What’s more the seats themselves really put the ‘hard’ into hard product. They’re amongst the most uncomfortable airline seats flying our skies.
Other than the seat and a tray table, there’s little else – no inflight entertainment (IFE), USB or power sockets.
The toilet was small but clean.
All round nothing to write home about. This is a bare bones product.
Service
The crew was friendly but had little to do. With no free drinks or food, service was limited to those buying beverages and lack lustre snacks at exorbitant prices.
Don’t board hungry. Serving sizes are small, for example party pies and small cups of instant noodles. While the airline makes a stab at catering for dietary options, some of them are limited to olives or chips (crisps).
For those who are tempted to splurge, a physical credit card is required. Digital cards/Apple Pay etc along with cash are not allowed. And with no complimentary water, on a longish domestic flight you’ll go thirsty.
Verdict
With many Australian domestic flights costing at least twice pre-covid prices, budget airlines like Jetstar are raking it in. Flights are full. Service is minimal. Seats are hard. Entertainment BYO. You may be in for a long, boring and uncomfortable flight.
While this one departed and arrived on time, Jetstar’s reputation can cause a lot pre-trip anxiety – will I make it to my destination in time, will it be delayed or cancelled? It’s not the airline of choice for a time sensitive holiday or work trip.
There are better and cheaper budget airlines flying this route. My money is on REX over Jetstar any day.
travel over 40 