Jetstar unveils ‘life-changing’ secret weapon in new A321neo

The latest addition to the Jetstar fleet has something that will not only take the stress out of boarding and deboarding for passengers but will also help the airline’s on-time performance.

The latest addition to the Jetstar fleet has something that will change the lives of passengers and crew alike – extra large overhead bins.

At 40 per cent larger than the compartments in similar aircraft, the bins can swallow up 60 per cent more carry-on because luggage can be stored upright rather than horizontally.

Jetstar fleet captain Greg Eastaway said the mega-sized bins would not only take the stress out of boarding and deboarding planes for passengers, they would also help the low-fares airline’s on-time performance and achieve faster turnaround times.

“In a low fares operation, fast turnaround times are important to maximise flying and keep to schedule,” Mr Eastaway said.

“When passengers have to store their bags away from their seat, and have to spend time looking for a space, it slows down the whole process.”

The extra large bins were among several features Jetstar asked Airbus for, when it lodged its order for 38 A321neos.

The first of those is due to arrive in Australia next month, and should be flying passengers between Melbourne and Cairns initially from mid-August.

A visit to the Airbus assembly line in Hamburg revealed the other features Jetstar ordered to improve the passenger experience, including a seat back USB port, a phone or tablet holder, and LED mood lighting.

With a range almost 1500km further than Jetstar’s A320s and seating for an extra 46 passengers, or 232 in total, the A321neos are destined to operate flights to Bali, freeing up the airline’s Boeing 787-8s for routes to Vietnam, South Korea and Japan.

“We are exploring other opportunities for routes for this aircraft at this time,” said Mr Eastaway.

“We are looking at routes that have about a six-hour flying time, such as Sydney and Melbourne to Fiji for example.”

The extra large storage bins meant it would be easy to travel to Bali without the need to check in bags, with Jetstar allowing up to 14kg of carry on for a fee.

Other less obvious advantages of the A321s, included 15 per cent greater fuel efficiency than the A320, and 170kg less weight, due to one less coat of paint and lighter chairs.

Mr Eastaway said current A320 pilots would need just an hour of online training to be able to fly the brand new aircraft.

“The intention is to have all of our pilots capable of flying the A321neo when it arrives,” said Mr Eastaway.

Even with the longer range, the A321neo will need to make several stops on the way from Hamburg to Australia, with plans to refuel in Mumbai and Broome before the final touchdown in Melbourne.

Airbus director of marketing, Victor Shigueoka, said the A320 family was the aviation industry’s most successful family of commercial passenger jets ever, with more than 16,000 orders, just ahead of Boeing’s 737.

To keep up with demand after a pause during Covid-19, Airbus planned to ramp up production to 75 a month by mid-2025, which would be a record for the manufacturer.

As well as producing fewer emissions than preceding models, the A321neo was quieter and the “mood lighting” was designed to improve the cabin experience for passengers, Mr Shigueoka said.

“The cabin is the business card of the airline,” he said.

“Lighting can be matched with the uniform of the cabin crew for an aesthetic effect, and can also be adjusted for passenger comfort.

“While red light had been found to increase production of melatonin, promoting sleep, blue light was activating, and tends to be used as the aircraft began its descent.”

*The writer was a guest of Airbus in Hamburg.

Originally published as Jetstar unveils ‘life-changing’ secret weapon in new A321neo