Airline review: Jetstar’s business class beats others in one respect

The airline: Jetstar

• Route Melbourne (Tullamarine) to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, flight JQ63
• Frequency Four times weekly
• Aircraft Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
• Class Business; seat 1A
• Flight time 8 hours 25 minutes (20 minutes behind 4.40pm departure time; arrives 10 minutes ahead)

Jetstar’s 787 Dreamliner fleet will soon get an upgrade.Credit: Pat Scala

Checking in

I arrive 2.5 hours before departure to two business class check-in desks – one with no queues (win). Express Path cards for business class passengers does a speedy job of customs and security. Basic business fares don’t include lounge access (you’ll need to upgrade to a Business Class Max bundle to use the Qantas lounge), so I take my time winding through Melbourne Airport’s labyrinth of duty-free and designer shops on the long stroll to Gate 9. At least priority boarding means we’re first onboard.

Baggage

Up to 30 kilograms of checked luggage for business class passengers, plus cabin luggage up to 14 kilograms.

Loyalty scheme

Club Jetstar membership costs $65 to join, and $55 a year thereafter, offering early access to sales, exclusive fares and discounts on baggage and seats.

The seat

Jetstar business class for premium economy prices.

Seats in business class take a 2-3-2 layout. My 1A, bulkhead window seat has stacks of legroom, an adjustable head rest and 19-inch (48cm) wide leather seats. It’s no flat-bed, the 38-inch (96cm) pitch is on par with Qantas’ premium economy. Still, there’s in-seat power (USB and universal outlet), and storage, limited to one overhead bin and a small wall pocket, bulging with headphones and plastic water bottle (shimmying my laptop and book in takes some grunt work).

A pillow and felt blanket is provided – the latter labelled “Yours to keep”, with some cute suggestions on how to reuse (fancy a “pet snuggle” blanket?). There’s also an amenity kit that, on inspection, unveils itself as a tote bag rather than a boring wallet (brilliant), stocked with hand lotion, cleansing wipes, a toothbrush kit, eyemask, socks, earplugs and a pen. It’s also unbranded, and thus will indeed get some future use, along with my new pet snuggle/picnic rug/car blanket.

Entertainment + tech

No onboard Wi-Fi but our bulkhead row includes armrest-stowed screens with in-flight entertainment, including new-release flicks and bingeable series, and a comfy set of noise-cancelling headphones.

Service

Fresh from the Gate 9 crush, we’re pacified with welcome bubbles and in-flight menus; drinks and snacks arrive promptly after take-off. No white-tablecloths or turndown service, but crew are cheery and quick to proffer drink top-ups and snacks.

Food

Pretzels arrive first – would I like a drink? Why, yes. Beer and wine leans Aussie and Kiwi – a Byron Bay Lager does the trick. But hats off for the main event: saucy slow-braised lamb shank with mashed potato, broccoli, peas and a minted onion sauce may be the most satisfying business class dish I’ve had. It comes with a cold roast pumpkin and labneh salad, and an overly sweet orange and almond cake.

Carbon emissions

5.3 tonnes for flying business class. Carbon offsetting is available on any Jetstar (JQ) flight at the time of booking.

One more thing

Jetstar’s Vietnam route will soon benefit from a multi-million-dollar Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet upgrade, that will see business class seats double from 21 to 41, and swish next-gen seats installed with device holders, power outlets, headrests and generous recline. They’ll soon join other airlines in axing seatback screens in favour of Wi-Fi and content streaming to personal devices.

The price

From $1699 one way.*

The verdict

Stellar food and clever premium inclusions, like noise-cancelling headphones and truly reusable kits, mean this medium-haul service goes by all too quickly. The seat itself feels closer to premium economy – a mild gripe since it’s also priced as such.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The writer flew as a guest of Jetstar. See jetstar.com.au.

*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.

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