Jetstar launches Sydney-Hamilton flights for first time in 13 years
This route hasn’t been offered to travellers for 13 years but a budget airline has stepped into the breach.
This route hasn’t been offered to travellers for 13 years but Jetstar has leapt into the breach.
On the ground
This is Jetstar’s inaugural flight from Sydney to Hamilton, marking the return of international air traffic to NZ’s fourth-largest city after 13 years. Balloons in Jetstar’s Jaffa colours herald the check-in counter and a welcome cookie awaits. On board are the airline’s CEO, Stephanie Tully, Hamilton airport chief executive, Mark Morgan, and a collection of Waikato regional mayors and officials. A school kapa haka group welcomes passengers on arrival in the upgraded Hamilton terminal. Disembarkation and clearing customs and immigration is a breeze and handled by new staff, who are bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and don’t know the word “surly”. Australian and US officers, please note.
The seat
It’s a one-class cabin (even for CEOs) with seats in a 3-3 configuration. I have paid a modest sum to ensure an aisle seat but the plane is not full and I have three seats to myself. That’s a great joy for a passenger with long legs; the rows are tight, especially so with tray tables down for working on a laptop (a compulsive action for some).
Menu
With a 6.15am departure and check-in opening three hours before that (but immigration ready for business at 4am), travellers are well advised to secure coffee and a bite en route to the gate. In the air, it’s Jetstar’s pay-as-you-go menu: snacks (think banana bread) from $5, toasties from $12 or go all-out on a hot meal such as lasagna for $15. “Dietary” options available.
Inflight entertainment
Log on to Jetstar Entertainment+ on your own device and watch a movie for about $7. There is a reasonable collection of films, TV shows, podcasts and games. The short flying time rules out a choice of blockbuster length.
Technology
Just the in-house entertainment wi-fi.
Service
Hey, the boss is on board … but cabin crew are naturally friendly, attentive and obviously chuffed to be working on this first flight on a new route.
Baggage allowance
One checked bag up to 20kg and one carry-on piece to 7kg.
Loyalty program
The airline operates Club Jetstar offering deals on flights, car hire, insurance and the like, also Qantas Frequent Flyer membership.
In the know
Jetstar flies from Sydney to Hamilton, 140km south of Auckland, four days a week (Mondays Tuesday, Thursday andSaturday) and from the Gold Coast three times (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday). The plane returns to its Sydney destination at 12.15pm on each day (10 minutes later on Coolangatta days). My return flight six days after arrival is delayed for two hours by heavy fog in Hamilton. Apart from the attractions of Hamilton and nearby Cambridge, the Waikato region is home to the Hobbiton Movie Set, popular with fans of the Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit novels by JRR Tolkein and films by Peter Jackson.
What it costs
One-way fares Sydney to Hamilton from $179 mid-July to mid-September and $170 from the Gold Coast.
The verdict
For travellers planning a motoring holiday, it’s a quick and easy hop from plane to hire-car and no metro traffic to tackle. Jetstar is a no-frills carrier but I’ve been lucky with it and don’t suffer the J-jitters. This was a good flight. Full marks to the airline for opening up a new trans-Pacific route. The locals are happy with 60 new airport jobs and an anticipated $45m boost to the economy.
Graham Erbacher was a guest of Hamilton & Waikato Tourism.
If you love to travel, sign up to our free weekly Travel + Luxury newsletter here.
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout