In early 2016, myself and a group of classmates decided to take a trip to Japan toward the end of the year. I was inspired by Point Hacks to use Qantas Points to build an interesting itinerary and enjoy our first ever international business class flights – and this is the first of a few reviews on our trip.
While Jetstar’s 787 Business Class cabin isn’t the most glamorous out there, it did the job and transported us from Australia to Japan in relative comfort.
Booking & Research
Due to the difficulty of booking award flights for six people on one itinerary, my partner and I booked ourselves on a separate itinerary to our other four friends. We flew on different connecting flights, but our whole group managed to fly to our final destination together.
We are based in Perth, so that was the start of our itinerary. From Perth to Osaka, we considered numerous options, including Cathay Pacific Premium Economy for 63,000 Qantas Points (will jump to 70,800 Qantas Points from 18 September 2019 onwards). However due to a lack of seats for all six of us, we eventually settled on our second choice – Jetstar flights from Perth to Osaka, via Cairns.
Our friends flew this same flight in economy for 26,000 Qantas Points + $200 in taxes, while we booked Business for 57,600 Qantas Points + $280 – although the Perth to Cairns leg was in economy only. But due to the changes to the Qantas Frequent Flyer on June 2019, points required to book Business Class on this route will increase to 61,500 Qantas Points, although on the other hand Economy Class redemption will remain the same and taxes across both classes will be reduced.
As part of booking with Qantas Points, we automatically received a 20 kg baggage allowance (30kg for business). There was plenty of availability booking 8 months out – more than 6 seats in both economy and business class.
A few months later, JQ15 was retimed to 1pm, giving us more time to get to Cairns. I decided to tweak our domestic connection to go the long way – so we flew Perth – Sydney – Cairns in Qantas Business Class, so we could enjoy a more comfortable overnight flight. This won’t be covered in the review, but both flights were great overall and worth the extra Qantas Points per person.
Kicking off our overnight transcontinental trek with the Qantas Business Suite
In Cairns
We had previously checked in for this flight at Perth, with Qantas issuing all three boarding passes and tagging our luggage straight to Osaka – this is a benefit of using Qantas domestic to Jetstar international connections. Jetstar won’t transfer baggage between their own domestic and international flights, as my other friends later experienced.
Flying to Japan the long way
Upon arriving in Cairns the next day, we headed to the Cairns Qantas Club lounge to meet up with our friends, who had arrived earlier on the direct JQ flight and was waiting out the 5 hr transit there. Ordinarily we wouldn’t have had access (only JQ max fares include lounge access), but my Qantas Club membership got us in.
Soon we walked to the international terminal, where our friends had to re-check their bags in. Unfortunately for them, it seemed 99% of the passengers were Japanese schoolkids, and they were all lining up to check in!
Woah.. what a line!
There was one business counter set up which was empty, so I walked over to confirm my own check-in, and ask if my friends could check in there to save time. Unfortunately they couldn’t, so we waited about 30 minutes for the line to clear. I
Since there was no lounge access airside in the international terminal without a Business Max fare, we just waited around the gate until it was time for boarding. There was no priority boarding lane, though business guests were invited to wait around the front to board earlier.
On-board
We had reserved bulkhead seats 1A and 1C. The Jetstar 787 business seat is 99% identical to the Qantas 737 Business Class seat, right down to the cocktail table design, and useless leg rest. There are three rows in a 2-3-2 configuration.
The Jetstar 787 business seat – for more information on the individual seat features, see this previous Point Hacks review here
To be honest, with the bulkhead in front of us, it felt no different to an economy exit row seat.
Legroom around 1A and 1C
With bulkhead seats, the IFE screen is mounted on an arm and not accessible during take-off and landing. Despite that, I prefer this option as you get more flexibility with adjusting the position of the screen.
There was a small but adequate selection of new-release movies and TV shows, which saw us through most of the flight.
Blankets and amenity kits were given out, which came in a nifty pouch that could also be a tablet holder.
Amenity kit and the ecothread blanket, made out of ‘19 recycled plastic bottles’.
Apart from the usual toothbrush and eye mask, it came with an inflatable neck pillow and a nice set of Zenology lip balm + hand balm.
From L to R: Inflatable neck pillow, ear plugs, tablet pouch, tissues, pen, Zenology skincare kit, socks, eye mask, toothbrush.
Menus were distributed and when the doors were closed, Business Class was 100% full. As JQ15 was a daytime flight, we would be served lunch after take-off, and afternoon tea before arrival.
Menu for our flight on the left, incorrectly labelled as ‘Tokyo’
The service on Jetstar is essentially similar to Qantas 737 domestic Business Class. That being said, it is a definite step up from catering in premium cabins of low cost carriers. Lunch was presented on the one tray, but real glassware and cutlery was used.
We didn’t get a choice for entree, with the grilled zucchini and smoked salmon being automatically served up. For mains, I opted for the roasted lamb rump which was pretty good.
Main course: Roasted lamb rump
My partner decided on the chicken karaage. As expected, the coating was soggy, but the chicken was still succulent and went well with the rice and vegetables.
Main course: Chicken karaage
For dessert, we chose one each of the cheese plate and raspberry tart. Both were a decent way to finish off lunch.
About 90 minutes prior to landing, a snack was served. We both chose the chicken croquette, which was oily but satisfying.
The raspberry brownie dessert came pre-packed and we decided to save it for later (a smart decision as it turned out, as we were hungry on the train ride out of the airport).
Our other Jetstar review
Summing up – Cairns to Osaka in Jetstar 787 Business Class
Overall, our Jetstar 787 experience was just fine. The staff were friendly and did a great job with the little things, such as remembering our names and proactively topping up drinks. While the Business Class seats are nothing to write home about, the service and food in Business Class is sufficiently different to distinguish it from Economy.
With one way fares starting around $900, if you valued the comfort it would be OK value when paying cash. That said, in the future I personally wouldn’t choose to book it with points over Economy again.
The JQ agent, while friendly, offered to book me into the SYD – MEL – NRT – KIX route with a 12hrs transit in MEL.
The agent insisted that the 12 hour layover was the only flight she could book me in so I ended up paying my own flight from Syd – Mel. Even without the 12hr layover in MEL, I spent a total of 23hr 55 minutes on the road, from the moment I left home (15minutes drive to Sydney airport) to the moment I arrived in Kyoto hotel (next to Kyoto station).
Ironically, the CNS – KIX flight resumed 2hrs behind the scheduled departure (presumably operated by the same SYD – CNS 788 metal).
While I do understand cancellations happen, the 12hrs transit in MEL was the most ridiculous part given I was inconvenienced already and there were a ton of QF and JQ flights between SYD and MEL (yes, technically they are two different airlines, but hey, they always try to give you the JQ rewards seats when you spend your hard earned QFF points) ! To be honest I won’t be flying with JQ anymore if there is any other half decent choice.
I’d recommend row 1 if that’s an issue, or row 3 GJ since they have even more recline than the other seats, and you can simply sit back to avoid the row in front.
Please, please, please promise never to waste your points on Jetstar ever again!!!
I agree with not redeeming for Jetstar again 🙂