Canon

I need a flight from Cairns to Darwin on a Friday in late October. We are planning to take a 3 day 2 night tour to Kakadu leaving Saturday morning. Jetstar has a direct flight that would arrive in Darwin around 1 pm Friday, which would be perfect. However, I have read numerous reviews about nightmare cancellations and delays with Jetstar. Qantas has a later direct flight that day, but wouldn't arrive in Darwin until 9:15 pm. I really don't want to get into Darwin that late but with all the terrible reviews of Jetstar I am afraid to book with them. Is Jetstar really that unreliable? I don't want to waste a precious day waiting at the airport for a delayed flight or even worse; they cancel the flight until the next day and I can't make my tour. I also saw Airnorth. They have a flight that arrives earlier in the day than 9pm but has a short layover somewhere (total 3hrs 45min instead of 2 hr ?? min direct). Would that be a better option than Jetstar? For this short flight, I'm not really worried about the frills, just need timely, safe transportation for me and my luggage.
Thanks in advance

Melnq8

As far as I'm concerned the worst thing about JetStar is their online booking system. If you survive that, chances are you'll be fine.

I've flown JetStar a couple of times on Australian domestic flights and had no issues with them in the air. The flights were relatively on time, the planes in great shape, the attendants courteous. They have no safety issues that I'm aware of.

My first choice for Australian domestic flights is always Virgin Australia, but failing that, JetStar is a close second.

I'd choose the flight that best fits your itinerary, adhere to the guidelines regarding luggage allowance, check-in times, etc, and hope for the best.

tripplanner001

Like Melnq8, I've only had good experiences with Jetstar. As long as you understand that it's a no frills airline and that you have to pay extra for everything from drinks to checked bags, then the planes are clean and the staff courteous.

Ozian

Jetstar and Virgin are reliable services and large companies. I use whichever has the best times or cost and never had a problem.
Small companies are far more likely to suffer delays or cancellations.

northie

Be aware Jetstar are weighing cabin luggage and handbags etc are included in the 7 kegs allowance. It's $50 if you are over 7kgs.

Canon

Thanks everyone. That makes me feel more comfortable to book with JetStar.

dreamon

Jetstar are fine. I've had just as many delays with Qantas as I've had with Jetstar. As noted though, they are a budget airline compared with Qantas but equivalent to Virgin Australia. The Jetstar terminal in Melbourne is horrible but you're not going there and generally no one is there for long anyway.

Canon

I thought I would follow up on my question. I did book with JetStar and everything was fine. The flight was on time. We made sure that our carry-on bags were under the 7 kg and noone checked any bag weights. I was surprised to see what everyone was allowed to carry on.

dreamon

Thanks for getting back. How rigorously they check carry on baggage pretty much varies depending upon the staff on duty and how much time they have available. Also, I'm glad to hear that they've also moved to a new terminal at Melbourne airport.

Bokhara2

I made my first flight on Jetstar on Thursday. I've deliberately avoided them until now, but Virgin didn't have the flight times I wanted.

Sydney to the Sunshine Coast, & will return tonight.

As melnq8 says, their website is a royal PIA & I ended up waiting 20 mins waiting on the phone to speak to a human to sort out the sodding seat allocation.

Pleasant surprise # 1.
As a QF Club & FF member, I'm entitled to 20kg (or 23, can't remember) free checked luggage.

Pleasant surprise # 2.
Once through to the person at their Customer service centre, I was able to select my seat for BOTH trips AND print my boarding passes. Couldn't make it work with my iPhone Passport. Didn't matter.

Pleasant surprise # 3.
At the airport, there were 77 million people in the "check-in" queue & about 15 in the "bag drop" queue. I was so astonished, I forgot to stop & print the label for my bag - but the girl at the counter didn't bat an eyelid, did it in seconds, wishes me a good trip & I was on my way to Gate 54. My bag weighed 8.5kg.

Gold star Jetstar moment! They weighed, measured & tagged ALL cabin bags ... and sent probably 25 - 30% to be checked in. I hadn't seen the measuring frame used in a very long time on either Virgin or QF & was very happy to see it in use.

This was done well before the boarding call, so there was no delay in the boarding. Time was on their side on this occasion & perhaps that's why they decided to do a full measure & weigh. Don't know, don't care - wish everyone would do it every time!

Our flight was 30 mins late departing due to an electrical fault on our original aircraft; they swapped to one which came in from Hobart & kept us well informed.

Onboard the 320, the seats are not over generously upholstered and I wouldn't want to be flying to see Melnq8 or Annhig in them - but I wasn't & the seats & I have enough upholstery between us to be quite ok for the 70 minute flight.

The food selection seemed to be quite good for LCC airline food, especially on a short hop. There was a mix of hot & cold, one or two salad options & the usual soft & alcoholic drinks. I had a coffee which wasn't too bad at all.

The reason I'd eschewed Jetstar before was appalling customer service & continual changes for a group of about 30 for a family wedding a few years ago & other similar things with family & friends,where I was directly or indirectly involved in having to find alternative options or sort it out with senior staff at Jetstar & resolved not to fly with them if I could possibly avoid it.

One swallow does not a summer make & all that - but based on my experience this week, I'd be prepared to give them a go on short hops again.
Longer trips would require a seat cushion, I think.

northie

interesting to hear of your experience with Jetstar. Love that they are weighing cabin luggage. I had a bad time booking last week with them booking to go to Hawaii but only because i wasn't quick enough putting in 6 names and details.It timed out 3 times but you can renew it by pressing the button shown. the free baggage doesn't apply on international seems to be no benefits for Q Club on international.
As with a many budget airlines lots don't read all the details and then blame the airline.

northie

oops Bokhara2

Bokhara2

It's been a charm offensive all the way!
Row 3 to myself on the way home & a sunset like a Tim Storrier painting out the window - what more can a girl want?

Northie, the only thing I'll say about your Hawaiian jaunt is that I hope the seats have better padding than on these 320's on the domestic legs.

nelsonian

Jetstar are starting flights from Nelson to Wellington in February. This is brilliant as it will mean competition for Air Nzcity and hopefully cheaper prices. however I have also read about the complaints, the main one seems to be be closing the check-in exactly 30 minutes before the flight whereas Air NZ don't seem to worry about it.

booking flights online you have to untick things like baggage, seat, and insurance. hopefully our flight in February will have no problems.

northie

I'm "scared" Bokhara as we usually travel prem economy over 6 hour flights but as we wanted to be with the "kids" we thought we'd risk it!! its a lot more for business and you have to pay $500 one way and $900 extra the return to get the extras such as ff points and status. Annoying that you get ff points in economy but not in business unless you pay for the extra bundle.

Bokhara2

They may have more passing on the international legs, Northie

Good luck - I'll be interested in seeing how you go. They are doing some great deals & if they're tolerable, I might nick over & see a friend.