Jetstar “business class” vastly better than economy………..

A report in the Sun Herald and The Brisbane Times says that if you are looking for luxury in an international business flight cabin, Jetstar’s StarClass has little to offer the Bill Gateses and Paris Hiltons of the world, with the budget airline also not pampering passengers with in-flight massages like on Virgin Atlantic and there’s no chance of pre-ordering lobster thermidor or any other personal meal choices as one might with Singapore Airlines.

But, what Jetstar does have is a competitively priced, business-styled service, a roomier seat than one finds in most economy classes and access to a network of Qantas Club Lounges, the joys of which should not be underestimated on international hauls.

Jetstar’s refurbished fleet of leased A330 Qantas aircraft is hardly going to win any innovation or design awards, but the newly re-covered StarClass seats and cabins look vastly superior to the JetClass economy cabin berths – and one should never underestimate the subconscious pulling power of that fresh, new-leather smell.

Jetstar says its new international premium cabins, launched late last year, are redefining the rules of business-class travel, adding, “You no longer need to spend a fortune to get the celebrity treatment you deserve,” or so states the public relations material.

That is, at least, partly correct.

Yes, you no longer need to spend a fortune – which, for Jetstar, is the key point of difference and frankly, it’s probably enough.

That and an excellent safety record.

The only celebrity treatment this writer experienced in StarClass during the airline’s inaugural flight to Vietnam was from an anxiously attentive flight attendant who repeatedly asked if everything was “perfect”.

When reassured that she need not be so concerned, the woman offered her inexperience as the excuse for her desperate tone: “It’s my first day, I want everything to be perfect for you.”

Truthfully, there was a lot that was less than perfect.

The food was average – everything grey and with a noodle accompaniment for lunch and dinner.

Apparently at least one of these little packs was a “Neil Perry signature dish” – braised beef and rice noodles with shiitake mushrooms and Chinese greens, but it might have been a signature dish when it left Perry’s pans, but on the plane it was bland, grey and without texture.

At least StarClass passengers don’t have to fork out extra for it.

In StarClass meals are included in the fare, but in economy they are an additional charge (when prepaid, two meals with an accompanying drink is $25 or $15 per meal when ordered during flight).

The in-flight entertainment was quite good, with both Little Miss Sunshine and The Devil Wears Prada pre-rental release films on the playlist, along with another half-a-dozen other films that could be viewed via laptop DVD units – but, having watched both of these on the flight over it was disappointing to find that 10 days later (and in a different calendar month) the entertainment schedule had not changed.

The 38 seats in StarClass at 24 centimetres are five centimetres wider than the 265 seats in economy and are all equipped with in-seat power and adjustable lumbar support and the bad neck I’d checked in with was no worse after the eight-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Jetstar StarClass cannot compare with its affiliated Qantas Business Class, but then it’s not really trying to.

Jetstar offers to bring business-class service at an international economy fare and the class-dividing curtain alone ensures a level of exclusivity.

StarClass is vastly more comfortable than most economy classes simply because the traveller finds themselves enjoying an improved ratio of flight attendants to passengers, no waiting for snacks, beverages and toilet facilities and the benefits of a priority check-in.

It is here that one experiences a better class of travel and, on a shoestring, it’s not to be underestimated.

* Jetstar flies to several destinations in South-East Asia, including Cambodia, Indonesia, China, Japan and Malaysia.

The writer flew to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Jetstar flies three times a week from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City.

Economy one-way, inclusive of all surcharges, fees and taxes is $489. StarClass one-way, inclusive of all surcharges, fees and taxes is $1199.

See http://www.jetstar.com

* Jetstar has regular sales promotions (such as the recent “Take a Friend for $3” sale).

Registering for JetMail at www.jetstar.com is the best way to hear about sales and promotions.

* Feed Me packages in economy include a main meal and a light meal service with a drink included with each. The price is $25. A range of snacks can be bought.

* In StarClass all main meals, light meals and snacks and beverages are included in the fare. The main meal is followed by a special dessert service including a selection of cakes and fruits.

* The A330 aircraft are about three years old and have been leased from Qantas making up Jetstar’s initial international long-haul fleet.

* From August 2008 the airline will begin taking receipt of 12 new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the first airline in the Qantas group and the first airline in Australia to operate these aircraft. The planes’ key features include 25% more fuel efficiency than a comparative aircraft, extra large windows and an improved air circulation system designed to reduce jet lag.

A Report by The Mole from The Sun-Herald and The Brisbane Times