JETSTAR: Revamp of 787 international fleet coming in 2025

Jetstar currently flies 11 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, which have cabins of 21 business class and 314 economy seats. The Qantas Group member currently services Bali, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Honolulu, Osaka, Phuket, Seoul and Tokyo. The remodelling of the cabins, will start as part of regular maintenance in late 2025.

The Cabins

Jetstar international cabins have economy seats with 30″ pitch, and 17 inches wide, and business seats, really Premium Economy with 38″ pitch and 19 inches wide.

The new interior fit-out intends to take advantage of the move by consumers to more premium cabins by expanding Business Class (really premium economy) from 21 to 44 seats, with a consequent 33-seat reduction in Economy from 314 to 281 seats. Pitch and width are expected to remain roughly the same, using products from Recaro.

Maybe the newly launched PL3810, a premium economy seat for the Jetstar Business Class?

WiFi

Jetstar isn’t going to reinstall back-of-seat video screens as part of this refurbishment. It will support passengers’ devices with power outlets and onboard wifi to access its entertainment offering and the wider internet. Details of power outlets and wifi suppliers are still up in the air.

Jetstar is touting the removal of the current seat back screens as a ‘sustainability’ initiative, as it will reduce weight. That’s all true, but it does have the whiff of ‘greenwashing’ detergent. Similarly, Jetstar’s new livery to match that being applied to the Airbus A321neo LRs will also reduce weight.

Crew Facilities

A new horizontal rest area will be built into the aircraft’s rear above the passengers’ heads. This will free up to 8 economy and business seats for sale that are currently used for crew rest. This addition will allow Jetstar to entertain some longer direct routes, say to India, Sri Lanka and even Africa. 

2PAXfly Takeout

I regard all new cabin installations with a little excitement. My issue is with the ‘low-cost’ model itself. It’s all benefit to the airline, with little for the traveller. I find Jetstar, to be no cheaper than the lowest acceptible ‘full service’ airline. That is once I have added in all the ‘essentials’. I’m talking seat selection, baggage, food and beverage, points and status credits earning etc. Plus, in Business Class, you usually get a fully reclining flat bed, which you don’t get on Qantas.