Jetstar Japan is starting out in our country strong with up to 18 weekly services between Manila and three cities: Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. After attending a press briefing and doing some research, here’s what you need to know about this low-cost airline.
LOW FARES
Being a low-cost airline, Jetstar Japan has been providing its passengers with affordable fares to its international and domestic destinations. Mr. Masaru Kataoka, the airline’s chairman, assured us that it will compete with the others operating flights between the Philippines and Japan.
STRONG DOMESTIC NETWORK
With the impending opening of Jetstar Japan’s services to Manila, Filipinos will enjoy the impressive domestic network the airline operates from its three hubs. Jetstar.com already allows booking of connecting flights from Manila to various Japanese cities like Sapporo, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Matsuyama, Okinawa, and Takamatsu.
We were told that their international-domestic connections are seamless, especially since their flights operate from the same terminal in their Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya hubs. Further, the scheduling of their flights is ideal for connections—the outbound Manila flights arrive in Japan early in the morning, while the outbound Japan flights depart at night.
THE SAME JETSTAR EXPERIENCE
Mr. Kataoka stressed that the experience with Jetstar Japan is like that of the other Jetstar airlines. What differs, he noted, are the nationality of the crew and the selection of meals.
I’ve flown once on Jetstar Airways and several times on Jetstar Asia, and all my experiences were favorable. Save for the lack of some amenities, the experience, driven by a great product and friendly service, is similar to that of full-service carriers. This is the reason why Jetstar, despite being a group of low-cost carriers, is entrusted by airlines like Qantas, Emirates, Finnair, and SriLankan Airlines to be their codeshare partner.
FLEET
Jetstar Japan operates a new narrowbody fleet of 20 Airbus 320 (A320) aircraft, one of the safest and most reliable jets being operated worldwide. Seats inside all Jetstar A320 aircraft follow the standard six abreast, 3-3 configuration for a total of 180 seats in a monoclass. Seat pitch is around 30-31”, but certain seats, such as those at the front and exit rows, offer wider legroom.
SAFETY
After having flown more than two million passengers, the airline is proud of its impeccable safety record that has seen no accidents to date.
ON-TIME PERFORMANCE
According to Mr. Kataoka, Jetstar Japan currently enjoys a high on-time performance.
OWNERSHIP
Jetstar Japan is a joint venture among Qantas Group (parent company of the Jetstar Group), Japan Airlines, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Century Tokyo Leasing Corporation. Its two parent airlines have a combined experience in aviation spanning 160 years—though Jetstar itself has been in the business for about 12 years already.
THE JETSTAR GROUP
Jetstar Japan is backed by the Jetstar Group, a value-based, low fares group of airlines operating in the leisure and value-based markets. The group is composed of Jetstar Airways in Australia and New Zealand, Jetstar Asia in Singapore, Jetstar Pacific in Vietnam, and Jetstar Japan.
Together, with a fleet of more than 110 aircraft, the group operates more than 4,000 flights each week to more than 60 destinations across Asia-Pacific, and it has carried more than 150 million passengers since it started flying in 2004.
For flight bookings and for more information, visit jetstar.com, while for updates, follow Jetstar Asia on both Facebook and Twitter.
Photos above are from Jetstar Airways.
