I was a excited but a little apprehensive when I booked my first international Jetstar flight to Manila. I had flown Jetstar domestically before, but was concerned about long hours in a possibly cramped space. Qantas where either not flying any direct services to Manila that I could find and the Jetstar service was a lot cheaper. What to do? I was going back and forth with my decision when I realized that I could book Jetstar Starclass (which I understood to be like a premium economy on say a Qantas flight,) for the same money or less than other competing airlines regular economy fare. A perfect solution for a trial flight with the airline!
I made my booking online and the screen stated that both sectors of my flight were starclass. When my confirmation came through, the pdf stated that the sector from Melbourne to Singapore was Starclass and the sector from Singapore to Manila was Jetsaver. I called customer service and was assured that both sectors were Starclass. I also read or misread the website. To me it said Starclass offered an extra 30 kg checkin luggage, this however is not the case. It is actually 30kg total.
So off I went to the airport. Jetstar were great and extremely helpful with my electric wheelchair so that was a real plus for which I am grateful. The seat I had booked online was there and waiting and there was absolutely loads of leg room!
The video entertainment did not work in my row (and only in my row) and this is one of the main reasons for purchasing Starclass, but this was just one of those things so I guess it can’t be helped. Because of this they did allow my cousin who was traveling on the same plane in economy (something i didn’t know until i saw him onboard) to come and chat to me during the flight. The point I am trying to make here is that the onboard staff on that sector were doing the best they could. The food and service were great.
The second leg of my flight was a disaster. Firstly the seat I had booked online was double booked and since the other booking was for a small child who was part of a family, I felt I should be the one to move. This put me on a bulkhead which with my condition actually gives less legroom. It was not a Starclass seat so it was even more cramped and since this service did not have Starclass I had to pay for food and beverage even though I had been assured both sectors were Starclass.
If that wasn’t enough, HERE IS THE REAL KICKER, during the flight I was told I would have to pay $5USD for wheelchair assistance in Manila or I would not receive assistance! I didn’t have any currency on me other than Australian and they told me they were not sure if this would be acceptable!! I was told this fee only applied to jetstar in Singapore and Manila as they used an outside provider for the assistance. Imagine that. I need my wheelchair, I am not one of the many who sometimes use airport wheelchairs for convenience and I was was told UNLESS I PAID I WOULD HAVE TO WALK!!! Enough said
