It is more than a decade since the Qantas Group decided to take a bet on the Airbus A321neo and placed orders for the next-generation aircraft. Jetstar, a member of the Qantas Group, is receiving a new A321neo almost every month and is rearranging routes and services to maximize everything that the fuel-efficient narrowbodies can offer.
Last week Jetstar announced it had signed a new partnership agreement with Brisbane Airport that will inject an additional 500,000 low-fare seats between Brisbane and various international destinations. The new partnership will see Jetstar begin direct flights from Brisbane to Tokyo Narita, Osaka and Seoul and increase frequency on its existing Brisbane to Bali and Auckland (AKL) routes.
Where will the A321neos fly?
Since opening its second runway Brisbane Airport (BNE) has copped some flack from local communities over new flightpaths that send some flights over neighborhoods that had not previously been overflown. The airport has worked diligently with the communities, the air navigation services provider and the airlines to find a solution, so Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff is always happy to see quieter aircraft serving the airport.
Photo: Jetstar
He said this is the biggest injection of low-fare seats for Queenslanders and visitors from our most popular markets that we’ve ever seen.
“We look forward to welcoming more travellers from New Zealand, Japan and Seoul enabling them to get out and explore our region and State.
“We are also excited to see Jetstar deploying the new quieter and fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo on these new BNE flights. Brisbane Airport is committed to reducing the noise impact for our nearby communities and we know that next generation aircraft are an important part of this solution.”
Last week Jetstar announced it is increasing frequencies on the Brisbane to Bali and Auckland routes, which is made possible by introducing more Airbus long-range A321neos into its fleet. From February 1st, 2024, Jetstar is increasing Brisbane to Bali Denpasar (DPS) from seven to ten weekly return services.
Photo: Michael Doran I Simple Flying
Starting on October 29th, Jetstar is going from four times weekly to a daily return service from Brisbane to Auckland, adding more than 90,000 seats to the route annually. The A321neo will be introduced on the route from February 1st next year.
More Jetstar 787-8 widebody services from BNE
Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully was equally enthusiastic when she said the new deal would bring thousands of new visitors to Queensland each year, which will invigorate the local economy.
Photo: Jetstar
“Jetstar has a strong track record of stimulating travel through great value fares and this major boost to international flying for Queensland will bring thousands more tourists into the Sunshine State from Japan, South Korea and across the Tasman.
“The new services also mean Queenslanders can take off more often to more destinations with our everyday low fares.”
From the end of October, Jetstar will be operating five return flights a week between Brisbane and Tokyo Narita (NRT), which will increase to daily from December 3rd. Flights to its second destination in Japan will commence on February 2nd with four return services weekly from Brisbane to Osaka Kansai (KIX). These services will offer around 380,000 seats each year between Brisbane and Japan.
Subject to receiving the regulatory and government approvals, Jetstar will commence services from Brisbane to South Korea’s Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) on February 1st, 2024. The service will operate from Brisbane on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, adding more than 100,000 additional seats annually.
Have you flown on Jetstar’s A321LR yet? Let us know in the comments.
