Report #43: JQ117 - Low fares (except for last-minute travellers) forever
This will be my report on flying on Jetstar Airways economy class from Singapore SIN to Denpasar DPS, a short-haul flight within SE Asia, on board their Airbus A320-200.
Here are the 12 parts of the trip:
Flight routing
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9Singapore SIN - Denpasar DPS on Jetstar Airways A320 economy class
- 10
- 11
- 12
Background
As my friend notified me of JT's 744, the last 744 in Indonesia, mainly flying between CGK and DPS for the exodus season, I decided that I may as well make an extension to the Indonesia aviation trip after my phone interview. However, as the ex-CGK flights were completely full I opted for the flight from DPS - but not without catch: I would need to connect with the first available flight to DPS. and pray for it to be sufficiently on time for me to make it to the 744. As it was booked exceptionally late (i.e. 5 1/4 hours to STD) the flight costed quite a lot at S$209 (~US$153).
Trip to SIN and check-in
From my campus I took the public metro train, connecting with the last shuttle train to SIN's metro station.
I then arrived at SIN just a few minutes past midnight.
Afterwards I made my way to SIN terminal 3 for the interterminal people mover to terminal 1.
The interterminal people mover was as usual quite clean yet not too heavily occupied.
FIDS of the midninght/early morning.
As usual, SIN terminal 1 kept on having check-in counter renovations.
I first tried doing my check-in at the kiosk.
Since being a JQ flight I was ineligible for the kiosk check-in I proceeded to the manned counters.
Despite the queue, I was through with my new boarding pass ~3 1/2 minutes later.
My boarding pass for the early morning.
As usual I proceeded through the ticket check and immigration, both of which I completed in 2 minutes.
SIN transit area and departure
The transit area was rather quiet during the late evening.
I then proceeded to the working area near Starbucks, which feature plenty of power plugs to charge my devices for the upcoming review marathon.
The plane of the day was the plane in orange, VH-VGF, a 7 1/2 years old 320.
As it was still very early morning, most shops were still closed.
I then proceeded through security and boarding pass check, which was fast. However, I was unable to take photos of the security and therefore had the photo deleted.
Situation at the gate.
-VGF from the front.
Afterwards a 60 minutes delay was announced as there were some issues with the flight crews. I ended up proceeding to terminal 2, tried to print my next flight's boarding pass at a transit hotel, and ran all the way back to terminal 1 for my flight, which I didn't document.
Boarding had already started as I arrived back at the gate.
Boarding was fast and afterwards I proceeded to the corridor.
The aerobridge still had quite a bit of queue.
~2 minutes later I reached the plane.
On board
Flight: JQ117
Plane: VH-VGF (Low fares forever/#jetstargeneration livery)
STD/ATD: 05.00/05.58
STA/ATA: 07.40/08.38
Load factor: 83%Y (150/180)
Seat type: Standard economy class (window seat)
Details: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHVGF/history/20180611/2100Z/WSSS/WADD
As I was welcomed by the crew, I asked if the crew for the flight was SIN-based (yes), to which I further asked whether it was usually the case since it was JQ instead of 3K (they occasionally have Australia-based crews as well as the Singapore-based ones).
Typical on 3K/JQ, the 1ABC seats feature additional legroom due to lack of partition wall.
My seat was the window seat just behind the bulkhead seat.
Boarding was still well underway.
The seat feature a table, which was nonadjustable.
The seat pocket contained the safety card as well as the Australian in-flight magazine (in contrast with the 3K one).
A menu was present as well, which typical of JQ was expensive.
Last but not least, two airsickness bags on my seat pocket.
We were parked beside JQ's 320.
Safety demonstration was done manually as we pushed back.
We then taxied for take-off at runway 20C.
Take-off was uneventful and we soon climbed with some last views of Singapore and Batam.
After the seatbelt sign was switched off customs form were then distributed. The Chinese tourists beside me seemed to have some difficulties so after I finished mine I tried to assist them using my passport and customs form except for the occupation part, where I ended up needing to call the flight attendant to explain to them.
The view after we took off.
As I was thirsty after the long run at SIN I opted for a glass of orange juice, which costed A$4 (~US$3).
One major plus here was that they receive debit card for payment, and afterwards provided me with the electronic receipt after landing.
I then checked the lavatory, which while basic was clean.
The cabin seen from behind (yes, I went to the rear lavatory despite being seated at the front).
The cruise was uneventful with clear skies. I ended up sleeping during most parts of the cruise as I couldn't sleep while at SIN.
We then descended for approach towards runway 9.
During descent I asked to change seat to the aisle seat (i.e. seat 2D) to prepare for my imminent connection so I didn't manage to take many photos, however after a short taxi we were then parked beside GA's 330.
I was the first to exit the plane, followed by another person catching another flight to LBJ.
Arrival at DPS and post-arrival trip
After I reached the building I went down to the arrival floor.
I proceeded towards the immigration, though unfortunately the automated gates were not working so I was redirected to the manned counter, which took me 2 minutes to clear.
Like at KUL main terminal the duty-free store was located between immigration and luggage claim.
The luggage claim area.
Since I didn't have any checked luggage I proceeded to the customs, where unlike at CGK every bag was scanned. I was cleared in 1 minute.
After I had cleared customs I proceeded to the walkway towards the domestic terminal.
From there I traveled through the series of corridors.
You know you had reached the domestic terminal when you got to see the laid back-looking terminal, but there's still some more walk involved to the check-in area.
What follows next would be the flight on board JT's 744 (the last 744 in Indonesia), which you can read here.
