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Jetstar has completed the transition of its long-haul flying to an all-Boeing 787 operation, with its final Airbus A330 service touching down on Friday when VH-EBE operating flight JQ6 from Honolulu to Brisbane landed just before 1700 local time.
It marks the end of a two-year transition from the A330-200 to the 787-8, following delivery of Jetstar’s first Dreamliner in October 2013. The A330s have been progressively transferred to parent Qantas as the 787s have entered service.
Jetstar now has 11 787-8s flying on international routes across the Asia-Pacic, as well as a few domestic services within Australia. The Qantas Group’s low-cost carrier also plans to use the 787 on trans-Tasman services over summer.
And the 787-8 will touch down in Wuhan, China on September 30 when Jetstar begins new twice weekly flights from the Gold Coast in partnership with Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group.
Jetstar said on Friday there would be more than 300 Chinese visitors on the inaugural Wuhan-Gold Coast service.
“These new flights from Wuhan will be a boon for local tourism with some 70,000 seats a year on offer between the Gold Coast and one of China’s fastest growing cities,” Jetstar head of commercial for Australia and New Zealand Nigel Fanning said in a statement.
“With a population of more than 10 million, Wuhan is the largest city in central China and it’s a great sign for the Gold Coast that we’re off to such a strong start with flight bookings.”
Brendan
says:The Qantas engineers will do a great job refurbishing VH-EBE to pristine condition in the Brisbane hangar.
Howard Stark
says:They’ll still smell of bogan.
Paul
says:Just another reason not to fly Jetstar. The A330 is far more spacious and roomier than the cramped seating arrangements of the 787. No doubt the QF configuration will be the same.
Glenn
says:Great now Qantas can put there horrible new economy seats in it….
Louise
says:The Jetstar Dreamliner still the best commercial aviation plane to fly in.
Taurean Lea
says:Congratulations must go to Jetstar for the transfer of all it’s A330s to Qantas, marking the end of the two year transition program from A330 to 787 Dreamliner.
Australian A330 since 2002 – Qantas A330 since 2002 – Jetstar A330 2006 – 2015
Ashley Wincer
says:I have been seeing many of the former Jetstar A330s back in new QANTAS colours at Melbourne airport doing domestic runs.
Roger
says:I use to love flying. Lost interest when all airlines began shrinking the seats. Airbus, Boeing – l’d rather travel by ship!
Colin
says:Having flow to HNL in a A330 and home in a B788, both have good and bad. The configuration of the A330 is nicer if just 2 pax travelling, the seating in the B788 wasnt much to rave about, a little more padding, but no leg room. The IFE was problematic throughout the flight, the windows are great tho. Interestingly the safety video on the A330 had a huge QF logo at the beginning.
Riplander
says:@ Louise – you must not travel a lot if you make a statement such as that.
Ethical Nightmare
says:Jetstar will not offer comfort. Your getting sardine treatment!!!!