Despite a crabby crew member, new Jetstar route is easy going

The airline: Jetstar

• Route Sydney (SYD) to Hamilton (HLZ), NZ, flight JQ165
• Frequency up to four times weekly
• Aircraft A320-200 neo
• Class Economy; seat 13F (window)
• Flight time Two hours, 51 minutes

Checking in

I was dreading the ungodly 7.05am departure, particularly as we live in Newcastle (a two-hour-plus journey on the M1). Overnighting at Rydges Sydney Airport makes it completely doable (fun even). Watching flights take off and land from our room keeps us up later than intended, but I relax knowing we’re a mere 100m from the international terminal.

Having checked in online, we stroll over at the (almost) civilised time of 5.30am. Jetstar recommends checking in for international flights three hours before departure but, hey, I like living on the edge.

Most passengers have checked in, there’s no queue and we pass through security and immigration in record time. By 5.40am I’m having a coffee in departures. There’s even time for a McDonald’s toastie and a spot of shopping.

Baggage

“Starter bundles” include one checked 20-kilogram bag, as well as two pieces of carry-on luggage with a combined weight of up to 7kg. For the cheapest “Starter” fares, it costs $37 on this route one-way to add a checked bag up to 20kg.

Loyalty scheme

Jetstar Club membership costs $55 a year and offers discounts on flights. Qantas Frequent Flyer members can earn points on Jetstar flights as well as book rewards seats on the airline.

The seat

I but exit aisle seats (an extra $40 each way), making things more comfortable. There are 232 seats in a single economy class cabin in a 3-3 configuration.

Entertainment + tech

You can connect to the Jetstar pay-per-use entertainment system via your device for $9 and there are device cradles with USB power outlets on seat backs. I opt to pre-download shows to my iPad.

Service

The crew are efficient and we depart bang on time. Unfortunately, we get a crabby crew member. He snaps at passengers and is taken aback when I ask for help stowing my handbag (a requirement when you’re seated in exit rows). Not because I can’t do it myself, but I’d have to climb over two passengers and we’re getting close to pushing back.

Pointing to his back, he tells me he can’t strain himself. I get it. Crew shouldn’t have to lift heavy bags but my crossbody bag weighs 200 grams, if that. On the upside, his prickly attitude creates an instant bond with the woman seated beside us. She tells us about the Waikato region and time passes quickly.

Food

I pre-ordered banana bread and it arrives before the standard service. We also buy tea and hot chocolate. The menu has toasties, noodle bowls, cheese and crackers, olives, plus the usual sweet snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. You pay for everything.

Sustainability

Jetstar, part of the Qantas group, has committed to a 25 per cent emission reduction by 2030 and aims to be carbon-neutral by 2050.*

One more thing

Jetstar kicked off its new Sydney to Hamilton services (Gold Coast-Hamilton services have also launched) in June last year. Landing at Hamilton, a medium-sized regional airport, is a breeze, even if immigration is fairly slow going. Once through, our bags are waiting on the carousel and we’re on our way within minutes. The upside of the early departure means arriving before midday so you’re not wasting a day of your holiday travelling.

The price

From about $343 return for a Starter Fare.** See jetstar.com

The verdict

This no-frills flight – the first international flight to Hamilton Airport in 13 years – provides an easy and affordable way to cross the ditch and a new gateway to the North Island. There are short drives to the Hobbiton movie set, Waitomo glow-worm caves, Raglan’s legendary surf breaks and Rotorua’s hot springs.

Our rating out of five

★★★½

The writer flew as a guest of Jetstar.

*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org

**Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change. Quoted fares may currently be above average due to increased fuel prices