Jetstar's "new" A321

Fluid-Flyer · #1 (**permalink**) 20th May 2008, 03:34 PM

When an airline adds a new aircraft type to its fleet, there is normally a load of fanfare and hype celebrating its introduction. So, after the massive Jetstar schedule change of a few months ago (I remember the day I received more emails from JQ than SPAM in my inbox, LOL) moved one of my flights onto an A321, I have been on the look out for much ado.

Well, to my great anticipatory disappointment, but from the hindsight of my flight, I now see why JQ has decided on a path of softly, softly for the introduction of this aircraft…

As a frequent Jetstar flyer (I think it is my favourite domestic airline, all things considered) there are a number of things I have come to expect from them - one of the key principals though, is “newness”! Everything sparkling and brand new… Well this A321 is anything BUT new.

First Impressions
On the eve of my journey, it was with great expectations, that I climbed the stairs of the new white Jetstar A321 (yes, white, like that other great white A330). Unfortunately, as I was making my way up, I noticed that the first two windows were blanks, prompting a feeling of fear to tingle down my spine. And sure enough, I entered, turned right, and whack… someone had inconsiderately placed a toilet, right where my legs would normally go! L (Those of you who fly front left [now PE only] on DJ737s would know what I mean, but not those who fly on TT320s or QF737s.)

So, as I settled into my seat, and the shock of the toilet situation started to wear off, I decided to avert my eyes from the tacky JQ metal logo stuck on the bulk head (normally, I am use to bathing in the warm orange glow, from the JQ touch panel screen) and observed the cabin a little more… It was at this point that it suddenly occurred to me - I was NOT sitting on a Jetstar seat.

A while back I remember reading much AFF discussion about JQ’s leather/vinyl seat covers - well on the A321 it's old style cloth seats! Gone, are the nice contouring, comfortable, wide, supportive, foam backed seat I am used to on JQ. (In fact, they feel more like the almost wooden boards that DJ & TT use for seat backs in their aircraft. YUCK!)

Actually, thinking about it, the whole row of seats was designed more like the TT bulk head row. However, I have to say that I do like the raised tray table situation, they have more forward movement than usual as well, but unfortunately they still flop on the folded out side. (I really don’t see why, they can’t install tray tables like the magnificent, non-sagging, Qantas Skybed type!)

Snagging A Good Seat

Anyway, the next unusual thing that I noticed, was the row on the DEF side aligned slightly more forward then mine, (as did the bulkhead). So later on during the flight, I decided to inspect the impact this had on leg room as the rows progressed. Well, unlike the JQ A320s, where there is a definite advantage to being seated port and forward of the emergency exits, as opposed to starboard, this misalignment anomaly extends right down to the first row of emergency exit seats. It is only corrected at row 10. So my seating tips for those who require extra comfort –

10F (extra room due to FA jump seat)
The second row at the emergency exit (i.e. row 10) has the leg room
The first row (i.e. row 9) has 2x2 seating, but no real leg room advantage
Starboard exit row, over port (due to the row misalignment mentioned above)
1C (leg room best described as - like JQ’s A330 2D, but as if it were located at 1D. i.e. the port bulk head/toilet doesn’t extend out as far as the starboard bulk head.)

My recollection of seats, by the time I reached row 23/24 (the second emergency exit), is hazy…so someone else will have to add information, at a later stage, about them. (Remember, that on JQ, only JetFlex passengers can preselect/OLCI any of these seats. NB: if you OLCI exit rows and are ineligible due to restrictions, you are re-seated by cabin crew once onboard. On Jetsaver/light, I get to the Qantas Club JQ-in-lounge check-in, and ask there.)

Other Differences
Hmmmm, what else, yes… Mainscreen video on LCDs (which aren’t viewable from row 1 due to distortion), the TV shows are standard Qantas fare, minus Deb, minus Nine. No orange stripe down the aisle hand rails (hmmmm, makes you feel like you are on Tiger). All the over-head-bin space at row 1 is taken by equipment & FA’s stuff. The emergency procedures blurb was read by the FA, which made it feel odd. [There is something intrinsically, emotively, unconsciously, "safe" that is evoked by the automated Qantas Group safety announcements. Although I long for the days of the group-wide, secure sounds of Angela Catterns.]

Everything else is typical Jetstar, although I don’t recall digeplayers, probably because there was mainscreen TV.

In Conclusion
All up, I realise that Jetstar is in a hurry to expand, and needs new aeroplanes fast, but this second hand beastie is no beauty! More like mutton dressed as lamb, thus far too QF (with beehive design) for me.