Just HOW bad is Jetstar?

[Cyka UchuuJin]

Am looking for a super cheap flight from Japan to Shanghai and Jetstar Japan has come up. Anyone done it? I have heard that the route to Australia is absolutely awful, wondering if I could survive it just to get to Shanghai and back?

[wagyl]

Full disclosure: I haven't flown Jetstar and of course I haven't flown the Tokyo to Shanghai route with them, so you are free to ignore my post (well, you always have that freedom....)

But,
I have flown low cost carriers for a lot longer flights than the few hours it takes to get to Shanghai; to Australia in fact.
First, you can do a lot worse than Jetstar. Sure, it is no frills, but you are still a rank or two above cattle transport.
Secondly, most of these "absolutely awful" reports are by people who expect a lot more service when they are paying for none. Cabin crew take their time? Of course they do, look how few there are. Meagre meals? They are optional and you are paying very little for them.

An experienced flyer like you will be able to cope.

I find the worst part of low cost carriers are the strict rules on check-in times, having to walk to the departure gate which is the absolute furthest away, and -- yes, I am going to say it -- the class of fellow passenger. Low cost has opened up the skies to a lot of people who have never flown before, people who don't remember what a plane was like before they just became long distance buses with wings. And they show it in their behaviour, shouting across to their friend three rows away. If you can cope with that, you can cope with the flight.

Frankly, if you are looking for super cheap, and Jetstar's fares fill that condition, I see no reason not to fly with them.

[wagyl]

Errrrr, do Jetstar fly to Shanghai? Make sure it is not Hangzhou being sold as "Shanghai," unless this is a new route not yet opened. (I don't see any Japan to Shanghai flights on their route map)

[dimwit]

I've flown domestically with them and they are alright. They don't bilk you for luggage the ANA does. Yes, you have weigh your own luggage but so what? I have no idea what they are like internationally.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

Cool, thank you guys! Have actually found something on China Eastern which is better suited for the timings, so no Jetstar this time. Good to know on the comments though for future!

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

As someone who has used China Eastern, don't expect too much but it's better than China Air. Shanghai won't matter too much.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

I've been on China Eastern before, it's only a few hours, I'll survive.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

Errrrr, do Jetstar fly to Shanghai? Make sure it is not Hangzhou being sold as "Shanghai," unless this is a new route not yet opened. (I don't see any Japan to Shanghai flights on their route map)

I didn't either, but my travel agent found a flight from KIX to PuDong. Perhaps it's actually operated by someone else.