Review: Jetstar’s new 787 business class

While Jetstar is an unabashedly low-cost carrier, a revamp now underway of its international Boeing 787 fleet is bullish on the appeal of business class.

This premium cabin is more than doubling in size, from 21 seats to 44 (sacrificing 33 economy seats in the process).

Jetstar has doubled the size of its 787 business class cabin.

Yes, it’s still a premium economy-style recliner rather than a ‘true’ business class seat which becomes a lie-flat bed.

Jetstar's new 787 business class seat is still a premium economy-grade recliner.

And that’s entirely appropriate for Jetstar, which has the price-sensitive leisure traveller in its cross-hairs, so you can think of this more as ‘business class on a budget’.

Having travelled on the first of these overhauled jets from Melbourne to Singapore, here’s what you need to know about the new Jetstar 787 business class experience.

Jetstar’s 787 upgrade: what’s changing?

Jetstar began flying the Boeing 787 in October 2013 – a full four years ahead of parent Qantas – so this tip-to-tail makeover (which also sees new economy seats) is a timely refresh for the 11-strong Dreamliner fleet.

The first of the upgraded Dreamliners is now flying across Jetstar’s long-range network: you could encounter it on a trip to Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore or Ho Chi Minh City.

All 11 of the Jetstar Dreaaminers are being upgraded by late 2027.

It’ll be joined by a second revamped 787 in late June and a third in mid-August, until all 11 jets have been upgraded by late 2027.

Part of the refurbishment includes adding a hidden crew rest compartment with six bunk beds for pilots and cabin crew (it’s upstairs, at the rear of the jet, above the last rows of the economy cabin).

An upstairs crew rest will dramatically extend the JQ 787's flying range.

This is something Jetstar opted not to put on its original Dreamliners – a decision which meant aviation safety regulations limited the 787s to routes of under 10 hours.

But with this proper crew rest facility in place, Jetstar will be able to fly its 787s for as long as 16 hours, opening up new destinations.

While those extended-range routes are yet to be revealed, Jetstar has previously cited the mainland USA (Las Vegas has repeatedly been called out), India and Cape Town as examples.

For passengers, there are three very noticeable changes in Jetstar’s new 787 business class.

No screens: Jetstar has joined a worldwide trend away from seatback video screens, reasoning that most passengers already bring their own devices loaded with video or music to pass the time.

No screens, even in business class, so BYO entertainment.

(Removing those screens also reduces the airplane’s weight, which boosts fuel efficiency.)

Passengers can perch even the largest tablet onto a 'device shelf'.

Just make sure you also BYO headphones or earbuds, as those are no longer supplied on the spruced-up 787s.

Wi-Fi, at last: Jetstar is also adding satellite Internet to each upgraded 787.

Business class passengers get free access at decent speeds, although on our flight the service was frustratingly prone to extensive drop-out for long periods – keep reading this review for more details.

USB-C only: also gone are the AC and USB-A power outlets –this forward-looking upgrade sees only USB-C outlets, with two ports per passenger, so be sure to pack the correct type of cable into your cabin bag.

USB-C is the only power option on Jetstar's revamped 787s.

These high-power 60W sockets will quickly juice up most travel tech, including most modern mid-sized Windows and Mac notebooks.

The 60W USB-C outlets are capable of charging up to mid-sized laptops.

However, larger 15-17” laptops might see the battery level simply hold steady or gradually decrease while you’re using them, and recharge only when the machine is in sleep mode.

How to know if your next Jetstar 787 flight is on one of these updated Dreamliners? The seat selection chart tells all.

The old (left) and new (right) Jetstar 787 business class cabins.

If you see three rows of business class, you’re on the original 787 config; a business class cabin of six-and-a-bit-rows belongs to the upgraded 787.

Jetstar’s new 787 business class seat

Jetstar’s 787 business class retains a 2-3-2 layout, with six full rows of seats plus an additional pair tucked away in one corner.

Dreamliner 2.0: Jetstar's fresh 787 business class cabin.

The seat itself comes from Recaro, and is the same model (PL3530) as chosen by Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Riyadh Air and others for their premium economy offering, usually with extensive customisation and adding many of Recaro’s tick-a-box options.

The Recaro PL3530 premium economy seat, shown here in Recaro's catalogue treatment.

For example, Jetstar hasn’t included the extended headrest wings of the Cathay Pacific or Riyadh Air versions.

Cathay Pacific's latest premium economy adds headrest wings to the Recaro PL3530.

Even so, as you settle into the seat’s diamond-quilted padding, it’s clearly more comfortable than its predecessor.

Jetstar's comfortable new 787 business class seat.

Pitch is the same 38”, so there’s no increase in legroom, but the seven-inch recline works in concert with the calf-rest and leg-rest to deliver a passenger-cradling effect.

The reclined seat is comfortable enough for relaxing and napping.

However, this seat relocated the leg-rest from being a bar which comes up from the front of the padded calf-rest…

The footrest of the first-gen Jetstar 787 business class swung out from the seat's own calf-rest.

… to a bar which swings down from below the seat in front of you.

The new 787 business class seat switches to a foot-rest bar attached to the seat in front.

You might find it more comfortable to use the foot-rest on its own, and retract it when you go into full-recline mode with the calf-rest extended, because using both at the same time can be a bit cramped.

With both the calf-rest and leg-rest in place, it's a bit of a squeeze...

With both the calf-rest and leg-rest in place, it's a bit of a squeeze...

In this reclined position, Jetstar’s 787 business class remains a seat that’s better for snoozing rather than sleeping.

Disappointingly, there’s still no storage space where you can keep your phone, glasses or other personal items close at hand, save for a tight seat-back pocket where the safety card lives.

Also as before, comforts include a small pillow, blanket and a basic amenity kit.

Business class comforts include a small pillow, blanket and a basic amenity kit.

Jetstar’s 787 Wi-Fi: it’s good, when it works

Wi-Fi is part of Jetstar’s 787 makeover program, and shares the same global ViaSat network as Qantas is now rolling out on international flights.

Jetstar sells two Wi-Fi packages which are active across the entire flight, with no limit on time or data:

• Social-plus ($25) is aimed at light usage: messaging, email, social media and general Web browsing
• Streaming-plus ($30) offers higher bandwidth for more data-ntensive activities such as video streaming

Each business class passenger is handed a coupon with a unique login code for complimentary Streaming-plus access.

Business class passengers receive a free voucher to unlock complimentary Wi-Fi.

On my flight from Melbourne to Singapore, download speeds averaged a usable 10-15Mbps.

Unfortunately, the connection itself proved patchy and unreliable.

When I could get online, performance was quite zippy and up to the task of video streaming.

When the inflight Wi-Fi works, it's up to the task of streaming video.

But there were long periods when the Internet would completely drop out, including a few hours prior to landing in Singapore – and any traveller can attest how frustrating this can be.

Connection lottery: sometimes it's fast, sometimes its not there at all.

Although you can have only one device online at a time, it’s easy enough to switch between devices via the Jetstar Wi-Fi portal (despite a notice which says “included Wi-Fi sessions can’t be swapped between devices”).

Switch your inflight Wi-Fi between devices.

The trick is to connect to Wi-Fi on your second device, choose the Swap Device option and enter the email address used to sign up on the first device.

Jetstar’s onboard Wi-Fi also connects to the airline’s modest selection of movies and TV shows.

Jetstar maintains a very modest selection of inflight movies and TV shows.

The flight map is a star in its own right, with pop-up information of cities along the flight path, plus fascinating cockpit and window views.

The flight map is quite entertaining, in a passive way.

Jetstar 787 business class meals

Daytime departures of Jetstar’s Boeing 787s see a main meal served about one hour after take-off, with lunch and dinner drawn from the same menu.

As a main course on my Melbourne-Singapore flight, I chose the lamb shank – which the Jetstar menu card described as “tender, slow-braised lamb shank served on a bed of creamy mash, with steamed broccoli, garden peas, and a rich minted tomato sauce.”

(The other options were shiitake glazed salmon, and basil ravioli with roast pumpkin.)

Business class lunch on Jetstar's Melbourne to Singapore 787.

The salad appetiser could have been much more generous, while the lamb shank was as expected – at least on par with the premium economy meal of any full-service airline – while dessert was a boxed orange & almond cake.

A light meal was served two hours before landing in Singapore, with the choice between a chicken quesadilla and roasted vegetable pie, accompanied by a slice of mango cheesecake.

The hearty veggie pie absolutely hit the spot.

A business class light meal on Jetstar's Melbourne to Singapore 787.

For those feeling peckish at any time during the flight, complimentary snacks available on request included Whittaker’s chocolate, protein bars, Pringles, popcorn, veggie chips, Mama Kaz banana bread, olives, and cheese & crackers.

Some of the snacks and sweet treats available to Jetstar's 787 business class passengers.

The best seats in Jetstar’s new 787 business class

Row 1 on any plane is often considered the best for legroom, but Jetstar’s 787 is an example of when that rule doesn’t apply.

Row 1: great legroom, if you're less than average height.

Yes, there’s extra space between the seat and the bulkhead wall, but not quite enough to stretch your legs out – anybody of average height will find their feet awkwardly wedged against the wall.

Like many bulkhead rows, your feet can end up wedged or angled against the wall.

At all other rows, you can more fully stretch your legs out under the seat in front of you.

There's more room to stretch out in all standard (non-bulkhead) rows.

Yes, when the passenger in front reclines their seat it’s a bit ‘in your face’ until you also hit the recline button, but there’s still enough room to cross your knees (my personal yardstick for a comfortable degree of seat pitch).

The seats most people will want to avoid are 7A and 7C, as these are missing a window.

Like a view? Then avoid seats 7A and 7C.

Like a view? Then avoid seats 7A and 7C.

Jetstar 787 business class upgrades

With more than twice as many business class seats at the pointy end, Jetstar is unlocking a number of ways to upgrade from economy.

This includes bidding for an upgrade with cash – Jetstar sets a minimum bid, and offering a bit north of that seems to do the trick – and, in the near future, upgrading with Qantas Points.

(At the time of writing, how many points you’ll need has yet to be revealed.)

Jetstar 787 Business vs Business Max

Jetstar offers two business class fares on its 787s: Business and Business Max.

Both include:

• 14kg of cabin baggage and 30kg of checked luggage
• seat selection
• meals and drinks
• inflight Internet (where available)
• changing the date and time of your flight (a fare difference may apply)

Business Max adds lounge access, earning Qantas Points and Status Credits, and a refund (with a fee) if you cancel your flight.

Business is slightly cheaper: as a benchmark, Melbourne-Singapore return fares for mid-November 2026 are around $1,850 for Business and $2,300 for Business Max.

Most frequent flyers consider the fare difference worth it for lounge access, points and status credits and the added flexibility around a last-minute cancellation.

Jetstar 787 business class lounge access

As mentioned above, only an international 787 Business Max fare (or booking the Jetstar flight under a QF codeshare) comes with airport lounge access.

Under new rules effective from July 1, lounges will be off-limits to any other Jetstar passenger: even if they have Qantas Platinum or Gold status, are a Qantas Club member, or are holding a lounge pass.

And that access is limited to Qantas business class lounges – even Platinum and Platinum frequent flyers can forget forget about popping into the Qantas First Lounge – and selected partner lounges.

Qantas' International Business Lounge at Melbourne is the go-to for Jetstar 787 Business Max passengers

On my Melbourne-Singapore trip, this meant the windowless Qantas International Business Lounge, where I started the day with avocado toast (eschewing the obligatory bacon and eggs) and bircher muesli.

This avo-and-grain toast was a light and healthy way to start the day.

Ahead of the overnight Singapore-Melbourne flight, Qantas’ Singapore Business Lounge showed why it’s one of the best in the network, with seafood laksa, kaya lamingtons and cocktails.

The laksa at Qantas' Singapore business class lounge is always a hit.

(Just remember that the Qantas lounge is in Changi Terminal 1, while Jetstar flights depart from Terminal 2: I suggest leaving the lounge an hour before your JQ flight is scheduled to take off.)

Cocktails at Qantas' Singapore business class lounge.

Most other Jetstar 787 destinations rely on a contracted lounge – the best of these would be the Oneworld Lounge at Seoul.

Read more: Qantas cuts lounge access for Jetstar passengers

David Flynn travelled as a guest of Jetstar