Jetstar

Jetstar Airways is a low-cost airline based in Melbourne, Australia. It is a subsidiary of Qantas, created in response to the threat posed by low-cost airline Virgin Blue. It operates an extensive domestic network and regional and international services. Its main base is Melbourne Airport. It has a sister operation called Jetstar Asia/Valuair which has an extensive operation through out Asia. In the near future Jetstar Asia will team up with 30% Qantas owned Pacific Airlines to provide new destinations in Vietnam, flying the lucrative Ho Chi Minh City-Singapore route. It will also take over the Singapore-Darwin-Cairns route currently operated Jetstar Asia from February 1 2008.

History

The airline was established by Qantas in 2003 as a low-cost domestic subsidiary. Qantas acquired Impulse Airlines and relaunched the airline under the Jetstar brand. Domestic passenger services began on 25 May 2004, after it commenced selling tickets in February 2004. International services to Christchurch, New Zealand, commenced on 1 December 2005. Although owned by Qantas, its management operates largely independently of Qantas through the company formerly known as Impulse Airlines - an airline acquired by Qantas on 20 November 2001.

Despite its low-cost ethos, Jetstar currently offers a limited number of connecting services without through baggage checking - though this has changed since International flights commenced in November 2006 when baggage connectivity and connecting services were added as a service offering for Domestic flights connecting with International flights only. Reserved seating is currently provided on all routes and from 4 October 2006 Jetstar became the first Australian airline to allow customers to select their seat when booking.

On 13 December 2004, the first flight of sister airline Jetstar Asia Airways took off from its Singapore hub to Hong Kong, marking Qantas' entry into the Asian low-cost market, and its intentions in battling key competitor Singapore Airlines at its home ground. Note that Qantas has only a 42.5% stake in Jetstar Asia's ownership.

On December 1, 2005, Jetstar commenced operations from 4 Australian cities Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast to Christchurch in New Zealand. On December 7, 2005 it was announced that Jetstar would establish the world's first global low cost airline flying initially to destinations within 10 hours of Australia but later to operate to Europe and the Americas. At the end of 2005, it was announced that Jetstar would fly to Perth, Western Australia, from Geelong's Avalon Airport.

In July 2006, Jetstar and Jetstar Asia were brought together under the Jetstar brand. Jetstar, Jetstar Asia Airways and Valuair customers now make all online bookings through Jetstar.com

Previously operated

The launch fleet of Boeing 717s with 125 seats has been replaced with new Airbus A320s, fitted with 177 leather seats. This has since been augmented with the addition of Airbus A330s, operating on International services.

Marketing & Sponsorship

The advertising slogan of Jetstar is "All day every day low fares". Two additional slogans have recently been used in its marketing campaigns; "Let's Fly Jetstar" (2004-2006) & "It's All About Choice (Fly Away)" (2006-present)

In 2007, Jetstar won the low-cost carrier section of the Skytrax World Airline Awards.

Jetstar Airways is the major sponsor of the Gold Coast Titans rugby league team.

Incidents

Since commencing operation, the airline has encountered two in-flight incidents:

* On July 23, 2007 Jetstar flight JQ30 flying from Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi to Melbourne International Airport was forced to make an emergency landing at Bali/Denpasar (DPS) after an in-flight diagnostic shut down engine 1. The Airbus A330-200 VH-EBE was only three weeks old, and Jetstar is investigating the cause of the issue with Airbus.
* On September 25, 2007 10 passengers became ill on a flight from Melbourne to Honolulu. The passengers, 3 seated in Starclass and the remainder in Economy, became sick within 2 and 4 1/2 hours into the flight. One of the passengers was taken to hospital on arrival in Honolulu and the remainder held in quarantine. No link between the food service and the mystery illness has been established.

Lawsuits and legal action

In 2003, Qantas Airways Ltd, announced the creation of Jetstar Airways. However, A Virtual airline named Jetstar International Airlines already existed, complete with a web site. As part of their startup promotion, Qantas sold 100,000 airline tickets for $29, and the virtual airline's web site was swamped with would-be customers, job-seekers, and prospective vendors. The virtual airline sued Qantas, claiming that Qantas stole the virtual airline's livery and trademark. This is the first known case of a real world airline using a virtual airline's trademarks and intellectual property.

Discrimination

On December 13, 2007, Willy Law, a wheelchair-bound man, was barred from a flight from Hong Kong to Singapore. The airlines explained that he cannot walk by himself and he could not be helped by others. This would cause problems if the plane landed in an airport without an air bridge, and the passengers needed to use the stairs to get on or off the plane. No refund was given. Mr. Law needed to purchase tickets on another airline to his destination. The other airlines do not have the same regulations against people with disabilities.

Television series

Going Places (Australian TV series)

The Nine Network began airing the series Going Places from October 2007. The 8-part series depicts the everyday lives of selected staff members of Jetstar, Sydney and Melbourne airport staff. The show follows the dramas of the check-in staff, mid-flight staff, and the induction program for new international recruits.

They also give away 2 return tickets to the destination of their choice each week. (Credit: Wikipedia).

Websites

JetStar.com.au

Jetstar Inflight Magazine

Profiles

Jetstar Inflight Magazine

Qantas

Aviation Directory

Note: In February 2006 Media Man Australia advised / tipped off Jetstar about a company attempting to besmirch their good name.

Media Man Australia does represent Jetstar in an online advertising capacity via its Webjet campaign