JQ Check-In Advice

[kangarooflyer88]

Just thought I'd provide a heads up to those who've got international travel booked on JQ in the coming weeks and months ahead. As I suspect many may be aware, JQ only opens their checkin desks for a given destination 3 hours prior to scheduled departure. Whilst this ordinarily would not be a huge deal, as we can always check in online and self-check our bags, this is not the case for many international and "domestic" destinations that require a decent amount of paperwork to be completed and sighted by an agent. Case in point, this was this Saturday's queue for the check-in area for JQ3 to HNL:

It took well over an hour to clear this queue and get checked in for my flight. Fortunately I arrived at the airport about 3 hours prior to departure ensuring I could still spend some quality time with the one I love (QF J Lounge):


I can't comment on other international destinations but it would seem that if flying JQ you'll want to arrive early (especially if you value the lounge).

-RooFlyer88

 

[clifford]

I could still spend some quality time with the one I love (QF J Lounge):

I can't comment on other international destinations but it would seem that if flying JQ you'll want to arrive early (especially if you value the lounge).

-RooFlyer88

Any port in a storm I guess.

Certainly agree with arriving early. It's ever been thus with JQi.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Certainly agree with arriving early. It's ever been thus with JQi.

I think much of the delay was caused by all the COVID paperwork that needed to be filled out, that crews had to sight the negative test results, attestation, and other documentation before letting you through. Certainly pre-COVID I remember being able to check in to flights to the US without having to show a passport or any documentation (all online check in). Even when I had to go to the desk to check-in, a swipe of the passport would do it (except of course Lufthansa which can't figure out that Canadians can't complete an ESTA since they don't qualify for VWP, a story for another day).

-RooFlyer88

 

[Longtoo]

If i can piggy back on this post.

I will be flying Jetstar to HCM city in June after being grounded for over years. As a QF Platinum member do I get any priority when checking in? I would dream of using the QF First check in counter but probably not this time!

 

[AIRwin]

As a QF Platinum member do I get any priority when checking in?

Not if you're booked in Economy...

 

[moa999]

And that's barely a queue.
JQ also staffs their check-in counters 'efficiently' so if everyone arrived at the 3 hour point, those at the back will be waiting awhile

 

[dylarr]

If i can piggy back on this post.

I will be flying Jetstar to HCM city in June after being grounded for over years. As a QF Platinum member do I get any priority when checking in? I would dream of using the QF First check in counter but probably not this time!

JQ is the great equaliser when it comes to QF status... as in your status doesn't get you anything and you'll be treated as any other passenger according to your class of travel.

 

[aikman]

Aren't economy queues on any airline generally the longest at the 2.5 to 3 hour mark? Somehow they always manage to clear the queue at the 1 hour mark so if you don't want to queue, arrive at the 70 min mark.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Aren't economy queues on any airline generally the longest at the 2.5 to 3 hour mark? Somehow they always manage to clear the queue at the 1 hour mark so if you don't want to queue, arrive at the 70 min mark.

Agree. Either that - or for airlines offering it - online chicken and fast bag drop. Those queues are normally empty.

 

[Longtoo]

JQ is the great equaliser when it comes to QF status... as in your status doesn't get you anything and you'll be treated as any other passenger according to your class of travel.

Expected and accepted. There are virtually no other flight options but Jetstar for this trip. I will be in face mask and hoodies anyway.

PS: I have no problems taking a short jetstar flight for family holiday. This will be a much longer flight.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

And that's barely a queue.
JQ also staffs their check-in counters 'efficiently' so if everyone arrived at the 3 hour point, those at the back will be waiting awhile

That was what the queue looked like having spent a good 20 minutes in it. The queue itself ran all the way through the queueing area and out towards the next check-in area. As for arriving early, perhaps I would've experienced a shorter line had I arrived an hour before but I also wanted to maximize my use of the QF J lounge since my next international J trip on QF/OW will be ex-MEL in January. In hindsight I should arrive 3 and a half hours ahead of time and stood at the front of the queue.

JQ is the great equaliser when it comes to QF status... as in your status doesn't get you anything and you'll be treated as any other passenger according to your class of travel.

Difficult to say there. I mean yes in terms of things like baggage allowance you're quite right. However, on other things like lounge access and priority security it can still make a difference. In particular a few months ago I had to leave airside at ADL to collect and re-check my bag from a connecting JQ flight. Fortunately after dealing with the niceties of that I managed to locate the priority security lane and use that.

-RooFlyer88

 

[henrus]

JQ is the great equaliser when it comes to QF status... as in your status doesn't get you anything and you'll be treated as any other passenger according to your class of travel.

Here is where they could offer so much more.

Singapore Airlines and Scoot have recently improved this...

Basically Singapore airlines status holders get free basic seat selection (no exit rows/upfront seats), priority check in/boarding and when they purchase luggage the system automatically adds 5kg to the allowance.

Jetstar/Qantas could easily do something similar and I think it'd actually encourage more QF status holder to fly with JQ as well.

 

[aikman]

Jetstar/Qantas could easily do something similar and I think it'd actually encourage more QF status holder to fly with JQ as well.

Might cannibalise the higher yielding QF flights.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Might cannibalise the higher yielding QF flights.

It might, but that might be exactly what Uncle Alan has in mind. Anything to demolish the QF experience whilst elevating the experience of his baby Jétstar.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Longtoo]

IMHO, QF and Jetstart target two distinctive market segments. The risk of cannibalism is small. In my case, there are just no other sensible alternatives within OneWorld to fly to HCM city. and yes, i have no problems flying Jetstar on short personal trips.

The reason is likely to be a technical one. QF and Jetstar are not that well integrated. i will hold my breath until i see status credits from my JQ flight.

 

[Dazzler62]

It seems not to have improved recently. I have an upcoming JQ35, so checked FR24 and saw that it regularly departs late by- at best (rarely) 45 mins and often by 3, 4 or even 5 hours.
Surely this is part of the reason the check ins for Int flights are now open 4 hours pre-departure time.
Can you imagine arriving 4 hours early, waiting in line, then hitting the lounge for half a day. . .

Other side of the coin is the arrival time. Sch 21.45 local. Add another 4 or 5 hours for the dep delay, plus immigration and customs . . and this might cause problems getting into my Villa at 2 or 3am.