Summary

  • Jetstar is launching a new direct service between Sydney and Osaka, providing over 100,000 seats each year on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
  • The service will operate three times a week, departing Sydney on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 11:20 AEST until October 5.
  • Osaka is known as the food capital of Japan and is a popular destination for Australian tourists, making it an exciting addition to Jetstar’s expanding international services.


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If you’ve got a craving for sushi that those pre-packed supermarket selections just aren’t hitting, Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar is launching a new direct service between Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) and Osaka’s Kansai International Airport (KIX) perfect for Aussie foodies looking to get their fix at Japan’s cuisine capital.


Osaka-bound

Launching April 1, 2024, the service will operate on Jetstar’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet three times a week, providing over 100,000 seats each year. Flights are scheduled to depart Sydney on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with the return service operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays until October 5.

Route

Flight Number

Departure

Arrival

Sydney (SYD) – Osaka (KIX)

JQ13

11:20 AEST

19:00 JST

Osaka (KIX) – Sydney (SYD)

JQ14

21:00 JST

08:35 AEST (+1)

The announcement comes as Jetstar scales up its international services following an influx of Airbus A321neo deliveries requiring the carrier to redeploy its 787s across its network. Earlier this month, Jetstar confirmed it would add three new Asian-bound routes from Brisbane Airport (BNW) in Queensland: Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, Tokyo-Narita International Airport (NRT), and Osaka. Brisbane to Osaka is scheduled to operate four weekly return flights, launching on February 2.

Jetstar Boeing 787-8

Photo: John Mackintosh / Shutterstock

Before the pandemic, around 500,000 Japanese citizens visited Australia, contributing over AU$2 billion ($1.3 billion) to the economy; equally, Japan remains a top-rated destination for Australian tourists, with 522,000 tourists visiting in 2019. Jetstar is currently the only operator offering direct services between Sydney, Brisbane, and Cairns Airport (CNS), three of Australia’s hottest destinations for Japanese tourists. Flag carrier Qantas previously operated the Sydney – Osaka service until 2020; however, it has yet to announce any plans to relaunch the route.

In a statement shared by Jetstar, group CEO Stephanie Tully noted the carrier’s rapid outwards expansion following the addition of its eighth new international service this year. Tully added,

“Japan has always been a top holiday spot for our customers, so we know they’ll be excited to have easy access to this incredible Japanese city. Known as the food capital of Japan, Osaka’s also famous for its nightlife, architecture and history, and is fast becoming a must-see destination for Aussie travelers.”

Ready for revamp

Jetstar currently operates a fleet of 11 787s, averaging around nine years in age, primarily on its popular international services to Australian holiday hotspots Bali (DPS), Bangkok (BKK), and Honolulu (HNL).

A Jetstar Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying in the sky.

Photo: Jetstar

Earlier this week, the airline unveiled ambitious plans to revamp and overhaul the cabin interiors amid growth in demand for business class travel. The multi-million-dollar project will see Jetstar increase its current premium offerings from 21 seats to 44, with economy scaled back from 314 seats to 281.

Business class features to be added in the refresh include personal device holders, power outlets, and seats with a very generous recline, while economy class will benefit from seat-back smartphone holders and a power outlet. Seating across both classes will be replaced with RECARO Aircraft Seating’s ergonomic options to improve comfort during long-haul operations and reduce aircraft weight.

Jetstar is also set to add onboard WiFi for the first time, allowing for easier, personal in-flight entertainment.

Will you be flying with Jetstar to Japan next spring? Let us know in the comments.

Source: Aviation Week

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