Jetstar’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners Getting Major Revamp

Australian low-cost carrier and member of the Qantas Group, Jetstar, is making a multi-million dollar investment to upgrade its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The upgrade includes almost doubling of seats in business class, inflight connectivity, lie-flat crew rest areas and new seating throughout the aircraft.

It’s time for new seats

Jetstar has a fleet of eleven Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners with an average of 9.3 years that have operated more than 54,000 flights to international destinations, including perennial favorite Bali, along with Bangkok, Tokyo, Honolulu, Ho Chi Minh City and Seoul. Those 54,000 flights equate to more than 18 million low-cost seats, so perhaps it’s not surprising new seats are part of the upgrades to the Dreamliner fleet.

Photo: Jetstar

In a sign of how low-cost carriers have optimized their operating model, Jetstar is increasing its business class offering from 21 to 44 seats. The current 787-8 configuration has 335 seats, comprising 21 in business and 314 in economy, but that will change to 325 seats, with 44 in business and 281 in economy.

Adding to the business class experience will be personal device holders, a power outlet, headrests and a generous seat recline. All the seats throughout the aircraft are being replaced with next-generation ergonomic designs by RECARO Aircraft Seating. In economy the seating will feature seat-back smartphone and tablet holders, a power outlet and six-way headrests, although there will be no changes to the current seat pitch.

Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said the fleet upgrade will significantly enhance the medium to long-haul flying experience, adding:

“This multi-million dollar fleet revamp will allow us to offer our customers more choice, comfort and amenities when flying longer distances internationally. Our existing 787 business class is extremely popular so we’re doubling the number of seats and to keep customers connected in the air we’re introducing on-board WiFi.”

Once aircraft are upgraded, Jetstar passengers will, for the first time, be able to stay connected in the air. Onboard WiFi will allow passengers to surf the internet or stream content from Jetstar’s entertainment offering. They can also access in-flight connectivity using their own personal electronic devices.

Heading further afield

While no route changes have been announced, the enhanced crew rest areas will provide options for longer nonstop flights, with Jetstar’s announcement citing India, Sri Lanka and Africa as coming into range. The new crew rest areas will have lie-flat beds and will be installed above the economy cabin at the rear of the aircraft. The new crew rest facility will free up eight business and economy seats, which are used for crew rest, making them available to customers.

Photo: Cairns Airport

Lowering carbon emissions is always front of mind these days, and by removing the current seatback screens and installing the new, lighter RECARO seats and new exterior paint, overall weight and fuel burn will be reduced. The 787 Dreamliners will also look different outside with an updated livery to match that on Jetstar’s Airbus A321LR aircraft.

The project is in the detailed design phase and will be progressively completed during aircraft scheduled maintenance from late 2025. Apart from the 787s, Jetstar has a narrowbody fleet of 53 Airbus A320200s, six A321-200s and nine of the longer-range A321LRs.

Have you traveled on a Jetstar 787-8 recently? Let us know in the comments.