1 August 2023: A year ago this week, Jetstar’s first state-of-the-art A321neo LR touched down in Melbourne, kickstarting a new era of improved sustainability and growth for the low-cost carrier.
A total of nine NEOs have joined the fleet so far, with the initial order of 18 LRs set to be delivered by the end of 2024. A further five LRs and 15 A321neo XLR (extra-long range) aircraft will enter the fleet by 2029.
Less fuel, lower emissions and reduced noise
The NEO’s CFM Leap A1 engines burn up to 20 per cent less fuel than Jetstar’s earlier A321 aircraft.
In the first year of flying, the airline’s current NEO fleet has reduced total emissions by more than 16,000 tonnes – the equivalent of taking 3500 cars off the road*.
In addition to the fuel savings, the NEO is up to 50 per cent quieter than Jetstar’s existing A320 and A321 aircraft. This significant noise saving occurs during both departure and arrival.
New routes
The longer-range single-aisle aircraft have allowed Jetstar to offer more low fares to new destinations and add capacity and frequency on its most popular routes, including Bali. The NEOs have also freed up the airline’s Boeing 787 fleet to reach new destinations even further away.
The airline has announced or launched seven new international routes in the past year:
- Sydney to Seoul – 2 November 2022
- Brisbane to Auckland – 27 March 2023
- Sydney to Rarotonga – 29 June 2023
- Brisbane to Narita (Tokyo) – 31 October 2023
- Melbourne to Fiji – 16 December 2023
- Brisbane to Seoul – 1 February 2024
- Brisbane to Osaka (Kansai) – 2 February 2024
Supporting performance
The NEOs, which fly both domestic and international routes, have also helped to improve the low-cost carrier’s operational performance. In the first year of flying the Jetstar NEOs are delivering 99.8% mechanical reliability, greater than the NEO world fleet average.
Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) data shows that Jetstar achieved the highest on time arrival rate of the major domestic carriers in June, with the airline’s domestic cancellation rate dropping to 3.7% and its on-time performance increased to 66.2%. The airline has maintained its stronger performance in July.
Air-normous sale
To coincide with the one-year anniversary, Jetstar is offering more than 400 thousand domestic and international fares across over 90 routes from as low of $29^ (e.g., Sydney to Ballina Byron) and $135^ (e.g., Darwin to Bali). Visit jetstar.com for more details and to book now.
Comments from Jetstar Group CEO, Stephanie Tully:
“The NEO has been a gamechanger for our airline.
“These longer range, highly fuel-efficient aircraft help us achieve our Qantas Group emissions reduction targets while also delivering great low fares to more destinations.
“And our customers love them. They are 50 per cent quieter, have huge overhead bins, wider seats and customers can stream entertainment on their own device.
“As we celebrate the one-year anniversary, we’re offering more than 400,000 fares across over 90 routes from just $29, delivering on our commitment to 10 million fares under $100 by Christmas.”
^Sale ends 11.59pm AEST Wednesday 2 August 2023, unless sold out prior. One-way, excludes checked baggage. Selected travel dates and conditions apply.
*Total FY23 fuel savings calculated by comparing fuel burn of A321ceo vs A321neo on identical routes and converting fuel savings to carbon emissions. Vehicle comparison based on typical passenger vehicle emissions per year.
