Where budget airlines are concerned, “no frills” means exactly that: just the bare essentials and nothing more. But on a relatively short route like the one linking Manila and Tōkyō, it’s easy enough to let go of the frills in the name of fare savings.

Welcome aboard Jetstar Japan flight GK 40.

Note: The information set out here pertains only to the specific flight reviewed. Cabin equipment, amenities, meal options and so on may be different on previous or future flights, even if operated by the same airline on the same route and/or under the same flight number.

For the sake of brevity, IATA airline and airport codes have been used throughout this report in place of full names (e.g., “GK” instead of “Jetstar Japan”; “MNL” instead of “Ninoy Aquino International Airport”).

This review covers the first, outbound leg (MNL-NRT) of a round-trip MNL-NRT-MNL journey. A review of the second, homebound leg (NRT-MNL) will be published in due course.

ROUTE MAP

OVERVIEW

Note: All times are local. There is a 1-hour time difference between Manila (GMT+8) and Tōkyō-Narita (GMT+9).

Flight details

Airline and flight number : Jetstar Japan (GK) 40
Route : Manila, Philippines (IATA code: MNL) to Tōkyō-Narita, Japan (IATA code: NRT)
Route type : International
Date : Saturday, 25 March 2023
Scheduled departure time (MNL) : 12:50
Actual departure time (MNL) : 03:20 [estimated]
Scheduled arrival time (NRT) : 06:20
Actual arrival time (NRT) : 08:25 [estimated]

Equipment and cabin

Aircraft : Airbus A320-200
Manufacturer : Airbus
Registration number : JA24JJ
Passenger capacity : 180 Economy
Travel class flown : Economy Class

Here are two pictures of JA24JJ: one taken at MNL T1 ahead of departure, the other snapped at NRT T3 after arrival.

Delivered in September 2018, this Airbus A320 was less than 5 years old on flight day. The aeroplane’s relative youth was evident in its outward appearance and in its more-or-less unblemished interiors (which we’ll have a closer look at later).

BAGGAGE

GK’s basic “Starter Fare” comes with 7 kg of carry-on baggage allowance, with the possibility of purchasing an additional 7 kg (subject to availability). Checked baggage can be purchased in ascending tiers up to a maximum of 40 kg.

For complete details on GK’s baggage rules – including piece limits/restrictions that must be adhered to on top of weight limits – please refer to your ticket and the airline’s official website.

AT THE AIRPORT

Origin

At the time of my flight, GK was based at Terminal 1 (T1) of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (IATA code: MNL).

However, as of 16 April 2023, all Jetstar flights serving Manila – whether operated by Jetstar Asia (3K) or Jetstar Japan (GK) – have been transferred to Terminal 3 (T3).

Further details regarding GK’s new home at MNL T3 are available in a separate Airport Guide covering that terminal.

I should point out that the passenger experience at any of MNL’s terminals is sub-par, to say the least. With T2 now all-domestic and out of the picture, international passengers are left with T1 and T3, neither of which will qualify for any sort of aviation industry award. T3 is the largest and newest of the lot but remains partly unfinished, more closely resembling a half-abandoned suburban shopping centre than a proper airport terminal. GK has its own sins to answer for, but the airport isn’t one of them – and MNL is a great levelling field in that you’re bound to have a less-than-optimal experience regardless of airline.

Check-in and boarding

I usually have a lot to write about (and pictures to show of) the check-in and boarding procedures for each of my flights. On this occasion however, it would be best to skip over the pre-departure formalities – apart from the brief observations that follow – as both check-in and boarding are highly dependent upon the physical infrastructure of the flight’s assigned terminal. Given that GK now operates out of Terminal 3, a detailed description of what I experienced at Terminal 1 might be misleading.

In any event, the pre-departure experience for GK 40 was pretty much within expectations for a budget airline. GK used five check-in booths at the terminal: a service desk, three general-purpose counters, and a special lane for persons with disabilities. Boarding was done in stages with priority accorded to special-needs passengers.

ONBOARD EXPERIENCE

Cabin interior and seating

The GK fleet consists almost entirely of Airbus A320-200 aircraft, each configured with a dense all-Economy cabin of 180 seats.

The leather-upholstered seats are 45.4 cm wide and feature an average seat pitch of 73.7 cm – or so says the official website. Considering that “average” implies the inclusion of extra-legroom bulkhead and exit row seats, the actual space one might expect to have in a standard seat will likely be less than the advertised figure.

If you’re in need of more wiggle room, you’ll need to pay extra for a seat in the front row (shown below) or the exit row.

Frills such as in-flight entertainment are anathema to the low-cost carrier ethos. As such, the emptiness of the seat backs – each fitted only with a pocket and folded tray table – is far from surprising.

As for the overhead panel…

…it’s just the usual bits and bobs. I do appreciate the adjustable air vents.

In-flight entertainment

You won’t find an IFE system on any of GK’s A320 aircraft. Not that you’ll hear me complaining (much) as this is within expectations for an LCC.

Side note: even though the wider Jetstar Group’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners are fitted with IFE, Economy Class passengers need to pay extra to access the system.

Catering

As is typical of an LCC, GK does not serve complimentary food and beverages to passengers on basic fares. Meals can be added at the point of booking or come bundled with higher-cost fare buckets.

Fancy a meal mid-flight? The airline offers a buy-on-board selection but this is limited to pastries and snacks (alongside hot and cold beverages). You can view menus for the different Jetstar Group airlines – GK included – on this page.

ARRIVAL EXPERIENCE

Like most – but not all – LCCs that use Narita International Airport (NRT), GK is based at the purpose-built budget airline facility known as Terminal 3 (T3). This is a bare-bones establishment where most passengers will need to walk to/from their aeroplane and use stairs, rather than an aerobridge, to board or disembark.

Fortunately, NRT T3 is in a better class of budget terminal and strives to offer a good passenger experience – or, at the very least, a less-unpleasant passenger experience. In our case, we’d arrived in the middle of a rainstorm and were herded through a collapsible sheltered corridor, whereas normally (i.e., in better weather) we’d have walked across the terminal apron out in the open. You’ll also note in the first picture below that a special truck with a lifting cabin had been deployed to allow disabled passengers to easily get off the aircraft.

OVERALL IMPRESSION

A short and sweet conclusion for today: delay aside, I felt I got what I’d paid for.

Given the right price and schedule, I’d fly with Jetstar Japan again on this route.

Cheerio.