Welcome aboard Jetstar Asia flight 3K763, which will take us from Manila (Philippines) to Ōsaka (Japan).
ROUTE MAP
OVERVIEW
Note: All times are local. There is a 1-hour time difference between Manila (GMT+8) and Ōsaka-Kansai (GMT+9).
Flight Details
Airline and flight number : Jetstar Asia (3K) 763
Route : Manila, Philippines (IATA code: MNL) to Ōsaka-Kansai, Japan (IATA code: KIX)
Route type : International
Date : Saturday, 06 July 2024
Scheduled departure time (MNL) : 06:40
Actual departure time (MNL) : 07:16 [take-off]
Scheduled arrival time (KIX) : 11:55
Actual arrival time (KIX) : 10:46 [touchdown]
Equipment and cabin
Aircraft : Airbus A320-200
Manufacturer : Airbus
Registration number : 9V-JSK
Passenger capacity : 180 all-Economy
BOOKING
The official website accepts reservations for all Jetstar group carriers. Only round trips and one-way trips can be booked, unlike on other airlines’ websites where open-jaw, multi-city itineraries are possible.
As is typical of LCC websites, one is initially offered a choice from amongst several fare bundles. Here the options range from “Starter” (carry-on baggage only) all the way up to “Flex Plus” (carry-on and checked baggage, free seat selection, complimentary meal, and flexible ticket terms). Other optional extras – such as more generous baggage allowances and premium seats – are offered at various stages of the booking process.
AT THE AIRPORT
Check-in and boarding
3K’s base at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is Terminal 3 (T3).
After settling the travel tax (imposed on residents of the Philippines) at a TIEZA booth, I made my way over to 3K’s assigned counters. These were still shuttered, but a long queue had already formed nearby.
With nothing to do but wait, I whipped out my phone and checked in online – an optional step that many of my fellow passengers had evidently not bothered with. The (minimal) extra effort I expended would soon pay off massively. Despite being quite far down the original queue, by the time the counters opened I’d been given pole position at the then-empty bag drop lane.
Formalities completed, I sped through immigration and parked myself in one of T3’s lounges. (Note: Lounge access was a perk of my credit card, not supplied by the airline.)
Closer to boarding time, I traded the lounge for the drab waiting area in front of Gate 114.
3K763 is a two-leg flight: SIN-MNL, then MNL-KIX. Passengers from SIN whose final destination was MNL exited through the arrivals level. Those continuing on to KIX – a small group of about half a dozen – joined us at the gate, albeit segregated within a roped-off group of seats where they were processed by an immigration officer.
The row 3 seat I’d selected came with an attractive perk: priority boarding. Passengers with special needs were called first, but right on their tail were those in the exit seats and rows 2-5 (myself included).
Baggage
Your luggage allowance will vary depending on the fare bundle, with different weight sizes available for pre-purchase if the fare bucket doesn’t include any (or if you require more). Refer to the details specified during the booking process, or to the airline’s official website for more guidance.
I should point out that 3K are very strict when it comes to enforcing the carry-on limit: 7kg total across 2 pieces max for most fare bundles. An additional 7kg is available for purchase, but even this expanded allowance (14kg total) is restricted to 2 pieces at most. Even duty-free purchases made at the airport will count against your weight/piece limit at the gate, so I’d advise packing such items into your existing carry-on bags wherever possible.
ONBOARD EXPERIENCE
Cabin interior and seats
Bog-standard A320 cabin , with a few Jetstar flourishes including orange trim and charcoal-grey leather seats. Wear and tear in evidence on the carpet and upholstery, but for the most part the 13-year-old aeroplane seemed well-maintained.
The seats were tight in terms of legroom, though I found them more than adequate for my relatively compact frame. Taller folk will likely find it a bit of a squeeze and should consider paying for an extra-legroom bulkhead or exit-row seat.
Decent view from my location (row 3), which was close to the pointy forward end. Minimal wing obstruction hereabouts; great for plane spotting whilst on the ground.
Now for a peek at the contents of the seat pocket.
Just your usual assortment of onboard literature: magazine, buy-on-board dining menu, and safety briefing card.
Inflight entertainment
Non-existent, apart from the inflight magazine. Let’s move on, shall we?
Catering
My Flex Plus ticket came with a complimentary hot meal, water, and a dessert. Had I purchased a fare that did not include a meal, I would have been given the option to pre-book one – albeit at an extra cost – during the reservation process.
There is a limited buy-on-board menu available; however, this leaves out most of the hot meal options (focusing more on packaged snacks and beverages).
Service began about 40 minutes after take-off, with pre-ordered meals being distributed first. Here’s the meal as initially supplied…
…and with the lid peeled off.
The main course was Beef Rendang (left), served with white rice and a side of vegetables.
I can’t comment on the authenticity of the dish (given my limited familiarity with Southeast Asian cuisine), but I certainly found these chunks of beef both tender and tasty. The vegetables were nicely seasoned and a good accompaniment to the main.
The salted caramel ice cream dessert was rich and flavoursome. I’d have happily accepted a second portion if offered.
Rubbish was collected approximately half an hour after the meal service began.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Decent value for money. Well-kept aircraft. Fairly basic service and cabin experience, but on the positive end of the scale by LCC standards. Reasonable amount of legroom and seat space given my specific physical characteristics (will be quite tight for larger folk). Delicious inflight meal.
WOULD I FLY AGAIN WITH THEM ON THIS ROUTE?
Yes!
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