Airline review: Bali Business Class ‘lite’, but is the short flight worth it?

There are 21 seats in business class, located in the first three rows of the plane with a 2-3-2 configuration, and although I’m in the middle section of the front row, I have an aisle seat. Not sure that I would have liked to score the middle seat – it seems inappropriate to have to step over your neighbour when you have outlaid the extra cost for business. Don’t expect to lie-flat either – Jetstar business is more akin to other airlines’ premium economy, its 19-inch wide (48.2 centimetres) leather seats offering substantially more legroom with a 38-inch pitch (96.5 centimetres). As it’s a shortish day flight from Sydney to Bali, I don’t miss the full recline – but I’m sure I will on my overnight return flight.

Baggage

Business fares allow a generous 30 kilograms of checked baggage and 14 kilograms of cabin baggage. Subsequently, my clever-clogs daughter – who has purchased the cheapest no-frills fare – has loaded all her clothing into my suitcase, so she can travel light and cheap up the back of the plane.

Entertainment

As I’m in the front row, my screen must stay stowed away until we are airborne – a definite drawback to being seated in what should be the most coveted position. But there are enough new release movies to keep me distracted throughout the flight – I choose Don’t Worry Darling to see what all the fuss is about, but only get halfway through my second choice Amsterdam before the screen has to be stowed for landing. The noise-cancelling headphones provided for business passengers improve the viewing experience enormously. There’s also in-seat USB for phone charging.

Comfort

The complementary comfort packs include a blow-up neck pillow, eye mask, pen, ear plugs, lip balm and moisturiser, toothbrush and toothpaste and a take-home blanket, which I’ve since reused as a picnic rug. Note that there’s only a single bathroom available for business class passengers, so choose your timing wisely for pit stops to avoid queuing.

Service

The cabin crew are chirpy and efficient, offering a glass of bubbles on seating and immediately taking my wine order – an Aussie classic in Penfolds Koonunga Hill chardonnay, served in real glass and topped up on demand. With just 21 passengers under their watch, the crew remain attentive and courteous throughout the flight.

Food

The meal options are modest, to say the least: slow braised lamb shanks, or salmon and rice. For some reason, the vegetarian meal (usually a spinach, pumpkin and basil ravioli) is annoyingly not available on this flight. After an appetiser of roasted pumpkin and mixed leaves salad, I choose the salmon, the shitake glaze providing a welcome hit of umami; then sneak the yummy orange and almond cake dessert down to my starving daughter in economy. Snacks on demand – including a generous packet of cookies – make up for my sugar-hit sacrifice.

One more thing

By the end of 2024, Jetstar plans to replace the current Dreamliners with new Airbus A321neo aircraft on its Bali route, which will not have a business class offering. So this little touch of ‘business lite’ luxury – on this route at least – is a limited-time offer.

The verdict

On the short skip to Bali, it’s easy for budget travellers to justify paying the cheapest fare and suffering the lack of comfort, food and entertainment. But the six hours certainly pass less painfully with the added comforts of the front three rows. For a special occasion, or just to spoil yourself without too major a blow to the bank account, it’s certainly worth considering.

Our rating out of five

★★★½

The writer travelled as a guest of Jetstar.