Jetstar’s 787 Dreamliner now flying non-stop to Vietnam from Melbourne and Sydney. Picture: Chris Raezer

Or for that matter, how different is business class on a budget airline compared to a premium one? My questions were answered on Jetstar’s inaugural flight from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City.

Clearly, even on premium airlines, not all business class cabins are made equal. So how does Jetstar’s business class stack up? Here’s what you need to know.

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The seats aren’t exactly lie-flat beds

You get wider leather seats and more leg room, but it’s more like premium economy in pitch and width than something you’d find on a business class flight on a premium airline. The seats recline to the about the same angle as you’d find on an economy seat. It’s reasonably comfy and there’s a leg rest that folds out to a fixed length, which is only really useful for shorter passengers. On the 787 long haul, all passengers in business and economy get a screen, so entertainment is across the board — though the screen in business is a little larger. Plus, you get a charging port for laptops and USB.

Business class seats and cabin on Jetstar 787 Dreamliner. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

Business class screens are larger. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

Leg room on row one of Jetstar business class 787 Dreamliner. Picture: Simon TsangSource:News Corp Australia

You won’t pay extra for checked luggage

Like the meals, checked luggage is included. You can check-in one bag up to 30kg and bring on-board an additional two carry-on bags up to 7kg each.

You spend less time waiting in queues

Check in at the business class counter, grab your Express Path card for a speedier run through customs and security then be the first to board the flight — everything you’d expect from a business class ticket on any airline.

You can use the Qantas lounge

In selected airports, such as Sydney and Melbourne, you get to use the Qantas business class lounge, which means free food, drinks and Wi-Fi, plus a proper place to relax or even take a shower. It doesn’t come standard, though. You need to buy the Max bundle along with your business class ticket to access the lounge. For the flight from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City, the Max bundle is $200 one-way. There’s no point buying it for the return journey as there’s no available lounge in Ho Chi Minh City airport. The Max bundle also means you can get a free refund on the airfare and earn points on Qantas, JAL or Emirates. Here’s a full list of the airports with accessible lounges.

The food is actually good

My only food experience on a budget airline to date has been on a short-haul domestic flight in economy and it didn’t exactly whet the appetite. To my surprise, the business class meals on this Jetstar flight was excellent. The airline recently revamped its menu and the efforts have been well worth it. The Australia to Saigon menu has a tasty selection of dishes you’d happily eat on the ground, including a Japanese seven spice crusted salmon fillet. Of course, alcohol is included and your greeted with champagne as soon as you board the flight.

Business class meal on Jetstar 787 Dreamliner. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

Menu on the Jetstar Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City flight in business class. Picture: Simon TsangSource:News Corp Australia

The service is excellent

The cabin crew are as attentive and professional as you’d find on any business class on a premium airline. There are only 21 business class seats on the Jetstar 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft used for the Vietnam route (with two being reserved as a crew rest area), so even if every seat is booked, you’d still get plenty of attention. The amenity kit bag cleverly doubles as a cover for your tablet device when you no longer need it to carry your toothbrush or eye shades. The only downside to the small business class cabin is the single toilet available.

How much?

Airfares vary greatly depending on travel dates, but you can score a Jetstar business class return flight starting from about $1600. Add $200 for the Max bundle on the way out and it’s about $1800 all up. It’s a little more than three times the cost of an equivalent economy fare on the same flight once you factor in checked luggage and meals. So what you get is a mix of business class perks in a spacious leather-clad premium economy seat — all for the price of the latter.

The writer flew to Vietnam as a guest of Jetstar Airways.

Business class cabin has a total of 21 seats. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

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