Jetstar is in the middle of one of the most significant overhauls in its history, reshaping what low-cost long-haul travel from Australia looks like. From a full interior makeover of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet to onboard Wi-Fi, redesigned cabins and the prospect of new ultra-long routes, the airline is moving firmly into a new era. For travelers planning to fly between Australia and Asia, Hawaii or beyond, these changes will have a direct impact on comfort, connectivity and the overall experience in both economy and business class.
What Jetstar Is Changing On Its Long-Haul Fleet
The centerpiece of Jetstar’s long-haul reboot is a multi-million-dollar refurbishment of its 11 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the backbone of its international network. Announced in late 2023 and now moving into the implementation phase, the program replaces every seat in economy and business class with next-generation ergonomic designs. The goal is to deliver better support, smarter storage and more charging options while keeping the airline’s low-fare model intact.
One of the headline changes is in the premium cabin. Jetstar’s existing 787 business class, already popular on routes to Bali, Honolulu and Tokyo, is being expanded dramatically. The number of business seats is increasing from 21 to 44, a clear signal that the airline sees strong and growing demand for affordable comfort on medium and long-haul flights. To make room, the overall seat count across the aircraft will drop slightly to around 325, a rare move for a low-cost carrier that typically pushes density as high as possible.
Economy class is being refreshed rather than reimagined, with no change to the basic seat pitch but improvements in how passengers can use and stow devices, rest their heads and access power. Taken together, the refurbishments are designed to make Jetstar’s 787s feel more modern and more in line with what travelers now expect on long sectors, even at the budget end of the market.
New Cabins: What Economy And Business Class Will Look Like
In economy, every seat on the upgraded 787s will be a new Recaro design with integrated smartphone and tablet holders, enabling passengers to prop up their own screens at eye level instead of balancing them on tray tables. Each seat will gain access to power for charging, including outlets and modern USB-style ports, and six-way adjustable headrests for better neck and head support. While legroom will remain similar to today’s configuration, these details are intended to make long flights more manageable, especially on overnight sectors.
Business class will also switch to an all-new Recaro seat, with greater recline than the current product, enhanced padding and more thoughtful storage for small personal items. Seats will come with their own device holders and power, plus updated headrests aimed at improving sleep on longer flights. Jetstar is not turning its long-haul business into a fully flat-bed product, but the additional recline and increased cabin size should make this cabin significantly more attractive to leisure travelers and small-business flyers who previously might have chosen a full-service rival.
The expansion to 44 business seats does more than create extra comfort; it also broadens access. Jetstar expects to add more ways to purchase or upgrade into business, including options for Club Jetstar members and, potentially, sharper sale fares on less popular departure dates. For travelers who have dismissed low-cost carriers on long-haul routes in the past, the new cabin mix may be reason to take a second look, especially where schedules or fares line up well.
Goodbye Seatback Screens, Hello Streaming And Wi-Fi
One of the most controversial elements of Jetstar’s long-haul overhaul is the decision to remove traditional seatback entertainment screens from its 787s. Instead, the airline will provide inflight Wi-Fi and streaming, encouraging passengers to use their own phones, tablets or laptops to watch movies and TV shows or browse the web. The shift is partly about weight and fuel burn, since removing embedded screens and related hardware helps cut emissions and operating costs.
Passengers will be able to connect their devices to the onboard Wi-Fi network, stream Jetstar’s entertainment library and, on many flights, access general internet services. The system is being described as a first for the airline’s long-haul operation and is intended to bring it closer to the experience already familiar to many travelers on North American and European carriers. The presence of individual device holders and power outlets at every seat is a crucial part of making this model work.
For travelers, the trade-off is clear. Those who prefer large built-in screens may see the change as a downgrade, particularly if they do not travel with their own tablet or are worried about battery life. On the other hand, frequent flyers accustomed to streaming their own content may welcome being able to stay online, catch up on work or use their usual subscriptions in the air. The key practical implication is that anyone flying Jetstar long-haul in the coming years should plan to bring a fully charged device, along with any necessary cables or adapters, rather than relying on the airline to provide a screen.
Longer Range, New Routes And What It Means For Travelers
Behind the scenes, the 787 refurbishment is about more than passenger-facing comforts. Jetstar is adding a new lie-flat crew rest area above the rear of the cabin, freeing up existing seats that were previously blocked for crew rest and enabling the airline to schedule longer sectors within safety and fatigue rules. The upgraded crew rest capability, combined with the Dreamliner’s inherent fuel efficiency and range, opens the door to flights of up to around 16 hours.
The airline has openly flagged that this extra capability allows it to look seriously at destinations as far away as India, Sri Lanka or parts of Africa from Australia. While no specific new routes have yet been confirmed, the intention is clear: Jetstar wants to stretch its long-haul map beyond its core leisure markets in Asia and the Pacific, adding new low-cost options on routes that have historically been dominated by full-service carriers or required multiple connections.
For travelers, this could ultimately mean direct budget flights to cities that currently require either a premium full-service ticket or a multi-stop itinerary through major hubs. The combination of a refreshed 787 cabin, a larger business class and competitive fares could be especially attractive for price-sensitive passengers wanting to visit family, explore new destinations or connect more easily between Australia and emerging markets in the Indian Ocean region.
Rollout Timeline: When You Will See The New Experience
Jetstar’s 787 upgrade is not happening overnight. Design and engineering work began after the announcement in November 2023, with the airline targeting a progressive rollout aligned with scheduled heavy maintenance checks. The first aircraft went into the hangar in the second half of 2025 for its interior overhaul, with future refits following in sequence.
According to recent operational updates, Jetstar expects to receive its first fully refurbished 787 back in Melbourne in late March 2026, following cabin work carried out in Hong Kong. This aircraft will serve as the template for the rest of the fleet, showcasing the new seating, Wi-Fi system and updated livery. From there, each of the remaining 787s will cycle through the program, with completion expected over an 18‑month window, subject to maintenance slots and operational needs.
Travelers booking long-haul flights with Jetstar between now and late 2026 will therefore see a mix of old and new cabins. The aircraft assigned to your flight will determine whether you experience the refreshed interior or the existing one. Because aircraft utilization is fluid, there is no firm public schedule for which routes get the new product first, though high-profile international sectors such as Bali, Tokyo and Honolulu are strong candidates to see early deployment once more aircraft are upgraded.
How To Prepare If You Are Flying Jetstar Long-Haul Soon
If you are planning a long-haul trip with Jetstar in the next year or two, the biggest practical change to prepare for is the move to personal devices for entertainment. Even before the last aircraft is upgraded, the airline’s direction is clear: passengers are expected to bring and use their own screens. To avoid disappointment on board, download your favorite shows or playlists before departure, carry headphones compatible with your devices and pack charging cables that work with both standard outlets and USB-style sockets.
Passengers considering business class should pay close attention to aircraft type and pricing at the time of booking. As refurbished 787s with 44 business seats enter service, sale fares and upgrade opportunities may become more common, especially on less busy days or shoulder seasons. For longer overnight routes, the improved recline and updated seat design could significantly enhance rest, making Jetstar a more realistic option for travelers who previously felt they needed a full-service flat-bed seat.
In economy, expectations should remain calibrated around a low-cost experience, but with more thoughtful touches. Legroom will still be relatively tight, especially for taller passengers, but the adjustable headrests, device stands and power access should help make the hours pass more comfortably. Bringing a compact pillow, eye mask and perhaps a small tablet loaded with offline content will continue to be wise for overnight sectors.
The Bigger Picture: Jetstar’s Place In The Long-Haul Market
Jetstar’s reimagining of long-haul travel is part of a broader shift across global aviation, where low-cost carriers are investing more in product while still leaning heavily on ancillary revenues. By adding Wi-Fi, expanding business class and improving cabin ergonomics, Jetstar is positioning itself not just as the cheapest way to get from A to B, but as a credible alternative to full-service airlines for many leisure and value-conscious business travelers.
The strategy is also designed to strengthen the airline’s role within its broader group. With mainline Qantas focusing on ultra-long-haul flagship routes and more traditional premium cabins, Jetstar’s refreshed 787s can take on a complementary role, covering high-volume leisure markets and potentially opening niche long-haul destinations where a low-cost model makes more sense. This division of labor allows the group to stretch its network while offering different price points and levels of comfort.
For passengers, the upshot is more choice. As refurbished aircraft enter service and new routes potentially come online, Jetstar’s version of long-haul will be defined as much by connectivity and cabin design as by price. Travelers who understand the new product, prepare to bring their own tech and select their seats thoughtfully will be best placed to take advantage of what this reimagined low-cost long-haul model has to offer.