What a ridiculous 'initiative'. Why do they assume automatically that something that works in Europe (if indeed it does) or the US will just take off here in Oz.
We saw that with the free seating policy when JQ first started flying in Oz & the general public hated it. It has left Jetstar with that cheap-arsed reputation that they'll never be able to shake off.
And as for changing the carry on baggage limit from 7 to 10 kilos. Clearly no thought went into that one. So many people have a journey that comprises more that one airline so they'll be okay for the JQ leg then be arguing with the F/A's on the next carrier about why 10kg is too much.
Even when pax are only travelling on JQ sounds like management just like creating more work for ground staff eg if a pax rocks up with a bag over 10 kg and thereby has to pay the diff between the carry on only fare vs the fare that allows a checked baggage allowance then another $10 change fee!
"The airline gets a saving because one of the biggest components of cost we have to pay is loading and unloading bags," chief executive Alan Joyce said".
Doesn't apply on the DRW-SIN flight as it's not uncommon to leave 50 plus bags plus behind because the A320 aircraft doesn't have the uplift required for that sector. This is on an aircraft minus the containers. When they add another half tonne for the extra 7 cans the problem will only get worse.
"It gives more transparency to the consumer about who has the lowest airfares. We think it appeals to the business traveller and short-break traveller, and allows us to promote a lower airfare for those customers."
If consumers want lower airfares they should stop going into travel agents thinking it'll be cheaper & start booking direct on the airline websites. Some agents mark up the web fares by ridiculous amounts and take advantage of the fact a lot of customers are too lazy to do their own ground work. By all means use the agents website to compare the fares for all airlines operating on that route but book your fare direct on the airlines site.
No credit card? Get a visa debit card and stop making excuses!