Jetstar will invest millions of dollars in upgrading its existing Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, giving customers additional in-flight comfort and choice and new low-cost travel opportunities.

The upgrade includes new economy and business class cabin seats, in-flight Wi-Fi, and lie-flat crew rest areas to fly longer flights.

In response to growing premium demand, the business class offering will more than double, increasing from 21 to 44 seats.

Jetstar’s 787s have flown over 54,000 flights to international destinations like Bali, Honolulu, Tokyo, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bangkok, providing over 18 million low-cost seats.

Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully said the fleet upgrade will significantly enhance customer medium to long-haul flying experiences.

“This multi-million-dollar fleet revamp will allow us to offer our customers more choice, comfort and amenities when flying longer distances internationally.” Our existing 787 business class product is extremely popular, so we’re doubling the number of business class seats and providing onboard Wi-Fi to keep customers connected in the air. “The new crew rest areas mean our crew will be able to get the rest they need to operate longer flights, unlocking the possibility of exciting new destinations like Sri Lanka and India.”

According to Erika Pearson, Boeing’s vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Southeast Asia and Oceania, the 787 is designed to operate for decades.

“Congratulations to our partners at Jetstar on the first of many decades flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.”

“This milestone is a testament to Jetstar’s dedication to investing in market-leading environmental performance and providing unmatched comfort to passengers in Australia and across the globe.”

RECARO Aircraft Seating replaces all economy and business seats with next-generation ergonomic designs.

Seat-back smartphone and tablet holders, a power plug to charge gadgets, and six-way headrests for head and neck support will be standard in economy seats. The present seat pitch will remain unchanged.

Jetstar will expand the number of business seats from 21 to 44 in response to growing customer demand for additional options and more comfort when travelling long distances. It will also create new channels for consumers to book a business seat, including Club Jetstar members.

In the business cabin, the seats will have device holders, a power outlet, headrests and a generous recline.

To accommodate the extra business seats, the number of seats across the aircraft (business and economy) will drop by 10 to 325.

Jetstar customers will be able to stay connected in the air for the first time. With onboard Wi-Fi, surfing the internet or streaming content from Jetstar’s entertainment collection will be possible. Customers will be able to access in-flight connectivity using their own devices.

A new lie-flat crew rest area will be installed above the economy cabin at the aircraft’s rear so the crew can get the rest they need to operate longer flights.

These beds will make up to eight business and economy seats currently reserved for crew rest, available for customers to book.

The new crew rest area will allow Jetstar to expand its range, allowing direct flights from Australia to India, Sri Lanka, or Africa. No decisions on future routes have been made.

The 787 uses up to 25% less fuel than previous-generation aircraft, resulting in lower carbon dioxide emissions. Lighter composite structures, contemporary engines, improved aerodynamics, and state-of-the-art flying technologies accomplish this.

To lower total aircraft weight and fuel consumption even further, the fleet’s current seat back screens will be removed, a change made possible by the launch of in-flight Wi-Fi and video streaming to personal devices, and the new RECARO seats and exterior paint will also weigh less.

As part of the changes, the fleet will receive the revised Jetstar livery to match the Airbus A321neo LR, our latest aircraft.

The multimillion-dollar investment in each aircraft will progressively be completed during routine aircraft maintenance in late 2025. Detailed design work is being completed, with additional information to share in the coming months.