Jetstar 787-8 Seat Selection Guide (2026)
Jetstar's 787-8 fleet is currently mid-transformation. On 7 April 2026, VH-VKK became the first refurbished 787 to enter service, operating the inaugural Melbourne-Phuket flight and since adding Melbourne-Singapore and Brisbane-Bangkok. The remaining 10 aircraft will be refitted progressively through late 2027, each taking approximately six weeks out of service.
Quick Verdict
| Aircraft | Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (IATA: 788) |
| Fleet size | 11 airframes |
| Version lottery | Active — currently 1 refurbished vs 10 original. Refit programme runs through late 2027. |
| Original config | 21 Business (2-3-2) + 314 Economy (3-3-3) = 335 total |
| Refurbished config | 44 Business (2-3-2) + new Economy = doubled premium cabin, added WiFi, no more seatback screens in Business |
| Business pitch | 38" recliner on both configs (recliner, not lie-flat) |
| Economy pitch | 30" on both configs (refurb adds 2" more recline than Jetstar narrowbodies) |
| Best seats (Business, original) | Row 3 — 3G/3J recline 11" vs 9", but are crew rest seats on longer flights |
| Best seats (Business, refurbished) | 7C in the tucked-away Row 7 pair — 7A has no window |
| Best seats (Economy) | Exit rows and Row 10 D/E (armrest raises, unusual for this row) |
| Seats to avoid (original Business) | 3A behind 2A — neighbour's recline makes the window seat hard to exit |
| IFE | Seatback screens on original aircraft; streaming-only to personal device on refurbished aircraft (WiFi-delivered) |
| Power | USB-A on original aircraft; dual high-power USB-C on refurbished Economy |
| WiFi | None on original aircraft; ViaSat (same as Qantas) on refurbished aircraft |
| Routes | Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore, Seoul, Phuket, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, Honolulu. Colombo launching. |
| First refurbished aircraft | VH-VKK, entered service 7 April 2026 on Melbourne-Phuket |
The Version Lottery Is Live — and It Matters More Than Most
For the next 18 months or more, your Jetstar 787 experience depends entirely on which airframe operates your flight. The two products are meaningfully different — not just cosmetically, but in Business cabin size, entertainment delivery, charging, and whether WiFi exists at all.
Critically, this isn't a straight upgrade. The refurbished cabin gains Business capacity, WiFi, USB-C fast charging and a better Economy recline — but it loses seatback screens in Business Class. Jetstar has made a deliberate bet on streaming to personal devices, matching what low-cost carriers are doing globally. Travellers who want a seatback screen in Business are better served by the original configuration until it disappears.
⚠️ Odds snapshot (April 2026)
- ~9% chance of drawing a refurbished aircraft fleet-wide
- ~100% chance on confirmed refurbished routes: MEL-HKT, MEL-SIN, BNE-BKK (until more aircraft rotate through)
- Odds shift monthly as aircraft complete their six-week refits. Check the aircraft registration or seat map at booking.
Business Class — Original Configuration (10 aircraft)
Jetstar's original Business cabin is modest: 21 recliner seats across three rows (1, 2, 3) in a 2-3-2 layout. Honest assessment: this is a recliner with a 38-inch pitch, an extendable legrest and a better tray table — roughly equivalent to a Premium Economy product on most full-service carriers. If you're booking expecting a lie-flat bed, that expectation isn't met. If you're booking understanding it's a wide leather recliner at a budget price, it delivers.
✅ Best seats (original Business)
- Row 3 — Last row of Business. Slightly more recline preserved without a bulkhead in front, and your knees reach comfortably under Row 2. Reviewer consensus is Row 3 is the most comfortable.
- 3G and 3J specifically — 11" of recline against 9" everywhere else in the cabin, which is the difference between dozing and sleeping. The catch: both are designated crew rest seats on longer flights, so on exactly the overnight sectors where the extra recline matters most they may not be sellable. Worth trying for, but have 3A or 3F as a fallback.
- Row 1 bulkhead for fast exit — If you want to be first off the aircraft and don't need to recline into anyone, Row 1 works. Trade-off is the bulkhead wall (limits legroom if 6'2"+) and the IFE screen mounted on an arm rather than a seatback.
Seats to be aware of
- 3A and 3C (behind 2A and 2C) — If the passenger in 2A reclines fully, getting out of 3A behind is genuinely difficult. One AFF reviewer reports their 9-year-old child had to crawl out. If you're booking 3A and 3C as a couple, just know that exits during flight require cooperation with Row 2. Note the cabin is lettered A and C on each window pair — there is no B seat in Business.
- Row 2 middle seat — Middle seat of the centre three-seat bank. Loses both aisles. Fine for a family of three travelling together; awkward if you don't know the other two passengers.
- Row 1 if you're tall — The bulkhead limits leg stretch. Row 3 is better for tall travellers.
Cabin features (original Business)
- Wide leather recliner, 19" wide, 38" pitch
- Extendable legrest, side-entering tray table
- Seatback IFE screen with 50+ movies, 500+ TV episodes
- Noise-cancelling headphones, pillow, fleece rug
- Full meal service, champagne, amenity kit
- 30kg checked baggage allowance
- No WiFi on original aircraft
Business Class — Refurbished Configuration (1 aircraft now, growing)
The refurbished Business cabin more than doubles to 44 seats across six rows in a 2-3-2 layout, plus a curious two-seat pair labelled 7A/7C tucked against one side at the back of the cabin.
The new seat is the Recaro PL3530 — notably, the same model Emirates uses for its Premium Economy product. This is a more modern recliner than the original Jetstar Business seat, with seven inches of recline, a six-way adjustable headrest, calf and footrests, a bi-fold in-arm tray table, and enhanced cushioning. Still a recliner. Still not a lie-flat bed.
⚠️ The critical trade-off: no seatback screens
The refurbished Business cabin has no seatback entertainment screens. Content streams via ViaSat WiFi to your own laptop, tablet or phone, with a seatback device holder replacing where the screen used to be. This is the single biggest editorial point about the refurbished aircraft: it's a better seat, but it requires you to bring and use your own device for entertainment.
✅ Best seats (refurbished Business)
- 7C (and 7A, with one caveat) — The tucked-away pair at the back of the cabin. Effectively a two-seat mini-cabin, quieter than the main cabin, no middle seat, and the most private Business seats on the aircraft. 7A has no window — there is a windowless stretch of wall beside the pod, so if you are picking one seat, pick 7C. As a pair it still works; just don't take 7A expecting a view.
- Row 3 or Row 4 centre pair (D or F, not E) — Pick D or F (aisle side of the centre three-seat bank), not E (true middle). Mid-cabin with noise protection on both sides.
- Row 6 window pair — Last main row before the 7A/7C alcove, relative seclusion at the rear.
Seats to avoid (refurbished Business)
- Row 1 — Same bulkhead issue as the original config. Limited legroom if tall; IFE-via-device means the device holder position may be less comfortable than a recessed screen.
- Middle seat in any centre three-seat bank (seat E in each row) — Same as any three-seat bank: loses both aisles. Fine if travelling with two others, awkward if alone.
- Last row of the main cabin (Row 6) — May back onto galley/service activity during meal preparation depending on where the divider sits.
Cabin features (refurbished Business)
- Recaro PL3530 — 38" pitch, 7" recline
- Six-way adjustable headrest, calf and footrests
- Bi-fold in-arm tray table, enhanced cushioning
- Seatback device holder (no seatback screen)
- ViaSat WiFi (pricing not yet published — complimentary access for Business unclear at launch)
- Dual high-power USB-C charging
Economy — Original Configuration (10 aircraft)
314 seats across roughly 34 rows in a standard 3-3-3 layout, 30-inch pitch, 17-inch width. Jetstar's long-haul Economy on the original 787 is functional and unambitious. Seatback screens, older seat design, no WiFi.
✅ Best Economy seats (original)
- Exit rows — Carry a Jetstar surcharge but deliver genuine extra legroom. Worth it on flights over 8 hours.
- Row 10 D/E specifically — A quirk confirmed by multiple passenger reports: the armrest between 10D and 10E raises, unlike the armrests at other seats in that row. Useful for a travelling pair who want to share space.
- Bulkhead rows — Row 10 on the original config, Row 23 on the refurbished one — Extra legroom but no underseat storage, the tray table and screen sit in the armrest, and bassinet mounts mean any infant on board is placed here. Row 23 is also an exit row on both configs.
- Window seats forward of mid-cabin exits — Quieter than rear cabin, standard 30" pitch.
🚫 Economy seats to avoid (original)
- Last three rows — Aft galley/lavatory proximity, seats narrow slightly due to fuselage curve, no recline.
- Middle seat (E) in any row — Loses both windows and both aisles. The worst seat in any 3-3-3 Economy cabin.
- Row immediately in front of an exit row — Limited or no recline because the exit row behind it can't accept your seat back.
- Window seat with foot-well obstruction — Reviewer reports note a metal box obstructing the foot well at certain window seats, plus an aluminium post preventing full leg stretch. Difficult to identify in advance.
Cabin features (original Economy)
- 30" pitch, 17" width, 3-3-3 layout
- Seatback IFE screen
- USB-A power (no AC outlets at seat in Economy on the original config)
- No WiFi
- Blankets/amenity items sold as extras — not complimentary
Economy — Refurbished Configuration (1 aircraft now, growing)
The refurbished Economy cabin uses the Recaro CL3710 — the same award-winning seat Qantas installed on its 787-9 Dreamliners. This alone is a significant upgrade.
What changes vs the original
- 5 inches of recline (up from the standard 3" on Jetstar's narrowbodies)
- Six-way adjustable headrest (genuine fit adjustment, not just a fold-down flap)
- Dual high-power USB-C charging per seat — fast-charge laptops as well as phones
- Seatback device holder — for use with WiFi-streamed entertainment
- Additional seat cushioning — a meaningful comfort difference on 10+ hour flights
- ViaSat WiFi — fast satellite-enabled WiFi, same network as Qantas
Everything else is unchanged: 30" pitch, 17" width, 3-3-3 layout, same overall seat count (around 314, possibly slightly less to accommodate the doubled Business cabin — Jetstar has not published the exact refurbished Economy seat count).
Best seats (refurbished Economy)
Same principles as the original apply: exit rows, forward cabin windows, avoid middle seats and rear rows. The recline difference matters — the new Recaro with 5" of recline genuinely sleeps better than the original seat. On refurbished aircraft the standard Economy window seat is meaningfully more comfortable than on the original aircraft.
Routes — Where Each Config Flies
Jetstar operates its 787-8 on long-haul international routes from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Both configurations fly the same route network in principle, but in April 2026 Jetstar is concentrating the single refurbished aircraft on specific routes.
| Route | Configuration (April 2026) |
|---|---|
| Melbourne-Phuket (MEL-HKT) | Refurbished (VH-VKK inaugural route) |
| Melbourne-Singapore (MEL-SIN) | Refurbished (confirmed since April 2026) |
| Brisbane-Bangkok (BNE-BKK) | Refurbished (confirmed since April 2026) |
| Sydney/Melbourne-Tokyo (Narita) | Original |
| Sydney/Melbourne-Osaka (KIX) | Original |
| Sydney/Melbourne-Seoul (ICN) | Original |
| Sydney/Melbourne-Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) | Original |
| Sydney/Melbourne-Bali (DPS) | Original |
| Sydney/Melbourne-Honolulu (HNL) | Original |
| Colombo (CMB) | Launching soon — configuration TBC |
As more aircraft complete their refits through 2026 and 2027, the refurbished footprint will expand. The 16-hour flight capability unlocked by the new crew rest (six bunks upstairs at the rear of the cabin) also opens the door to longer routes Jetstar couldn't previously operate with the original cabin.
Cabin Comparison: Original vs Refurbished
| Original (10 aircraft) | Refurbished (1 aircraft, growing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Business seats | 21 in 2-3-2 (3 rows) | 44 in 2-3-2 (6 rows + 7A/7C pair) |
| Business seat model | Original Jetstar recliner (2013 design) | Recaro PL3530 (Emirates PE model) |
| Business seatback screen | Yes | No (streaming via WiFi to personal device) |
| Business recline | Standard recliner | 7" recline |
| Economy seat count | 314 in 3-3-3 | ~312 in 3-3-3 (slight reduction) |
| Economy seat model | Original | Recaro CL3710 (same as Qantas 787) |
| Economy recline | Standard (~3") | 5" recline |
| Economy headrest | Standard fold-down | Six-way adjustable |
| Economy power | USB-A | Dual high-power USB-C |
| WiFi | None | ViaSat (same network as Qantas) |
| Crew rest | Standard | 6-bunk rest zone (enables 16-hour flights) |
| BidCash upgrade bidding | No | Yes (from AUD $180) |
Quick-Pick Summary
| If you're... | On the original aircraft, book... | On the refurbished aircraft, book... |
|---|---|---|
| Solo, Business | 3G or 3J if released (extra recline), else 3A | 7C (7A has no window) |
| Couple, Business | Row 3 centre pair | 7A/7C as a pair (window-side passenger gets no window), or Row 3/4 |
| Tall, Business | Row 3 (avoid Row 1 bulkhead) | Row 3-6 (avoid Row 1 bulkhead) |
| Solo, Economy, sleep priority | Exit row window | Exit row window — the 5" recline genuinely helps |
| Couple, Economy | Row 10 D/E (raisable armrest) if available; otherwise forward window pair | Same principles; forward cabin window pair |
| Family of three, Economy | Any 3-seat bank | Any 3-seat bank |
| Avoid always | 3A behind 2A (trapped by recline), middle seats, last three rows | Row 1 bulkhead if tall, middle seats, last rows |
How to Tell Which 787 You're On
- Check the aircraft registration at booking or via the Jetstar app. Refurbished aircraft are identified by their individual registration. As of April 2026, only VH-VKK is refurbished; the other 10 retain the original config. Aviation forums maintain up-to-date lists as more aircraft complete their refits.
- Check the seat map. Original config shows 21 Business seats in three rows; refurbished shows 44 Business seats across six rows plus the 7A/7C pair. Economy seat count differs by ~2 seats.
- Route heuristic (April 2026). If you're booked on MEL-HKT, MEL-SIN or BNE-BKK, you're on the refurbished VH-VKK. All other 787 routes run the original config until more aircraft come back from refit.
- At the gate. Refurbished aircraft have visibly different Business cabin signage and colour scheme. The absence of seatback screens in Business is the most obvious in-cabin tell.
Comparable Guides
- Qantas 787-9 Seat Selection Guide (2026) — Uses the same Recaro CL3710 Economy seat as Jetstar's refurbished 787; direct comparison for travellers choosing between Qantas mainline and Jetstar on similar routes
- Qantas A330-300 Seat Selection Guide (2026) — Full-service equivalent with lie-flat Business on longer Asian routes
- Qantas A330-200 Seat Selection Guide (2026) — A330-200 with Thompson Vantage XL lie-flat Business across all configs
- Qantas 737-800 Seat Selection Guide (2026) — Context for the Qantas Group domestic Business product
- Virgin Australia 737-800 Seat Selection Guide (2026) — Direct domestic competitor
FAQ
Is Jetstar 787 Business Class a lie-flat bed?
No. Both the original Business cabin (21 seats, 2013-era design) and the refurbished Business cabin (44 seats, Recaro PL3530, launched April 2026) are wide recliners, not lie-flat beds. The refurbished cabin has a deeper 7-inch recline with footrest support, but it doesn't go fully horizontal. Independent reviewers consistently describe Jetstar's 787 Business product as equivalent to Premium Economy on most full-service carriers. If you're booking expecting to sleep flat, this isn't the aircraft.
What's the difference between Jetstar's original and refurbished 787?
The refurbished config doubles Business capacity from 21 to 44 seats, installs new Recaro seats in both Business and Economy, adds ViaSat WiFi, adds dual high-power USB-C charging in Economy, and opens up 16-hour range via a new six-bunk crew rest. The trade-off: the refurbished Business cabin has no seatback entertainment screens — all content streams via WiFi to your own device. Economy in the refurbished config has 5" of recline (two inches more than Jetstar's narrowbodies) and is genuinely more comfortable than the original.
Which Jetstar 787 routes have the refurbished aircraft?
As of April 2026, one aircraft (VH-VKK) is refurbished and is flying Melbourne-Phuket, Melbourne-Singapore, and Brisbane-Bangkok. All other Jetstar 787 routes — Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, Honolulu — are flown by the original configuration until more aircraft complete their refits. The full fleet transformation is scheduled to complete by late 2027, with each aircraft taking approximately six weeks out of service for the retrofit.
Does Jetstar's 787 have WiFi?
Only on the refurbished aircraft. Original config 787s have no WiFi. The refurbished aircraft use ViaSat satellite WiFi — the same network Qantas operates on its domestic and selected international routes. Pricing for Jetstar's WiFi hasn't been publicly confirmed at launch, nor whether Business Class passengers receive complimentary access.
What is BidCash?
A cash-based upgrade bidding system Jetstar launched alongside the refurbished 787. Economy passengers on eligible international 787 flights can bid for Business Class upgrades starting from AUD $180. Bids are accepted within 72 hours of departure via the Jetstar app or BidCash portal. This product only applies to refurbished 787 flights at present.
Is the refurbished Jetstar 787 Economy worth booking over the original?
Yes, with one caveat. The new Recaro CL3710 seat, 5-inch recline, six-way adjustable headrest, USB-C power and WiFi genuinely improve long-haul Economy. The caveat: you'll need to bring a laptop, tablet or phone to use for entertainment, since the WiFi streams content rather than relying on a seatback screen (Economy does retain a personal device holder — but not a pre-loaded screen). If you prefer a loaded seatback IFE library, the original config is still the better experience.
Where should I sit on Jetstar 787 Business?
On the original config: Row 3, particularly 3G or 3J for the extra 11" recline — though both are designated crew rest seats on longer flights and may not be released, so keep 3A in reserve. Avoid 3A and 3C if you want easy cabin exit (Row 2's recline can trap you in). Avoid Row 1 if you're tall. On the refurbished config: 7C is the editorial pick — the two-seat pair tucked away at the rear of the cabin is effectively a mini-cabin, but 7A beside it has no window at all. Row 3 or Row 4 window pairs work for mid-cabin preference.
Does Jetstar 787 Business include meals and baggage?
Yes. Business Class includes a full meal service (with champagne), a 30kg checked baggage allowance, an amenity kit, noise-cancelling headphones, a pillow and a fleece rug. These are the standard Business Class inclusions and are unchanged between the original and refurbished cabins.
Why is Jetstar refitting its 787s now?
Jetstar took delivery of its first 787 in October 2013; the original Business seats have been in service for more than a decade. The refit modernises the cabin, responds to growing demand for Business Class at budget prices (Qantas Group reported strong premium load factors across its network in 2025), and unlocks new long-range routes the original aircraft couldn't operate. The new six-bunk crew rest specifically enables up to 16-hour flights — previously beyond the original 787's operational configuration for Jetstar.
Will Jetstar's 787 be replaced?
Not in the near term. The refit is a multi-million-dollar investment per aircraft and extends the 787-8's Jetstar service life through the 2030s. Qantas Group has signalled 787 renewals across its mainline fleet, but Jetstar's 11-aircraft 787 fleet is being retained and upgraded rather than replaced.