2018 – Part 22 – Flight Report Jetstar Melbourne to Hobart
The complimentary airport shuttle provided by our hotel dropped us off at the central drop-off/pick-up area for Melbourne (Tullamarine) International Airport. From there it was short walk to Terminal 4 where domestic Jetstar flights operate.
Flight plan
This is a short flight across the Bass Strait to the capital of Tasmania, Hobart. The flight was scheduled at a mere 75 minutes.
Terminal 4
The walk from the central drop-off/pick-up area is clearly marked.
Before we get to the flight a quick summary of Terminal 4. From the sign in the picture, Terminal 4 provides domestic flights for Jetstar, Tigerair and a regional airline, Regional Express. The main level of the terminal is a mix of baggage carousels and check-in counters. With no checked luggage, and boarding passes in hand we took the escalator up to security and the departure level. Once past security we entered the main lounge area. It was filled with many food options we grabbed something for breakfast.
The terminal has two main piers for the flights. Gates numbered less than 30, and higher than 30. The Pier containing the gates with the lower numbers is close by, with the gates 30-52 being up to a 10 minute walk away. Although the gate for our flight had not been announced on the central board in this area, online it was scheduled to leave from this far pier.
We had enough time to have our breakfast, log onto the free wifi before our flight had an assigned gate. Given the quantity of travellers, it was a Monday morning, the 10 minute estimate was fair. On the way I stopped to get a photo of the planes parked at Melbourne airport:
Our gate was at the end of the far pier, and it was obvious why passengers are not encouraged to wait at the gate too early — there isn’t a lot of space. I’d estimate that there was seating for 1/2 of the passengers. As we walked straight from the central area to the pier, we had to find which line belonged to our flight. It was crowded, but with boarding already underway our line moved quickly to the gate agent. We had pre-purchased seats on the exit row to ensure legroom wouldn’t be of any concern. As our boarding passes were scanned where we were then asked a few additional questions to let the gate agent determine if a last minute adjustment was required. Both of us passed, and we proceeded to walk out onto the apron and to our plane.
Even spotted an Etihad plane parked at the airport:
Onto the plane!
Jetstar JQ705
Seat: 12B
Melbourne-Hobart
Schedule: 8:30am departure, 9:45am arrival
Jetstar operates a fleet of Airbus 320s with identical layouts. Boarding occurs from both the front and rear of the aircraft, for us, we boarded by the front door. Once on board we settled into our seats.
Before long one of the flight crew stopped at our row and the emergency row behind us to confirm that we were aware that we were in an emergency exit row, and that we could follow directions from the crew if required. Shortly after this, we were informed that our flight was delayed. The delay wasn’t due to weather or a mechanical issue, it was because 12, yes 12! passengers did not make the flight. Once their luggage was removed from the hold a manual safety demonstration was performed and we took off without any further delay.
There was some morning fog, however it up until our departure it seemed to have burned off. Instead, during take-off the fog seemed to reappear as the ground disappeared almost immediately on take-off.
Being an emergency exit row, legroom is plenty and the flight crew were diligent to make sure neither of us had any bags or items during take-off and landing.
It was fine without any onboard entertainment as the flight was short and it gave us time to reflect on our trip already. As well, I flipped Jetstar’s menu. As everything is buy on board there was lots of options to select from. We didn’t order anything from the menu.
And now views from the flight:
After only 45 minutes into the flight descent began as we approached Hobart.
Once on the ground we taxied to the gate. Again, both doors were available to disembark from the plane and it was a quick walk into the terminal. Hobart is not a large airport compared to the ones we had visited on our journey to Australia.
The airport was so cute in my mind. The best part was that they had a statue of a Tasmanian Devil to welcome you to Tasmania:
After a short call to the rental car company, we headed outside and waited to be picked up. The weather was excellent, it was clear, sunny and warm!
A few more pictures while we waited to get our rental car to explore Tasmania.
Before long our shuttle bus arrived and we were off to get our rental car and explore Tasmania.
Read more about our trip by clicking here.