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Jetstar Airways Pty Ltd, operating as Jetstar, is an Australian low-cost airline headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria. Launched in 2004 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas, Jetstar was created to compete in the low-cost market against Virgin Blue (now Virgin Australia). It forms a key part of Qantas’ two-brand strategy, with Qantas Airways serving the premium full-service market and Jetstar targeting budget-conscious travelers. Known for its slogan “All day every day low fares,” Jetstar has grown into one of the Asia Pacific’s largest low-cost carriers by revenue, operating over 5,000 flights weekly to more than 85 destinations across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the Pacific. As of June 2025, it carries approximately 8.5% of all passengers traveling in and out of Australia and is the country’s third-largest airline by domestic market share.
Jetstar’s origins trace back to Qantas’ strategic response to the growing low-cost airline sector. Launched on May 25, 2004, with domestic Australian operations, Jetstar began with a fleet of Boeing 717s inherited from Qantas’ acquisition of Impulse Airlines. Its first flight operated from Newcastle to Melbourne, marking the start of its mission to offer affordable travel. By December 2005, Jetstar expanded internationally, launching trans-Tasman services from Sydney to Christchurch, New Zealand, followed by domestic New Zealand operations in June 2009. The airline also entered the Asian market through Jetstar Asia Airways (Singapore, 2004) and Jetstar Japan (2012), leveraging partnerships to expand its footprint.
From 2004 to 2006, Jetstar’s marketing featured actress Magda Szubanski as “Julie The Jetstar Girl,” with the jingle “Let’s Fly Jetstar tonight.” This was later replaced with “It’s All About Choice / Fly Away” and subsequently “Low Fares, Good Time.” In 2007, the Nine Network aired Going Places, an eight-part series showcasing Jetstar’s Melbourne airport staff, highlighting its operations and customer service ethos. Jetstar also gained visibility through sponsorships, serving as the major sponsor of the National Rugby League’s Gold Coast Titans (2008–2012) and the Official Airline of the Australian national rugby league team, with a specially decaled A320.
Jetstar operates an extensive network from its main hub at Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), with additional bases in Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth, Auckland, and Christchurch. Its Australian and New Zealand fleet comprises 76 aircraft, serving 19 domestic and 17 international destinations, including short-haul routes to Bali, Phuket, and Singapore, and long-haul routes to Honolulu, Seoul, and Tokyo. The Jetstar Group, including Jetstar Asia and Jetstar Japan, extends its reach to 85 destinations across 18 countries, with key routes in Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Pacific. Notable international additions include Colombo (delayed due to COVID-19) and direct flights from Sydney to Rarotonga, Cook Islands, launched in 2023, reducing travel time significantly.
Jetstar’s codeshare agreements with Qantas, Japan Airlines, Emirates, and American Airlines, alongside 40 interline partners like Air France, British Airways, and Lufthansa, enhance its connectivity. The airline’s flexibility allows passengers to customize their experience through optional extras like baggage, meals, and seat selection, aligning with its “pay for what you need” philosophy.