Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar has introduced a new upgrade bidding product called BidCash, which allows customers to bid for Business Class seats on most of the carrier’s Boeing 787 international flights.
The launch coincides with the completion of a major interior refit on the first of Jetstar’s 11 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The refitted aircraft now features 44 new Business Class seats, more than doubling the capacity in the business cabin in response to growing demand for premium seats on longer-haul flights.
The refreshed B787 cabin features new seating designed for comfort on longer international routes, with a 38-inch seat pitch, seven-inch recline, and 21-inch width. The seats also include a six-way adjustable headrest, generous seat cushioning, bi-fold in-arm tray tables with cocktail tables, seat-back device holders with high-power dual USB-C charging points, and calf and footrests. Business Class passengers on the refreshed aircraft will also receive in-flight Wi-Fi and entertainment through Jetstar’s deluxe streaming-plus product, offering unlimited access on personal devices at no extra cost.
Under the BidCash system, eligible customers will receive an email invitation to bid or can access the upgrade page directly through Jetstar’s website.
Customers can submit a cash bid using a slider, within a set minimum and maximum range depending on the route. At launch, for example, minimum bids on Jetstar’s Melbourne-Ho Chi Minh City service started at AU$180 (US$122) per person. Customers are notified by email before departure whether their bid has been successful.
Jetstar said it also plans to expand the product to Qantas Frequent Flyer members, who will be able to bid for Business Class upgrades using Qantas Points. The airline said this will include both a Classic Upgrade Reward-style option and a Points Plus Pay product combining points and cash.
Prue McKenzie, Jetstar’s Executive Manager of Customer and Digital, said the product was intended to make Business Class upgrades more accessible to customers. She added that the first refurbished Boeing 787 is expected to enter service in the coming weeks.