Jetstar’s First Refreshed Boeing 787 Dreamliner Takes to the Skies
- Joe Breitfeller
- 2 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Jetstar has announced that their first revamped Boeing 787 Dreamliner took to the skies in Tuesday, April 7th with service from Melbourne to Phuket. Customers were given a taste of the new-look cabin and onboard Wi-Fi.
On Tuesday (April 7, 2026), Jetstar announced that their first refreshed Boeing 787 Dreamliner has taken to the skies, operating its inaugural service from Melbourne to Phuket and giving customers a taste of the new-look cabin and onboard Wi-Fi on Jetstar’s International 787 network. The refurbished aircraft arrived in Melbourne from Hong-Kong earlier this week after completing a major multi-million-dollar cabin refit, the most significant transformation in the 787 Dreamliner’s history with Jetstar.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Jetstar Group’s CEO, Stephanie Tully, said,
“The cabin transformation is remarkable, but what really matters is what it means for our customers - more comfort, more connectivity, and soon, more destinations. We’ve invested heavily in this fleet because we believe our customers deserve access to more low fares on longer international routes, and these refurbished aircraft are how we deliver that. Doubling our business cabin means more people than ever can takeoff in style for less, and installing Wi-Fi capability [means] customers can remain fully connected in the air. With the capability to fly up to 16 hours, we’re now better placed than ever to connect our customers to more of the world for less. This is just the first of 11 - we're only getting started.”
Jetstar’s new 787 Dreamliner makeover covers both the Business Class and economy cabins, bringing new seating, inflight Wi-Fi, and expanded crew rest facilities that will allow Jetstar to operate flights of up to 16 hours. All 11 of Jetstar’s 787 Dreamliners will progressively undergo the same retrofit, with the fleet transformation continuing through to late 2027. As part of the refresh, Business Class has more than doubled in size, growing from 21 to 44 seats. The new seats feature a generous 38-inch pitch and seven-inch recline, a six-way adjustable headrest, enhanced cushioning, calf and footrests, bi-fold in-arm tray tables with cocktail table, seat back device holders and dual high-power USB-C charging points.
The Economy Class cabin has also been revamped with all-new RECARO seating. The new economy seats offer a 30-inch pitch and five-inch recline, two inches more than Jetstar’s A320neo and A321LR aircraft. Customers will also appreciate a six-way adjustable headrest, additional in-seat cushioning, seat back device holders, and dual high-power USB-C charging points.
Additionally, for the first time ever on Jetstar’s 787s, customers can stay connected in the air. Jetstar has partnered with Viasat, the same provider used on Qantas flights, to deliver fast satellite-enabled Wi-Fi across the refreshed fleet. The service supports streaming, messaging, browsing, and everyday internet use throughout the journey.
Business Class guests will receive complimentary access to Jetstar’s premium Streaming-Plus product, providing unlimited inflight entertainment and browsing. Economy customers can also purchase Wi-Fi on board, with two options available at launch, namely Streaming-Plus (unlimited access) from $25, or Social Plus (basic browsing, social media access & video playback restricted) from $20. As the seatback screens have been removed, customers are encouraged to bring their own headsets and stream directly to their own personal devices via the on-board Wi-Fi.
Jetstar’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner refresh doesn’t end there. The installation of six lie-flat crew rest bunks at the rear of the aircraft is one of the most significant changes in this refit, allowing the aircraft to travel further, to new destinations. By giving crew the rest they need for longer operations, Jetstar's 787s will be capable of flights of up to 16 hours, opening the door to exciting potential new ultra-long-haul routes. Jetstar already operates their 787s to destinations across Asia, including Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore, Seoul, Phuket, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and soon, Colombo in Sri Lanka. The extended range capability will give the airline greater flexibility to grow their international network in the years to come.
Coinciding with the entry into service of the first refurbished Dreamliner, Jetstar recently launched BidCash, a new product that gives customers the chance to place a cash bid for a chance to upgrade to a Business Class seat on the airline’s international 787 flights. Jetstar also plans to extend this option to Qantas Frequent Flyer members, who will soon be able to bid for Business Class upgrades using Qantas Points, including a Classic Upgrade Reward style product and a Points Plus Pay offering, which combines Qantas Points and cash.
Source: Jetstar
