News & Activity - Asia / Pacific

New Service Concepts for Jetstar in Australia

In close partnership with Gate Gourmet, Australia's low-fare carrier Jetstar developed a groundbreaking in flight-service concept for the launch of its low-cost, long haul international flights.

Jetstar offers its international passengers a unique in flight service concept, which includes both a pre-pay option and an on-board sales program. In Economy class, meals, portable video-on-demand units and comfort packs can either be pre-purchased or bought during the flight from the Onboard Café. Star Class, the airline's new premium cabin, offers the same products, but included in the fare.

Meals on the new international routes include signature dishes created by Australia's celebrity Chef Neil Perry and will offer three choices: a chicken dish, a beef dish and a vegetarian dish.

Gate Gourmet brought together a team of specialists that worked and communicated closely with Jetstar's inflight team. To deliver on the airline's vision, a number of Gate Gourmet divisions lend expert assistance, including:

• FiveOceans Inflight created the comfort items
• IT team developed and adjusted software, making the necessary hardware changes
• Human Resources and training, together with Jetstar's senior cabin crew manager, developed a full sales and in-cabin service training program for crew

The organization of the back-office administration process, a multi-currency cash handling concept, and connectivity with the Jetstar sales IT platform all had to be guaranteed for at-hand product and revenue forecasting. In addition, ground service providers had to be selected and contracted at the airline's points of destination.

Gate Gourmet has had a close relationship with Jetstar by managing the provisioning of its domestic catering needs since Jetstar's parent company Qantas started the low-fare operation in May 2004. The long-standing successful cooperation has provided the Gate Gourmet Australia team with an excellent insight and understanding of the airline's product and has enabled it to develop the new long-haul concept together with Jetstar.