Jetstar has launched Classic Upgrades for eligible Qantas Frequent Flyers traveling on selected international Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights.
The new rewards option allows members to request an Economy-to-Business Class upgrade using a fixed number of Qantas Points. The required points total depends on the route and is displayed when the request is submitted.
At launch, an upgrade from Melbourne to Singapore requires 37,000 Qantas Points. The Sydney-to-Osaka route requires 45,300 points.
Upgrade requests initially apply to eligible flights booked through Jetstar’s website. Jetstar plans to extend the feature to eligible bookings made through Qantas digital channels later.
The launch gives international travelers another way to use their points for added comfort. However, submitting a request does not guarantee an upgrade because availability remains limited.
Jetstar will prioritize Classic Upgrade requests over eligible BidCash offers submitted for the same flight. If the Classic Upgrade succeeds, the existing BidCash offer will be canceled automatically.
Business Class Benefits Improve Long-Haul Journeys
Successful Jetstar Classic Upgrades provide several benefits intended to make longer international journeys more comfortable.
Passengers receive a Business Class seat, 30 kilograms of checked baggage, and two carry-on items. Premium meals, selected wines, extra snacks, and priority boarding are also included.
Travelers can receive inflight entertainment or Wi-Fi where available. A comfort pack provides another benefit for passengers traveling on longer routes.
The product creates a middle pathway between remaining in Economy and purchasing a full Business Class fare. Members can use accumulated points after securing an eligible Economy booking.
This flexibility could appeal to travelers who prioritize comfort on selected overnight or long-distance flights. Leisure passengers may also reserve points for journeys where additional space delivers greater value.
Members must maintain enough Qantas Points for the upgrade. The points are deducted when Jetstar accepts the request and confirms the upgraded booking.
Dreamliner Refurbishment Doubles Premium Capacity
The launch coincides with Jetstar’s major refurbishment of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
Refreshed aircraft feature 44 Business Class seats and 281 Economy seats. Jetstar’s original international Dreamliner configuration has 21 Business seats and 314 Economy seats.
Consequently, the refurbishment more than doubles Business Class capacity on each updated aircraft. The program will add thousands of premium seats across Jetstar’s international network annually.
Jetstar had completed two of its 11 Dreamliner refurbishments by the end of the 2026 financial year. The wider reconfiguration program continues across the fleet.
The refreshed aircraft also introduce new seats, crew rest facilities, and updated inflight connectivity. Business Class passengers receive access to entertainment and Wi-Fi on equipped aircraft.
Greater premium capacity should create more upgrade opportunities, although individual requests remain subject to availability. Aircraft substitutions may also affect the cabin offered on a particular service.
Asia-Pacific Destinations Gain More Choice
Jetstar operates Boeing 787 services from Australia to prominent destinations across Asia. Its network includes Seoul, Osaka, Singapore, Phuket, Bangkok, Tokyo, and Ho Chi Minh City.
The airline also launched its year-round Melbourne-Colombo service in August 2026. The three-weekly route added more than 100,000 low-fare seats between Australia and Sri Lanka annually.
More Business Class seats could support premium leisure demand across these markets. The upgraded cabins may prove attractive on longer flights linking Australia with Northeast, Southeast, and South Asia.
Destinations could also benefit when loyalty members find it easier to convert points into more comfortable international trips. Additional demand can support hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport operators, and local tourism businesses.
The initiative strengthens Jetstar’s position between conventional low-cost travel and premium international flying. Economy passengers retain access to affordable fares while gaining another potential route into Business Class.
Qantas Loyalty Demand Reaches New High
The upgrade launch follows record rewards activity across the wider Qantas Frequent Flyer program during the 2026 financial year.
Members redeemed points for a record five million flight reward seats. Total points redemptions increased by nine percent, while First and Business Classic upgrades rose seven percent.
These results demonstrate sustained demand for valuable flight rewards and premium cabin experiences. Jetstar Classic Upgrades broaden that opportunity beyond Qantas-operated international services.
Jetstar already offers Points Plus Pay bidding for eligible Business Class upgrades. That option lets members combine cash with Qantas Points when submitting an upgrade bid.
Classic Upgrades provide a different structure by requiring a fixed points total instead of a competitive bid. Members can select the option that better matches their points balance and travel budget.
Together, the new reward choices deepen the connection between Jetstar’s international network and Qantas Frequent Flyer. They also give travelers more control over how they use loyalty currency.
As more refurbished Dreamliners enter service, Jetstar will offer greater premium capacity across important Asia-Pacific routes. The changes combine expanded cabin choice, flexible rewards, and improved long-haul travel experiences.
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