Jetstar Grab a Seat: Worth It? How to Choose & Avoid Bad Seats

Anyone who’s booked a low-cost flight knows the moment the seat selection screen appears: pay for a specific seat or leave it to chance. With Jetstar, that decision can mean the difference between a comfortable trip and a stressful separation from your travel companions.

Included allocation: All Jetstar fares include a standard allocated seat at no extra cost ·
Seat selection fee: Applies when you choose a specific seat, varies by route and time ·
Family separation risk: Without paid seat selection, families with children may be split up

Three seat categories, one key trade-off: paying guarantees your preference, while the free allocation may leave you split from travel companions. The comparison table below shows how the options stack up.

Can you pick your seats on Jetstar?

How to select seats during booking

You can select a specific seat when you book a Jetstar flight online. The airline’s booking flow presents a seat map after you enter passenger details. Simply click a seat, pay the fee, and the selection is locked in. Jetstar states that “all fares include an allocated seat, but you can also select your own seat before you fly” (Jetstar US Seats Page official policy).

How to choose seats after booking

If you skip seat selection during booking, you can still pick seats later via the “Manage Booking” section on Jetstar’s website. The process works the same: view the seat map, choose your seat, and pay the fee. This is also where you can change an already-selected seat, though fees are non-refundable if you cancel.

Seat selection on mobile app

The Jetstar mobile app supports seat selection for both new bookings and existing reservations. Open the app, go to My Trips, and tap “Select Seats.” The seat map appears just like on the desktop site. Some users report the app occasionally shows fewer options than the website, so if you have a specific request, it’s worth checking both.

Is it worth paying for a seat on Jetstar?

Cost-benefit analysis of seat selection

The upfront cost of selecting a standard seat on Jetstar’s domestic Australian routes typically starts around AU$10–15 per person per flight (Archived Jetstar Help PDF seat selection fees). For a family of four on a return trip, that’s AU$80–120 just to guarantee seats together. Whether that feels “worth it” depends on how much you value certainty. The alternative—random allocation—costs nothing but risks separation.

When to pay for extra legroom

Tall passengers or those with long legs will find Jetstar’s standard 29–30 inch pitch tight. Extra legroom seats, including exit rows, offer up to 35 inches and cost more. The premium varies by route but can be 2–3 times the standard seat selection fee. If you’re over 185 cm (6’1″), paying for extra legroom on any flight over 2 hours is a reasonable investment in comfort.

Family considerations

Jetstar’s official advice for families: select seats at booking or via Manage Booking to ensure your party sits together (Jetstar Australia Travel Tips family seating advice). The airline recommends window seats for children to control window blinds and provide a resting surface against the wall. For groups of four on a 3–3 configuration plane, they suggest putting three in one row and one across the aisle, or two pairs of two seats one behind the other.

What is the difference between Jetstar seat types?

Standard seats

Standard seats are the default option on all Jetstar aircraft. They offer 29–30 inches of legroom and recline a few inches. On a 3–3 configuration Airbus A320, window seats provide a wall to lean on and direct control of the shade, while middle seats are universally less popular. You can upgrade to a specific standard seat by paying a selection fee, or accept a random standard seat for free.

Exit row seats

Exit row seats offer extra legroom because the row has no seat in front. Passengers under 15 years old, including infants, are prohibited from sitting in exit rows (Jetstar US Help family travel policy). You must also be willing and able to assist in an emergency. These seats are usually among the first to go and command a premium price.

Extra legroom seats (front and exit rows)

Jetstar also designates certain rows (often rows 1–2 and exit rows) as “extra legroom.” Legroom can reach up to 35 inches. These seats cost more than standard seat selection but less than upgrading fare bundles. They are ideal for tall passengers, those with mobility needs, or anyone wanting more space to work or relax.

Starter fare vs other fare bundles

Starter fare is Jetstar’s basic economy. It includes a carry-on bag and a random seat allocation. If you want to select a seat (standard or extra legroom), you pay extra. Higher fare bundles like “Starter Plus” and “Starter Max” include seat selection and other perks. With Starter, you buy seat selection à la carte; with higher bundles, it’s rolled in.

The more you pay upfront for your fare, the less you pay for seat selection later—or the more flexibility you get. For most travelers, the à la carte approach with a Starter fare is cheapest if you’re willing to accept random seats.

Do Jetstar split you up if you don’t buy seat selection?

Automatic seat allocation algorithm

Jetstar’s system assigns seats automatically during check-in if you haven’t selected seats. The airline states it “tries to keep families together, especially young children with parents, without guarantee” (Jetstar US Help family travel policy). The algorithm prioritises groups but does not guarantee adjacency, especially on full flights.

Risks for families

User reports confirm the risk is real. One traveler on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum described flying Jetstar without paying for seats: two adults were seated together, but two children aged 5 and 8 were placed three rows away, and the airline could not make changes at the airport (Australian Frequent Flyer Forum user experience, medium confidence). This is not uncommon on budget carriers that maximise seat revenue.

How to request adjacent seats without paying

If you don’t want to pay for seat selection, check in online exactly when check-in opens (48 hours before departure). At that point, you can usually choose still-available seats free of charge. You can also contact Jetstar’s customer service and request that your family be seated together, but there is no guarantee, and call centre agents cannot override the seat map on full flights.

Why avoid seat 11A on a Jetstar A320?

Seat 11A specific drawbacks

Seat 11A on the Jetstar Airbus A320 is notorious among frequent flyers. According to seat review sites, it often has reduced legroom because of the bulkhead or an indentation in the wall, and the window may be misaligned or missing entirely. It is typically located near the galley or lavatories, meaning increased foot traffic and noise during the flight. Jetstar does not officially comment on specific seat quality, but the general consensus from passenger forums and seat map analysis is that seat 11A is one of the worst on the plane.

Other seats to avoid on A320

Beyond 11A, seats in the back rows (near lavatories) and some exit row seats with limited recline are also less desirable. Middle seats in any row are the least popular due to lack of aisle or window access.

Best seats on Jetstar A320

For the best experience, choose extra legroom seats in rows 1–2 or exit rows. Among standard seats, front rows offer earlier service and easier deplaning. Window seats (A and F) are preferred for views and resting. Aisle seats (C and D) offer easier access to the restroom. If you are travelling as a pair, two window-aisle across the aisle can give you a good chance of sharing the row if the middle stays empty.

Pros & cons of paying for Jetstar seat selection

Step-by-step: How to select seats on Jetstar

1. During booking: After entering passenger details, you’ll see a seat map. Click a seat in the colour-coded zone (standard, extra legroom, front). The fee appears; confirm to add it to your booking.
2. After booking via Manage Booking: Go to jetstar.com, log in, and click “Manage Booking.” Enter your booking reference and name. You’ll see the seat map again. Select seats for each passenger.
3. Using the mobile app: Open the Jetstar app, go to “My Trips,” tap your booking, then “Select Seats.” The process mirrors the desktop site.
4. At check-in: Online check-in opens 48 hours before departure. You can still choose any unclaimed seats at no extra cost—provided you haven’t already selected seats.
5. At the airport: Limited seat changes may be possible at the gate, but availability is rare. Best to confirm before arriving.
6. For infants: If you have an infant (under 2 years) who will sit on your lap, no seat selection needed. If you want a seat for the infant, contact Jetstar (Jetstar Australia Infant Help official policy).

Confirmed facts vs what remains unclear

We didn’t pay extra for seating. Our 11 and 3 year old are placed in seating at the front of the plane by themselves.

— Passenger on Australian Frequent Flyer Forum passenger experience report

All fares include an allocated seat, but you can also select your own seat before you fly.

— Jetstar US Seats Page official policy statement

For Australian travellers booking Jetstar domestic flights, the choice between paying for seats and relying on random allocation comes down to a simple question: how much is peace of mind worth? In a country where budget air travel dominates, the cost of seat selection—typically AU$10–15 per flight—is modest compared to the stress of a separated family. For solo travellers flying on Starter fares, skipping seat selection remains a perfectly rational cost-saving move. For families, the gamble often backfires. The clear recommendation: if you’re travelling with children under 15, pay for your seats at booking. If you’re flying solo on a short hop, take the free random seat and check in early to improve your odds.

For families, the Jetstar Grab a Seat family tips guide provides essential advice on keeping everyone together.

Frequently asked questions

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