I > Background:
Given the economic downturn, January had been a slow month at our firm. Since I have long decided that it just wasn’t worth pondering if I will have a job tomorrow, I decided to take some time off and visit Cairo for a few days. After an amazing time there (have I mentioned how much I love Cairo?), it was time to pack and go home. My options included flying on MS or trying some exotic routings and new carriers … being the crazy aviation geek that I am, I decided on the later. In the end, I bought a ticket on CAI-DAM-KWI-DOH-JFK. The intent was to try both Jazeera Airways as well as Qatar Airways. Both airlines had not featured on my flight log and I thought this was a good time to have them crossed off. CAI-DAM was on MS and since there have been several trip reports on MS’ short-haul product, I will skip it for now.
I believe this is the first TR of Jazeera Airways on A.Net (although, I could have sworn I saw another); and is the first on the DAM-KWI segment.
II > Pre-Flight:
a) Before Airport:
Jazeera Airways is a low-fare airline based in Kuwait. Formed in 2004, it uses 320’s out of its KWI and DXB hubs to destinations primarily in the Middle East, Europe, and India.
Jazeera Airways uses the common Navitaire platform for its booking engine. Its website is bare-bones and has the basic amenities expected from a LCC site. I was quickly able to book my ticket and it even had my “requirement” – the ability to chose my seat. Moreover, I could always come back to view/edit/cancel my booking and/or seat. The one hiccup was that my U.S. base Chase card never worked on the site. I even tried calling the Kuwait office and was not successful in having them process it either. In the end, I used my Venezuelan card and the booking went through immediately. Strange! Can someone explain this to me?
b) At Airport:
After a rather uneventful flight from Cairo, I proceeded to the transfer desk at Damascus (who would have thought I’d be back here after my ConViasa flight?) and was met by a very kind station manager who was courteous and issued me my boarding pass. We made small chat and he was amused at my itinerary and joy for aviation. After talking with him further, I found out that he was an A.Net reader and even had read my trip reports! So, Mr. M – if you’re reading this – thanks for being a true airline fan and for doing a job you love. Anyways, I walked around the “interesting” terminal until boarding was called and made a pit stop to one of my FAVORITE confectioners in the whole wide world … GHRAOUI … just delicious chocolates! I bought enough to gain a few pounds on the spot! Anyways, prior to boarding, we had to go through an additional security which was painless due to the low loads.
The first thing that strikes you of Jazeera’s 320 are how “white” and barren they look. Anyways, I was greeted by two young crew members (an Egyptian and a Lebanese) who were kind and the guy upon seeing my airline bag brought me a bottle of water at no cost. Not bad. Load in the all Y cabin was a dismal 5%. I think the entire aircraft had like 10 passengers. According to the crew, this was highly unusual. I would hope so as BELF for any LCC is very high.
Airport - External:
NONE
Check-in:
NONE
Airport - Internal:
(Internal)
NONE
(FIDS)
(Post Security)
Scenes of the tarmac:
(Nouvelair)
(Best Airline Name of 2008 – and their route network is equally exotic)
(SAMA)
Lounge
NONE
Boarding:
(Boarding Gate)
(Empty boarding area)
III> In-Flight:
a) Service Schedule + Impressions:
After take-off, a BOB meal service commenced. That’s pretty much it.
b) Aircraft + Seats:
Jazeera Airways has way too much white going. In fact, it could be an airline in pretty much any part of the world. The interior is made up of leather seats and is relatively comfortable. Besides the bulkhead and exit row seats, legroom is tight. Having said that, it is not anything worse than other LCC’s operating the 320. Recline was definitely below industry standard. It is important to note that Jazeera Plus seating basically is like European Business with a blocked middle seat. However, unlike its European counterparts, no tray table folds down in … a weird mechanism allows the seat arm support to twist 40 degrees to create additional space. I personally fumbled with it and was alarmed at it “coming off”. The crew probably thought I was a first time flier and explained it was meant to do that. Actually, I am sure the crew assumed it was my first flight as they were equally amused with my picture taking … hehe.
Aircraft:
(@DAM)
Views from Aircraft:
(Damascus Airport – T1)
(Mid East colleagues at gate)
(RB hangar – one of the few times I’d see 2 74L’s side-by-side these days)
General Seat Views + Seat Legroom
(Y Class Controls)
(Seat legroom)
NONE
Seat Recline + Angle View:
Cabin:
(Eerily empty Y Cabin)
c) Meal + Beverage:
I was happy with the free water extended to me out of courtesy. However, I am of the firm belief that even LCC’s should have water as free on board. Anyways, meal and beverage sales started soon after take-off, and the inflight café actually had some good options. Moreover, the one thing that I found impressive was the wide array of currencies that was accepted for payment onboard. Not bad.
(Water at take-off)
(Food and beverages for sale)
d) Inflight Entertainment:
Jazeera had drop down video entertainment which kept on playing a documentary on the evolution of the stand-up comedians in the Mid East. According to their inflight magazine, only TV programming exists … this would make longer treks to say the Indian Subcontinent harder to bear.
(“In-flight magazines”, Boarding Passes, etc.)
e) Crew:
The light load did not really test the crew. However, I found them to be warm and open hearted and was impressed by their genuine smiles and friendly nature. They greeted you with eye contact at the door and were there to help you throughout the flight. During the flight, they retreated to their galleys … but then again, on a LCC what do you expect? Finally, I found them actually to be much better than their “bigger brothers and sisters” at such “illustrious” names as Emirates.
IV> Post-Flight:
Arrival into KIA was on-time and having no bags meant that I was out to my hotel transfer in a record 30 minutes … including my on-site visa pickup.
(Kuwait International Airport)
(Bahrain Air is everywhere)
V> Impressions + Scores:
Jazeera is a no-frills LCC and I did not have much expectation on them. They effectively do what a LCC is meant to do … cheaply carry you from point A to B with no frills. My J9 experience met all the criterion of a good LCC including cheap fares, on-board meals to go, and timely departure and arrival. Their seats were relatively bearable and the existence of IFE was also a plus. What made J9 slightly better than average were its awesome station manager in DAM, and young positive crew members. I would definitely fly them again – and might even consider them against carriers like Emirates for short haul. For an LCC, two thumps up!
1.0 > RESERVATION: 8.0
2.0 > CHECK-IN: 9.0
0.5 > LOUNGE: N/A
0.5 > BOARDING: 8.0
2.0 > SEAT: 6.0
0.5 > AIRCRAFT OVERALL AMBIENCE: 5.0
1.0 > IFE: 6.0
2.0 > CREW: 7.0
2.0 > FOOD: 4.0
0.5 > BEVERAGES: 5.0
0.5 > A.KITS + OTHER FREEBIES: 5.0
0.5 > DISEMBARKATION: 8.0
1.0 > ON-TIME RECORD: 8.0 WEIGHTED OVERALL IMPRESSION (WOI): 6.63
(Pre-flight WOI of all reviews: 6.50)
* Weighted Overall Impression (WOI) aligns scores with what matters most. Weights are indicated alongside each category.
(Scores are based on comparison with other airlines in THAT class of service – No comparison of Y vs. F for example)
(Note on Codes: Y – Economy, J – Business, F – First :: I/D – International/Domestic :: SR/MR/LR – Short/Medium/Long Haul)
(Note on Date: Dates are modified to be +/- 3 days from actual flight date to not reveal actual flight pattern)
Gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 1192 posts, RR: 8 Reply 1, posted (2 years 11 months 3 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 13758 times:
Hmm, Jazeera planes look really nice on the inside (even if you don't like the white!).
I noticed that your boarding pass was issued by Syrianair. When I flew Air Arabia out of DAM to SHJ in 2004, they also took care of checkin, and it took HOURS, and was a complete mess even though the flight wasn't full. Sound like getting checked in at the transit counter is a good idea, although given the loads on your flight, I don't imagine check in would have been too chaotic.
Directorguy From Egypt, joined Jul 2008, 1546 posts, RR: 12 Reply 2, posted (2 years 11 months 3 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 13751 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
As usual, great TR! A++
I can't believe the load was THAT light-you certainly have a knack for picking the empty flights, don't you?
Awesome pics, and YES, Jazeera Airways is a great airline, and easily the best LCC in the Gulf at the moment. Bahrain Air and Air Arabia are nothing to write home about unlike J9.
I like the layout of the TR-I'm writing my first very soon so I'm currently taking hints!
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 5122 posts, RR: 80 Reply 3, posted (2 years 11 months 3 weeks 1 day ago) and read 13590 times:
Great report, Abrelosojos! I had wondered for some time how Jazeera would be like. Too bad my plan didn't work out to fly on that carrier in a few weeks.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Load in the all Y cabin was a dismal 5%. I think the entire aircraft had like 10 passengers.
That's really bad...
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Jazeera Airways has way too much white going. In fact, it could be an airline in pretty much any part of the world.
True, white is the most boring color for an aircraft.
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4389 posts, RR: 56 Reply 4, posted (2 years 11 months 3 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 13409 times:
Quoting Gabrielchew (Reply 1): I noticed that your boarding pass was issued by Syrianair. When I flew Air Arabia out of DAM to SHJ in 2004, they also took care of checkin, and it took HOURS, and was a complete mess even though the flight wasn't full. Sound like getting checked in at the transit counter is a good idea, although given the loads on your flight, I don't imagine check in would have been too chaotic.
= Funny thing is - I am a BIG fan of checking-in at transit desks .
Quoting Directorguy (Reply 2): I can't believe the load was THAT light-you certainly have a knack for picking the empty flights, don't you?
= I have had this weird run of flights that are running empty ... or perhaps, it is just a sign of the slowing global economy ...
Quoting Directorguy (Reply 2): I like the layout of the TR-I'm writing my first very soon so I'm currently taking hints!
= Thanks.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 3): Great report, Abrelosojos! I had wondered for some time how Jazeera would be like. Too bad my plan didn't work out to fly on that carrier in a few weeks.
= Ya. I had to try them! Where are you heading and why didn't the plans work out?
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 3): ...and that with a fleet of only three aircraft!
PH
= Reminds me sort of J9 themselves. They fly to an insane amount of destinations with their small fleet.
Twolz2rn From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 415 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (2 years 11 months 3 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 13153 times:
Great report!
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): After an amazing time there (have I mentioned how much I love Cairo?),
Me too! I've been working in Cairo for the past 6 months and I really like it! I might be moving back to the US at the end of March and if I do, I'm going to miss it!
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): The one hiccup was that my U.S. base Chase card never worked on the site. I even tried calling the Kuwait office and was not successful in having them process it either.
This has happened to me in Egypt. You usually have to call the credit card company and confirm the purchase...its a hassle, but at leat you know they're looking out for you!
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 7749 posts, RR: 57 Reply 7, posted (2 years 11 months 3 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 12976 times:
Great report and pictures Abrelosojos,
Good to see a report on this carrier, 1st I recall reading.
That cabin looks a little dull, needs some colour to lift it.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Load in the all Y cabin was a dismal 5%. I think the entire aircraft had like 10 passengers. According to the crew, this was highly unusual
MHTripple7 From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 920 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (2 years 11 months 3 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 12751 times:
Very interesting TR, Abrelosojos! I loved the shot of the RB 74L's side by side in DAM.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Load in the all Y cabin was a dismal 5%. I think the entire aircraft had like 10 passengers.
Holy crap that's terrible. Great for you though cause you got to stretch out.
MilesDependent From Australia, joined Sep 2001, 810 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (2 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 12267 times:
Great report, very interesting.
When you say perhaps you were thinking of another J9 report - perhaps what you remember me commenting on J9 on another of your recent trip reports. I can't remember the context but I do remember crapping on about J9 for some reason and you saying you had just flown them and to expect a TR soon.
I (as usual) pretty much agree with your sentiment. For a LCC, I was impressed with J9 on my recent DXB-KWI-DXB flights. Friendly crew, nice planes, good food = happy me.
Hopefully your work picks up. I used to travel around like you until I got retrenched! Damn economic crisis. My new job = no travel (but heaps more $$$, so it kind of works out lol).
Anyway, thanks again for another great report. Who would have thought you'd be back in DAM twice in such a short time!
LH4116 From Sweden, joined Aug 2007, 1364 posts, RR: 12 Reply 11, posted (2 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 11510 times:
Nice report Alex!
Yet again, an interesting report, and It's always a pleasure to read.
The interiors on J9 looked superb! And the grey leather looked like a nice change from the usual black or blue.
Given that it was a middle east airline after all (LCC or not), I thought that they would offer free meals. But a free bottle of water is always good, unlike a certain full fare airline... *cough*SAS*cough*
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): The crew probably thought I was a first time flier and explained it was meant to do that. Actually, I am sure the crew assumed it was my first flight as they were equally amused with my picture taking ... hehe.
Haha, and that's not the first time either
Thanks for posting
//Jonas
I won't stop complaining until SAS reintroduces free service in Economy Class!
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 5122 posts, RR: 80 Reply 12, posted (2 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 11343 times:
Quoting Abrelosojos (Reply 4): Where are you heading and why didn't the plans work out?
I had to burn my Skywards miles and so I decided to book a trip to the Gulf in March, mainly to get the A380. I also considered to include Kuwait and Jazeera, but due to a number of reasons (visa issues etc.) I picked Doha as the final destination.
Sponsor Message: 
From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4389 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 1192 posts, 
From Egypt, joined Jul 2008, 1546 posts, 
From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 5122 posts, 
.
From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 415 posts, 
From Australia, joined Sep 2001, 810 posts, 
From Sweden, joined Aug 2007, 1364 posts, 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
