While the flights require a stop in Singapore, with a change of aircraft, they maintain the same flight number (JQ63/64) which means that luggage will be transferred for through passengers and any delay will not cause problems for passengers (other than waiting!). The transit time on the way over is a respectable 1 hour 20 minutes; making for a total travel time of 12 hours 20 minutes which is a lot longer than a direct service or a one stop service in a more direct location (like Manila). However on the return the transit time is a frustrating 6 hours, making for a 17 hour 30 minute travel time.
By comparison Jetstar's single flight number, same plane, flights to Tokyo, via Manila have a travel time of 9 hours 30 minutes and 10 hours return.
Initially flights to Osaka will operate Thursday, Friday and Sunday, with return flights on Friday, Saturday and Monday.
Item by australianaviation.com.au at 11:45 am, Thursday November 1 2012
Jetstar has introduced Osaka as its fourth international destination served from Darwin. Inaugurated on November 1, the service will initially be operated three times a week and will extend to four return flights a week from December as an extension of the existing Darwin-Singapore operation.
Japan is the Northern Territory’s largest trading partner and the new service is expected to be a significant boost to business in the region. It already exports more than $2.5 billion annually to Japan, a figure set increase as a result of the new service.
Jetstar CEO Australia & New Zealand David Hall said: “Japan is a key international inbound market for the Northern Territory and is currently the fourth largest international source market with around 25,000 visitors each year.”