Review of Jetstar Airways flight from Gold Coast to Darwin in Economy

Jetstar JQ691 Gold Coast ✈ Darwin

Flight details: 
Airline: Jetstar
Flight: JQ691 OOL ✈ DRW
Reg: VH-VFK
Aircraft: Airbus A320-232
Seat: 8F
Departure Gold Coast Airport Gate 5: 09.00pm
Arrival Darwin Airport: 12.50am
Total time: 04h20m
Age: 13 Years [Year 2025 ]
Seat Config: Y186

Video: Jetstar JQ691 Gold Coast ✈ Darwin

Introduction

This trip report is from Sept 2025. Previously I had flown from Newcastle to Gold Coast, refer the flight report -
Jetstar JQ494 Newcastle ✈ Gold Coast 

I stayed a night in Gold Coast as the connection flight was too tight to transfer from Newcastle.

I have added photos, details and video for you to live the experience.

Booking

I had booked this flight as a separate booking.

Flight arrived in Darwin past midnight.

I chose the 9pm departure as the flight was direct.

Flight selected

I was carrying luggage

Added the checked baggage.

Selected seat as it was night flight, seating didn't matter.

I didn't select meal.

I needed a car for this trip and booked the car along with flight.

Summary of booking

Paid and received a booking reference.

Check-in

I checked for this flight online. Online check-in available 48hrs prior to departure.

Check-in process

Flight selected

Flight summary

Baggage information

Goods restrictions

Acknowledgement

Boarding pass issued

Boarding pass issued

Arriving at the airport

I left my bag at the hotel and taken a train to Brisbane. On return, I collected the bag and walked to the airport. 

Video: Walking | Gold Coast airport

Used the self check-in kiosk to print the bag tag and boarding pass. Dropped bag at the counter.

Video: Gold Coast Airport | Entry to Departure

Security

After completing check-in, decided to complete security check and wait in the departure area.

Departure

Security check completed in no time and I was in the departure area.

Walking towards gate

Last 3 domestic flights departing Gold Coast Airport.

I checked flightradar24 for aircraft information. JQ691 operated by Jetstar VH-VFK - 13 year old aircraft.

Aircraft rotation

JQ691 to Darwin departing from gate 5.

Boarding

Boarding commenced and I joined the queue.

Queue to scan the boarding pass and proceed towards aircraft.

Walking towards aircraft.

Video: Boarding flight

Queue formed to board.

View of aircraft.

Tug in place for pushback.

Followed others to board from the front stairs.

Cargo aircraft.

Onboard

View of terminal and aircraft bay from stairs

Showed boarding pass to crew and walked towards my seat.

Seat view

Aircraft was equipped with streaming entertainment.

Window view

Seat Pocket Content

Seat pocket contained safety card and menu

Jetstar Airbus A320-200 safety card

Menu

Browsing the menu

I wanted order food and drink as I would be reaching past mid-night.

Jetstar merchandise

Pushback, taxi and departure

Pushback commenced on time, followed by taxi to runway 32-14. 

Video: Departure | Gold Coast Airport

Aircraft departed towards the North and then turned West, flying over Brisbane. Passengers on the Port side had a good view.

Video: Jetstar JQ691 Gold Coast to Darwin Flight route

Cabin Service

I decided my meal order - chicken wrap and combo meal.

Hahn SuperDry beer

Buy on Board service commenced and I placed order. Paid with Credit card.

Seat pocket with safety card and menu.

Chicken Wrap and beer came first.

I ate first then remembered to take a photo.

I had chosen the Vegetarian pack along with the wrap.

Pie and Spinach roll

Arriving in Darwin

After meal, Lights were switched off and I rested. Time passed, Pilot informed that descend would commence soon. 

Cabin light was switched on. Crew walked in cabin to collect rubbish and conduct safety check.

Darwin suburbs light became visible.

Aircraft commenced descend to land on runway 29-11.

Video: Landing | Darwin Airport

After a short taxi, pilot announced of a short wait.

 Aircraft stopped for Virgin Australia aircraft to vacate the bay.

Reached the gate

Aircraft arrived on time.

Disembarkation

Disembarkation was from the front door. Joined others to exit the aircraft.

Jetstar VH-VFK Airbus A320-232 serviced after arriving.

Entering the terminal.

Following the baggage claim and exit sign

Walked through the door and then an escalator to reach the arrival area.

Passengers waiting to claim their bags.

Arrivals information, time was 1a.m in the morning.

Departure schedule

Bag claim 3 for Gold Coast flight.

I went to the car hire to get the keys. After completing documentation, I reached baggage claim to collect my bag.

Walking towards the exit.

Near empty terminal as passengers had left

Video: Darwin Airport | Arrival to Exit

Walking towards exit. 

Found the car and drove to hotel. Reached hotel at 2.40a.m

Video: Darwin Airport to Hotel

Tourist bonus

Sharing tourist photos and videos below.:

Video: Gold Coast Timelapse | 12 hours Night to Day

I was tired after the previous flight and woke at sunrise. 

Sharing the beautiful view from the room below.

View of terminal while going for breakfast.

After breakfast, I checked out of the room and left bag as I had a night flight. 

Video: Gold Coast Hotel check-out

I walked to the airport to buy a GoExplore Card for AUD $1.50. A day pass to travel on public transport.

Video: Walk | Gold Coast hotel to bus

Brisbane is hosting the Year 2032 Olympics and to test the transport system, public transport fares in Brisbane and Gold Coast is reduced to 50 cents each trip.

Video: Bus ride | Gold Coast to Coolangatta

GoExplore card. I took a bus to Coolangatta.

Marine Parade Beach

Sunny day in Queensland, Weather is pleasant in September.

Video: Coolangatta, Queensland

Beach view

I spent some time walking then took a bus to Varsity Lakes station to catch a train to Brisbane. Got down and walked to train station.

Paid the fare using Credit card. Train was waiting at the platform.

Video: Train Ride | Gold Coast to Brisbane

Reached Brisbane and walked after deboarding bus at Queen Street.

Video: Brisbane, Queensland

Spent few hours in Brisbane and then walked back to catch train to Gold Coast. Sunset view of Brisbane.

Reached South Brisbane station to catch the Gold Coast train.

Gold Coast bound train arrives from Brisbane Airport.

Video: Train Ride | Brisbane to Gold Coast

End of Trip

Hope you enjoyed this trip report.

Thanks for reading and watching the video.

:)