As usual, there was Uni on the 24th May, and after finishing my last lecture my friends offered me a drink at a nearby cafe. It was not long later when all my friends were at the cafe and a really unexpected surprise - a return ticket for the first ever Jetstar flight leaving the next morning at 6am, which means I'd be in Gold Coast in the next 12 hours! Seriously, what a birthday present from my friends as I guess no only a coincidence that Jetstar will launch flights on my birthday, but the idea to offer me such a nice present, something I'll never forget! (Bad thing is I gotta take the 14:40 flight back to Sydney but hey, who's gonna care on this sort of occasion!)

Flight - JQ502 (Jetstar)
Date - 25th May 2004
Routing: Sydney - Gold Coast
Equipment: Boeing 717-2BD VH-VQB
S/D Time: 6:00am
A/D Time: 5:59am (First Jetstar flight to take off within Australia!)
S/L Time: 7:20am
A/L Time: 7:11am (First Jetstar flight to land within Australia!)
Departure Gate: 49
Arrival Gate: 1
Sequence No: 4 (Was the first passenger to check-in at SYD however)


Me and 2 of my friends who came to send me off arrived around 3:45am, since we didn't sleep the night before and trying to be part of history.


The desserted terminal 2, considering that my flight was actually the earliest flight to depart Sydney!


Finally in operation!


Jetstar staff getting ready for the first ever Jetstar flight!


Can't believe this booking reference works!


The check-in staff getting prepared


Aren't they fresh and good looking!


Funny I've never tried out DJ after the diminish of Ansett...hopefully I'll get to fly with them one day! However, JQ's the star for now!


Only the check-in counters for JQ were opened at that time.


Waiting for the security check-points to be opened.



VQB will be doing the historic flight


A nice Cuppa before my journey begins!


Gate 49, Qantas is no more in terminal 2!


And the journey begins finally!


Since it's free seating I chose 13A which has a good view of both the wing and the outside views.


Waiting for push-back


And everyone gets a Jetstar hat!


Well according to me I'd say legroom is pretty limited!


Anyways, roared off from Runway 25 and when we broke through the clouds all i see is heaven!


The gorgeous F.As selling inflight meals for those interested.


Robert Timms Espresso, $2.5 Australian


Surely he's enjoying his flight!


Ready for our decend......


And the nice Jetstar safetycards, took a few as souviniers for my friends!


And the only inflight reading material, "Jetstar" magazine


Seriously, i don't think anyone in my situation would believe he/she is actually arriving into Gold Coast in no-time!


Awesome!






Touch Down!!








Part of the domestic terminal


I assume, the old Qantaslink seats?


Thanks for your hospitality!


The Skip and the f/o, legends!


Ready to clean up the aircraft in order to minimise turn-around time!


You can never do this in Sydney!



Until I got off the plane and feel the air of Coolangatta, I still could not believe I was in Gold Coast! Seriously, no-one believed me when I told them "hey mate I'm now in Gold Coast and be back in 7-8 hours!"
Flight was indeed enjoyable and it was for sometime that I paid so much attention to every small bits on a flight! probably because this flight was just like the present itself, a surprise! Short, but a flight that it'd be too hard for me to forget, especially the meaning of it!

Anyways, part 2 will be up later, thanks for reading!

Christopher