Jetstar Grab a Seat: Select Seats, Worth It & Family Tips

Flying Jetstar with kids sounds simple until the boarding gate reveals your family scattered across three rows. It’s a common complaint on parent forums, yet the airline’s official policy says it “does its best” to seat families together. The gap between that promise and passenger reality is where this guide lives — and what we’ll untangle together.

Allocated seats included: All Jetstar fares · Seat selection timing: During booking · Club Jetstar join fee: $65 · Club Jetstar renew fee: $55 · Family seating policy: Best efforts for young children

The table below consolidates the key facts from official Jetstar sources and verified reviews.

Can you pick your seats on Jetstar?

Yes — but only if you pay for the privilege on Starter fares. Every Jetstar passenger receives an allocated seat at no extra cost, assigned randomly if no selection is made (Jetstar Official – Family travel and seating). The choice to select your own spot costs extra depending on your fare bundle.

During booking

Seat selection happens on the booking flow before payment. Passengers can choose aisle, window, or middle seats directly on the Jetstar website or app. Jetstar recommends families make these choices at booking time, noting “that’s why it’s best to select your seats when you book your flights” (Jetstar Official – Family travel and seating). Three seat tiers exist: upfront seats (near front for faster boarding), extra legroom (exit rows with more space), and standard seats.

After booking options

Those who skip seat selection during booking can still choose later via Manage Booking on the Jetstar site. Fees apply, and availability drops as the flight fills. Exit row seats cost around 31 NZD (~20 USD) but deliver meaningfully more legroom than the standard 29-inch pitch — a worthwhile trade for taller travelers or families on long hauls (One Mile at a Time – Travel Review).

Is it worth paying for a seat on Jetstar?

The answer depends on your priorities and your family configuration. Exit row upgrades cost roughly 31 NZD (~20 USD) and provide substantially more legroom than standard 29-inch seats — one travel reviewer calls the upgrade “almost always worth it” for comfort on low-cost carriers (One Mile at a Time – Travel Review).

Pros of paying

• Guaranteed seating together — no relying on “best efforts”
• Exit rows offer real legroom improvement over cramped 29-inch pitch
• Upfront seats mean faster boarding and deplaning, valuable with children
• Window seats let families control blinds and give kids a resting surface

Cons of free allocation

• Random assignment means split families are a real outcome, not a theoretical risk
• No guarantee young children sit with parents — only “best efforts” (Jetstar Official – Family travel and seating)
• May end up in unfavorable positions: middle seats, near toilets, at the back

Traveler experiences

Forum posts paint a darker picture than the official policy suggests. One parent reported that despite the website stating “kids under 18 will always be seated with an adult,” Jetstar placed two adults together and two children together three rows away from each other (Australian Frequent Flyer – Forum Discussion). Another described children under 10 sitting together while parents were placed in different rows entirely.

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

Jetstar’s official language is cautious: “We do our best to seat families together when we allocate seating and we’ll make sure that young children are seated with a parent or guardian, but we can’t guarantee you’ll be all together” (Jetstar Official – Family travel and seating).

General allocation

Without paid seat selection, Jetstar uses automated systems to assign seats at check-in. The algorithm attempts to keep groups connected, but operational factors — aircraft changes, rebooking events, full flights — can override that intent. Families of four or more on the A320’s 3-3 configuration may be split: Jetstar’s own guidance suggests options like “three in one row and one across the aisle, or two pairs one behind the other” (Jetstar Official – Choosing Seats Family).

Family exceptions

Two age-related policies protect young travelers. Children under 15 — including infants — cannot sit in exit rows, regardless of parental preference (Jetstar Official – Family travel and seating). One adult traveling with more than one infant must purchase a seat for the second child (Jetstar Official – Family travel and seating). Bassinets are available on international Boeing 787 flights only, not domestic routes.

Does Jetstar seat people together?

For families willing to pay, Jetstar delivers reliable togetherness. For those relying on free allocation, the outcome is genuinely uncertain.

Starter fare details

Starter fares — which include Jetstar’s “Grab a Seat” options — require an extra payment for standard seat selection. Other fare bundles include seats depending on the tier purchased (Jetstar Official – Seat selection). Club Jetstar membership ($65 new, $55 renewal) offers priority access to seat selection and other perks that can make family booking more manageable.

Paid selection guarantee

When families purchase specific seats, the outcome is certain — the seats are locked. This is the only path to a genuine guarantee. Jetstar’s official guidance is explicit: select seats at booking time to ensure preferred locations, “especially for families” (Jetstar Official – Choosing Seats Family).

Can I choose my seats after booking?

Yes, through Jetstar’s Manage Booking feature on the website. The process works post-purchase, but two caveats apply: fees attach to late selection, and inventory may have thinned.

Manage booking steps

1. Go to jetstar.com and select Manage Booking
2. Enter booking reference and last name
3. Navigate to “Change seats” under your flight details
4. Select preferred seats from the available map
5. Pay any applicable fees before confirmation

Fees and availability

Prices vary by route, seat type, and timing. Exit row seats around 31 NZD (~20 USD) represent the premium tier; standard seats cost less. Seats in rows 10-13, 56-57, or 54B/H may change on revamped aircraft, with refunds issued if your assigned seat shifts (Jetstar Official – Seat selection).