Jetstar announced a delay to it’s delivery of new Airbus A320neo as a cost cutting measures after the airline experienced a downfall in revenues during 2017. As demand increased the airline also leased some bigger A321 for popular routes.

Qantas Group confirmed that it will take delivery of 18 Airbus A321neo long-range (A321LR) aircraft from mid-2020. All destined for Jetstar. They will operate the A321neo LRs on routes like Melbourne and Sydney to Bali, currently operated by the 787-8 Dreamliner. The arrival of the first four long range neos will also add capacity on these routes with potential to free up some 787-8 for use on other leisure routes such as Vietnam, China, Thailand and Hawaii.

During 2018, Jetstar continued to refine its role within the Jetstar Group structure, which included affiliated carriers such as Jetstar Japan and Jetstar Asia. Around this period, the airline emphasized Asia—particularly China and Southeast Asia.

The outbreak of the pandemic in 2020 marked a severe disruption. Like most global airlines, Jetstar dramatically reduced operations due to border closures, particularly in Australia, which maintained some of the strictest travel restrictions in the world. International flying was largely suspended, and domestic operations were scaled down significantly. During this period, Jetstar relied heavily on the financial backing and strategic direction of the Qantas Group, which undertook major restructuring measures.

As travel restrictions began to ease in 2021 and especially throughout 2022, Jetstar entered a recovery phase characterized by renewed fleet investment and a gradual restoration of its network. One of the most significant milestones in this period was the delivery of the Airbus A321LR in July of 2022, marking the introduction of a new generation of aircraft into the fleet. These aircraft allowed Jetstar to launch routes that were previously uneconomical or technically unfeasible with older narrowbody aircraft, including longer trans-Tasman and Southeast Asian routes.

Simultaneously, Jetstar began to rebuild its international network, focusing on leisure destinations that aligned with its low-cost model. Routes to destinations such as Bali, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea became central to its recovery strategy, as pent-up demand for holiday travel surged following the pandemic. By 2023 and 2024, the airline had not only restored but significantly expanded its international capacity.

Fleet modernization became increasingly visible during this recovery phase. Deliveries of Airbus A320neo aircraft began in late 2024, introducing improved fuel efficiency and lower operating costs compared to older A320ceo models. These aircraft were part of a broader Qantas Group order that aimed to modernize Jetstar’s short-haul fleet while reducing emissions and operating expenses.

By 2024 and 2025, Jetstar had entered a strong expansion phase, driven by both market conditions and strategic repositioning. The airline capitalized on reduced competition in certain segments of the Australian aviation market, particularly following the collapse or retrenchment of competitors, which created additional market share.

During 2025, Jetstar launched numerous new routes across domestic Australia, the trans-Tasman market, and Asia. Domestically, the airline increased frequencies and capacity on key routes such as Adelaide–Melbourne, Adelaide–Brisbane, and Adelaide–Perth, adding hundreds of thousands of seats annually and strengthening its position in the Australian domestic leisure market.

Internationally, in 2025, Jetstar launched new services connecting Australia to the Philippines, including routes from Brisbane to Cebu and Perth to Manila, marking a strategic expansion into a fast-growing tourism and diaspora market.

The airline also significantly expanded its operations to Bali, one of its most important leisure destinations, including launching new routes from secondary Australian cities such as Newcastle and the Sunshine Coast.

In parallel, Jetstar increased its trans-Tasman operations between Australia and New Zealand, adding capacity and launching new routes such as Brisbane to Queenstown, reflecting strong demand for leisure travel, particularly seasonal tourism like skiing.

Another major structural development occurred in 2025 with the closure of Jetstar Asia, the Singapore-based affiliate, as part of a strategic realignment of the group’s Asian operations. Aircraft and resources from this closure were redeployed within the broader Jetstar network, including to Jetstar Airways and Jetstar Japan, further consolidating operations and focusing on more profitable markets.

Fleet development continued to play a central role in Jetstar’s strategy during this period. By 2025 and 2026, the airline operated a modern and diversified fleet that included Airbus A320s, A320neos, A321LRs, and Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, with additional A321XLR aircraft on order for delivery through the decade.

In addition to acquiring new aircraft, Jetstar invested heavily in upgrading its existing fleet. Beginning in late 2025 the airline launched a major refurbishment program for its Boeing 787 Dreamliners. This upgrade included new seating configurations, increased business class capacity, onboard Wi-Fi, and redesigned cabins.

By 2026, Jetstar’s network had expanded to its largest ever size, with over 20 domestic and 20 international destinations, supported by the addition of multiple new routes and increased frequencies across existing markets. The airline continued to focus on leisure-oriented routes, leveraging its cost structure to offer competitive fares while maintaining high aircraft utilization.