Jetstar Australia now fly direct from Australia to the Cook Islands
The Cook Islands are Jetstar Australia’s newest holiday destination
Australians now have an amazing new island holiday destination to love – and it’s even closer than Bali!
Flight JQ141 arrives at Rarotonga for the very first time!
We were invited to visit the Cook Islands with Jetstar Australia!
We were very lucky to be invited to join Jetstar Australia’s inaugural flight to the Cook Islands and to spend a week in Rarotonga and Aitutaki. The Cook Islands are a beautiful and exciting new holiday destination for Australians.
We were very excited to be invited to the Jetstar Cook Islands innaugural flight!
JQ141 – The first flight from Sydney to Rarotonga
Sydney International Airport came alive with the sounds of tropical song and dance on the 29th of June 2023 for the take-off of Jetstar flight JQ141 – the very first Jetstar Australia flight to the Cook Islands!
The official Jetstar airline send-off of the inaugural flight was a very exciting affair. A group of traditionally dressed Cook Islanders sang, played and danced in joyful celebration whilst 200 eager passengers and Jetstar crew looked on, thoroughly enjoying the show.
We all knew that we were part of something very special, and were also delighted to be gifted an “I love Rarotonga” T-shirt as we checked in to our flight!
Cook Islanders at Sydney Airport celebrating Jetstar Australia’s first flight to Rarotonga
Jetstar are the only airline to fly direct from Australia to the Cook Islands
You can now book a direct Jetstar Australia flight from Sydney to Rarotonga, the largest of the Cook Islands.
Jetstar offers lower priced airfares so that more Australians can afford to enjoy overseas holidays, and the Cook Islands are no exception. Jetstar is the only airline that flies direct from Australia to the Cook Islands, and their airfares are as cheap as ever!
On board our Jetstar Australia Rarotonga flight
The Cook Islands are open to Australia again
Australians for the most part have been closed out of the Cook Islands since Ansett shut down their direct flights in 1990. From then on Australians wanting to visit the Cook Islands have had to fly via New Zealand. This made the Cook Islands much harder and more expensive for Aussies to access. Now all that has changed with Jetstar’s cheap, direct flights from Sydney to Rarotonga.
How long does it take to fly from Sydney to the Cook Islands?
Showing off our commemorative I Love Rarotonga t-shirts!
The flight from Sydney to the Cook Islands takes around five and a half hours. That’s a whole hour shorter than Sydney to Bali.
The return flight takes two extra hours due to headwinds, but that’s really just more time to kick back and relax! It’s a very reasonable flight time to such a great destination, and with Rarotonga only four hours behind Sydney (plus one day due to flying over the international date line), it’s easy to avoid the dreaded jetlag which so often plagues overseas holidays.
A brand-new Jetstar Australia fleet – the Airbus A321 NEO aircraft
The new Cook Islands route is even shorter than it might have been thanks to Jetstar’s new fleet of efficient Airbus A321 NEO aircraft.
These new Jetstar NEOs are 50% quieter than other aircraft of a similar size. In addition they feature an extra fuel tank which allows the NEO to have a longer flight range, yet uses less fuel.
Inside the cabin of the NEO passengers enjoy wider seats, a USB charge point and even a device holder to watch downloaded movies or play games. Plus there are the usual range of yummy Jetstar drinks and snacks available to purchase. Cheese toasties, pies, chocolate and lollies. The time in the air just flies by – pardon the pun – as you nibble on treats and watch a movie!
A warm Rarotonga welcome
Arriving in Rarotonga is an amazing experience
Upon arrival at Rarotonga International Airport, our awesome Jetstar flight attendants marked the occasion with a short speech and let us know that our airplane was to be blessed by local elders.
Upon disembarkation Jetstar flight passengers were welcomed with an amazing reception on the airport tarmac. Rows of traditionally dressed Cook Islanders gave tribal calls of blessings, song and dance – it was an amazing sight that I think few of us will ever forget.
Once we entered the Rarotonga airport terminal and passed through security, we were greeted with another local band singing and playing. There were warm smiles all around as we were met by locals and Cook Island Tourism with a beautiful crown of fresh island flowers for each of us!
We were very spoiled indeed that morning, although a warm welcome is what you can always expect from the incredibly friendly Cook Islands! Island music and dance greets you all over the island, and the islander culture is a historic and important one which they generously share with visitors. The Cook Islands are everything you want a tropical island holiday to be!
What is a holiday in the Cook Islands like?
One Foot Island in Aitutaki, Cook Islands
With a Cook Island resident population of less than 12,000 swelling to near 18,000 thanks to tourism, New Zealand tourists have had this holiday treasure almost all to themselves for a long time. Now thanks to Jetstar Australia, Australians can enjoy vacationing in the stunning Cook Islands too!
The lifestyle and overall vibe of the Cook Islands is a laid-back one. Locals call it “Island Time”. Sleepy and gentle. Cars drive slower. Friendly dogs sun themselves next to the road. Chickens wander freely.
Everywhere is the ocean and inner lagoons of blue, blue water filled with tropical fish and green turtles which you can even swim with. The surrounding coral reef keeps out dangerous sharks, so you can snorkel or swim in peace. Outside the inner reef, passing whales are a common sight too at this time of the year.
You won’t see any high-rises in the Cook Islands. The law of the land is no building higher than the tallest coconut tree! No traffic lights, no big city – the Cook Islands truly are an unspoilt, hidden paradise in the Pacific.
What is the food like in the Cook Islands?
You can get all your food favourites plus try new island specialties
Food in the Cook Islands is delicious – seafood is the specialty, of course. Fresh fish, vegetables and fruit whipped up into lots of amazing local specialties – but you can basically get anything you would like to eat, right down to chicken nuggets for the kids.
There’s over one hundred cafes in Rarotonga – and not one McDonalds! Enjoy the amazing Polynesian-style food choices wherever you can – they’re absolutely delicious, and often come with an incredible sea view and a local island dance and song show!
What is accommodation like in the Cook Islands?
From the fanciest of resorts (the richest man in Spain visited just recently!) to waterfront beach huts, adults only and family friendly beach resorts, there’s something for everyone in the Cook Islands.
What is there to do in the Cook Islands?
Wet N Wild Cruises offer snorkeling in beautiful Aitutaki Lagoon
There’s so much holiday fun to be had in the Cook Islands! The Cook Islands are perfectly geared for both relaxation – and for fun. There are the more energetic pursuits such as mountain hikes, kiteboarding, swimming with turtles or even whales! Then there are the more indulgent choices, such as day spas, massage – or even just kicking back beside the pool! You can choose your own adventure in the Cook Islands!
Jetstar Australia fly direct from Sydney to Rarotonga
Rarotonga – Jetstar Australia fly direct to the Cook Islands
If you’re looking for an amazing new family holiday, you won’t go wrong booking a budget-friendly Jetstar Australia flight to the Cook Islands! Check for the cheapest Jetstar Cook Island fares here
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Do you have any questions about flying to the Cook Islands for your next vacation? Ask me in the comments below!
The Let’s Go Mum family partnered with Jetstar Australia for our trip to the Cook Islands. As always, all opinions remain firmly our own.
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