Jetstar A320-200

No-frills, all-economy single-aisle three-and-three. The seats don't recline; there are no seatback screens, no power and no Wi-Fi — you bring your own everything. It flies every major domestic route plus short hops to New Zealand. Pitch is tighter than Qantas or Virgin Economy, so if you're tall, anything over a couple of hours gets uncomfortable. That's the honest read.

The seats are essentially identical down the cabin — there's no premium or extra-legroom product, and paid exit rows don't actually buy more pitch here. The front rows are worth it because you board and leave first, the most valuable "upgrade" on a budget carrier. Window or aisle beats the middle on anything over an hour.

The back adds engine noise and a slow exit to an already tight seat — loud and congested on a full jet. The middle seat on a non-reclining cabin is the least comfortable option going. On routes over a couple of hours, weigh the fare saving against a roomier Qantas or Virgin ticket.