Off to Cairns in Queensland, in northeastern Australia. I flew there on a direct Jetstar flight from Kansai International Airport Terminal 1, which had just completed a major renovation.
This time, I took Flight JQ16, which departs from Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 at night and arrives in Cairns the following morning. Jetstar operates four flights a week from Kansai International Airport on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The scheduled departure time from Kansai International Airport is 9:25 p.m. Even when factoring in the time needed for check-in and immigration, it’s easy to make it to the airport after work, and the great thing about a night departure and morning arrival flight is that you can start exploring Cairns right from the first day.
Kansai International Airport just opened the new international terminal retail area—the final phase of the Terminal 1 renovation—on June 2, 2026. The way passengers spend their time between passing through immigration and boarding has changed significantly.
Smart lanes have been introduced for security screening to reduce wait times. Automated gates have also been installed for immigration, making the departure process smoother than before. Once you’ve checked in and passed through security and immigration, you’ll first emerge into a spacious central area. This area has been completely transformed into a comfortable space where you can not only shop but also enjoy a meal or buy a drink while waiting for your flight.
To coincide with the opening of this new area at Kansai International Airport, the “Call to Gate” initiative has also been launched. This system provides boarding gate numbers at a more precise time, allowing passengers to spend their time in the central area after passing through immigration until the announcement is made. Rather than having to move to the gate early and wait, as was the case before, passengers can now more easily use their time after immigration for dining and shopping.
To enter Australia, you must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in advance by applying through the “AustralianETA” app (Android/iOS). The fee is 20 Australian dollars (approximately 2,200 yen).
Well, since we’ll be arriving in Cairns the next morning, I want to get as much sleep as possible on the flight. I’ll have a light meal before departure, grab a drink, and try to get some rest as soon as possible after boarding. Getting a good night’s sleep on the flight is key to being able to explore Cairns right from the first day.
Another thing to keep in mind when flying with Jetstar is the weight of your carry-on and checked baggage. In Economy Class, which I flew this time, you’re allowed two carry-on bags with a combined weight of up to 7 kg. Since I needed to bring camera equipment for my reporting, I had signed up in advance for the “Plus 7kg” option, which allows for a higher carry-on weight limit.
With this option, you can bring a total of 14 kg of carry-on luggage. However, since each piece of carry-on luggage cannot weigh more than 10 kg, you should avoid packing too many heavy items into a single bag.
The key is to check this when you make your reservation or before departure, rather than after you arrive at the airport. It’s most cost-effective to purchase add-on options at the time of booking; purchasing them after booking or at the airport will cost more. If you think you might exceed the basic 7kg limit—or know for sure you will—it’s best to apply in advance for peace of mind. The same goes for checked baggage: be sure to pay close attention to the weight.
On the day of departure, I arrived at the airport just before 6:00 p.m. The check-in counters opened around 6:30 p.m. I checked in as soon as they opened, had a light dinner in the landside area of the terminal, and proceeded to security screening shortly after 7:00 p.m. Since it was an evening flight, the wait time was relatively short, and I was able to complete security screening and immigration in about 30 minutes. Crowd levels vary from day to day, so it’s best to allow plenty of time.
Flight JQ16 on that day is scheduled to depart Kansai International Airport at 9:25 p.m. and arrive in Cairns at 5:35 a.m. the following morning. The aircraft assigned to the flight is a Boeing 787-8. Jetstar is currently in the process of refurbishing the cabins of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft, resulting in a mix of refurbished and standard-spec aircraft in its fleet. The airline plans to sequentially refurbish all 11 of its 787s, with the entire fleet upgrade scheduled to be completed by the second half of 2027.
For this report, both the outbound flight (JQ16) and the return flight (JQ15) were operated by 787s in their original configuration. The registration numbers were VH-VKI for the outbound flight and VH-VKG for the return flight, both of which were pre-refurbishment models. On board, passengers accessed the flight map and in-flight entertainment via the personal monitors located in front of their seats.
On the standard 787 model, there is no in-flight Wi-Fi service, so passengers generally pass the time during the flight by using the seat-back monitors or content they’ve downloaded onto their own smartphones or tablets. On the other hand, on the upgraded aircraft, passengers can enjoy in-flight content on their own smartphones, tablets, or laptops. In-flight Wi-Fi has also been introduced, and in addition to a free menu that includes a flight map and select content, paid streaming and browsing plans available during the flight are also offered.
Since you won’t know which version of the aircraft you’ll be on at the time of booking, it’s a good idea to have earbuds, headphones, and content on your smartphone or tablet ready so you’re prepared no matter which one you end up on. Both older and newer 787 models support device charging, but the older models have USB Type-A ports, while the upgraded models have USB Type-C ports. It’s a good idea to bring both types of cables just to be safe.
Once you board the plane and take your seat, keep your passport and other entry documents within easy reach. When entering Australia, in addition to applying for an ETA, you’ll need to fill out an Incoming Passenger Card. Since you’ll need to provide your name, flight number, accommodation details, and a declaration of items you’re bringing in, you’ll want to complete it as soon as possible after it’s distributed on the plane.
One thing to be careful about here is the declaration process upon entering Australia. Australia is known for its strict quarantine regulations, and you may be required to declare any food, plant materials, or animal-derived products you are carrying. Shoes, clothing, and equipment used in rural areas or near animals may also be subject to these rules. Shoes with soil or grass seeds on them, outdoor gear, and golf shoes are items that even seasoned travelers tend to overlook.
Also, while you might assume that snacks and instant foods are safe, they may contain meat, eggs, dairy products, or plant-based ingredients. You should also avoid leaving fruit served as in-flight meals or leftovers in your bag. If you’re unsure about anything, it’s safer to check “Yes” on your customs declaration form.
It’s a good idea for anyone bringing medication to be prepared. Rather than transferring regular medications into a pill case, it’s easier to explain them if you bring them in their original packaging along with the instructions. For prescription medications, it’s helpful to have a prescription showing the name and dosage of the medication, or a letter from your doctor written in English. It’s essential to ensure the medication is for your own use or that of a family member traveling with you, and that the quantity does not exceed what is necessary.
Smokers also need to be careful about the amount of tobacco they bring in. Australia’s duty-free allowance for travelers 18 years of age or older is one unopened pack of cigarettes (up to 25 cigarettes) or the equivalent of 25 grams of tobacco products, plus one opened pack of cigarettes. Any amount exceeding this limit is subject to declaration and taxation. It’s easy to impulsively buy cigarettes at duty-free shops when departing, but be aware that depending on the quantity, they may be subject to declaration or taxation. It’s best not to treat e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products the same way as regular cigarettes. Vape-related products and items such as IQOS and HeatSticks are subject to regulations, so be sure to check the latest information before departure.
When entering Australia, it’s best not to assume, “This much should be okay.” Items such as food, medicine, tobacco products, and outdoor gear—things you might tend to pack without giving it much thought on a typical trip—may be subject to declaration or inspection. If you declare them, they’ll be inspected and a decision made accordingly, but if they’re found without a declaration, you could face fines or other penalties. The golden rule is: “If in doubt, always declare.”
The flight to Cairns takes a little over 7 hours. At Cairns Airport, international flights arrive at Terminal 1. Upon arrival, proceed to immigration first. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can use “SmartGate,” Australia’s automated immigration system.
The SmartGate process upon arrival consists of two steps. First, you scan and verify your passport at a kiosk terminal, and then you undergo identity verification via facial recognition at the SmartGate unit itself. At the kiosk, you scan your passport and answer the questions on the screen. The screen supports Japanese, so even if you’re not confident in your English, the process itself is simple. Once the verification is successful, a ticket is printed; take this ticket and proceed to the next SmartGate.
At the SmartGate unit, stand facing the camera to undergo facial recognition. If you pass through without any issues, proceed directly to baggage claim. Be sure not to discard the ticket issued by the kiosk until you exit the arrival lobby.
After passing through the SmartGate, collect your luggage and proceed to customs and quarantine. There, hand your kiosk ticket and Incoming Passenger Card to the officer. In other words, the kiosk and SmartGate are part of the immigration process and do not exempt you from declaring your carry-on items or going through quarantine.
It’s helpful to remember the sequence of events after arrival: kiosk terminals, SmartGate, baggage claim, customs and quarantine, and the arrivals lobby. The automated process mainly covers passport control. If you have items that need to be declared—such as food, medicine, tobacco products, or outdoor gear—you’ll need to go through customs and quarantine afterward for inspection.
Once you clear customs and quarantine, your morning in Cairns finally begins. As you step out of the airport early in the morning, you’re enveloped by the air unique to the tropics. You depart from Kansai International Airport at night and find yourself on Australian soil by early morning. The time difference from Japan is one hour. With a direct flight departing at night and arriving in the morning, you can start making the most of Cairns time from the very first day. All that’s left to do is enjoy Cairns to the fullest right from the start.
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