JetSMART is a South American ultra-low-cost carrier based in Santiago, Chile. Similar to Hungary’s Wizz Air, Mexico’s Volaris and Frontier Airlines in the US, they specialize in flights in and around Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Colombia and Argentina. Like its sister carriers, JetSMART runs on a pay-as-you-go model where base fares are inexpensive but extras like luggage, seat selection and priority boarding cost additional fees.
I’ve flown JetSMART multiple times for routes like Santiago to Salvador and Santiago to Montevideo, so I can speak from experience about what to expect.
What is JetSMART?
The airline operates 50 aircraft consisting of Airbus A320 and A321 models and has transported over 50 million passengers since it started, serving destinations across South America including major cities like Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Lima and Bogotá. They’re expanding rapidly, particularly in Peru.
JetSMART fares and pricing
JetSMART operates its FlySMART fare structure. This means you book a ticket and that entitles you to fly with a small handbag, and that’s it. For everything else, you need to either pay an extra fee when booking, or later at check-in or at the gate. Base fares are low, but extras add up quickly, which is why I find this airline works best for short, last-minute trips when you’re traveling light.
Package deals and bundles
JetSMART offers PACK JetSMART bundles that let you save money by combining extras upfront. Travel Light includes just your flight and handbag (essentially the base fare). Pack SMART adds a personal item, large cabin bag, checked bag, seat selection, priority boarding and FlexiSMART. Pack FULL includes everything in Pack SMART plus airport boarding pass printing. Pack FULL is the most expensive, but if you already know you need all the extras, bundling them together is a smart move.
Baggage policies and fees
All tickets allow you to take a small handbag with you on the flight – for anything else, there’s an additional fee. The fee for taking a cabin bag with you is cheapest when you’re booking your ticket online. After that, it increases exponentially, from paying at check-in to at the gate itself. Cabin bags are limited to 22 lbs (one per passenger), and checked bags max out at 50 lbs (up to five bags per passenger).
For oversized equipment like bicycles, surfboards, or golf bags, you’re limited to 50 lbs and three checked items maximum. JetSMART is strict about excess baggage, charging fees for anything over 50 lbs (and only accepting up to 70.5 lbs total).
I learned this the hard way when traveling with a friend who went wild on a shopping trip and ended up having to freight their excess baggage. Be mindful of your packing to avoid the same fate.
Seat selection and options
The airline keeps its seating arrangements pretty simple. Random seat assignment is free, but if you want to choose your seat, there’s a fee. All seats measure the same (17.5 inches x 29 inches), but you’ll find different options:
Front Row: First row seats
Smart: Rows 2-4 with extra legroom
Quick Exit: Rows 5-11
Full Comfort: Premium positioning
Standard: Rows 15-32
In-flight food and drinks
Everything on board costs extra, and here’s the critical detail: JetSMART accepts payments in cash (Chilean Pesos CLP and US Dollars USD) and credit cards (Visa and Mastercard with chip). Debit cards and magnetic stripe cards are not accepted. The onboard menu includes various food and beverage options for purchase. I don’t find the offering special, so my recommendation is to bring your own snacks and drinks,.
Partnerships and codeshares
JetSMART has partnered with American Airlines, which means AAdvantage members can earn and redeem miles when flying JetSMART. This codeshare partnership is a solid perk if you’re already in the AAdvantage program and looking to rack up extra points on South American flights.
JetSMART membership program
For an annual fee, you can join JetSMART’s Club de Descuentos (Discount Club), which offers discounts on flights and baggage for you and a companion (or a group of up to five).
The goal here is to save some money on every transaction, so there are discounts on baggage per leg and flights per passenger, as well as exclusive offers. But unless you’re planning on using this airline very frequently, I don’t personally think it’s worth the cost for membership.
Check-in process and tips
Print your boarding pass in advance or download a digital version to your smartphone, as there’s a charge if you print it at the airport.
I’ve been caught out on this myself when catching a flight in Peru. I had to return to the desk and have it printed for a small fee.
Priority boarding options
JetSMART charges for priority boarding, but it is a nominal fee. Like everything else, it’s cheapest when you book it online ahead of your flight, more expensive at the check-in desk, and most expensive at the airport. Some of these airports can get busy, so it may be worth it if you’re traveling during peak season.
Flight changes and flexibility
JetSMART allows changes to flight, route, name, or date, but they come at a cost. Changes are charged per passenger, per leg, and must be made at least one hour before departure (no changes allowed at the airport). If your change results in a lower fare, the difference may often be used to pay for additional charges, as there are no refunds.
Change fees vary by country and route, with international flights generally incurring higher fees than domestic ones. Name changes are the most expensive option, so spell everything perfectly when booking. There’s also a service fee for tickets booked through the call center or at the airport, which is why booking online is always cheaper.
One option I particularly like is the FlexiSMART (also known as SMARTICKET) program. For a fee starting at approximately USD 5 depending on route and time of purchase, you can change the time, leg, or date of your ticket with no penalty (you’ll just pay any fare difference). The fee varies by country and applies per leg and passenger.
Even though this is one more fee to take into account, I find this one to be worth the cost if you have plans that often change (as a travel writer, I know all about this).
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
