Jetstar, Qantas launch ‘festive flying’ with sales and giveaways

Qantas has jumped on-board the “festive flying” spirit by giving away $200 flight vouchers and randomly gifting exclusive “Roodolph” PJs.

Christmas has come early for those hoping to snag a bargain flight over the summer period.

Budget airline Jetstar have announced a mammoth summer sale, with some fares starting from as little as $39 for domestic fares and $175 for international flights.

Some of the main destinations include The Whitsundays, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Bali and more.

Qantas has also jumped on-board the “festive flying” spirit by giving away free $200 flight vouchers and randomly gifting exclusive “Roodolph” Qantas Pyjamas to domestic and international passengers.

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The mammoth sale has been dubbed as the ‘post-Christmas’ sale, given travel is for dates in 2023. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui/NCA NewsWire

Dubbed the ‘post-Chrissy recovery’ sale – those hoping to snap up a bargain on Jetstar have from 12am AEDT on Thursday, December 8 till 11.59pm AEDT on Monday, December 12 to do so.

Some of the fare highlights include seats from Sydney to Byron Bay (from $39) and Sydney to Auckland (from $175), Brisbane to Proserpine from $59, Melbourne to the Gold Coast from $49, Cairns to Osaka from $259 and the Gold Coast to Tokyo from $299.

According to the airline, dates for sale flights vary depending on the departure and arrival points, but expect to travel between early May and mid-September. Eager travellers are being warned to read the fine print and fill conditions, with the bargain prices listed only applying one-way and do not include checked-in baggage.

The sale comes at a time when the ACCC revealed domestic flight prices have hit a 15-year high. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui/NCA NewsWire

Qantas giveaways

Those travelling with Qantas will have a number of yuletide treats and festive flair added to their in-flight, airport and lounge experience.

Among the activities that will be rolled from now until December 25 include spontaneous invitations for non-eligible customers to wine and dine in a Qantas lounge before their flight (in off peak times), random gifting of arguably Australia’s favourite chocolate biscuit, Tim Tam gift packs and additional in-flight and lounge menu items such as fresh prawn rolls, turkey rolls, Christmas cocktails, fruit mince pies, Christmas ice cream sandwich and carved glazed ham.

Qantas will randomly give away limited edition ‘Roodolph’ PJ’s to domestic and international passengers.

The festive flying initiatives are on top of the $200-million Group investment to provide a buffer against operational challenges.

News.com.au understands Qantas and Jetstar have 20 aircraft on standby to provide operational spares across the busy travel period to minimise disruptions and is rostering more crew to help support services in the days leading up to Christmas.

This will support sick leave as Covid levels are set to peak, as well as supply chain delays for aircraft parts.

It will also have additional in-flight and lounge menu items including fresh prawn rolls, turkey rolls and Christmas cocktails.

Virgin Australia festivities

Virgin will also be embracing the season in the lead up to December 25 by bringing back its popular Santa Request Forms given to children to fill out on board (December 14-24), crew Christmas carollers (December 14-25) and giveaways for children (December 14 - 25).

The sale and giveaways come at a time when the Australian aviation industry has faced increased scrutiny over the prices of both domestic and international airfare prices.

According to a recent report released by the ACCC, fares on domestic airlines hit a 15-year-high as they forecast the first profitable financial year since the pandemic.

The average airfare is 27 per cent higher than it was three years ago before the pandemic took hold, the consumer watchdog’s latest Airline Competition in Australia report reveals.

Discounted economy fares have increased the most, as airlines benefit from soaring demand.

“Airfares have risen due to strong demand for travel and constrained supply as airlines have scaled back their schedules in response to high jet fuel costs and operational challenges,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.