Jetstar, Virgin Australia price drop ahead of Black Friday sales

Airfares have skyrocketed, particularly in the lead-up to Christmas, but there’s some relief with two Aussie airlines offering huge sales.

We’ve all noticed the recent skyrocketing airfares – particularly in the lead-up to Christmas – thanks to pent-up demand, reduced capacity and soaring fuel prices.

But there’s some relief with Black Friday sales extending to the skies.

If you are willing to plan ahead, you can snap up some great deals – with both Jetstar and Virgin offering a one-way ticket from Sydney to Byron Bay for just $39 and $55 respectively and also to stunning Queenstown from $209.

Both airlines will run their sales (on now) until November 29.

RELATED: Comprehensive list of the best Black Friday sales

Jetstar has more than 50,000 seats available across 30 domestic and trans-Tasman routes with other popular routes including Sydney to Hamilton Island from $109 and Sydney to Darwin from $149.

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Jetstar is offering sale fares including one-way Sydney to Ballina (Byron Bay) for just $39. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Luis Enrique Ascui

Those wanting to check out Uluru can do so from $109 flying out of Sydney. If you’re keen for some warm weather by the beach, Sydney to Cairns will also cost you from just $109.

Meanwhile if you want to get out of Australia entirely, popping across to our neighbours in New Zealand will only set you back from $209 flying out of Sydney or Melbourne.

Travel dates vary per route but include early January to late March 2023.

Virgin Australia has also dropped its Black Friday sales with a ticket to Byron Bay costing you a little more – $55. Picture: iStock

Virgin is also having a huge Black Friday sale with 500,000 fares across its domestic and international network at up to 30 per cent off.

RELATED: Best Black Friday tech deals to shop

You can snap up a Brisbane to Whitsunday Coast flight one-way (economy lite) from $79.

Those in Melbourne keen to head to Sydney can do so from $95, while anyone in Sydney wanting to enjoy picturesque Queenstown can get there from $319.

Both airlines have discounted airfares to beautiful Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island. Picture: News Corp

A trip to Queenstown on Jetstar starts from $209 while on Virgin it starts at $319 – both flying out of Sydney. Picture: News Corp

If flying out of Melbourne, fares start at $299.

A trip to Bali from the Gold Coast starts from $429, while fares from Melbourne to Vanuatu are from $539.

Travel for the Black Friday deals is on select dates from January to June 2023.

“This is one of the busiest periods for air travel in our history, and with demand so high until the end of the year, we are encouraging customers to plan ahead in 2023, to get the best value when booking a flight. Our Black Friday sale is a great way to do just that,” Virgin Australia group chief commercial officer Dave Emerson said.

Meanwhile, a trip to Bali from the Gold Coast is from $429 on Virgin.

“We expect the sale fares to sell fast, so we are recommending customers to get in quickly.”

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways has also jumped on the Black Friday sale bandwagon, offering tickets from Australia to destinations across the world, with fares as low as $1650.

Travellers keen for a romantic stay in Paris or a visit to the busy streets of London can do so with fares starting at $1700 and $7700 in economy and business class respectively.

For those who prefer to get a taste of the ancient – while sampling the best Mediterranean dishes – tickets to Athens are available for fares from $1650 in economy and $8200 in business class.