Virgin Australia releases $49 flights to Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour

Freedom Day is here, and what better way for NSW residents to celebrate than with a flight to Byron Bay – that’ll cost you less than a haircut.

Freedom Day is here, and along with chaos at Kmart, sitting down for a cup of coffee inside a cafe and beer gardens reopening – a stunning new flight sale has dropped.

Virgin Australia will bring out 50,000 super cheap seats between Sydney and Byron Bay and Sydney to Coffs Harbour – with fares starting from just $49 one way.

The bargain airfares, which launch today, are available for travel from November 1, 2021 – shortly after the foreshadowed resumption of travel within NSW – and June 23, 2022.

Both domestic and international travel have been decimated throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly over the past few months with both NSW and Victoria in lengthy lockdowns.

Regional travel is almost back for NSW residents. Picture: Gaye Gerard/NCA NewsWire

The new sale, which will end on Wednesday at midnight, will likely sell out quickly.

“We’re so excited that Freedom Day is finally here and we’re even closer to getting the state back in the air,” a spokesperson for Virgin Australia said.

“To celebrate today’s milestone and to thank the vast majority of New South Wales residents for doing the right thing and rolling up their sleeves to get vaccinated.

“We encourage all NSW residents to make the most of the $49 sale fares which we expect will sell out quickly.”

New freedoms in NSW were four months in the making after Sydney and parts of NSW were plunged into lockdown in June when the Delta strain took hold.

“There is a sense of optimism out there with thousands of businesses across the state busy preparing to open their doors tomorrow. NSW you’ve earned this,” NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Sunday.

Virgin Australia has launched $49 flights between Sydney and Byron Bay. Picture: James Gourley/NCA NewsWire

“As we re-open after more than 100 days we ask everyone to treat staff with kindness and respect when they ask you to check-in or see your vaccination certificate.”

Fully vaccinated residents can take advantage of several new freedoms from Monday, including retail shopping with stores to reopen to double-jabbed customers.

But there are several rules in place including density limits, mandatory masks and QR codes.

Regional travel will make a return when the state reaches 80 per cent fully vaccinated.