Qantas, Jetstar announce flight sales as states set to reopen

As NSW and Victoria prepare to reopen, Jetstar and Qantas have dropped a slab of fares to get people flying again.

As vaccine uptake climbs across Australia, fully-vaccinated residents in both Victoria and NSW are hoping for eased border restrictions between the two states in the coming months.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Sunday that border measures would be scaled back for the double-jabbed on November 5. Now Qantas and sister airline Jetstar have launched sale fares they promise are at rock bottom.

A Jetstar 24-hour flash sale. which began at 5pm Monday, will see fares from $20 one-way for flights from Melbourne Tullamarine to Sydney, Newcastle and Byron Bay, and from Melbourne Avalon to Sydney.

As NSW and Victoria prepare to reopen, Jetstar has dropped an insane 24-hour flight sale just in time for summer. Picture: NCA NewsWire/James Gourley

Qantas’ five-day sale features all-inclusive fares from $99 one-way between Melbourne and Sydney. Picture: Mark Stewart

“As Victoria and NSW approach the 80 per cent double vaccination target, and travel between the two states looks set to reopen, we know there will be many people wanting to plan a well-earned holiday or visit loved ones,” Jetstar Group chief executive officer Gareth Evans said in a statement.

“With Jetstar fares as low as $20, we expect those seats to be snapped up quickly, helping to revive the tourism industry and support local businesses, as well as get more of our people back to work.”

Meanwhile, Qantas has launched a five-day sale featuring all-inclusive fares from $99 one-way between Melbourne Tullamarine and Sydney, as well as sale fares across six regional routes between Victoria and NSW including Sydney to Bendigo and Mildura and Melbourne to Byron and Coffs.

Travel periods for the sales will be between November 5 and mid-December 2021, as well as selected dates between January and March 2022 for some Qantas fares.

Passengers are seen wearing face masks at the Jetstar domestic check-in terminal at Sydney Airport, Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

If the Victorian Government’s road map is pushed back, or customers are unable to travel for any reason, they will be able to change the date of their travel but a fare difference may apply.

The Qantas Group’s vaccination reward program includes the option for a $20 travel voucher for fully-vaccinated travellers, which can be used across Jetstar or Qantas flights, including these sale fares.

The airlines will also be adding more flights back into their schedules to meet an expected surge in demand when travel restrictions ease, just in time for Christmas.