Virgin Australia drops $69 flights ahead of Christmas travel

Virgin Australia has launched a massive flight sale dishing out huge discounts on economy and business class flights across the country.

Christmas has come early for Australians hoping to catch a flight between now and the end of the year, with Virgin Australia slashing fares across their network – with some routes as low as $69 one way.

Fares on select flights have been discounted to celebrate the airline’s 20 year anniversary of being in the air.

The flights will be available on sale only until midnight next Tuesday, and travel must be between November 25 and March 31 2021 – meaning dates around the Christmas holiday period are included.

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Virgin Australia has dropped some fares to just $69. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

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“With borders slowly reopening and more Australians excited to explore their own backyard, we’re making it easy for them to get to wherever they need to go, with our 20th birthday sale fares from just $69 including baggage and seat selection,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson said.

“The aviation and tourism industries rely on a connected nation and we hope that borders continue to safely reopen and more Australians return to the skies.”

Some of the highlights include:

Sydney – Gold Coast from $69

Sydney – Byron Bay (Ballina) from $75

Sydney – Brisbane from $89

Melbourne – Launceston from $79

Melbourne – Adelaide from $89

Brisbane – Newcastle from $89

Brisbane – Proserpine from $89

Brisbane – Mackay from $99

Adelaide – Sydney from $119

Adelaide – Gold Coast from $129

Darwin – Brisbane from $169

The sale comes a week after former Virgin Australia CEO Paul Scurrah announced he would step down from his role after a year of turmoil at the struggling airline.

Mr Scurrah will now be replaced by former Jetstar boss Jayne Hrdlicka when the airline is handed over fully to US private equity firm Bain Capital in early November.

Mr Scurrah said he was “proud” by the way his team had handled the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused havoc for the airline and the entire aviation industry.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 23, 2020: Virgin Planes seen at Terminal 2 in the Sydney Domestic Airport in Sydney, Australia, on SEPTEMBER 23 2020. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

“While it has been the most challenging time in aviation history, I have continued to be so proud of the way my team and our entire organisation has fought to save this airline and to keep competition alive and well in Australia,” he said.

“We have succeeded in not just ensuring the future of the company, but also reset the business to ensure it is well placed to deliver for Bain Capital for many years to come.”

The announcement comes amid speculation Bain planned to transform Virgin Australia into a low-cost carrier, reneging on assurances made in its bid to buy the struggling airline.