Fare frenzy: Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin launch Boxing Day flight war

Australia’s rival airlines have released hundreds of thousands of discounted seats to some of the hottest destinations, both here and overseas, in huge Boxing Day sales.

Australia’s airline wars are heating up with the launch of huge Boxing Day sales by the nation’s dominant carriers, Virgin Australia, Qantas, and Jetstar.

The rival airlines have released hundreds of thousands of discounted seats to some of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations, including Byron Bay, Hamilton Island, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, with prices as low as $39 one way.

Virgin Australia, which is soon set to formally ink its new partnership with Qatar Airways, in a deal that will up the ante in its competition with Qantas, is offering cut-price fares to domestic spots as well as idyllic international destinations such as Fiji, Samoa and the ever popular holiday island of Bali.

The Virgin Australia snap sale is available from 12:01am on Boxing Day until 11:59pm on the 29th, unless sold out prior.

Boxing Day is a great time to snap up flights to Uluru. Picture: iStock

“Boxing Day is synonymous with deals ... it’s about giving our customers the freedom to explore more of Australia and beyond,” said Virgin Australia executive Libby Minogue.

“It’s the perfect time to lock in your next escape.”

Economy Lite fares include 7kg of carry-on baggage and complimentary tea and coffee, with the option to purchase checked baggage, seat selection and snacks.

All of the fares include the opportunity to earn Velocity points and status credits.

Some of the best Virgin Australia one-way domestic fares include:

● Sydney to Ballina (Byron Bay) from $49

● Melbourne to Launceston from $59

● Sydney to Gold Coast from $69

● Brisbane to Proserpine (Whitsundays) from $79

● Melbourne to Uluru from $109

● Brisbane to Hamilton Island from $119

● Adelaide to Gold Coast from $125

The sale includes popular holiday spots such as Byron Bay. Picture: iStock

Alternatively, head to Bali and nip over to Nusa Penida. Picture: iStock

Meanwhile, the best international Virgin Australia one-way deals include:

● Melbourne to Queenstown from $399

● Brisbane to Port Vila (Vanuatu) from $439

● Gold Coast to Denpasar (Bali) from $499

● Sydney to Nadi (Fiji) from $569

● Brisbane to Apia (Samoa) from $689

Qantas is offering great one-way fares to the Gold Coast. Picture: TEQ

Or you could venture off the beaten track to Kangaroo Island. Picture: iStock

Qantas has launched a fare frenzy, offering a 72-hour sale with 800,000 discounted seats across 100 domestic routes and one-way flights as cheap as $109.

The fares are available for travel between July 22 to September 18 and October 13 to December 3 and include checked baggage, food and beverages and Wi-Fi.

For those travelling Qantas, some of the best deals include:

● Launceston to Melbourne from $109

● Ballina to Sydney from $109

● Melbourne to Newcastle from $129

● Brisbane to Hervey Bay from $129

● Melbourne to Gold Coast from $129

● Adelaide to Kingscote (Kangaroo Island) from $149

● Canberra to Melbourne from $159

The Qantas sale ends at 11:59pm on 28 December, unless sold out prior.

Jetstar is flying to the tropical Whitsundays from Melbourne and Brisbane. Picture: Hamilton Island Enterprises

Jetstar has launched its Boxing Day Sale with 90,000 discounted fares from $39 across a range of domestic and international routes.

Examples of the Boxing Day Sale fares include:

● Sydney to Ballina Byron from $39

● Newcastle to Gold Coast from $49

● Brisbane to Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine) from $59

● Hobart to Gold Coast from $89

● Cairns to Sydney from $9

● Melbourne (Tullamarine) to Hamilton Island from $114

● Adelaide to Perth from $139

● Darwin to Melbourne (Tullamarine) from $150

● Perth to Melbourne (Tullamarine) from $174

The Boxing Day Sale ends at 11.59pm AEDT Friday 27 December 2024, unless sold out prior.

Originally published as Fare frenzy: Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin launch Boxing Day flight war