$49 flights: Virgin, Qantas launch massive sales

Australia’s airline wars are heating up just in time for the holidays, with Virgin Australia and Qantas offering cut-price fares to some of the world’s hottest destinations.

Australia’s airline wars are heating up just in time for the summer holidays, with Virgin Australia and Qantas both launching huge sales.

Those feeling the pinch just before Christmas can rejoice — Virgin Australia has released over one million discounted fares from just $49 as part of its mammoth Black Friday sale.

National carrier Qantas, meanwhile, has announced its first ever ‘Travel Week’ sale, discounting over 20,000 seats across 60 international routes to iconic global destinations for eight days.

Virgin Australia’s sale, which covers travel between January 6 and September 18, 2025, is offering cut-price deals to coveted international locations including Bali and Fiji.

Treat yourself to a break in Bali. Picture: iStock

Return flights from Melbourne to Bali’s Denpasar start at just $589, while a return flight from Sydney to Fiji’s Nadi costs $569.

Travellers keen to soak up the wonders of Uluru and the charm of Byron Bay can also snap up incredible offers.

Sydneysiders who fancy a Byron mini-break can grab a one-way flight for $49, while a one-way flight from Brisbane to Uluru will set travellers back $129.

The fares can be booked until December 4, unless sold out prior.

The Qantas sale includes fares to Japan, USA, Canada and New Zealand for a range of travel dates throughout 2025 including the October school holiday period.

Flights from Sydney to Auckland are from $559 return economy and flights from Sydney to New York are from $1,699 return economy.

New York in the new year? Yes, thanks.

There are also flights from Melbourne to Queenstown from $549 return economy, while flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to Honolulu are from $1,099 return economy.

Other popular routes on sale include Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Tokyo from $1,149 return economy and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Los Angeles from $1,199 return economy.

Who wouldn’t want to visit Honolulu?

Sale fares are available until 11:59pm (AEDT) Wednesday 4 December 2024, unless sold out prior.

Fares are available for select travel dates from January through to October 2025 with some blackout periods.

Some of the return economy sale fares (starting from) are below, with the full selection on the Qantas website.

Qantas’ announcement comes after Flight Centre announced a range of discounts over both domestic and international flights.

Some of the international deals on offer include flights from Sydney to Fiji from $586 return economy and Melbourne to London from $1517 return economy.

Domestic deals include flights from Melbourne to Adelaide from $79 one way economy or Brisbane to Sydney from $87 one way economy.

Originally published as $49 flights: Virgin, Qantas launch massive sales