Half-price airfares with Qantas and Virgin Australia, as international travel heats up
Aussies keen to fly by Christmas after lengthy lockdowns have been urged to book cheap flights with Virgin and Qantas now as international travel heats up.
Aussies keen to snap up a half-price airfare have been urged to book now before they're gone, as Virgin Australia joins Qantas in dropping fare specials to get people back on planes when the Victoria-NSW border reopens.
Announcing on Tuesday an expansion of its domestic network, Virgin Australia is adding two additional routes between Hobart and Adelaide, and Hobart and Perth.
Cheap flights are also available for those who get in quick with the airline offering one-way Economy fares from $49 between Hobart and Adelaide, and $149 between Hobart and Perth, until midnight Sunday – or until sold out.
It comes as Qantas launched its “Together Again” sale, which will run until Friday, features 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.
A new Melbourne-Ballina (Byron Bay) service will also be on sale from Tuesday for $189 one-way.
Meanwhile, Jetstar’s 24-hour flash sale – which sparked a frenzy online for Aussies keen to finally travel again – has already sold out since launching on Monday afternoon.
But it’s not just holiday-makers wanting to explore their own backyard.
Expedia ANZ Communications Manager, Justine Yusi, said the online travel company had seen a sharp increase in Australians searching for international destinations.
“After being ‘grounded’ for almost 18 months, Aussies are gearing up for international travel excitement,” Ms Yusi said.
“Overall flight searches on Expedia.com.au for international destinations increased by almost 20 per cent in the week following the announcement, compared to the week prior.”
Searches to the United States increased by 35 per cent, while the United Kingdom jumped by 50 per cent and Singapore increased by almost 100 per cent.
Both Qantas and Jetstar are set to add hundreds of flights back into their schedule when borders open up to meet expected demand, just in time for Christmas.
Ms Yusi said when the country reaches its 80 per cent vaccination rate, more Australians will be eager to go overseas during the summer period.
“Looking at the top international destinations Aussies are searching for the summer period, the Qantas announcement will be music to many ears with Singapore, New York and Fiji among the top six,” she said.
The sales follow the Victorian government’s plan to ease restrictions for fully vaccinated people from November 5.
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.
FLIGHTS AVAILABLE
Qantas
Melbourne – one way from $99
Bendigo – one way from $119
Mildura – one way from $129
Gold Coast (Coolangatta)- one way from $77
Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore)- one way from $93
Launceston- one way from $100
Hobart – one way from $102
Adelaide- one way from $108
Hamilton Island – one way from $117
Cairns – one way from $122
Alice Springs- one way from $175
Darwin- one way from $179
Broome – one way from $229
Full list and details can be found here.
Virgin Australia
Alice Springs – from $120
Canberra – from $123
Melbourne – from $70
Sydney – from $90
Hobart – from $73
Sunshine Coast – from $88
Full list of sales can be found here
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Originally published as Half-price airfares with Qantas and Virgin Australia, as international travel heats up
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