The airline wars have ignited this week between Qantas and Virgin as both have launched huge sales.
Virgin dropped the price of 500,000 seats on Monday, and just a day later, the Flying Kangaroo discounted more than two million tickets across 90 routes.
Virgin has now hit back, and is expanding its original sale, with flights starting at just $55.
In total, more than 1.5 million seats have now been reduced in price, with the airline saying it’s “redefining what a real sale fare looks like”, followed by a winking smiley face.
Could that be a dig at Qantas or are they just being cheeky?
A poll of nearly 1,000 Yahoo Lifestyle readers found Qantas is the best airline with 48 per cent of the vote, compared to 38 per cent for Virgin, and 14 per cent for Jetstar.
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You’ll be able to fly from Sydney to Byron Bay for just $55 on-way, as well as Melbourne to Launceston for $59.
Travellers can nip across the Bass Strait from Melbourne to Hobart of as little as $69, as well as Brisbane to Darwin for $195.
You can see all the destinations here.
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These expanded fares are available to book between now and April 28.
But people will have to fly between July 22 to March 27 next year to access the cheaper prices.
Be advised that checked baggage and seat selection are not included in those prices.
“We’re making it easier for Australians to get away, with fares starting from just $55 one-way into New South Wales’ most popular travel destinations,” Virgin Australia’s chief marketing and customer operations officer, Libby Minogue, said.
“Byron Bay, Sydney and Newcastle are gateways to stunning landscapes and vibrant cultural hubs, making them ideal destinations for a long weekend getaway or even a spontaneous midweek escape.”
Qantas’ sale starts at $99 and will only last a few days
Virgin’s move comes just one day after Qantas launched a sale across its domestic and regional network.
Flights from Sydney to Byron Bay will cost $99 one-way, as well as Brisbane to Hervey Bay for the same price.
Melbourne to Sydney will set you back $129, while Bundaberg to Brisbane only costs $10 more.
In Business class, Adelaide to Melbourne and Hobart to Melbourne will only be $299.
The most expensive trip you can take is $1,399 for a Business class seat from Perth to Melbourne.
You can find all the routes and prices here.
Those ticket prices typically include baggage as well as a free meal and beverages.
Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson said the airline wanted Aussies to set their sights on a holiday in the next 12 months.
“We’ve just had a bumper Easter holidays with more than a million customers travelling around our domestic network and this sale is timed for those planning where to head next,” he said.
Qantas has launched a massive sale across its domestic and regional network just one day after Virgin discounted a raft of tickets.
The Flying Kangaroo’s sale will only last one week, and more than two million seats across 90 routes will be cheaper.
You’ll be able to head to popular holiday destinations, “tropical beaches”, and “much-loved” regional towns. Travellers will be able to fly on reduced Economy and Business ticket prices until March 2027.
Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson said the airline wanted Aussies to set their sights on a holiday in the next 12 months.
“We’ve just had a bumper Easter holidays with more than a million customers travelling around our domestic network and this sale is timed for those planning where to head next,” he said.
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Which flights are discounted on Qantas’ sale?
There are dozens of bargains to be had in the week-long sale.
You’ll be able to nip from Sydney to Byron Bay for just $99 one-way, as well as Brisbane to Hervey Bay for the same price.
Melbourne to Sydney will set you back $129 while Bundaberg to Brisbane only costs $10 more.
On the upper end of the Economy scale, Perth to Sydney and Darwin to Sydney will cost $309 one-way each.
In Business class, Adelaide to Melbourne and Hobart to Melbourne will only be $299.
The most expensive trip you can take is $1,399 for a Business class seat from Perth to Melbourne.
You can find all the routes and prices here.
Those ticket prices typically include baggage as well as a free meal and beverages.
Virgin’s sale getting Aussies in the air for just $55
Virgin launched a sale on Monday and dropped the price on half a million seats in Economy Lite.
Lite is a small step above typical Economy, and offers extra space, premium comforts and priority perks.
People wanting to fly from Sydney to Bryon would only have to pay $55 one-way, while the Gold Coast to Sydney would only be $69.
The sale is currently available to book online until April 26.
But travellers will have to fly between May 19 and December 16 this year.
“We’re making it easier for Australians to get away, with fares starting from just $55 one-way into New South Wales’ most popular travel destinations,” Virgin Australia’s chief marketing and customer operations officer, Libby Minogue, said.
“Byron Bay, Sydney and Newcastle are gateways to stunning landscapes and vibrant cultural hubs, making them ideal destinations for a long weekend getaway or even a spontaneous midweek escape.”.
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