Feeling priced out of a getaway by rising airfares and petrol prices? In a well-timed move, Qantas and Virgin Australia have launched major domestic sales, easing costs for Aussies still keen to travel.
Offering more than 2 million discounted seats on 90 routes, Qantas’s domestic and regional sale comprises economy and business fares for travel until March 2027 – and crucially for Aussie families in particular, includes travel during the June long weekend and busy winter school holidays.
Moreover, the sale features more connecting fares than regular sales – like 21 Gold Coast routes – giving more choice to customers.
One-way economy fares start from $99, with business fares from $299.
The Qantas sale runs until 11:59pm (AEST) Tuesday 28 April 2026 (unless sold out prior).
“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,” Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson says.
“We have millions of discounted seats across more than 90 routes, including some of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations, from tropical beaches and much-loved regional towns to city escapes.”
While its deals apply only to NSW (Sydney, Newcastle, and Byron Bay) flights, Virgin Australia’s sale offers some low fares too, with half a million tickets from just $55 one-way (Economy Lite).
Available until 11:59pm (AEST) on 26 April 2026 (unless sold out prior), the sale is for selected travel dates between 19 May and 16 December 2026. Economy X is also on sale with upgrades starting from $15 (per person, per sector).
Virgin Australia Reward Seats are also available, starting from 5,900 points one-way in Economy, plus taxes and fees.
Like Qantas, Virgin recently announced it would be raising airfares in line with rising jet fuel costs. But Virgin Australia Chief Marketing and Customer Operations Officer, Libby Minogue, says the carrier remains committed to value for customers.
“We know value matters more than ever, which is why we’re making it easier for Australians to get away with fares starting from just $55 one-way into NSW’s most popular travel destinations,” she states.
“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.
“With strong Reward Seat availability across a host of domestic destinations, Velocity Points are another way we are making it easier for Australians to go on their next holiday.”
Earlier this month, Virgin Australia launched a new tool that brings multiple fare types into one view. The airline says the feature is an Australian-first and aims to simplify booking decisions. Read more about that here.
Qantas – selection of one-way sale fares (starting from)
Economy
- Ballina (Byron Bay)–Sydney – $99
- Adelaide–Melbourne – $99
- Launceston–Melbourne – $99
- Gold Coast–Sydney – $99
- Adelaide–Kangaroo Island – $109
- Melbourne–Gold Coast – $109
- Brisbane–Cairns – $129
- Brisbane–Sydney – $129
- Hobart–Melbourne – $129
- Hobart–Sydney – $129
- Melbourne–Sydney – $129
- Brisbane–Newcastle – $139
- Albury–Sydney – $149
- Adelaide–Gold Coast – $179
- Brisbane–Hobart – $199
- Cairns–Melbourne – $199
- Sydney–Kangaroo Island – $199
- Sydney–Townsville – $249
- Darwin–Sydney – $309
- Perth–Gold Coast – $309
- Perth–Sydney – $309
Business
- Adelaide–Melbourne – $299
- Brisbane–Sydney – $299
- Coffs Harbour–Sydney – $299
- Gold Coast–Sydney – $299
- Hobart–Melbourne – $299
- Launceston–Sydney – $379
- Canberra–Melbourne – $399
- Brisbane–Melbourne – $449
- Melbourne–Gold Coast – $519
- Melbourne–Townsville – $549
- Hamilton Island–Sydney – $629
- Cairns–Sydney – $699
- Ayers Rock (Uluru)–Cairns – $749
- Brisbane–Perth – $999
- Sydney–Darwin – $999
- Melbourne–Perth – $1,399
Virgin Australia – selection of one-way sale fares (starting from)
Economy Lite
- Sydney–Ballina (Byron Bay) – $55
- Gold Coast–Sydney – $69
- Sunshine Coast–Sydney – $75
- Launceston–Sydney – $85
- Hobart–Sydney – $89
- Brisbane–Newcastle – $95
- Melbourne–Newcastle – $95
- Brisbane–Sydney – $105
- Melbourne–Sydney – $105
- Cairns–Sydney – $125
- Hamilton Island–Sydney – $145
- Adelaide–Sydney – $155
- Darwin–Sydney – $229
- Perth–Sydney – $255
