Early Bird airfares for 2026 Europe travel

[Mattg]

It's that time of year again when airlines start to offer Early Bird discounts for people wanting to fly to Europe next year.

This thread is a place to post and discuss any 2026 Europe Early Bird offers you come across.

To start with, Cathay Pacific is running an Early Bird sale until 15 September. Covers travel dates until 30 June 2026:

https://flights.cathaypacific.com/en_AU/offers/early-bird-sale.html

Malaysia Airlines is running a sale until 9 September for travel until 31 May 2026:

Malaysia Airlines Flights | Fly Business Class

Journey in elevated comfort with the warmth of Malaysian Hospitality in Business Class. Enjoy exclusive fares from AUD 3,199*, all-in return.

www.malaysiaairlines.com

 

[serfty]

Qatar are having a sale:

https://www.qatarairways.com/en-au/offers/your-next-journey-begins-here.html?iid=ALL32451830

For a limited-time, enjoy our latest offers to Amsterdam, London, Zurich, Johannesburg and more starting from $1,829* return in Economy Class and from $7,509* return in Business Class.

Book by 22 September 2025, for travel between 21 September 2025 and 15 August 2026.

Also, bonus Avios for Privilege Club members:

https://www.qatarairways.com/en-au/offers/your-next-journey-begins-here.html?cid=EMAU264610

Discover the world and go further with Avios. Collect 8,000 bonus Avios in Economy Class and 15,000 in Business Class when you fly from Australia to any of our destinations worldwide.*

Unlock your bonus Avios to book future award flights with partner airlines including, Virgin Australia or our oneworld airline partners.

Book by 22 September 2025, for travel between 1 October - 30 November 2025 or 1 February - 31 March 2026.

 

[RAM]

What really frustrates/annoys/...... me is that the airlines do not seem to think that 'An Early Bird' sale for 202Z begins late the year before.

Generally I'll book as soon as the dates come up (& priced appropriately) on the airline's inventory. Yet typically the sale happens six to nine months later.

False, misleading or deceptive calling it "An Early Bird" sale?

 

[Mattg]

Lufthansa Group has some sharp Early Bird pricing on now.. Like SYD-BCN under $1,300 return (using QF between SYD-SIN).

https://www.lufthansa.com/au/en/flights?OriginCode=SYD&tripType=RETURN

 

[SYD]

SQ has some Early Bird fares. Nothing leaping out as fantastic value. The “Oz Tax” is still there on J Fares.

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/au/plan-travel/local-promotions/australia/early-bird-deals-2025/

 

[luxury-lizard]

I am keeping an eye out for sale fares for a friend travelling SYD-LHR-SYD in April / May in J. The best fares which pop up are QF or TG to HKG or BKK then WY (Oman Air to LHR) for around $6800 - 2 stops of course but may be as good as it gets.

 

[bam71]

I am keeping an eye out for sale fares for a friend travelling SYD-LHR-SYD in April / May in J. The best fares which pop up are QF or TG to HKG or BKK then WY (Oman Air to LHR) for around $6800 - 2 stops of course but may be as good as it gets.

I’ve seen those fares down to around $5600 at times. Great value if you don’t mind the 2 stops.

 

[Duffa]

I've used Oman twice for sub-6000 to Europe RTN
Was excellent.
Recommended to a friend and they followed my advice.
Problem was an overnight leg on a 737 with Jetstar style seats instead of flat bed, which they didn't notice at booking.
There are quite a few of these legs on their network. Need to watch out for them and avoid.

 

[jase05]

I've used Oman twice for sub-6000 to Europe RTN
Was excellent.
Recommended to a friend and they followed my advice.
Problem was an overnight leg on a 737 with Jetstar style seats instead of flat bed, which they didn't notice at booking.
There are quite a few of these legs on their network. Need to watch out for them and avoid.

They only have a small fleet of wide bodies so definitely something to be wary of. They fly the 737’s to KUL and FCO for example. If heading to Italy they generally fly the better aircraft to MXP over FCO foe example