Might inexpensive domestic fares be becoming more common?

[Forg]

Just had an email from VA, one way airfares between Sydney & various Queensland airports from as low as $51.

In the Olden Days when VA was DJ it was pretty common to see sale fares like that appearing for QF & JQ & DJ, you were almost unlucky if you couldn't get a flight at that price. But (and long before COVID happened) more recently it's been a bit more rare ... that I have noticed at least!

Have I just been that ignorant ... have $50-ish one-way fares been moderately common in the last few years, or might this be the start of some sale cycles in domestic fares?

 

[odysseus]

No, you're right, prices have risen, much due to post covid demand.

Regarding the promo, I suspect it's more due to some QLD government tourism promotion than a change of mood from the airline. As you say, it's not all destinations - Brisbane doesn't seem to get any discounts - and seems to be the tourist heavy ones - GC, SC, Cairns. Plus it's being promoted by Tourism QLD e.g.

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So I don't have high hopes for further such deals...

 

[Saab34]

These offers are generally tourism targeted (normally QLD) or are thin routes in off peak. I recall Virgin had a partnership with QLD Tourism which was a multi year deal.

Sydney to Byron is a common route that is ‘cheap’ as it’s a very thin route during off peak and is normally $45-50 headline grabber.

Triangle, Transcon fares are only heading in one direction. Brisbane to Melbourne is one route that has jumped around a third since Rex exit.

 

[Warks]

The only cheap VA destinations I ever see are Byron (as low as $49 I think), Gold Coast (used to get $69) and Launceston (although I haven't seen one for a while.
Be nice if there were some capital city bargains like there used to be. I did fly SYD-PER a few weeks ago for $231 though which is pretty good.
(all fares mentioned are one way)

 

[markis10]

These fares have been commonplace since 2020 at this time of year, sponsored by QLD tourism, BNE CNS was $50 each way

 

[Forg]

The only cheap VA destinations I ever see are Byron (as low as $49 I think)

Probably Monday to Thursday ... we went up for a work weekend away Friday & came back Sunday (both VA), there were 2 spare seats on the way & none on the way back. I was surprised they were flying a 737, but saw why!

 

[markis10]

I was wondering when the border was being moved south to Ballina