Virgin CNS-MEL redeye

[Mattg]

Has anyone else noticed that Virgin Australia now has a regularly scheduled red-eye flight from Cairns to Melbourne?!

VA1302 operates six days per week, leaving CNS at 23:55 and arriving MEL at 04:15.

I wonder why, and if anyone is actually choosing to book this!

 

[elanshin]

Has anyone else noticed that Virgin Australia now has a regularly scheduled red-eye flight from Cairns to Melbourne?!

VA1302 operates six days per week, leaving CNS at 23:55 and arriving MEL at 04:15.

I wonder why, and if anyone is actually choosing to book this!

Maybe their costs to have the plane sit overnight (crew/plane positioning etc) worked out less economical than doing a flight?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Has anyone else noticed that Virgin Australia now has a regularly scheduled red-eye flight from Cairns to Melbourne?!

VA1302 operates six days per week, leaving CNS at 23:55 and arriving MEL at 04:15.

I wonder why, and if anyone is actually choosing to book this!

Yeah, this was discussed in another thread, only a week or so ago. Unfortunately can’t seem to find it using search

 

[AIRwin]

Yeah, this was discussed in another thread, only a week or so ago. Unfortunately can’t seem to find it using search

S

Post in thread 'Virgin are losing the plot.'

Nov 2, 2025

They have some new weird flights in the summer schedule. What is with this Melbourne to Cairns red eye flight. Not bad for say Cairns locals who want the day in Melbourne.

• Saab34

• 

 

[Saab34]

Looks like the crew and aircraft are different for each leg as it seems to fly BNE-CNS-MEL, and the MEL-CNS aircraft becomes the overnighting aircraft which operates the first flight out of Cairns at 6am.

Tiger operated a similar flight back in the day when they launched Cairns, was slightly later arrival at 1225am.

 

[Saab34]

I spoke too soon, we just did this one, dead empty both legs, and it appears it’s now been pulled will operate for another 3 weeks.

 

[docjames]

Freight load demand (seasonal)?

Aircraft positioning (needed in MEL for early MEL departure) due fleet shortage?

No surprise pax loadings were terrible.

 

[lychees]

Family caught this one on Wednesday and it didn’t depart until 02:20

 

[Saab34]

Looks like this one is coming back
March- Thur/Fri and some Sundays.
July School Holidays- Mon/Sat
October to Jan- Sunday to Friday.

The July departures are at 1am. I’m surprised CNS Airport would even let them operate such a flight.

 

[AIRwin]

I’m surprised CNS Airport would even let them operate such a flight.

Not for free

 

[markis10]

I’m surprised CNS Airport would even let them operate such a flight.

Given it’s 100% owned by JP Morgan and the airport already has one of the highest charges in Australia I am sure it’s a case of “show me the money”

 

[samas]

booked CNS-BNE-PER a few days ago for July and a lot of the options presented on the VA site included this unearthly MEL overnight option.

I could see it being popular for backpackers being a likely cheap option.

pre-2020 I remember rocking up a few minutes before check-in opened for a ~0600 departure out of CNS. Was probably about 100 people, mostly backpacker looking, already in the regular check-in queue, some sleeping. I was the first person to arrive for the priority check-in and there for about 2 minutes before called forward to a desk, with my 4 items of checked baggage (tools and equipment) to the shock of some in the regular queue.

I suspect they just stayed out and then to the airport to save on a nights accommodation cost? I understand CNS terminal to be open 24/7.