Rex Adds Much-Needed Trans-Con Competition

Rex (Regional Express) Airlines will add some welcome pressure on airfares on the Melbourne-Perth and Adelaide-Perth routes when it launches services from next month.

Rex’s Melbourne-Perth and Adelaide-Perth flights will both commence on 28 June 2024.

Trans-continental airfares on routes like Perth-Melbourne, Perth-Sydney and Perth-Brisbane have been higher than the long-term average since COVID-19 – much to the chagrin of east-west flyers who don’t really have a realistic alternative to flying.

You’ll be able to earn and redeem Rex Flyer points on these services. Rex has also promised to roll out status tier benefits for Rex Flyer members in the near future, although the “early May” date listed on the airline’s website has already passed.

Rex’s Melbourne-Perth service

Rex will fly from Melbourne to Perth five days per week, with no services on Tuesdays or Saturdays. This will be the longest route in Rex’s network, and Perth-Melbourne will be the airline’s only redeye (overnight) flight. The schedule is as follows:

• ZL873 Melbourne 20:15 – Perth 22:40
• ZL874 Perth 23:55 – Melbourne 05:30 (+1 day)

Fares start from $299 one-way in Economy or $999 one-way in Business Class.

Rex will use Boeing 737-800s for its Melbourne-Perth flights. By taking advantage of “back of the clock” flying, when these aircraft would otherwise sit idle, the airline is able to add this service without acquiring extra planes or cutting existing services.

Rex’s Adelaide-Perth service

Rex’s Adelaide-Perth flight will take off three times per week on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays. Fares start from $249 one-way in Economy.

This is the schedule:

• ZL1212 Perth 11:55 – Adelaide 16:15
• ZL1217 Adelaide 17:00 – Perth 19:00

National Jet Express will operate the Perth-Adelaide route on behalf of Rex with Embraer E190s in a single-class configuration. National Jet Express is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rex that primarily flies charter services to mining sites.

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 80 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.