6 Cheapest Domestic Airlines to Fly in Australia (2025)

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Ready to explore Australia without breaking the bank? From iconic cities to remote outback adventures, Australia has so much to see—and luckily, it’s easy to get around on a budget. Whether you’re planning to hit Sydney’s beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, or Uluru’s red sands, affordable airlines make it possible to see it all without high costs.

For this article, I researched the six cheapest airlines to fly in Australia for 2025, using trusted tools like Going, Skyscanner, Hopper, and Google Flights to dig up the best deals. These picks are your best bet for saving big on flights while covering as much ground as possible. Let’s dive into who to book with for an epic, budget-friendly Aussie adventure!

#1 tip to find cheap flights to Australia

Looking for cheap flights in Australia? Before diving into all the budget airlines that fly in Australia, I want to share a quick tip on how to save money on airfare.

For the past 3 years, I’ve used Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going) to get amazing flight deals. All you have to do is enter your home airport and where you want to go, and from there, they’ll send you mistake fares and other ridiculously cheap flight deals. And the coolest part? It’s 100% FREE! In 2024, I’ve saved thousands of dollars from their email alerts. This includes most recently, a $992 roundtrip fare from Boston to Melbourne.

There’s a free and a premium version – the free one has pretty much everything you’ll need. Though if you’re like me and travel a lot, it’s worth upgrading to the paid version for $49 per year. I recommend signing up for the free trial to try it for yourself. And if you like it, use my coupon code JON20 to save 20%!

Now without further ado, here are the cheapest airlines in Australia in 2025.

Low-Cost Airlines in Australia: The Cheapest and Best Airlines to Fly

Looking to travel around Australia anytime soon? Flying in Australia doesn’t have to break the bank. With that in mind, here are my picks for the 8 cheapest airlines in Australia right now:

1. 🇦🇺 Jetstar

• 🏠 Base: Melbourne (MEL), Sydney (SYD), Gold Coast (OOL)
• 💼 Best For: Budget domestic travel and last-minute deals within Australia
• ✈️ Cabin Options: Economy only (with paid upgrades for extra legroom and priority boarding)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Carry-on included (15 lbs); checked bags from $17-30 depending on route
• 🏆 Loyalty Program: Jetstar Club (basic points earning, partners with Qantas Frequent Flyer)
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Book during their “Friday Frenzy” sales and choose Bundle deals to save on extras.

Jetstar is Australia’s most popular budget airline and honestly, it’s hard to imagine exploring the country without it. Owned by Qantas, this orange-branded carrier has made domestic travel ridiculously affordable with roundtrip fares regularly starting around $80-160. Whether you’re a backpacker island-hopping or a family planning a quick city break, Jetstar has become the unofficial airline of spontaneous Australian adventures.

Based out of Melbourne, Sydney, and Gold Coast, Jetstar basically flies everywhere you’d want to go in Australia. We’re talking major cities like Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide, plus those dreamy destinations like Cairns for the Great Barrier Reef or Hobart for Tasmania’s wilderness. Their route network is so extensive that piecing together a multi-city Australian adventure has never been easier or more budget-friendly.

Don’t expect frills on Jetstar’s Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. It’s all-economy seating with pretty basic seats. But here’s the thing: you can upgrade to “Upfront” seats for extra legroom if you’re feeling fancy, and their JetCafe actually serves decent snacks and meals that won’t completely destroy your wallet. No seatback screens, but let’s be honest, you’ll probably be staring out the window at Australia’s incredible landscapes anyway.

Here’s where Jetstar gets interesting: travel light and smart. The airline’s base “Starter” fares only cover a small carry-on, but those bundle deals (“Starter Plus” and “Starter Max”) often save you money compared to adding extras separately. 

• Read next: Best Airlines to Fly to Sydney
• You may also like: Best Things to Do in Sydney

2. 🇦🇺 Bonza

• 🏠 Base: Melbourne (AVV), Gold Coast (OOL)
• 💼 Best For: Point-to-point regional routes and underserved city pairs
• ✈️ Cabin Options: Economy only (with optional seat selection and extra legroom)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Carry-on included (15 lbs); checked bags from $20-35 per route
• 🏆 Loyalty Program: None
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Book Bonza’s unique direct routes that bypass Sydney/Melbourne hubs for big savings.

Bonza is one of Australia’s newest carriers, and it’s already changing how people fly across the country. Launched in 2023, this low-cost airline focuses on direct routes between regional cities that were previously only reachable with long layovers. Instead of fighting for traffic between the big hubs, Bonza fills in the gaps with city pairs that make more sense for locals and travelers who want to explore more of Australia.

The airline’s main bases at Avalon Airport near Melbourne and the Gold Coast allow them to avoid congestion and keep things simple. You’ll find flights like Cairns to Melbourne or Sunshine Coast to Albury that used to require frustrating stopovers in Sydney. This point-to-point model means you can spend more time on your actual trip instead of wasting a day in transit.

Flying on Bonza means hopping aboard their Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in a simple all-economy layout. The seats are standard budget airline fare, but you can pay extra for preferred seating or a bit more legroom if you want. No seatback entertainment here either, but their “Bonza Bites” food service offers Australian-inspired snacks and meals that actually reflect the local culture.

The real beauty of Bonza is in their route strategy and pricing. Roundtrip fares typically run $120-200, but the time savings are where they really shine. Instead of flying Sydney to Cairns with a Melbourne connection, you can go direct and save half your travel day. 

• Read next: Unique Restaurants in Adelaide
• You may also like: Hidden Gems to Explore in Australia

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3. 🇦🇺 Rex Airlines

• 🏠 Base: Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Adelaide (ADL)
• 💼 Best For: Regional connections and budget-friendly major city routes
• ✈️ Cabin Options: Economy only (with premium economy available on select routes)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Carry-on included (15 lbs); checked bags from $15-25 depending on route
• 🏆 Loyalty Program: Rex Business Flyer (basic earning structure)
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Lock in their “Red e-Deal” fares early, especially on regional routes. These deals often beat ground travel in both price and time.

Rex Airlines has been Australia’s unsung hero for decades, quietly connecting remote towns and regional cities that the big carriers often overlook. Originally known as Regional Express, Rex expanded into major city routes in 2021, bringing their no-nonsense approach and genuinely competitive prices to routes like Sydney-Melbourne. 

What makes Rex unique is their ability to straddle both worlds. You can book a quick Sydney-Melbourne hop on a Boeing 737, then connect to places like Broken Hill or King Island on a Saab 340 turboprop. These smaller aircraft offer scenic low-altitude views and give you access to towns and landscapes you’d likely never see otherwise. The in-flight experience is simple but pleasant, with complimentary snacks and drinks that feel like a bonus at this price point.

Rex’s network now covers over 60 destinations, and it’s especially strong for travelers interested in seeing real, everyday Australia. Whether you’re heading to coastal villages, outback communities, or second-tier cities, Rex makes it possible without needing long bus rides or expensive charter flights.

Pricing is another major strength. Roundtrip fares on major routes like Sydney to Melbourne typically cost between $100 and $180. Meanwhile, Regional roundtrips often fall in the $80 to $140 range. The “Red e-Deal” tickets, when booked early, can even dip as low as $50. The Rex Business Flyer program is pretty basic, but for most travelers, the value comes from affordable access to areas that rarely make it onto traditional itineraries.

• Read next: Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Australia

4. 🇦🇺 Virgin Australia

• 🏠 Base: Brisbane (BNE), Melbourne (MEL), Sydney (SYD), Perth (PER)
• 💼 Best For: Travelers wanting budget pricing with full-service airline perks
• ✈️ Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Carry-on included (15 lbs); checked bags from $25-40 depending on fare type
• 🏆 Loyalty Program: Velocity Frequent Flyer (comprehensive earning and redemption options)
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Watch for “Getaway” sales and upgrade to Economy X for more legroom at a low cost. It’s one of the best value seat upgrades for long-haul travelers.

Virgin Australia finds that sweet middle ground between budget and comfort, which makes it a great choice for travelers who want to save without going full no-frills. Since their post-2020 reboot, they’ve trimmed down but kept the features that matter—solid legroom, friendly service, and included snacks that beat the usual buy-on-board fare.

Operating from major hubs in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth, Virgin Australia covers all the destinations you’d expect plus some fantastic regional routes to places like Hamilton Island and Cairns. Their network is built around connecting Australia’s major cities efficiently, making them ideal for multi-city trips across the continent. 

The fleet mainly consists of Boeing 737-700s, 737-800s, and ATR turboprops on regional routes, with consistently clean cabins and their signature purple mood lighting. Even in Economy, you’ll get complimentary snacks and drinks, plus in-seat power on select routes. Economy X, which offers extra legroom and preferred boarding, is available for a small fee and can make a noticeable difference on longer flights. Their Premium Economy and Business Class cabins are worth considering if you’re recovering from an international flight and want more space.

Prices are competitive, too. Roundtrip Economy fares typically land between $140 and $220, though “Getaway” sales frequently bring them down to $80 roundtrip on major routes. The airline’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program also adds solid value, with easy ways to earn and redeem points across flights, hotels, and car rentals throughout Australia.

5. 🇦🇺 QantasLink

• 🏠 Base: Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE), Perth (PER)
• 💼 Best For: Regional destinations and connections to remote Australian locations
• ✈️ Cabin Options: Economy only (with some premium seating on select aircraft)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Carry-on included (15 lbs); checked bags from $30-45 depending on route
• 🏆 Loyalty Program: Qantas Frequent Flyer (full integration with mainline Qantas)
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Book QantasLink as part of a Qantas itinerary to remote areas. You’ll often get a better deal and avoid baggage recheck hassles.

QantasLink is your ticket to the Australia most visitors never see. As the regional wing of Qantas, it serves far-flung towns and outposts that would take days to reach by road. Whether you’re chasing sunsets in the outback or heading to a quiet coastal town with no major airport, QantasLink is often the only airline flying there.

With hubs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, QantasLink connects travelers to places like Broome, Alice Springs, Mount Isa, and Longreach. These destinations may be off the beaten track, but they’re packed with unique experiences, from exploring Uluru and Kakadu to visiting cattle stations and historic mining towns. In many cases, these routes have little or no competition, which makes QantasLink a pretty big deal for reaching Australia’s most remote areas.

The fleet includes Dash 8 turboprops, Fokker 100s, and Boeing 717s, all built to handle tough Australian conditions. While the aircraft are smaller, they’re reliable and safe, and the views from the window seats are incredible. Service is simple but consistent, with light snacks and drinks included, and crew who often know the local towns as well as the passengers onboard.

Fares usually range between $200 and $400 roundtrip, though more remote destinations may cost more. While that might sound steep for short hops, you’re paying for access, not just distance.

• Read next: Cheap Places to Fly from Brisbane
• You may also like: Unique Restaurants in Canberra

6. 🇸🇬 Scoot

• 🏠 Base: Singapore Changi (SIN) – serves Australian domestic routes
• 💼 Best For: Connecting Australian cities via Singapore and ultra-budget long-haul travel
• ✈️ Cabin Options: Economy and ScootPlus (premium economy with extra perks)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Carry-on included (22 lbs); checked bags from $20-35 depending on route
• 🏆 Loyalty Program: KrisFlyer (Singapore Airlines program with limited earning on Scoot)
• 🧠 Pro Tip: Scoot’s “Fly-Thru” feature lets you connect in Singapore without clearing immigration, making multi-city travel surprisingly smooth and affordable.

Wait, Singapore Airlines‘ budget subsidiary operating Australian domestic routes? You bet. Scoot has been quietly shaking up the Australian market by offering dirt-cheap connections between major Australian cities via their Singapore hub. While technically not a pure domestic carrier, they’ve become a legitimate option for budget-conscious travelers willing to make a quick Singapore stopover to save serious money on cross-country Australian flights.

The Fly-Thru program is what makes it work. Instead of going through customs and rechecking bags in Singapore, you stay airside and continue straight to your next flight. It’s surprisingly efficient and gives you a few hours to enjoy Changi’s movie theaters, gardens, or food courts without needing a separate visa or lengthy airport process.

Scoot flights use Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s, both well-maintained and comfortable enough for budget travel. ScootPlus is their premium economy upgrade with extra legroom, better meals, and priority boarding which are worth considering if you’re recovering from a long international haul. Service is basic but friendly, and the planes are clean and modern.

Fares between Australian cities via Singapore usually run from $120 to $180 roundtrip, often undercutting local airlines by a wide margin. If you catch a sale, you might find tickets closer to $60, which makes the extra travel time a fair trade. It’s not ideal for short trips, but if you’re exploring the country on a flexible schedule, Scoot offers a budget-friendly way to connect the dots across Australia.

• Read next: Best Airlines to Fly to Singapore
• You may also like: Best Airlines to Fly to Bali

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Cheapest Airlines in Australia

Here are some common questions and answers about the best budget airlines in Australia.

Which Australian budget airline is the best?

The “best” budget airline in Australia can vary based on your specific needs, preferences, and travel plans. However, Jetstar is often recognized for its low fares within Australia and an extensive network of destinations. They offer a balance of affordability and reliable service, which makes them a popular choice among both locals and tourists. Additionally, their frequent sales and promotions provide extra value for money-conscious travelers.

What part of Australia is the cheapest to fly to?

Finding the cheapest airlines to travel to Australia often means landing in one of the country’s major city airports. Here’s why these cities often offer more budget-friendly options:

• Sydney: As Australia’s busiest airport, Sydney Airport sees a high volume of international and domestic flights. More competition among airlines often leads to cheaper ticket prices, and there’s a broader selection of travel times.
• Melbourne: Serving as the second busiest airport, Melbourne provides travelers with a wide array of airlines and flights. This competition, coupled with regular deals and promotions by airlines, often results in more affordable fares.
• Brisbane: While not as large as Sydney or Melbourne, Brisbane Airport is a significant hub in its own right. It serves as a gateway to Queensland’s stunning beaches and the Great Barrier Reef. Brisbane’s food scene is also next level. Competitive pricing is often seen on flights to entice tourists to visit these natural wonders.

Remember, while these locations might typically offer the cheapest flights in Australia, seasonal variations and special airline promotions can affect prices. It’s always a good idea to compare prices for your specific travel dates.

Do any airlines offer cheap flights to Asia from Australia?

Yes, Scoot provides cheap flight deals from Australia to Asia. Scoot is well-known for offering budget-friendly options for travelers looking to explore Asian destinations from Australia. Their competitive pricing, along with regular deals and promotions, makes them a preferred choice for cost-conscious adventurers eager to explore beyond Australia’s borders.

What routes do Bonza Airlines fly to?

Bonza Airlines, Australia’s newest budget airline, has made a significant entry into the market with a focus on underserved regional routes. Here are some of the destinations they cover:

• From Melbourne: Bonza connects travelers to a variety of locations, including Bundaberg, Gladstone, Mackay, Mildura, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Tamworth, and Toowoomba Wellcamp.
• From Sunshine Coast: The airline offers routes to several destinations such as Albury, Avalon, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Mackay, Mildura, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Tamworth, Townsville, and Whitsunday Coast. You can also conveniently get to Perth, which has an incredible foodie scene!

What is the cheapest month to fly to Australia?

The cheapest time to fly to Australia tends to be during the shoulder seasons. This means late April to June and September to early December, when the weather is pleasant, and tourist crowds are thinner. Airfares and accommodation rates are generally lower during these periods. It’s an ideal time for budget travelers.

How can I find cheap Australia flights?

Scoring cheap flights in Australia requires a blend of strategic planning, savvy research, and a touch of luck. Here’s a guide to help you land those budget-friendly fares:

• Early Planning: Start your search early to get a feel for average prices, and if you spot a good deal, snap it up — the best fares are often available 6-8 weeks before departure.
• Use Comparison Sites: Websites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak allow you to compare prices across different airlines. Don’t forget to check the airlines’ official sites, as they sometimes offer exclusive deals.
• Flexible Dates: If you can, be flexible with your travel dates. Mid-week flights are often cheaper than weekend flights. Also, avoid peak travel times like school holidays or major events.
• Consider Layovers: Direct flights are convenient but often pricier. Flights with layovers can significantly cut costs, even if they extend travel time.
• Sign Up for Alerts: Many booking sites and airlines offer price alerts for specific routes. Sign up and get notified when prices drop.
• Join Loyalty Programs: If you travel frequently, join airline loyalty programs. The points can add up and result in discounted or free flights.
• Baggage Fees: Pay attention to the baggage fees. Some cheap airlines in Australia offer low fares but charge high fees for checked luggage.

By following these tips and staying proactive, you’re more likely to snag those coveted cheap flight deals to Australia.

What is the cheapest airline in Australia?

G’day, fellow travelers! When it comes to flying down under, Australia has a plethora of airlines to choose from. If you’re on a tight budget, Jetstar stands out as the low-cost subsidiary of Qantas, offering both international and domestic flights. While it might not have all the bells and whistles of its parent company, it’s a solid choice for those looking to save a few bucks.

Can I fly direct to Australia from the US?

Yes, several airlines offer direct flights from the US to Australia. However, these are typically not budget options. Qantas, Virgin Australia, and American Airlines are among the carriers providing direct services between the two countries, connecting major cities like Los Angeles and Sydney. However, if you’re looking for budget airlines in Australia, you might need to consider options with layovers for more affordable fares.

Recap: Cheapest Airlines in Australia in 2025

Traveling through Australia’s most beautiful places doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. With cheap Australian airlines like Jetstar, known for regular sales, and new ones like Bonza that connect smaller areas, there are lots of different low-cost options. Each airline has its own benefits. They offer many places to fly and good deals, which makes it great for travelers looking to save money.

However, finding the cheapest airlines to fly into Australia requires more than just selecting the right carrier. It’s about the art of timely bookings, flexibility, and keeping abreast of special promotions. Joining loyalty programs can be incredibly beneficial, offering rewards that go beyond mere savings. Further, a thorough understanding of each airline’s baggage policies and additional services ensures there are no surprises at the airport.

In the realm of affordable air travel, Australia is a market of endless opportunities. Whether you opt for the reliability of QantasLink, the affordability of Rex, the luxury of Virgin Australia, or the international options provided by Scoot, remember that the best deals are reserved for those who plan!