The three major Australian airlines, virgin australia
, jetstar
, and Qantas
, have started huge Boxing Day specials on both domestic and international flights, so those who want to take advantage of post-Christmas deals are in for a treat this year. Starting on Thursday, December 26, hundreds of thousands of seats on popular airline itineraries are on sale. Savvy flyers are advised to act fast because these limited-time deals are only available while supplies last.
Photo: Peter Gudella | Shutterstock
Virgin Australia’s hot deals for 2024
Virgin Australia is providing some of the most attractive discounts during its Boxing Day sale, particularly on foreign flights. Virgin is making it simpler for travelers from Australia to fly to places like New Zealand
, Fiji
, Vanuatu, Bali
, and Samoa with significantly lower prices since it is the only one of the three major airlines to offer cheaper flights for overseas travel. Additionally, the airline has lowered prices on well-known domestic destinations, such as the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island, and the Gold Coast
.
“Boxing Day is synonymous with deals – and for Virgin Australia, it’s about giving our customers the freedom to explore more of Australia and beyond for less,” Virgin Australia Executive Libby Minogue said, according to Australia’s Sky News. “With unbelievably low fares and the opportunity to earn Velocity Points, it’s the perfect time to lock in your next escape.“
Photo: Virgin Australia
The discounted flights are available for travel between January 6 and September 18, 2025, and must be booked before the end of December 29 (or until seats sell out). Virgin’s Economy Lite fares also allow passengers to earn Velocity points and status credits, adding extra value to these already bargain-priced tickets, Daily Mail Australia reported.
Some of the best deals from Virgin’s Boxing Day sale include:
- Domestic: Sydney to Ballina (Byron Bay) from $49, Melbourne to Launceston from $59, Brisbane to Proserpine (Whitsundays) from $79, and Brisbane to Hamilton Island from $119, and more.
- International: Melbourne to Queenstown from $399, Sydney to Queenstown from $429, Sydney to Denpasar (Bali) from $609, Brisbane to Port Vila (Vanuatu) from $439, Gold Coast to Denpasar (Bali) from $499, and more.
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The Boxing Day sales come just weeks after Virgin Australia’s announcement of a new partnership with 
Qatar Airways
, which will provide Australians with more options for international travel starting in June 2025. The deal, still pending final approval, will allow Virgin passengers to book flights to destinations like Europe, the Middle East, and Africa with enhanced competition on long-haul routes.
Jetstar’s budget-friendly fares
Jetstar is also joining the Boxing Day frenzy with one-way flights as low as $39, giving travelers on a tight budget the opportunity to save a significant amount of money. Potential travelers should move quickly because the offer closes on December 27 at 11:59 pm AEDT, or until all seats are sold out.
The airline is focusing on domestic routes, with several hot spots in Queensland
, Tasmania, and New South Wales available at heavily discounted prices. Some notable fares from Jetstar’s Boxing Day sale include:
- Domestic: Sydney to Ballina (Byron Bay) from $39, Newcastle to Gold Coast from $49, Brisbane to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) from $59, and Hobart to Gold Coast from $89, and more.
Photo: Jetstar
Qantas joins the discount frenzy
Qantas is offering discounts on over 800,000 seats, spanning both domestic and international routes, with prices starting as low as $109 for one-way flights. The airline’s sale runs until 11:59 pm AEDT on December 28 and covers select travel dates from July 22 to September 18, 2025.
Some of the top discounted fares from Qantas include:
- Domestic: Melbourne to Launceston from $109, Sydney to Ballina from $109, and Brisbane to Hervey Bay from $129, and more.
Photo: Qantas
What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day, which is observed on December 26 in the United Kingdom and several Commonwealth nations, is one of Australia’s seven national holidays. In the past, individuals frequently gave to charities or gave presents to servants on this day, which was devoted to helping the underprivileged and those in need. However, Boxing Day has developed into a significant shopping occasion nowadays, with shops giving enormous discounts and specials to capitalize on the post-Christmas shopping frenzy.