By OurOyster | September 3, 2012 at 6:39 am | 3 comments | Australia

This post was written for OurOyster.com by cheapflights.co.uk

Getting Around Australia ‘s Outback By Plane

Flying domestically within Australia has become increasingly affordable thanks to the emergence of low cost airlines operating in the country. Whether you are looking to fly to the sandy beaches of the Gold Coast or explore the untamed wilderness of Australia’s rugged Outback, the country’s discount airlines offer affordable prices on a number of domestic routes. It is not uncommon to find one-way fares for under A$100 on popular routes, including flights between Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne.

Although a common aspect of these airlines is their relatively low fares, each operator offers its passengers a variety of in-flight services and experiences. While some perks are offered free of charge, more often passengers can expect to pay additional fees for services such as checked baggage and on-board meals.

 

 

Jetstar Airways

Based in Melbourne, Jetstar Airways is a subsidiary of Qantas, Australia’s main national airline. Jetstar offers travellers a domestic network that links over 20 communities across Australia. In operation since 2003, Jetstar Airways’s destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Darwin, Carins, Hobart, and Perth, as well as airports in Australia’s Cumberland Islands near the wondrous Great Barrier Reef.

The airline also offers affordable fares to regional destinations, including cities in South East Asia, China, Japan, and Hawaii. Passengers on Jetstar can expect a buy on board programme for meals and drinks. The airline also offers passengers iPads with in-flight entertainment preloaded, including music and movies, for an additional fee. Domestically, Jetstar Airways offers a single economy class of service. As a result of its outstanding service and product, the airline has received a number of accolades. In 2012, Jetstar was named as the best low-cost airline in the Asia/Pacific region and one of the top three low cost airlines in the world by Skytrax in its annual survey of airline customer satisfaction.

 

Virgin Australia

Virgin has been operating affordable connections between destinations within Australia since 2000. It has flown under the Virgin Australia brand since May 2011, and is the country’s second largest airline after Qantas. Targeting leisure travellers, Virgin Australia offers low-cost fares to 50 domestic and international destinations, including Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Cairns, Melbourne, Hobart, and Perth.

It has the most extensive domestic network among Australia’s low cost airlines, with services to over 40 communities. Unlike other discount airlines in the country, Virgin provides a range of services to its customers without charging additional fees. The airline offers full-service perks depending on the type of fare purchased, including complimentary on-board meals on most flights, a choice of three class services, and an on-demand in-flight entertainment system. Travellers are also permitted to check between one and two baggage without charge, depending on the type of fare purchased.

Tiger Airways Australia

A newer entry to Australia’s low cost airline market, Tiger Airways Australia began operations in 2007. The airline serves seven cities in Australia, mainly from its hub in Melbourne. The airline also operates flights to Sydney, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Hobart, and Perth. Tiger Airways Australia provides its customers with a buy on board service that includes snacks and drinks for purchase. A survey by Roy Morgan Research in 2011 found that Tiger Airways ranked last among Australia’s airlines in terms of airline customer satisfaction. Similar to Jetstar’s checked baggage policy, Tiger Airways charges passengers additional fees for all checked bags.

This post was written for OurOyster.com by cheapflights.co.uk