Virgin launches Island sale with up to 30 per cent off airfares
Virgin Australia has launched an Island sale, slashing the cost of travel to our sunny neighbours by up to 30 per cent off.
The sale, which features seats to Bali, Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa comes at a perfect time for Aussies who are bristling under a cold winter.
Days prior to the sale, flights to Bali were down to $480 return out of Melbourne and $543 return out of Sydney for October to December dates. In this sale, they're down to $449 return from Melbourne and $519 return from Sydney.
Similarly, flights into Vanuatu for the low season in October and November were priced at $449 return out of Brisbane last week. Now they're starting from a fabulous $439 return.
Unlike those previous fares, which were for low-season travel, this sale includes a wide mix of dates from August 21, 2025 through to June 18, 2026. So you can jet set your way out of this winter or start filling your 2026 calendar with getaways.
The prices mentioned are for Lite Fares and include a seat and carry on luggage only. Seat selection and 23kgs of checked luggage can each be tacked on for a fee during the booking process. Discounted Choice Fares, which include checked luggage and seat selection, are available on certain routes.
This flash sale runs for five days only, and is on now until at 11.59pm AEST on August 8 2025, unless sold out earlier.
Adelaide – Bali (via Melbourne) from $499 return
Brisbane – Samoa from $605 return
Brisbane – Bali from $549 return
Brisbane – Nadi from $569 return
Brisbane – Port Vila from $439 return
Canberra – Bali (via Melbourne) from $559 return
Gold Coast – Bali from $449 return
Hobart – Bali (via Melbourne) from $515 return
Launceston – Bali (via Melbourne) from $515 return
Melbourne – Bali from $449 return
Melbourne – Nadi from $575 return
Mackay – Bali (via Brisbane) from $739 return
Rockhampton – Bali (via Brisbane) from $735 return
Sydney – Bali from $519 return
Sydney – Nadi from $535 return
Townsville – Bali (via Brisbane) from $729 return
This sale comes days after the Airlineratings.com awards, which saw Virgin place third in two categories: Best Cabin Crew Uniform (tied with Air New Zealand) and Preferred Airline Australia and Pacific Ocean.
These awards are based on a public voting system and are often referred to as 'The Flyers' Choice Awards'.
Besting Virgin in the fashion game was Singapore Airlines and Emirates, while Qantas and Air New Zealand placed first and second for Preferred Airline in Australia and the Pacific Ocean, respectively.
"I fully expected Virgin Australia to be in the top three, given its award-winning customer service year after year," said AirlineRatings.com CEO Sharon Petersen.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What day is best to buy Virgin flights?
Virgin Australia runs a weekly Happy Hour sale every Thursday from 4-11pm AEST. This sale can include anything from a destination specific deal to a network-wide sale.
You can sign up to Virgin Australia V-mail to be notified when Happy Hour starts.
Virgin often hosts special sales throughout the year, such as this Island sale and network-wide sales, however these don't have set dates.
How early do flights go on sale?
Airlines generally release seats a year in advance. If you plan to travel during peak season this is helpful to know as it means you can secure your seat early and typically at a better price - than if you book closer to your travel date.
How else can I save on Virgin flights?
Virgin Australia's Early Bird fares are an easy way to save a little extra on your flights. Book at least a month in advance and you stand to save up to 10 per cent off your flight.
Virgin Australia also runs ongoing discounts for regional residents on selected routes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
Cancel those Bali plans right now, this is where everyone is going instead
Bali, babe, we love you. But I think it's time we see other destinations. As an Aussie, I love Bali as much as the next gal. It will always hold a special place in my heart. But between rising prices, Bali belly, and the risk of being hit by a rogue scooter, I'm starting to wonder — is it really worth it? And, I'm not the only one. For years, Bali has been our go-to for cheap holidays, barefoot luxury, and last-minute group getaways. But lately, there's a quiet shift happening. Flights are pricier. Villa costs are soaring higher than ever before. Even a sunset cocktail is starting to feel just like Sydney's daylight robbery. And if you've ever had the joy of spending 24 hours in a hotel bathroom clutching your stomach for dear life … you'll understand why some travellers are ready to break up with Bali (or at least take a Ross and Rachel-style break). 'I've been to Bali four times now, but sadly, I'm not sure I will go back.' Bridgette, a new mum from Newcastle, said. 'I have twins and a mortgage. It was always an amazing destination for a luxury-feel holiday on a budget, but prices have gotten very expensive. 'As much as I love it. I just can't justify it anymore. Flights alone are more than double what they used to be and going to a gym class was over $30 a day.' And, it's not just young parents feeling the pinch. Dee, a bride-to-be, recently had a hens party in Bali, and said it would probably be her last trip. 'When you want to have a fun little getaway with friends without breaking the bank, the first place that comes to mind is Bali,' she said. 'But this time around has changed my mindset on that. If you add wine and cocktails, splitting a bill at dinner works out around $100 per person, which is what you'd pay in Australia anyway.' She also suggested avoiding beach clubs if you're on a budget. 'I know beach clubs are known to be more expensive than other places. But on a hens you want to do that kind of thing. 'It was over $100 for one cocktail jug, or $17 for a single cocktail.' So, if Aussies are falling out of love with Bali, where are they going instead? Enter: Vietnam Travel insiders report a 54 per cent spike in Aussie visits to Vietnam during the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2019. Bookings via InsideAsia are up 46 per cent, and Klook reveals hotel stays have soared 250 per cent. And it's not hard to see why. Meals and taxis average around $5 and bottled water is about 80 cents, making it the ideal spot to stretch that dollar. Because the cost of living is no joke. Miranda, a young Aussie traveller, recently visited Vietnam with her boyfriend and was floored by how much she loved it. 'Vietnam was so good — the food was amazing. Most of our meals were just a few dollars, and we were getting banh mis and beers for under two bucks. It was wild.' Whether you're after lantern-lit romance in Hoi An, resort luxury in Da Nang, or a cruise through Halong Bay that doesn't cost you your entire tax return, Miranda says Vietnam has options. 'Hanoi was my favourite city — the cultural heritage is so rich, but every place we went felt completely different and special in its own way,' Miranda said. 'One of the best things we did was the Ha Giang Loop — it's this incredible four-day motorbike tour through Northern Vietnam. You ride 400km, stay in homestays with local guides, and eat traditional food. It was honestly the highlight of our whole trip.' Direct flights from Australia to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh? Check. A life-changing banh mi that costs less than half your matcha oat latte? Check. Luxury beach resorts and cruises on the cheap, cheap? Check. It's all sounding very sexy on paper. Go off, Vietnam. Miranda also loved the overall vibes. 'Everyone was so friendly and welcoming — I never felt unsafe once,' she said. 'It's not as humid as Bali or Thailand, which made it way easier to spend all day exploring without feeling gross.' It's much cheaper than Bali, where average hotel rates are also going up 15 per cent year-on-year, according to travel expert Quentin Long on Today. 'Luxury Escapes is reporting the average daily rate of a Bali hotel is up 15 per cent year on year.' Dee and her fiancé have been to both countries, and she says there's a clear winner. 'I've been to both Bali and Vietnam, and honestly? Vietnam wins. It's so much cheaper,' Dee said. 'Bali was a vibe when I went with friends for a celebration, but I wouldn't go back unless it was for a special occasion. Vietnam just makes way more sense. 'I spent like $5000 in Bali over 10 days — and that's without flights or accommodation. In Vietnam, we were there for 14 days and I spent about $2000–3000 total. Big difference. 'Vietnam is just so much better value — and it still felt like a proper adventure.' Call it a break-up, a fling, or just a Ross-and-Rachel-style 'break', but Aussies are officially seeing other destinations. And Vietnam is giving 'the hot rebound that turns out to be long-term material'.
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- News.com.au
Annoying Sydney Airport rule on the way out
Sydney Airport is one step closer to fully digitising its international arrivals process and ditching the manual process for good. Travellers desperately searching for a pen to fill in an orange card was a frustration many complained about. However, as part of an expanded pilot program, Qantas passengers flying from Auckland (QF144) and Queenstown (QF122) to Sydney on Wednesday were able to skip the paper incoming passenger card and complete their declaration digitally through the Qantas app before their flight. The trial is in partnership with Sydney Airport, Qantas and border authorities, with an aim to make air travel to and from Australia smoother, faster, and more tech-forward. It was previously tested on select Qantas flights into Brisbane but has now expanded to other services on the Qantas network. The airline is the first in the country to trial the program. Qantas International & Freight CEO, Cam Wallace said described it as a 'significant step forward' in simplifying the arrival process into Australia. '[The] overwhelmingly positive response from our customers in Brisbane has demonstrated just how much demand there is for this innovation,' he said. Now having expanded to Sydney Airport, eligible passengers will receive a digital pass with a QR code, which they can simply show to border and biosecurity officers before making their onward journey. Scott Charlton, Sydney Airport CEO, who thanked those involved, said every international service brings in $130 million in annual economic benefit and supports 1,200 full time jobs. 'So making our border processes more efficient is an important investment in boosting national productivity,' he said in a statement. Eventually, the process will become contactlesss using digital credentials and facial recognition to streamline passenger journeys. Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Tony Burke said when people arrive in Sydney, he wants them out of the airport and experiencing the city as fast as possible. 'Extending the trial to Australia's busiest airport means every day, hundreds more passengers will have a more seamless travel experience,' he added. The trial forms part of broader efforts to improve the arrival experience at Sydney Airport, including the recent installation of eight new ABF SmartGate kiosks at T1, which according to the airport, has boosted processing capacity by 640 passengers per hour. 'This pilot is helping simplify traveller clearances while ensuring strong biosecurity protections at Australia's borders,' Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins said. 'Expanding the pilot is a win-win for incoming travellers to Australia and for Australia's proud agricultural industry which is protected by our world-renowned biosecurity system.' By early 2026, a further 32 new SmartGate kiosks will be deployed across the international precinct at Sydney Airport doubling the total number of kiosks in the terminal.
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Essential tips for travelling with power banks
After a mid-air fire, Virgin Australia has new policies for power banks, joining many international airlines who have tightened policies for on-board battery pack use, storage and charging. The fire in an overhead compartment was on a Virgin Australia 737-8FE flight from Sydney to Hobart late in July. An overheated battery is suspected to be the cause — and it emphasises the need for them to be in the cabin, where the airline's trained crew can contain the fire, rather than in the aircraft's hold. FCM Travel handles business travel for Flight Centre Travel Group, and is urging passengers to be aware of new requirements. FCM Travel general manager ANZ Renos Rologas says a lot of international carriers that fly in and out of Australia have introduced new requirements. They include Singapore Airlines and its low-cost carrier, Scoot, along with China Airlines, Thai Airways, Korean Airlines, Asiana Airlines, EVA Air and Korean Air. Renos explains: 'A lot of Asian carriers are introducing the new requirements, and it includes many that Australians know and frequent, so it's important that travellers understand these new restrictions and the impact they will have on them. 'Safety is the priority, but there are workarounds and other strategies to make sure you're keeping charged and connected, particularly on the longer-haul trips.' Renos adds: 'My biggest tip is to consider the best device for your journey — laptops are hard to charge on the go, and are a bulky, heavier option. I prefer to have a tablet in my carry-on that has similar functionalities to a laptop, but it's easier to charge onboard and travel with. The FCM Travel team has these tips for staying connected and charged up amidst the new portable charger requirements, in their own words: 1. Make sure you are familiar with your airline's specific policies before you travel — these are available on each carrier's website and vary across airlines and are beginning to change. 2. Get on the flight with a fully charged device — and if you are using your phone, laptop or tablet while you're at the airport waiting to board, try to find a charging port to keep the battery full while you wait to fly. Whether you've got lounge access or are sitting in a cafe at the airport, there are generally plenty of charging ports around. 3. Pack a charging cord in your carry-on that has a USB connection. Most planes, particularly on those longer-haul flights, will have USB plugs that you can plug into directly to charge while you fly. 4. Think about the device you are taking onboard with you — sometimes a laptop is not the most effective way to stay connected, continue working on, or keep entertained from the sky. You can't charge a laptop via the USB plugs onboard. A tablet tends to be the best way to go for a bigger screen, full functionality, and easy charging capability. 5. Make use of the in-flight infotainment systems when they are available. Rather than draining your battery watching a movie on your own device, use the built-in systems where possible. 6. It is important to be aware of where you are plugging in, though. Public USB ports can be compromised by cybercriminals, and places like airports can be hotspots for this. 7. Make sure you are purchasing certified power banks from reputable manufacturers to ensure you and your fellow passengers are not at risk. 8. Never pack your portable charger in your checked luggage. By aviation requirements globally, they must always be carried in the cabin with you.
