If you’ve been looking for an excuse to leave the office, Virgin Australia just gave you one – and it only costs $49.

The airline has unleashed its cheekiest sale yet: more than one million fares across its domestic and international network, starting from the price of a halfway decent steak. The timing? Impeccable. With 2026 just around the corner, the airline says, “Book your New Year break now before the rest of the country does.”

“With a new year on the horizon, it’s the perfect time for travellers to plan their 2026 escapes across Australia and beyond,” said Virgin Australia Executive Libby Minogue. “Whether it’s an interstate getaway or an international bucket-list destination, these deals won’t last long, so we encourage travellers to get in quick.”

Australia, the great sale aisle

From Byron Bay to Bali, and Uluru to Queenstown, the sale reads like a travel wishlist. Domestic one-way Economy Lite fares include:

• Sydney ↔ Ballina (Byron Bay) – $49*

• Sydney ↔ Gold Coast – $65*

• Melbourne ↔ Hobart – $99*

• Melbourne ↔ Uluru – $99*

• Brisbane ↔ Hamilton Island – $129*

And yes, if you’re feeling indulgent, Business Class is also on sale because nothing says “I’ve made it” like sipping bubbles at 35,000 feet. Sydney ↔ Ballina starts at $219, while Melbourne ↔ Queenstown Business return sits at a very tempting $1,299.

Internationally, there’s plenty to write home about:

• Gold Coast ↔ Denpasar (Bali) – from $429 return*

• Sydney ↔ Nadi (Fiji) – from $629 return*

• Brisbane ↔ Apia (Samoa) – from $629 return*

• Melbourne ↔ Queenstown – from $449 return*

Book directly at Virgin Australia Sale by 11:59 pm AEST Monday, 27 October 2025, or risk being left behind while everyone else is posting beach sunsets in February.

Swap screen time for sunshine

Virgin’s cheeky tagline, “swap out the screen time for real-life destinations”, might be the understatement of the season. Whether it’s Bali’s tropical breezes or the crisp air of Queenstown, the airline’s sale invites Australians to rediscover the joy of being somewhere.

It’s also a subtle reminder that those endless streaming subscriptions won’t deliver Vitamin D, sea spray or a decent cocktail by the pool.

A sale made for the strategic traveller

Beyond the bargain-hunter hype lies a clever play: travel between 6 January 2026 and 15 September 2026, just outside the major holiday crunch. That’s when savvy flyers know they’ll get calmer airports, friendlier prices, and a fighting chance at the window seat.

For Velocity Frequent Flyer members, the icing is that every sale fare still earns Velocity Points and Status Credits. It’s free to join here, and it’s the kind of loyalty program that quietly adds value long after the sale ends.

Timing is everything

Let’s face it, Australians love a deal almost as much as they love complaining about missing one. Virgin’s sale lands perfectly ahead of Christmas, when most of us daydream about next year’s break. With global fares rising, the idea of domestic escapes under $100 feels almost nostalgic.

It also signals a competitive nudge to rival carriers, who now face the unenviable task of matching Virgin’s bravado. After all, $49 fares are the sort of numbers that make accountants nervous and holidaymakers gleeful.

The small print – and the big picture

Some of these are Economy Lite fares, meaning no checked baggage and limited frills exist. But for many, that’s a small price to pay for the satisfaction of snagging a flight for less than dinner for two. The deal covers select routes and dates, so speed and flexibility are key.

Book by 27 October 2025, travel between January and September 2026, and as Virgin politely suggests, don’t dawdle.

The verdict

Virgin’s latest sale is a pitch-perfect invitation for a nation that thrives on spontaneity, barbecues, and the next excuse to fly north. It’s travel made simple, affordable, and just a touch cheeky, very much in the airline’s DNA.

With more than a million seats up for grabs, the question isn’t whether you should go. It’s where to first?

Because when fares start at $49, staying home almost feels extravagant.

Conditions apply.

By Alison Jenkins

BIO

Alison Jenkins has spent much of her career at thirty thousand feet or at least close to it. Having worked in several sales roles with several airlines, she built a reputation for knowing her clients and flight schedules. Quick with a smile and sharper still with a deal, she became one of those rare people who could charm passengers and partners without losing her professional edge.

Trade shows and FAMILS were all part of the territory, and Alison became a regular on the circuit, with suitcases, smiles, and a notepad never far from reach. Somewhere between airport lounges and hotel lobbies, she discovered she loved telling the stories behind the journeys. Her post-FAMILS reports, meant for internal newsletters, began to take on a life of their own, lively, observant, and unmistakably hers.

That’s when Alison realised she wasn’t just selling travel, she was meant to write about it.

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