Quick Answer
QantasLink turned 25 in May 2026 and marked the milestone with one of the biggest regional sales in Australian aviation history. Economy one way fares start at $99, with close to 170,000 seats priced at $125 or less across 56 domestic destinations.
The sale opens at 12:01 am AEST on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 and closes at 11:59 pm AEST on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Travel windows run on select dates between July 2026 and April 2027, and Classic Reward Seats on domestic routes are also discounted by 20 percent.
Routes covered include Port Lincoln, Bendigo, Broken Hill, Hobart, Cairns, Devonport, Launceston, Weipa and Exmouth, among others.
A Quarter Century of Connecting Australia
QantasLink launched in May 2001 when Qantas consolidated four regional carriers under one brand: Airlink, Eastern Australia Airlines, Sunstate, and Southern Australia Airlines. Impulse Airlines was folded in soon after, which gave the new operation a serious foundation network.
In 2010 the group absorbed Network Aviation, which expanded reach into the Western Australian fly in, fly out (FIFO) mining circuit. Today QantasLink runs about 500 flights a day to more than 60 destinations across Australia and a handful of nearby international ports.
CEO Mark Dal Pra framed the anniversary cleanly: "As an airline founded in regional Australia, we know how important aviation is in keeping this country connected. We are incredibly proud of the role we have played over the past quarter of a century."
How the Sale Actually Works
The headline number is $99 one way in economy, but the real value sits in the $125 and below band. Close to 170,000 seats sit at that price across the 56 routes in the sale.
Travel must happen on select dates between July 2026 and April 2027. That window is wide enough to cover winter school holidays, the spring shoulder season, Christmas travel, and an Easter 2027 escape. Classic Reward Seats on domestic Qantas and QantasLink flights are getting a 20 percent points discount during the same booking window, which stacks neatly for frequent flyers sitting on a balance.
Which Routes Are Worth Watching
| Destination | Why It Is on the List |
|---|---|
| Port Lincoln, SA | Seafood capital, tuna farms, swim with sharks experiences. |
| Broken Hill, NSW | Outback art trail, mining heritage, Silverton day trips. |
| Hobart, TAS | MONA, Salamanca Market, gateway to the Tasmanian wilderness. |
| Cairns, QLD | Great Barrier Reef and Daintree access. |
| Devonport, TAS | Spirit of Tasmania terminal, Cradle Mountain access. |
| Bendigo, VIC | Goldfields heritage and central Victorian wine country. |
| Exmouth, WA | Ningaloo Reef, whale shark swims. |
| Weipa, QLD | Cape York gateway, bauxite mining hub. |
What the Sale Means for Regional Australia
A sale this large is more than a marketing exercise. Regional tourism leans heavily on air access. When fares from a capital city to a town like Broken Hill or Exmouth drop under $150, weekend travel becomes a realistic option for households that would otherwise drive or skip the trip entirely.
The reverse flow matters just as much. Regional residents often need to fly to a capital city for specialist healthcare, a connecting international flight, or a family event. A cheaper seat eases the financial weight on people who never had a choice about whether to fly.
The Fleet and What Comes Next
QantasLink is putting serious money behind the next 25 years. The airline is rolling out new aircraft including A220s and Embraer E190s for regional and FIFO routes, refurbishing existing cabins, and upgrading regional lounges in Hobart, Cairns and Launceston.
The strategic logic is simple. Regional Australia is a structural market, not a discretionary one. People need to move between capital cities, mining sites, holiday destinations and small towns regardless of the economic cycle. A fleet upgrade reduces fuel burn, lifts comfort, and keeps the route map viable as smaller turboprops phase out.
Booking Tips Before the Sale Closes
- Book early in the window. The cheapest fares on popular routes (Hobart, Cairns, Launceston) tend to disappear within the first 24 to 48 hours.
- Be flexible on dates. Sale fares cluster on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Shifting a trip by one day can save $50 to $100 per leg.
- Check baggage rules. The cheapest economy fares are often hand luggage only. Add checked baggage at booking rather than at the airport.
- Stack with Classic Reward discounts. If you have a Qantas points balance, the 20 percent reduction makes domestic reward bookings unusually good value during the same window.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly does the sale end?
11:59 pm AEST on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
How many destinations are included?
56 domestic destinations.
Are international QantasLink routes in the sale?
The headline pricing applies to domestic regional routes. Short hop international services that QantasLink operates are not part of the $99 promotion.
Can I change my booking later?
Standard fare rules apply. The cheapest sale fares carry change fees and fare differences. Read the conditions on the booking page before you confirm.
The Takeaway
QantasLink's 25th anniversary sale is one of the largest regional aviation promotions Australia has seen, with 170,000 seats at $125 or less and a travel window that runs almost a year. If you have a regional trip on the back burner, the next six days are the time to lock it in.
