Jetstar is widely considered Australia's cheapest airline, a low-cost carrier owned by Qantas, known for budget fares across its extensive domestic and international networks in the Asia-Pacific region, though always compare prices with Virgin Australia and check for extra fees on budget airlines.
There's no single "cheapest airline" as it varies by route, time, and location, but budget carriers like Jetstar, Ryanair, AirAsia, Scoot, IndiGo, and Southwest/Spirit (US) consistently offer low fares; use flight comparison sites like Skyscanner or Webjet and search "Everywhere" or "Cheapest Month" for deals.
Jetstar Airways Pty Ltd, trading as Jetstar, is an Australian low-cost airline headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria.
What are the cheapest airlines that fly to Australia? The cheapest airlines flying from London to Australia are AirAsia, Beijing Capital Airlines and Hainan Airlines.
Virgin Australia was launched as Virgin Blue, a low-cost airline, in August 2000, with two Boeing 737-400 aircraft, one of which was leased from then-sister airline Virgin Express.
Virgin Australia keeps things lean and efficient - you'll get lower fares, but may need to pay for extras that Qantas includes.
Airlines such as Southwest and JetBlue offer great value with minimal extra fees and a solid flying experience. Avelo and Breeze are newer options with affordable fares and fewer flights, but they have limited flexibility.
✈️ Introducing Koala Airlines – a new carrier that is hoping to hit the skies in late 2026, offering budget domestic flights to Aussie travellers. The airline says it is going to do things differently compared with other budget airlines that have previously tried - and failed - to break into a notoriously tough market.
For cheap flights in Australia, top websites include comparison sites like Skyscanner, Momondo, and KAYAK, which search multiple airlines, alongside Australian-focused options like Webjet, often recommended for its local deals, with many users suggesting comparing prices on aggregators and then booking directly with the airline for the best outcome.
The airline entered voluntary administration on 30 April 2024 suspending all services, after several aircraft were repossessed.
There's no single "cheapest" site, but Skyscanner, Google Flights (not listed but a major player), KAYAK, and Momondo are top-rated for comparing across many airlines and OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) like Expedia, while budget specialists like BudgetAir and even direct airline sites (Qantas, Virgin) or aggregators like Cheapflights/Traveloka offer deals, with flexibility in dates and using price alerts being key to finding the actual cheapest fare.
Yes, AUD 5,000 (around $3,300 USD) can be enough for a single person's month in Australia, especially in regional areas or if you're budget-conscious and can find work quickly, but it will be tight in major cities like Sydney or Melbourne, where it covers basics but leaves little for luxury, according to Anzuk Education and Reddit users, as city living costs, especially rent, can quickly consume most of that, requiring careful planning for accommodation, food, and activities.
Yes, Jetstar Airways (Australia/NZ) is wholly owned by the Qantas Group, forming part of their two-brand strategy; however, other Jetstar entities in Asia are partnerships, like Jetstar Japan (Qantas, JAL, Tokyo Century) and Jetstar Asia (a joint venture with Singapore's Newstar Holdings).
AirAsia continued its dominance in the low-cost category, being crowned the World's Best Low-Cost Airline for the fourteenth consecutive year. In the long-haul, low- cost category, Singapore's Scoot emerged victorious.
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A low-cost carrier (LCC) or low-cost airline, also called a budget or discount carrier or airline, is an airline that is operated with an emphasis on minimizing operating costs. It sacrifices certain traditional airline luxuries for cheaper fares.
Sometimes, but not always
On quieter routes or off-peak travel days, prices may drop as the departure date approaches. But on popular routes or peak dates, fares often increase as the flight fills up. You may have more luck finding a last-minute fare if: You're flexible on your travel dates and times.
The "best" travel agency in Australia depends on your needs, with major players like Flight Centre (broad deals), online leaders like Webjet (OTA award winner) and Booking.com, specialist networks like Travellers Choice (independent agents), and tour operators like Intrepid and Trafalgar being highly rated, but personal preference, reviews, and specific travel style (cruising, adventure, luxury) should guide your choice, as many award-winning local agencies exist.
The cheapest months to fly are generally during the "shoulder seasons" (spring: March-May, autumn: September-November) or post-holiday lulls like January-early March, avoiding peak summer, Christmas, and major holiday weeks for significant savings. January, February, and November often show the lowest fares, while August can be cheapest for some international routes, depending on the region.
Fly with Jetstar
Currently, Jetstar offers the lowest priced flights around Australia.
Qantas owns Jetstar, a low-cost airline that operates both international services from Australia and domestic services within Australia and New Zealand. It holds stakes in a number of other Jetstar-branded airlines in Asia, as well as Alliance Airlines and Fiji Airways.
New budget carrier Koala Airlines is set to launch in Australia in late 2026.
To book cheap flights, be flexible with dates (fly mid-week), use flight comparison sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights, search "Everywhere" for deals, book in advance (but not too last minute), and consider separate one-way tickets or nearby airports. Set up fare alerts and compare prices across different providers for the best deals.
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