Virgin Australia: Launches New Route: ADL–LST starts today: $79 fare sale

Today marks the launch of a new Adelaide–Launceston route, coinciding with the September school holidays.

Even better, you can nab the fares for as little as AU$79 one way. Mind you better get in quick as the sale ends at midnight on Friday 10 September, and remember this special is for flights out of Adelaide, and don’t include seat selection or baggage.

“We’re the first airline to operate the flights in more than 20 years, so it’s a great day for the regions and Virgin Australia as we plug the gap. Up to 4,200 passengers each month will benefit from the ease of the direct services, creating a gateway between some of the best food and wine, culture, and natural wonders in Australia. 

Alistair Hartley, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer

Operates 3 days a week

This route only operates three days a week currently: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flights leave Adelaide at 7:30 and arrive into Launceston at 9:50 am. From Launceston, you leave at 10:30, and arrive in Adelaide at 11:50 am. Remember there is a half hour time difference between Adelaide and Launceston.

Those special fares seem to be sold out for this week, and flights seem to be pretty full for the following weeks.

Adelaide–Darwin

Yesterday, Virgin Australia re-commenced the route between Adelaide and Darwin with one-way fares as low as AU$129. These flights operate 4 times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

I’m not sure this route will maintain outside the school holidays, but it is interesting how these routes between non-lockdown states seem to be booming at the moment.

In another sense, it’s no surprise. With limited travel, it’s pointless scheduling flights into lockdown states.