Sydney-Melbourne: The airfares war has begun! Blood and cash will flow on the tarmac!

As of 1 March, there will be the new player REX on this domestic route, and as Australia’s busiest and most lucrative route – there will be blood on the tarmac when this war finishes.

REX Throws down AU$199 one-way business class gauntlet

Rex today is offering sale fares for the route in Business Class for AU$199, with economy from AU$49. That’s down from its initial AU$79 for Economy and AU$299 for Business Class.

Virgin has just thrown down the same gauntlet by matching the price.

Qantas is so far resisting this reign of gloves. It has offered the gesture of a drop of around AU$50 on its economy seats – dropping from AU$159 to a lead in rate of AU$110. It’s not budging on its stratospheric AU716 business fares however – yet.

Jetstar is holding its fire at the moment too sticking to its AU$104/AU$131 price point for economy.

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.

We did predict this. With all the services basically on the same plane – Boeing 737-800’s the only differences will be price, service and frequency. Qantas will always doubtless win the frequency war. Yet to know about service, and it seems to be standing aloof on price so far.

Sit back, get out the binoculars, and watch this race to the bottom. We the travellers are likely to be the winners as borders open and flight frequency picks up and prices plunge.

See who will blink first in this capacity, frequency and fare price war.