REX AIRLINES: Melbourne and Adelaide to Perth routes start 28 June 2024

Travellers between capital cities Melbourne and Perth, and Adelaide and Perth will now be able to choose REX as their carrier. The airline will fly between Melbourne and Perth five times a week using a Boeing 737 with a single return service. Between Adelaide and Perth, it will be a three-times-a-week service on an Embraer E-190 jet flown by REX alumni, National Jet Express.

Flight timings

REX flight timings between Melbourne and Perth are not great. The outward flight from Melbourne doesn’t leave until the evening, and the return flight from Perth departs even later as a ‘milk-run’ flight getting into Melbourne very early.

• ZL873 departs Melbourne 8:15 pm, arrives Perth 10:40 pm (Fri, Sun, Mon, Wed Thurs)
• ZL874 departs Perth 11.55 pm arrives Melbourne 5:30am

These flight timings take me back to when I was a student and had a good friend in Perth. The only flights I could afford were these overnight flights, usually on standby. The upside was they were essentially repositioning flights, and virtually empty. You were encouraged to move to a spare row and take over three seats. Blankets and pillows were provided.

Between Adelaide and Perth, you get a three days a week service :

• ZL1217 Departs Adelaide 5:00 pm, arrives Perth 7:00pm (Mon, Fri & Sun) – flight time 3 hours 30 minutes
• ZL1212 Departs Perth 11:55 am, arrives Adelaide 4:15 pm (Mon, Fri & Sun) – flight time 3 hours 50 minutes

You’ll be flying on an Embraer E-190 jet operated by National Jet Express in an all-economy configuration of between 104 or 110-seat aircraft in a 2-2 configuration.

Fare costs

The fares offered are reasonably competitive if you look below the surface. Return fares are offered at AU$568 in Economy. That’s AU$20 to AU$30 more than Virgin Australia or Jetstar, but you do get luggage and refreshments included. You’ll also get streamed entertainment on your own device. But there is no power, which could be an issue on this 4.5-hour flight.

In Business Class, you are looking at around AU$ 1,998 which is very competitive. It’s about AU$ 1,000 or more less than competitor Virgin Australia. More like AU$ 1,500 to 2,500 less than most Qantas fares.

For Business Class, these prices are very competitive and worth considering if the travel times suit. Let’s hope what Rex’s General Manager of Network Strategy, Warrick Lodge, says is true:

“When more airlines compete on a particular route, consumers benefit and our record in the
domestic markets speaks for itself – Rex delivers terrific value for money,”

Warrick Lodge, General Manager Network Strategy, REX Airlines

Seats on the Adelaide / Perth route on the Embraer 190 are only available in economy and start at AU$ 249 one way for their ‘promo’ fare up to AU$500 for a flexi fare. It doesn’t make them particularly competitive with the likes of Qantas and Virgin, considering the service and class of aircraft. I’d much prefer to spend three hours plus in a Boeing 737 than the E190.

2PAXfly Takeout

REX, operating since March 2021 on its capital city routes has made an impression on the domestic market, with 4.8% (April 2023) of the market. Its ontime performance has also been impressive when compared to Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin. Mind you it does operate a considerably smaller fleet, with limited services.

At the moment, it is let down by pretty appalling lounges, a lack of a real frequent flyer loyalty program, and infrequent services. Its actual flying product is OK and competitive on comfort and price compared to the majors.

If Melbourne based, I’d be tempted by these fares to Perth. The Melbourne to Perth business market is expanding at over 10% currently, so there should be room for another competitor