Better deals for international flights than domestic services

Corporate international airfare data analyzed by FCM Travel on departures from Flight Center Australia shows domestic prices rising 0.7 per cent to $550 per ticket through November 2025, more than half the current average international economy ticket of $1000.

“Competition and increased capacity are good for customers because they are tools that will drive down ticket prices, especially internationally,” said Jason Kramer, global airline leader at FCM Consulting. “The flow-on effect for passengers has been more affordable airfares, thanks to the entry of airlines such as Qatar Airways and the growth of US carriers such as Delta Air Lines.”

Even the declines seem to be more pronounced on international flights. Flight Center Corporate data showed that between December 2023 and December 2024, domestic tickets dropped 2.7 percent to approximately $510 per ticket. International economy seats, meanwhile, dropped from $975 in December 2023 to $950 in December 2024, an average decline of 4 percent.

The pricing dynamics of international airfares, combined with the relatively weak strength of the Australian dollar at around 67 cents and ongoing cost-of-living constraints, have led Australians to book destinations in Asia and the Pacific where the currency will struggle further.

They’re not only helped by Australian-based airlines like Jetstar, which has 435 flights scheduled to arrive in Bali in December. Counting all airlines, including TransNusa, Garuda, Batik Air, AirAsia and Australia’s three major airlines, there are more than 2212 flights planned between Australian cities and Bali (including the all-important Perth to Bali route) in December, according to Cirium figures.

Routes with multiple low-cost carriers served by Air Asia, Cebu Pacific and Scoot will offer better deals, Taylor said. He said another area to look for good international fares is newly launched routes.

“This is often the best time to take a holiday, especially in markets where there is a little more competition or where there are two or three airlines.”

Low-cost carrier AirAsia has announced it will fly daily between Melbourne and Bali starting this month with a $199 one-way introductory fare.

Launch pricing can also trigger its own dynamic. “If a launch pricing is in progress, then another airline may respond to that,” Taylor said.

Fiji Airways’ announcement of direct flights from Cairns to Nadi in 2024 coincided with a sale.

Meanwhile, airlines continue to open new routes. Delta launched its first direct flight to Los Angeles in Melbourne just this month. This coincides with Hong Kong Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines launching a route to and from their respective cities of Hong Kong and Shenzhen this month.

Virgin Australia launched its first Melbourne-Doha service under its wet lease agreement with Qatar Airways, operating four daily services to Qatar from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. United’s first flight between Adelaide and San Francisco took place on 11 December, adding to United’s services from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

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Qantas operates seasonal flights from Sydney to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport to help Australians Reach the snowy fields of Japan.

International carriers are also accumulating more capacity on premium seats. Delta’s A350s offer four classes, including 40 premium Delta One suites for Melbourne passengers.

Delta Air Lines Asia Pacific vice president Jeff Moomaw said Australia was viewed by the airline as a “fantastic market” with strong demand for premium travel and other services.

“That’s why we’ve been able to increase our service to Oceania,” Moomaw said in this imprint, in the shadow of a Delta A350 that had just landed at Melbourne airport.