Rex to fly between Australian capital cities

[bcworld]

Tonight's Channel 7 news (Melbourne) at 1800 hours had a brief interview with John Sharp, Deputy Chair of Rex, and showed celebrations for its first MEL - OOL flight. From what the clip showed, it appeared that the first flight was nowhere near full.

OOL is outside the three day lockdown area for Greater Brisbane that has applied this afternoon from 1700 AEST.

How many of those flying or considering flying to OOL from MEL for school holidays who have yet to book - there would be some - know about REX's presence? My guess is 'a low percentage'.

I am due to fly MEL-OOL on Rex on Thursday afternoon...we'll see about that...but the flight is 100% sold.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I am due to fly MEL-OOL on Rex on Thursday afternoon...we'll see about that...but the flight is 100% sold.

Given the start of school holidays, I daresay most are simply throwing caution to the wind and deal with the problem later. Worst case, you are at home for a fortnight. For some this is not much of an issue (if you've already got the holidays off from work, and you've been working from home anyway - there's not really a problem)

 

[AIRwin]

Media release of ADL launch with photos of inauguration ceremony and water cannon salute on arrival:

https://rex.com.au/BlobViewer/BlobViewer.aspx?attachtype=MR&filename=5159674341694C6834537047723337574A65713445452B78504367632F792F49446B57512F69345146705938737930494A30783548796441512F642F3265556159393046442F54415731413D

 

[Must...Fly!]

Why does the release state they have four 737s?

I thought they had six?

 

[henrus]

I thought they had six?

Four are currently active (which is why I guess they say 4):
VH-PAG, VH-REX, VH-RQC and VH-RQG

One was delivered 4 days ago:
VH-RQP

and the final one is still yet to arrive:
VH-RYU

 

[Mattg]

I am due to fly MEL-OOL on Rex on Thursday afternoon...we'll see about that...but the flight is 100% sold.

Well the MEL-OOL flight on Thursday afternoon now has plenty of seats for sale. I suspect there have been a few cancellations.

 

[AIRwin]

Rex must be glad they didn't end up launching BNE before Easter...

 

[henrus]

Rex must be glad they didn't end up launching BNE before Easter...

Patronage would probably be the same as SYD-MEL flights... single digits and full of Qantas spies

 

[Must...Fly!]

Patronage would probably be the same as SYD-MEL flights... single digits and full of Qantas spies

I think that one will be Virgin spies. Head office in BNE after all!

 

[jakeseven7]

4 more Jetstar A320's are now in the air coming back from Singapore to join the AU fleet, give Rexy and VA2 some company, kisses and cuddles

 

[Melburnian1]

I guess the importance of knowing may depend on the percentage that search on individual websites vs TA websites/comparison sites (google flights). The higher the former the more import it is that the brand is known, the higher the latter is, the more important price might well be.

JQ can be clever. On a day in April at which I randomly looked, on the Webjet site, JQ offers one flight - the final one of the evening - at A$54 one way, but there isn't a baggage allowance. Rex offers $79 with (23kg) baggage on most or all flights yet is placed second in the columns.

An uninformed prospective passenger (not you, Dajop) may stupidly select JQ because it grabs their eye first. (Hard to believe, but it happens).

Of course with the Webjet fees it isn't '$54' or '$79'.

 

[dajop]

Media release of ADL launch with photos of inauguration ceremony and water cannon salute on arrival:

https://rex.com.au/BlobViewer/BlobViewer.aspx?attachtype=MR&filename=5159674341694C6834537047723337574A65713445452B78504367632F792F49446B57512F69345146705938737930494A30783548796441512F642F3265556159393046442F54415731413D

The press release quotes the Minister as saying:

It is terrific that we can welcome the first Rex interstate flight into Adelaide, giving visitors to South Australia and those doing business in our state more opportunities to get here, discover SA and contribute to our state’s economy

Umm, are MQL and BHQ now located in SA? I think he's missing the word jet between interstate and flight.

 

[bcworld]

Well the MEL-OOL flight on Thursday afternoon now has plenty of seats for sale. I suspect there have been a few cancellations.

So we stuck with our plans. I'd guess the load factor was about 40%. Also noted that the return flights to Melbourne on Monday are now selling for $65. We're planning to change to the morning flight due to the predicted bad weather in SEQ.

 

[bcworld]

So we stuck with our plans. I'd guess the load factor was about 40%. Also noted that the return flights to Melbourne on Monday are now selling for $65. We're planning to change to the morning flight due to the predicted bad weather in SEQ.

As mentioned we escaped the rain on Monday and headed back to Melbourne early . I'd also estimate the Rex morning flight was probably about 40% full that day. It was great being able to change, even on the $79 promo fare for just a $33 fee and no fare difference. As noted I think upthread they still have no online MMB function...but getting through to someone was no problem.

 

[Mattg]

As mentioned we escaped the rain on Monday and headed back to Melbourne early . I'd also estimate the Rex morning flight was probably about 40% full that day. It was great being able to change, even on the $79 promo fare for just a $33 fee and no fare difference. As noted I think upthread they still have no online MMB function...but getting through to someone was no problem.

Is the "no fare difference" an oversight, or was the earlier flight still on sale for $79 when you made the change?

 

[ANstar]

I've had 2 sched changes on a flight for this weekend and was asked to call to confirm new details... so far 40 mins on hold

 

[AIRwin]

I've had 2 sched changes on a flight for this weekend and was asked to call to confirm new details...

What routing?

 

[ANstar]

SYD-MEL

What routing?

 

[bcworld]

Is the "no fare difference" an oversight, or was the earlier flight still on sale for $79 when you made the change?

As I mentioned in the previous post the fare had actually reduced to $65. This was on sale right up until the last minute for both Monday flights.

 

[bcworld]

I've had 2 sched changes on a flight for this weekend and was asked to call to confirm new details... so far 40 mins on hold

Were there actual changes both times you got a notification?

With my MEL-OOL flight on the day it went on sale they seemed to have forgotten about daylight saving. That was fixed within 24 hrs and I received a schedule change notification. I just ignored it. But then some time later I got the schedule change notification / please confirm...even though there was no further time change. I assume if I hadn't called I still would've been OK to fly on the flight. I didn't ever have any long waits on hold but the absence of a manage my booking function is certainly annoying.