Rex to launch Melbourne/Adelaide-Perth routes

[jrfsp]

According to "that site ET" Rex is launching MEL-PER!

Looks like a late night flight with a red eye return, which will have them competing for low yields with JQ etc and wont be timed for connections onto its regional WA network.

 

[Harrison_133]

According to "that site ET" Rex is launching MEL-PER!

Service only operating 5 times a week. Economy fares starting at $299 one way.

ZL873 MEL 2015 PER 2240
ZL874 PER 2355 MEL 0530 +1 day

No flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

 

[jrfsp]

Service only operating 5 times a week. Economy fares starting at $299 one way.

ZL873 MEL 2015 PER 2240
ZL874 PER 2355 MEL 0530 +1 day

No flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Good for aircraft utilization i guess but i bet JQ will undercut them on price, if they dont already. That time of night will be a price sensitive market.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Service only operating 5 times a week. Economy fares starting at $299 one way.

ZL873 MEL 2015 PER 2240
ZL874 PER 2355 MEL 0530 +1 day

No flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

$999 for business! That’s not as low as I was expecting. I was thinking more in the range of $599 would have been more likely to attract passengers.

 

[Harrison_133]

Good for aircraft utilization i guess but i bet JQ will undercut them on price, if they dont already. That time of night will be a price sensitive market.

The pricing does seem a little high for a launch offer. At least compared to how they entered other markets with the 737s: undercut the competition, gain some traction and then slowly raise prices.

They’ll definitely be undercut by JQ. Their cheapest ticket at the moment seems to be $199. And VA regularly have MEL-PER sales for under $299. Indeed, they currently have $269 for Lite fares and $305 for Choice fares.

The timings are obviously good for aircraft utilisation, but they aren’t the most convenient. Rex won’t be leading on price this time around and the service is only 5 times a week for now. The loads on the 737 network have been quite atrocious lately, so it will be interesting to see if Perth works out.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The pricing does seem a little high for a launch offer. At least compared to how they entered other markets with the 737s: undercut the competition, gain some traction and then slowly raise prices.

They’ll definitely be undercut by JQ. Their cheapest ticket at the moment seems to be $199. And VA regularly have MEL-PER sales for under $299. Indeed, they currently have $269 for Lite fares and $305 for Choice fares.

The timings are obviously good for aircraft utilisation, but they aren’t the most convenient. Rex won’t be leading on price this time around and the service is only 5 times a week for now. The loads on the 737 network have been quite atrocious lately, so it will be interesting to see if Perth works out.

I guess dropping saturday is a smart choice. The footy crowd will leave Perth Thursday or Friday night for any weekend games. And head back on a sunday. Visitors will also do Fri-Sun.

The advantage of Rex over JQ will be the tea, coffee and snack. Plus baggage. The negative will be the lack of IFE. Although that’s not guaranteed on VA either.

 

[Harrison_133]

A noteworthy line from the press release:

"The carrier will make a further announcement in coming days on yet another domestic route."

https://www.rex.com.au/BlobViewer/BlobViewer.aspx?attachtype=MR&filename=7345764759483339443878434769635A5047754A4A44764161634B487147387468384762666B322B565737732B64626F2B6B50796D353872746164745078344241436D356D4C476D4F4F584B645A4C775731484A7A773D3D

 

[HS-TQE]

A noteworthy line from the press release:

"The carrier will make a further announcement in coming days on yet another domestic route."

My tip is another PER redeye from SYD or BNE. Can't see any other short interstate/intrastate routes unless if they chop services elsewhere to accommodate the route.

 

[TMP]

I, too, was surprised at the underwhelming price at launch.

 

[oz_mark]

I, too, was surprised at the underwhelming price at launch.

Still a good price compared to the opposition.

 

[aikman]

JQ may undercut but their timings are worse. JQ timings appear to be designed to not cannibalise QF.

 

[L2.]

The advantage of Rex over JQ will be the tea, coffee and snack. Plus baggage. The negative will be the lack of IFE. Although that’s not guaranteed on VA either.

But at least you would have the option of purchasing something more substantial to eat on both JQ & VA.

I haven't flown on Rex for a few months, but I assume the buy on board selection still exclusively consists of alcoholic beverages. Potentially I guess they might serve a more substantial 'snack' on this route given it's length.

 

[AIRwin]

Potentially I guess they might serve a more substantial 'snack' on this route given it's length.

Will it be Rex's longest route excluding milk runs?

 

[FishFood]

I will make an effort to catch this flight in the near future but only in the MEL - PER direction due to the timing. As previously commented the price is surprisingly uncompetitive, my upcoming PER - MEL flight was purchased for $227.88 and I regularly buy transcon Virgin flights during happy hour for under $250.

 

[Saab34]

Yes I was about to say that, I’ve picked up Virgin flights from $200-$250.

I’ve noticed trans continental pricing has crept up a bit lately, often cheaper to fly into Asia. Having Tiger off these markets, alongside the loss and reduction in widebody seats from the majors, it’s no surprise I guess.

Rex should have gone into this at least daily. 5 weekly is a bit odd.

 

[TMP]

Transcontinental pricing has been well above odds since Covid, but people are still paying so no wonder the airlines keep charging it

 

[Must...Fly!]

Transcontinental pricing has been well above odds since Covid, but people are still paying so no wonder the airlines keep charging it

It has come down significantly in the last 6 months. I feel Rex has missed the best chance.

 

[mrmerc500]

It has come down significantly in the last 6 months. I feel Rex has missed the best chance.

I was too surprised by the $299 marketing, feel I would fly Virgin for less but welcome the extra capacity. Believe $239 would attract attention especially as REX isn’t well known in WA.

 

[exceladdict]

Hopefully over time it has an impact on reducing prices.

 

[Saab34]

At least Rex charge a reasonable amount for Emergency Exit. Only $15. Jetstar Charge $29, and Virgin want $90.

Virgin need to do something about the whole Economy X product. Go back to charging competitive rates thanks