Jake Nelson

The Economy Plus offering, similar to Virgin Australia’s Economy X, will offer passengers up to 40 per cent extra legroom, priority boarding, and priority access to overhead bins. The new seats are expected to roll out from February on Qantas’ 737-800, A321XLR, and A220 aircraft.

The first images have been released of the specially constructed A350-1000ULR, which is slated for delivery in late 2026 ahead of the launch of non-stop flights from the east coast to London and New York in 2027.

The airline’s first BETA ALIA CX300, N401NZ, which arrived in the country last month, has begun an “intensive proving program” from its base at Hamilton Airport before being sent south to Wellington to fly Cook Strait crossings to Blenheim by the end of January.

Commencing in March 2026, flights from the Sunshine Coast to Denpasar will operate three times per week on Jetstar’s A321neo LR fleet, adding more than 70,000 seats per year, and will connect onwards to Singapore.

In a statement, the peak body for regional aviation welcomed the government’s “commitment to regional Australia”, but called on it to “support all Australian regional airline operators, not just Rex”. It comes as Transport Minister Catherine King announced financial aid for Air T’s purchase of Rex.

The Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme, which has flown more than 500,000 discounted airfares, was earlier this year extended into June 2026. Its potential expiry has sparked anxiety over possible huge jumps in fares, as reported by the ABC, but WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has said it will be renewed.