Damon Mcknight
Australia is a popular destination for travellers, and there are a variety of airlines that fly there, including Qantas, Delta, United, American Airlines, Air Canada, Hawaiian Airlines, and Air New Zealand. When flying to Australia, airlines typically use their largest aircraft to ensure a comfortable journey for passengers. While Boeing's 737 Max planes are among the most scrutinised aircraft in the world and adhere to strict regulatory standards, there have been recent concerns about their safety, with two fatal crashes linked to design flaws.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airlines | Qantas, Delta, United, American Airlines, Air Canada, Hawaiian Airlines, Air New Zealand |
| Aircraft | Largest aircraft used by each airline to ensure comfort |
| Departure Locations | West Coast of the US, Texas, Midwest, North America |
| Destinations | Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin |
| Aircraft Models | Boeing 737 Max 8, Max 9, Max 10 |
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What You'll Learn
Boeing 737 Max 9 planes do not fly to Australia
The Boeing 737 Max 9 is a single-aisle plane designed for short- and medium-haul flights. It is the fourth generation of the Boeing 737, which was first flown commercially in 1968. The Max 9 is a modern update to the 737 family, offering greater fuel efficiency while retaining the decades-old structure of the original plane. This approach was appealing to airlines as pilots who flew the 737 would not need to retrain to operate a Max 9.
However, the Boeing 737 Max generation of aircraft has been steeped in controversy since its first commercial flight in 2017. In 2018 and 2019, two fatal crashes involving the Max 8, a slightly shorter version of the Max 9, led to a global grounding of all Max aircraft for almost two years. These crashes were linked to design flaws, specifically faults in the sensors and new flight control software, which caused the planes to plunge from the sky.
Following these incidents, aviation authorities in several countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, Brazil, and the EU, cleared the Boeing 737 Max to fly again in 2021 after rigorous testing. However, as of January 2024, the Max 9 remains grounded in the US due to safety concerns. A recent incident involving an Alaska Airlines Max 9, where a door panel blew out shortly after takeoff, has raised fresh concerns about design issues with the Max generation of aircraft.
In Australia, no local airlines operate the Max 9, and no international carriers fly this plane on Australian routes. While the Max 8 is flown by Virgin Australia and Bonza in Australia, the Max 9 does not feature the door plug that caused the issues in the US. Nonetheless, Australia's regulator, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), is closely monitoring the situation, and any broader concerns or actions taken by foreign regulators could impact the use of Max aircraft in Australia in the future.
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Qantas flies to Australia from the US and Canada
Qantas offers flights to Australia from the US and Canada. Qantas's multi-city trips allow you to explore over 100 routes across Australia and New Zealand. For instance, you can fly into Sydney and visit the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru, or explore the landscapes of Auckland, Queenstown, and Wellington.
Qantas also provides international Economy flights to Australia and New Zealand through the Qantas Explorer program, allowing you to save on flights within each country. You can plan your trip to include various destinations in Australia, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Queensland.
Qantas ensures a comfortable journey with spacious seats in every cabin, ambient cabin lighting, and award-winning wine, food, and inflight entertainment. Qantas Frequent Flyers can benefit from earning and using Qantas Points and earning Status Credits on eligible flights. Additionally, booking with Qantas unlocks exclusive discounts on tours and experiences in Australia.
When planning your trip, it is important to note that prices may vary, and seats may be limited on certain flights or days. Qantas recommends checking the applicable rules, restrictions, and fees associated with different fares before booking. By joining the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, you can take advantage of earning and redeeming Qantas Points.
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Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Darwin are popular destinations
Perth, located in Western Australia, has a lot to offer visitors. The city has a range of attractions, including the man-made inlet Elizabeth Quay, which features a waterfront promenade, a bridge, and a water park. Fremantle Markets, located in a historic building from 1897, has been a popular destination for over a century. Beach lovers can visit the popular Scarborough Beach, known for its white sand and crystal clear waters, or Leighton Beach, which is also great for swimming and water sports. Caversham Wildlife Park and the Aviation Heritage Museum are also worth a visit.
Brisbane is another great destination, offering everything from hinterland retreats to urban getaways, fine dining to casual eats, and sun-soaked islands to explore. It is also a great place for whale watching in Moreton Bay.
Darwin, the northernmost capital city in Australia, is known for its laid-back Aussie lifestyle, friendly locals, and picturesque scenery. It has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and is easily accessible by air from other Australian cities and international hubs. Darwin's history as an important seaport and its role during World War II can be explored at the Darwin Military Museum. The city also offers a range of outdoor experiences, from the Berry Springs waterholes to the annual Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta.
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February is the cheapest month to fly to Australia
Australia is a country that offers a wide range of attractions for travellers, from the sun-drenched outback, home to Ayres Rock, to the tropical Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, and from stunning beaches to Victoria's Great Ocean Road. Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, with their unique features, also attract many tourists. However, flying to Australia can be expensive, with airfares ranging from over $1,000 to $3,000 for non-stop flights from the United States.
To find the cheapest month to fly to Australia, it is essential to consider yearly price trends and seasonal variations. February is part of the shoulder season, which includes the months of February to April and September to early December. During this period, flight prices are lower than the high season but higher than the off-season, which typically falls between May and June.
February, along with November and March, can offer significant savings for travellers, with average round-trip prices in the range of $1,550. In contrast, flying in January, which is a peak travel month, can cost almost $2,000 for a round trip. Therefore, travellers looking to save money on their flights to Australia should consider planning their trip around February or other shoulder season months.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the day of departure can also impact the cost of the flight. According to data, Mondays are the cheapest days to depart from the United States, with prices increasing as the week progresses. So, if you can manage to depart on a Monday and return on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you may be able to secure a good deal on your flight to Australia.
To find the best prices for your specific travel dates and route, it is recommended to use online tools such as Hopper's "When to Fly and Buy Reports" page or KAYAK, which offer up-to-date information on flight prices and allow you to compare prices across different airlines and dates. By being flexible with your travel dates and using these tools, you can increase your chances of finding the cheapest flights to Australia.
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Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly
There is no single best day of the week to book or fly to get the cheapest fare. However, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally the cheapest days to fly, while Fridays and Sundays are typically the most expensive. This is because Fridays and Sundays are in high demand among both business and leisure travellers. Leisure travellers generally prefer to fly on weekends, for example, from Friday to Sunday. Business travellers tend to depart on Sunday evenings and return on Fridays.
There is usually less demand for mid-week flights, so these fares are generally cheaper. However, this is not always the case, and being flexible with travel dates is the best way to find the lowest price. For example, a review of data from travel websites, including Google Flights, CheapAir.com, Hopper and Kayak, showed that the cheapest days to fly are typically Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In contrast, the lowest fare for a nonstop Delta flight from New York City's JFK to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on a Sunday was $134, while the lowest fare for a Wednesday flight was $189.
Data provided to NerdWallet by Expedia indicates that Sundays are generally the best day to book a flight. Google Flights' 2023 insights suggest that the best time to book a mid-December holiday flight is 71 days before departure. In many cases, the best day to fly will be further from the holiday. For example, if a holiday falls on a Monday, flying the Tuesday before will likely be cheaper than flying the Friday before. Flying on the holiday itself is usually much more affordable than flying on the days before or after.
Dynamic pricing means that airline prices are constantly changing and adjusting to real-time demand. As a result, it is impossible to make generalizations about the cheapest days to fly. However, by being flexible with travel dates and times, comparing options from different airlines, and setting price alerts, travellers can increase their chances of finding the lowest airfares.
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Frequently asked questions
Airlines that fly to Australia use their largest aircraft to ensure comfortability. Airlines such as Qantas, Delta, United, American Airlines, Air Canada, Hawaiian Airlines, and Air New Zealand offer flights to Australia.
No Australian airlines have taken delivery of a Max 9 aircraft, and no international carriers fly the single-aisle plane designed for short- and medium-haul flights on Australian routes. However, the Max 8, which is slightly shorter than the Max 9, is flown in Australia.
Although the Boeing Max planes are among the most scrutinized aircraft in the world and adhere to strict local regulatory standards, there have been concerns about their safety. The Max 8 was banned globally for almost two years after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 linked to design flaws. However, Australia's regulator, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), has deemed the Max 8 safe for operation.
