Rex Airlines has announced it will be launching a new Melbourne-Perth service. While it operates regional services out of Melbourne and Perth, this will be the first time it connects the two cities.
Set to take flight from 28 June 28, 2024, Rex will be using one of its Boeing 737 aircraft.
Schedule
While that is the good news, the bad news is that it will be a back of the clock operation. The flights will operate 5 days a week on the following schedule:
- Melbourne to Perth: Flight ZL873 will head off at 8:15pm, with a scheduled arrival into Perth at 10:40pm.
- Perth to Melbourne: Flight XL874 leaves Perth at 11.55pm and arrives in Melbourne bright and early at 5:30am.
As noted, the flights will initially operate 5 days a week. The two days it will not operate a service on Saturday and Tuesday night.
Network
Rex currently runs a small regional network in WA. The Saab turbo prop services run between Perth and Albany, Carnarvon, Esperance and Monkey Mia.
This will be the first time that Rex brings its jet services to Western Australia. At present,Rex operates 10 jet services with its fleet of 737s. This includes various routes between the cities of Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne,
Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and the Gold Coast.
While this is the 11th jet route, Rex has since announced a further service between Adelaide and Perth.
Competition
In launching the new service, Rex puts itself up against Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar. Rex, of course, views this as a good thing for the consumer. Rex’s General Manager of Network Strategy Warrick Lodge says
When more airlines compete on a particular route, consumers benefit and our record in the domestic market speaks for itself – Rex delivers terrific value for money.
Fare Offering
On that note, Rex will be offering fares from as low as $299 each way economy and $999 for business class. All fares on Rex include checked baggage and refreshments.
Rex will use Perth Airport’s domestic Terminal 2, the same terminal that most regional flights operate out of. At this point, Rex have not indicated whether Business Class passengers will have access to a lounge in Perth.
Rex Flyer
For RexFlyer members, this brings an additional route to the table. While earnings will continue to be based on the fare paid, Rex have not yet published details of how many points will be needed for redemptions. I assume the tables will be updated shortly.
