Virgin Australia will operate its Boeing 737-800 on its Bali route. Photo: Andrew McLaughlin.
Travellers will again be able to fly direct to the holiday island of Bali with Virgin Australia launching its first international service out of the national capital on 22 June.
Tickets went on sale today with return fares from $399 in Economy Lite, from $499 in Economy Choice and from $1449 in Business.
Virgin said the new route would operate three return flights per week from April to January, to align with market demand, with the potential to increase frequency during peak travel periods.
Services will depart Canberra in the afternoon and return overnight from Bali.
Virgin Australia will operate its Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the route, with three seating options including Business, Economy and Economy X with extra legroom.
Virgin Australia CEO Dave Emerson said the new service was a significant win for the ACT, strengthening the Territory’s international connectivity.
“This is the first time in the history of the company that we will operate internationally from the capital, marking an important milestone in our broader network expansion story,” he said.
“Virgin Australia will be the only Australia-based airline operating internationally out of Canberra, and the only carrier on this new route.”
Canberra Airport CEO Stephen Byron said the announcement was a huge milestone for Canberra.
Mr Byron said the Airport hoped that it marked the start of further international growth with Virgin Australia.
“Bali is one of Australia’s most popular international holiday destinations, and we know this service will be warmly welcomed by travellers across the region,” he said.
“We’re delighted to be expanding our network with Virgin Australia and introducing Virgin Australia’s first international service from Canberra.”
Mr Emerson said Indonesia had now overtaken New Zealand as one of Australia’s most popular international travel destinations.
“Last year, we carried more than half a million guests between Australia and Bali, and it’s great to see demand for the destination continue to grow,” he said.
In 2024, Indonesian airline Batik Air suspended its flights between Canberra and Denpasar (in Bali) just four months after launching the service in June 2024, citing operational reasons.
The new service coincides with Virgin boosting capacity into Canberra this week, upsizing its aircraft on the Brisbane-Canberra route from F100 aircraft operated by Alliance Airlines, to 737s operated by Virgin Australia.
It follows Jetstar’s bringing its larger Airbus A321LR to Canberra to meet demand on its popular flight to Brisbane.
The aircraft will fly the Canberra to Brisbane route between April and October this year, replacing Jetstar’s A320s on this route and adding up to 52 seats per flight.
Original Article published by Ian Bushnell on Region Canberra.
