Virgin Australia will become the first Australian carrier ever to offer direct flights between the Gold Coast and Bali, connecting two of the world’s premier surfing destinations from next year.
Commencing on 29 March 2023 and available to book from today, services between the Gold Coast Airport’s new International Terminal and Bali will operate daily, with more than 2,200 seats available each week.
The announcement comes as Virgin Australia prepares to recommence flights to Bali from Sydney tomorrow and Melbourne and Brisbane from Friday 17 June.
Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the addition of the new Bali service reflected the growth in demand for services in and out of the Gold Coast Airport as well as the airline’s expanding presence there, with the new route set to further enhance Virgin Australia’s network from the Gold Coast.
“We are currently seeing continued growth in travel demand for Gold Coast services and are operating up to 180 domestic flights outbound each week,” Ms Hrdlicka said.
“In May alone our Gold Coast bookings were up 55 per cent compared to 2019, with bookings on our existing Bali flights up 48 per cent for the same period and growing every week.
“With the addition of the Gold Coast Airport terminal expansion and demand for Bali rising, the time is right to connect these two famous holiday destinations as well as the surf breaks, wellness activities and nightlife that comes with them.”
Surfboards enclosed in a protective Hardcase bag, with fins removed, that weigh less than 23kg and are shorter than 3m incur no excess baggage fees and are considered part of your checked baggage allowance when you book a Choice or Flex fare with Virgin Australia.
Queensland Airports Limited CEO Chris Mills welcomed the launch of Gold Coast-Bali flights, which he said further cemented the Gold Coast Airport and Virgin Australia connection.
“This service, linking two of the world’s top surf and lifestyle destinations, will be extremely popular with locals,” Mr Mills said.
“We have seen significant growth in Virgin Australia services in and out of Gold Coast Airport through the travel recovery, and this is a clear demonstration of what can happen with a strong partnership.”
Virgin Australia’s Short Haul International operations continue to grow, with Virgin Australia also soon planning to resume services to both Vanuatu and Samoa alongside its services to Fiji, Bali and Queenstown, New Zealand.
Direct services from Brisbane to Port Vila, Vanuatu will commence on 10 March 2023 with up to five flights a week. Services to Apia, Samoa will commence from Sydney on 21 March 2023 with up to three flights per week and from Brisbane on 23 March 2023 with up to two flights per week.
The addition of Samoa and Vanuatu to Virgin Australia’s network will give holidaymakers a greater choice of Pacific Island destinations as well as provide those wanting to reconnect with friends and family the opportunity to do so as both destinations are open to international travel post-COVID-19.
To celebrate, Virgin Australia has dropped a Set Your Sights Overseas sale, with discounts of up to 30 per cent on offer for over 70,000 seats on all the airline’s Short Haul International routes*, including those announced today (Jun 14).
Return Economy Lite fares on sale until midnight 20 June 2022 include:
- Gold Coast – Bali from $399*
- Brisbane – Bali from $469*
- Melbourne – Bali from $479*
- Sydney – Bali from $489*
- Brisbane – Vanuatu from $469*
- Sydney – Samoa from $549*
- Brisbane – Samoa from $549*
- Brisbane – Fiji from $449*
- Sydney – Fiji from $459*
- Melbourne – Fiji from $535*
In addition, from 15 to 24 June 2022, Velocity Frequent Flyer members will get a mega bonus of 2,000 Velocity Points when they book Virgin Australia flights between Bali, Fiji, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Samoa, and Australia, for travel until 11 May 2023.**
