About Australian Airlines
Qantas
The name Qantas is an acronym for the company's originally registered name 'Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited'. Qantas has built an impressive international reputation and is the world's third oldest continuously operating airline, after Avianca and the Royal Dutch Airline KLM. Qantas is the 20th largest airline in the world and is one of Australia's most icon brand names.
Qantas main international hubs are Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport and Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, Brisbane Airport, Perth Airport, Singapore Changi Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and London Heathrow Airport. Domestic terminals include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Cairns and Canberra.
Qantas owns Jetstar Airways which is a low-cost carrier in Australia and JetConnect which operates New Zealand domestic services. Qantas also owns 49 percent of Air Pacific which is a Fuji-based international carrier. It also owns 50 percent of both Australian Air Express and Star Track and Australia Post own the other 50 percent.
Qantas expanded Jetstar routes and launch low fare international flights to New Zealand, Asia and other leisure destinations such as Bali, Ho Chi Minh City, Osaka and Honolulu.
Qantas travel classes include international economy, domestic economy, international business, domestic business and first class.
The best discount air tickets that Qantas offer are generally their Red-e deals. Although you can get a good price with Qantas Red e-deals they are generally only on the not so popular times to travel like really early in the morning or really late at night.
Qantas has three levels of frequent flyer points- Silver, Gold and Platinum. Obviously the higher your membership the higher the privileges you will receive.
Jetstar
Jetstar is owned by Qantas and is a low-fare airline. Jetstar's discount air tickets have been available since February 2004 and the airline started flying in May 2004. Jetstar provides discount air tickets to Australians, New Zealand and Asian travellers. Jetstar pride themselves on their ability to provide operational excellence and real discounts on air travel. Jetstar now flies to great destinations and make the trip comfortable and affordable to all.
Jetstar International flies Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Phuket, Singapore, Yangon, Christchurch, Hong Kong, Siem Reap, Taipei. Jetstar Australia flies to Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast, Hobart, Mackay, Newcastle, Rockhampton, Sydney, Whitsunday Coast, Brisbane, Geelong, Hamilton Island, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth, Sunshine Coast, Towsville.
Qantas Frequent Flyers travelling on a Jetstar StarClass fare will earn equivalent points as earned on Qantas business flights. Qantas Frequent Flyers travelling on a Jetstar JetFlex fare will earn equivalent points per mile and Status credits as earned on Qantas flights.
Virgin Blue
Virgin Blue was founded by British businessman Richard Branson and is Australia's second biggest airline. Virgin Blue is a great low-cost airline which was launch in August 2000. Virgin Blue has won plenty of awards for their innovation, service and low fares and it was the company's growing dominance that forced Qantas to launch its low-fare subsidiary Jetstar. Virgin Blue consistently has low fares and great specials. Virgin Blue launched V Australia which has international flights to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington in New Zealand, Nadi in Fuji, Port Villa in Vanuatu, Rarotonga in Cook Islands, Apia in Soma and Nukualofa in Tonga.
Tiger Airways
Tiger airways recently became Australia's third full scale domestic airline. Tiger airways is a low-cost airline which is a subsidiary of Singapore's Tiger airways. The introduction of the new discount air travel company has brought about significant price slash claims from Jetstar and Virgin.
Regional Express Airways (REX)
Regional Express Airlines is Australia's largest private regional airline. The collapse of Ansett provided a great opportunity for a group of businessman comprising of Singaporean investors and a collection of Australian investors to revive regional aviation. Regional express or Rex offers flight s from regional areas like Ballina Byron Gateway, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Maroochydore, Cairns and Port Douglas.
Rex's frequent flyer membership program cost $27.50 and entitles you to a free flight to any destination on the Rex network with every nine sectors flown.
Rex is the only regional airline in Australia to offer superior value to backpackers. Regional Express has the best ever unlimited travel value deals in Australia. Rex will let you fly to any of the places on their network if you purchase a month pass valued at $499 or you could try a two month pass for $949. However this offer is strictly for overseas backpackers and is not offered to Australian residents.