Jetstar Launches 'Fare Play' Sale With New International Routes

Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar has launched a major network-wide promotion, releasing 280,000 discounted fares as part of its ‘Fare Play’ sale. The campaign, which includes domestic and international routes, is coupled with the announcement of new services to popular leisure destinations in Asia, signaling the airline's strategy to stimulate demand and expand its medium-haul network.

The sale includes domestic one-way tickets starting from $39 for flights between Sydney and Ballina Byron. Other lead-in domestic fares include Adelaide to Melbourne (Avalon) for $42, Gold Coast to Sydney for $55, and Melbourne to Darwin for $164. According to a Jetstar Press Release, the promotion begins for the general public at midday Tuesday, 24 February 2026, and concludes at midnight on Friday, 27 February 2026, unless sold out prior. Members of the airline's loyalty program, Club Jetstar, received early access starting midday Monday, 23 February.

International Network Expansion

Coinciding with the fare sale, Jetstar detailed a significant expansion of its international services. The carrier will launch new routes from both Melbourne (Avalon) and the Sunshine Coast to Denpasar, Bali, commencing in March 2026. This move addresses the strong leisure travel demand from Australia to the popular Indonesian island destination.

Further expanding its reach into Asia, Jetstar will also introduce a new service from Melbourne to Colombo, Sri Lanka, with flights scheduled to begin in August 2026. The sale supports these new routes, with international fares from Perth to Manila starting at $215, Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City from $199, and Melbourne to Colombo from $319. Travel dates for the discounted fares vary by route but generally span from mid-March to mid-November 2026. The promotional prices are for one-way travel and do not include checked baggage.

Fleet Modernization and Passenger Experience

The network growth is supported by an ongoing fleet modernization program. Jetstar Chief Executive Stephanie Tully linked the expansion to the airline's investment in new aircraft and cabin upgrades. “Our ongoing investment in our fleet, including our Boeing 787 refurbishment program and pipeline of new Airbus A320neo and A321LR aircraft, means customers continue to have more low-fares seats and greater choice in the way they fly,” Tully stated.

The Airbus A321LR (Long Range) is a key enabler for LCCs expanding into medium-haul markets, offering greater fuel efficiency for longer routes previously operated by wide-body aircraft. This aligns with a broader industry trend of low-cost carriers leveraging new-generation narrow-body jets to open up new city pairs.

Jetstar is also undertaking a significant cabin refurbishment of its entire fleet of 11 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. According to the airline's newsroom, the refit will introduce new Recaro seats, in-flight Wi-Fi, and in-seat USB power. The cabin configuration will be altered to increase the number of business class seats from 21 to 44, while the total seat count will see a slight reduction from 335 to 325. This B787 refresh project aims to improve the passenger experience and enhance the premium product offering on long-haul services. The first refurbished B787 is expected to re-enter service in March 2026, aligning with the launch of the new Bali routes.

Why This Matters

This concurrent fare sale and route expansion demonstrates a multi-faceted strategy by Jetstar. The sale stimulates short-term demand and forward bookings for off-peak periods, while the new routes and fleet upgrades represent a long-term investment in capturing a larger share of the international leisure market. For passengers, the fleet renewal signals an improved inflight product, particularly in the premium cabin, while the sale provides access to more low-cost travel options across the Asia-Pacific region.

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