Virgin Australia Unlocks Canberra's First Direct Bali Route on Boeing 737-800

Virgin Australia is set to launch a significant new route. From June 22, 2026, the airline will offer direct flights Canberra Denpasar (Bali). This marks a major milestone for both the airline and Canberra Airport.

This new Virgin Australia Canberra Bali service is unique. Virgin Australia becomes the only Australia-based airline operating international flights from the capital. It is also the sole carrier flying this specific route.

Network Expansion and Market Demand

Virgin Australia CEO Dave Emerson highlighted the route’s importance. He called it a significant step in the airline’s network expansion. “This is the first time in the company’s history that we will operate internationally from the capital,” Emerson stated.

The new service taps into strong Australia to Bali travel demand. Indonesia has surpassed New Zealand as a top international destination for Australians. Over 1.67 million Australians visited Indonesia in the year ending June 2025. This represents a nine percent increase from the previous year.

Emerson noted the airline carried over half a million guests to Bali last year. This shows the destination’s continuing growth in popularity. Virgin Australia already offers direct Bali flights from four other major Australian cities.

Key Route Details and Fleet

The direct flights Canberra Denpasar service will operate three return flights weekly. This adds more than 40,000 seats annually between the ACT and Bali. The flights will run seasonally, from April through January. Extra services may be added during peak travel periods.

Aircraft and Cabin Experience

The route will be flown using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This narrow-body jet offers three seating options for travellers. These include Business, Economy, and Economy X seating. Economy X seating provides extra legroom and pre-boarding benefits.

The flight schedule aims for maximum convenience for holidaymakers. Departures from Canberra are scheduled for the afternoon. Return flights from Bali will operate overnight.

To celebrate the launch, Virgin Australia has introduced special sale fares. Economy Lite return tickets start from $399.

Impact on Canberra Airport

Canberra Airport CEO Stephen Byron welcomed the announcement. He called it a landmark moment for the airport and the region. Byron noted Bali is a very popular international holiday spot. He expressed hope that this new route marks the start of further international growth.

This new Virgin Australia international Canberra service also coincides with domestic capacity boosts. Virgin Australia is upsizing its Brisbane–Canberra flights. These flights will move from F100 aircraft to the larger Boeing 737-800 route jets. This increased capacity strengthens Canberra’s overall ACT international connectivity.

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