Fares tumble as airlines battle for passengers
West Australians are being tempted into the air by some of the cheapest fares offered as airlines slug it out to fill empty seats.
Bali, West Australians' favourite overseas holiday destination, is just $139 one-way with Jetstar and Virgin Australia has business class seats to Melbourne for only $839.
Economy fares are at record lows compared with average weekly earnings and business class fares are about 50 per cent below normal levels.
A variety of travel periods are offered this year and next and sales end this week.
Many fares offered do not include baggage, food or drinks.
Perth to Adelaide one-way is $109; Lombok $109; Melbourne $119; Brisbane $129; Cairns, Jakarta, Singapore $129; Bali $139 and Phuket $228.
Virgin Australia has also entered the war with fares such as Perth to Adelaide $139; Albany $159; Brisbane $199; Broome $239; Darwin $159 and Sydney $189.
The airline has also put its new business class on sale, with Perth to Melbourne costing $839; Brisbane $999; Darwin $599 and Sydney $899.
Qantas is offering many domestic and international destinations.
The airline has Perth to Broome seats on sale for $225; Brisbane $219; Melbourne $209; and Hobart $373.
Like Virgin Australia, Qantas has business class special deals. Perth to Melbourne one way is $899; Sydney $999; Adelaide $749 and Darwin $649.
Qantas also has international fares on sale.
Perth to Christchurch is just $410 one way, Fiji $582 and Queenstown $620.
The airline has return fares to Honolulu from $1850; Milan $2034; Los Angeles $2037 and Paris $2073.
The Qantas Group, which includes Jetstar, and Virgin Australia, which now controls low-cost Tigerair, have been locked in a savage battle for market share over the past 18 months, with Qantas striving to keep its 65 per cent share.
