November 27, 2025 — 5:00am
The global reach of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, once predominantly American shopping events, has extended into the airline industry, offering travelers unprecedented discounts on flights. This year, airlines across the globe, including major Australian carriers, are offering significant fare reductions on numerous popular routes. The sales, which began ahead of Black Friday on November 28, 2025, promise enticing deals for both domestic and international travelers.
Australian airlines such as Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar are leading the charge, breaking tradition by launching sales early or providing exclusive access to loyalty members. Jetstar’s Return for Free Black Friday sale is particularly notable, offering $0 return fares on over 90,000 seats for a limited 72-hour window. Among the standout offers are $42 domestic return fares from Sydney to Ballina, Byron Bay, and $149 international return fares from Perth to Singapore.
Major Discounts Across Australian Carriers
Qantas has unveiled an extensive Travel Week sale featuring more than 1.5 million discounted seats on over 130 routes globally. Noteworthy offers include one-way fares starting at $99 from Sydney to Ballina, Byron Bay. Meanwhile, Virgin Australia has announced markdowns of up to 50% on a million seats, including one-way flights from $49 from Sydney to Ballina and international returns from $419 from Melbourne to Denpasar, Bali.
For the first time, Virgin Australia is also offering discounts on upgrades to its premium Economy X seats, with extra-legroom upgrades available on popular short-haul international routes such as Bali and Fiji starting at $20.
Asian Budget Airlines Join the Fray
Asian budget airlines are also participating with significant discounts. Scoot offers flights from Melbourne to Singapore starting at $209 one-way, while AirAsia provides a staggering 99% discount on one-way fares when booking a return flight from Australia between December 1 and March 15, 2026. These deals highlight the competitive nature of the airline industry during this shopping season.
Qantas: Over 1.5 million seats discounted, including routes to Honolulu, Los Angeles, and more. Virgin Australia: Up to 50% off on a million seats, with upgrades available on Economy X. Jetstar: $0 return fares on select routes, including international destinations.
Global Airlines Embrace the Trend
International airlines are not left behind. Singapore Airlines, Fiji Airways, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and LATAM have all announced sales, offering significant discounts on flights from Australia to various global destinations. For example, Singapore Airlines is offering flights from Sydney to Cebu, Philippines, from $892 return, while Etihad offers up to 35% off flights to destinations such as Abu Dhabi and Athens.
These sales reflect a broader trend of airlines leveraging global shopping events to boost ticket sales and fill seats during typically slower travel periods. The competitive pricing strategies also aim to attract travelers who might otherwise postpone their travel plans.
Implications and Future Outlook
The widespread adoption of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales by airlines suggests a shift in marketing strategies, with carriers increasingly aligning themselves with global retail trends. This move not only benefits consumers with more affordable travel options but also helps airlines manage capacity and revenue during off-peak times.
Looking ahead, experts predict that such sales will become a staple in the airline industry, potentially expanding to include more comprehensive travel packages and services. As airlines continue to innovate in their promotional strategies, travelers can expect even more competitive offers in the future.
For travelers, these sales present an opportunity to explore new destinations at a fraction of the usual cost. However, it’s crucial to act quickly, as these deals are often time-sensitive and subject to availability. As the popularity of these sales grows, so too does the competition among airlines to offer the most attractive deals.
In conclusion, the extension of Black Friday and Cyber Monday into the airline industry marks a significant evolution in travel marketing, promising exciting opportunities for both airlines and consumers alike.
