VA announces Bali first

VIRGIN Australia has announced it will become the first Aussie carrier to offer direct flights between the Gold Coast and Bali, with services taking off for the first time on 29 Mar 2023.

Available to book from today, the flights linking the Gold Coast to one of Australia’s most popular overseas destinations will operate daily, offering around 2,200 seats each week.

Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the launch of the new Bali route from Qld reflected the airline’s growing presence on the Gold Coast.

“In May alone our Gold Coast bookings were up 55% compared to 2019, with bookings on our existing Bali flights up 48% for the same period and growing every week,” she said.

“With the addition of the Gold Coast Airport terminal expansion and demand for Bali rising, the time is right to connect these two famous holiday destinations as well as the surf breaks, wellness activities and nightlife that comes with them,” Hrdlicka added.

The news arrives as VA prepares to resume services to both Vanuatu and Samoa.

Direct services from Brisbane to Port Vila will take off again on 10 Mar 2023, flying up to five flights a week, while services to Apia will commence from Sydney on 21 Mar 2023 up to three flights per week, as well as twice a week from Brisbane from 23 Mar 2023.

To celebrate the upcoming services, VA has launched its Set Your Sights Overseas sale, offering up to 30% discounts on 70,000 seats across the airline’s shorthaul International routes.