Ed Anderson/aremediasyndication.com.au
Faring the flight path from Melbourne to Athens, Sydney to Tokyo is no humble business. So, when the opportunity for spending less on flights – and more on holiday travel luxuries, local delicacies and boutique hotels – presents itself, you take it.
While it’s only been a month since we saw significant discounts from the likes of Etihad, Flight Centre, Virgin Australia, Jetstar and more in the Black Friday flight sales, if you missed out on your dream deal then you might just find it in the Boxing Day and the new year sales.
Here, we’ve compiled our research into Gourmet Traveller‘s 2024 guide to Boxing Day flight and holiday sales. Whether you’re heading interstate or across the seas, these sales – as well as New Year’s flight sales – are ones to take advantage of.
Gourmet Traveller‘s Boxing Day 2024 travel guide
Do airlines have Boxing Day sales in Australia?
Airlines and travel booking companies alike have been known to offer generous deals during the Boxing Day sales period, including Virgin Australia, Etihad and Flight Centre. While Boxing Day sales usually start on December 26, many go through to the new year. This means you have a small but sweet window to book your 2025 trips in for less.
Best Boxing Day flight sales in 2024
Here are the Boxing Day sales that can help you save your euros, dollars and yens for travel in the new year.
Flight Centre Boxing Day deals
Flight Centre is offering domestic, international and multi-stop flight deals from the likes of Virgin Australia, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand and Finnair. So you could escape to Ballina/Byron from $57, Bali from $303 or Hawaii from $538 one-way, or take a round-the-world return economy trip from Sydney to Bangkok, Helsinki, Rome and Dallas from $2616.
We’re also seeing return business class flights to Europe for under $10000 – including Sydney to Rome from $9474 and Brisbane to Paris from $9105, both with Qatar.
Etihad flight deals
While Etihad hasn’t traditionally participated in Boxing Day sales, the UAE airline currently has a very extended Black Friday sale with deals including return economy flights from Sydney to Barcelona starting at $1776, or Melbourne to Athens from $1690 when you book by January 10, 2025 and travel by March 31. And return business class from Sydney to London from $8792!
Etihad has also been known to offer New Year’s sales in the past. The airline offered some sweet roundtrip deals such as Copenhagen from $1745 and to Beirut from $1828.
Virgin Australia Boxing Day flight deals
Virgin Australia is offering significant savings on domestic and international short-haul flights for Boxing Day – such as Sydney to the Gold Coast from $65 one-way, Melbourne to Queenstown from $269 one-way and Sydney to Bali (Denpasar) from $609 return.
Jetstar Boxing Day sale
Similar to last year, Jetstar has discounted fares across domestic and international routes as part of the 48-hour Boxing Day sale. The deals start from as little as $39 for a one-way Sydney to Ballina/Byron flight. But the offers are limited and any that don’t sell out sooner will end at 11.59pm AEDT on Friday December 27.
Qantas Boxing Day sale
Qantas has a 72-hour Boxing Day sale with discounts on a range of domestic routes. This includes flights from Sydney to the Sunshine coast from $139 or to Perth from $299 one-way.
Best Boxing Day holiday sales of 2024
Here are the Boxing Day holiday and cruise deals on our radar.
Boxing Day tour and holiday deals
- Flight Centre: Save up to $866 on tours to Europe and up to $771 on tours to Asia
- Luxury Escapes: Find luxe deals on five-star hotels and resorts, with savings of up to 70% when we checked
- Agoda: Offers a range of savings and deals on accommodation, travel activities and more
Boxing Day cruise deals
- Flight Centre: Right now, there are deals that could have you discover Vanuatu with P&O Cruises from $1599 for nine nights or take a five night cruise from Sydney to Tasmania from $819 per person
- Luxury Escapes: Luxury Escapes offers discounts on luxe cruises year-round, with deals up to 56% off when we checked for Boxing Day
Related articles:
- Seven quality luggage brands to consider for your next stint away
- 12 travel gifts for those who love going away and abroad
- 8 luxe hotels with Sydney Harbour views to book for New Year’s Eve
