Qantas Offers 18,000 Discounted Pacific Island Seats with Return Fares from A$579
The seven-day promotion spans eight destinations from Fiji to Palau, with selected travel dates through September 2027 and bookings closing 26 October unless sold out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Qantas is offering more than 18,000 discounted seats to eight Pacific island destinations, with Economy return fares starting at A$579 between Brisbane and Port Vila.
- The sale runs from 20 to 26 October 2026 AEDT unless sold out earlier, for selected journeys between November 2026 and September 2027.
- Other advertised Economy returns start at A$599 for Fiji and Norfolk Island, A$609 for New Caledonia and A$699 for Tonga.
- Blackout dates, limited seat availability, route connections and possible government approvals apply; checked baggage, food and inflight entertainment are included.
For Australian travellers considering a Pacific island holiday in 2027, a week-long Qantas promotion has opened with return Economy fares from A$579 and more than 18,000 discounted seats across eight destinations. The lowest advertised price is between Brisbane and Port Vila, while the airline is also offering reduced fares to Fiji, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Tonga, Palau, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.
The Qantas sale opened at 12.01am Australian Eastern Daylight Time on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 and is scheduled to close at 11.59pm on Monday, 26 October, unless discounted seats sell out sooner. Eligible departure dates vary by route, extending from November 2026 to September 2027. Travellers should note that the advertised prices are starting return fares, not prices available for every flight or date.
Which Pacific islands have the lowest fares?
Brisbane–Port Vila leads the sale at A$579 return in Economy, covering selected travel dates from January to September 2027. Sydney–Fiji starts at A$599, with eligible journeys from 26 January to 22 March 2027. Norfolk Island also starts at A$599 return from either Brisbane or Sydney for selected dates between June and August 2027. The Brisbane travel window begins on 1 June, ahead of the island’s Bounty Day celebrations on 8 June.
Other entry fares include Brisbane–Noumea from A$609 return, with travel dates between February and August 2027, and Sydney–Tonga from A$699 for eligible travel starting 24 July 2027, during the period associated with humpback whale visits. For longer island journeys, Brisbane–Palau and Brisbane–Solomon Islands are each advertised from A$799 return. Palau dates include late November 2026 and January to March 2027; the Solomon Islands promotion spans selected dates from January to September 2027.
For travellers comparing departure points, the published Economy starting prices differ considerably. The table below brings together the airline’s route examples; all amounts are Australian dollars for return journeys.
| Destination | From Sydney | From Melbourne | From Brisbane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiji | A$599 | A$999 via Sydney | A$999 via Sydney |
| Norfolk Island | A$599 | A$769 via Sydney | A$599 |
| New Caledonia | A$669 | A$819 via Brisbane | A$609 |
| Vanuatu | A$679 via Brisbane | A$679 via Brisbane | A$579 |
| Tonga | A$699 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Palau | A$999 via Brisbane | A$999 via Brisbane | A$799 |
| Solomon Islands | A$1,049 via Brisbane | A$1,099 via Brisbane | A$799 |
| Samoa | A$1,149 via Brisbane | A$1,249 via Brisbane | A$1,099 |
There are Business Class offers too. Norfolk Island starts at A$1,099 return from Brisbane or Sydney, Brisbane–New Caledonia at A$1,209 and Vanuatu at A$1,539 from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne. The latter Sydney and Melbourne itineraries connect through Brisbane. Across the wider published examples, Business return fares range up to A$4,599 for Melbourne–Solomon Islands via Brisbane.
Travel seasons and growing demand
The timing offers different choices by destination. Qantas highlights May to September for some Vanuatu and Solomon Islands journeys, February to August for Noumea, and the January–March dry-season period for Palau. Its Tonga offer begins during the southern winter whale season, while Norfolk Island’s June–August dates suit travellers considering a quieter winter visit and walking or heritage excursions.
The airline linked its promotion to Australians’ continuing interest in the Pacific. Citing Australian Bureau of Statistics overseas travel figures, Qantas reported more than 430,000 Australian trips to Fiji in the 2025–26 financial year, up over 5 per cent on the preceding year. It also pointed to Vanuatu Tourism Office figures identifying January 2026 as a record month for Australian arrivals in that market.
Cam Wallace, chief executive of Qantas International, said the range of destinations is intended to serve different holiday styles, including couples, families and groups of friends. For travellers, the practical question is whether their preferred departure dates and connections match the limited allocation of sale seats, particularly when a route involves a transfer through another Australian city.
Booking conditions to check before purchasing
Qantas says the fares include checked baggage, complimentary food and beverages and inflight entertainment. The promotion applies to selected dates and travel days, with blackout periods; sale prices may not appear on all services and can sell out before the advertised deadline. Some flights remain subject to regulatory or government approval. The listed prices are based on the airline’s lowest published fares and may differ through travel agents.
Passengers can check eligible flights, availability and full conditions through the Qantas booking website. Travellers looking for the most competitive fares should compare connections, dates and the overall itinerary rather than assuming that every departure city has the same lead price.