For a long time Australia’s domestic aviation sector was dominated by two airlines, Trans Australia Airlines and Ansett Airlines, which were pale imitations of one another. Today there are 4 domestic airlines to pick from, and each is carving out its place within the ecosystem quite otherwise. Today is a probability to take a look at domestic and regional carrier Rex.
What has Rex got to supply?
The Rex family tree also goes back a long time in various forms, but today it’s Australia’s largest independent domestic and regional airline. Two years ago, in the course of the pandemic, Rex took the daring decision to enter the mainline domestic market, an entire leap of religion from operating greater than 60 Saab 340 turboprops to introducing high-capacity Boeing 737-800 jets at capital city airports.
Photo: Rex
Today it operates eight routes on flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, the Gold Coast and Adelaide. Last Wednesday I traveled with Rex on return flights between Melbourne and Adelaide to report for Easy Flying on the launch of its recent Adelaide-Sydney route, and here is my review of the service.
To check the system I checked in manually on the Rex desk in Melbourne Airport’s Terminal 4. That took just a number of minutes, including the brilliant and cheery Rex person changing my seat allocation and booking me in for the return flight the next day. This terminal has the most recent security screening detection equipment so every thing might be left in carry-on bags, although you do must take off your belt and jacket if worn.
Photo: Michael Doran I Easy Flying
T4 is the house of Rex, Bonza, Jetstar and a few Virgin Australia flights, and despite the airport reaching pre-COVID domestic capability getting through security is a fast, well-organized and straightforward process. The boarding area was full, even though it had loads of seating, and Rex staff made several announcements alerting customers to the short delay and what was happening.
The flight
Flight ZL437 departed Melbourne Airport (MEL) at 13:07 and arrived at Adelaide Airport (ADL) at 13:44 local time, thirty-four minutes behind schedule as a consequence of a delayed departure. It was raining heavily in Melbourne, which made boarding via the rear stairs unavailable and contributed to the delay. The service was operated with a Boeing 737-800, registration VH-RQG and MSN 34168, and almost every one among the 176 seats was taken.
The 737 was previously operated by Virgin Australia and was one among the aircraft returned when the airline went into financial administration. It retained its colours and layout of eight business class and 168 economy seats within the cabin, including a row of Rextra extra legroom seats immediately behind the business class cabin. I sat in an exit row with enough legroom for a long-haul flight somewhat than simply a fast 67-minute hop to Adelaide, and despite the shortened turnaround time, the aircraft was spotless and welcoming.
Within the economy cabin, Rex provides passengers with free snacks, tea, coffee or water and sells a spread of other cold beverages, whereas in business meals are served at appropriate times. The free snack and drink are greater than adequate, but for those wanting a little bit more, the tap-and-go payment system worked perfectly. The cart service was efficient and well-coordinated, and throughout the flight the cabin crew were attentive, smartly turned out and engaged, particularly when offering help to those that needed it.
Connecting a private device to the free onboard system is straightforward and provides access to just about 30 programs, including popular movies and TV shows. With its low-fare pricing, Rex attracts a fair proportion of families so it was nice to see six channels for the younger ones. The flight touched down at 13:45 and five minutes later was on the gate with passengers on the brink of leave the aircraft, this time through each the forward and rear doors.
The Rex difference
Generally, Rex’s business class fares are around half what its two greater rivals charge, regardless that the route, aircraft, and seat are equivalent. Remember these aircraft were flying capital city routes for Virgin Australia a number of years ago, and Qantas and the reborn Virgin Australia each fly the identical 737-800s on their domestic services.
Photo: Michael Doran I Easy Flying
This was not the primary time I actually have flown with Rex and on each occasion, the attitude and professionalism of the cabin crew has been of the best order. They’re on the spot to assist with cabin bags at each ends of the flight and do not disappear behind a curtain mid-flight, offering top quality service to each passenger, not only those up the sharp end.
Rex currently has seven 737-800s and is adding two more in the approaching weeks, with a tenth prone to be here by the tip of the 12 months. It’s constructing or extending premium lounges in major hubs and next month will add Hobart to the domestic network, inaugurating 737 flights between the Apple Isle and Melbourne.
Rex is carving out a successful area of interest within the domestic market by growing in a considered but not too flashy way. It’s well price a try so you’ll be able to see for yourself, in addition to saving you some extra spending money at the identical time.
Have you ever flown with Rex domestically? Tell us within the comments.