EdgeNewswire

Jetstar makes history with the first-ever passenger flight from Western Sydney International Airport

  • 4 min read
  • Jetstar

In brief

Jetstar says it operated the first commercial passenger flight from Western Sydney International Airport on October 26, 2026, with service JQ362 departing for the Gold Coast. The airline also scheduled a Gold Coast arrival and a Melbourne departure for the airport’s opening day. Jetstar says it will operate up to 24 return services weekly from Western Sydney, including flights to Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Brisbane, using Airbus A320 aircraft. The company reports that the Gold Coast route has expanded from four weekly flights to daily since sales began in June. It says the services will add to the group’s existing Sydney airport network. Jetstar has also bid to operate flights to Bali. Separately, the release says QantasLink passenger services to Melbourne and Brisbane are planned to begin in March 2027.

Key takeaways

  • Jetstar says JQ362 was the first commercial passenger flight to depart Western Sydney International Airport.
  • The airline plans up to 24 return services per week from the airport, serving Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
  • Jetstar says it has bid to operate flights from Western Sydney to Bali.
  • QantasLink services to Melbourne and Brisbane are planned to start on March 28, 2027.

Sydney, Australia, October 26, 2026 -- Jetstar has made Australian aviation history, operating the first-ever commercial passenger flight from Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) today.

Jetstar flight JQ362 departed Western Sydney for the Gold Coast at 11am (AEDT), carrying the first customers to fly out of Sydney's new 24-hour airport. The sold-out service was the first from a major new Australian airport in more than 50 years.


The celebrations continue all day with Jetstar flight JQ363 from the Gold Coast set to land at 3pm as the airport’s first-ever commercial passenger arrival, followed by the first departure to Melbourne, flight JQ375, at 6pm.

Demand has been so strong since flights went on sale in June that Jetstar has already grown the Western Sydney to Gold Coast route from four flights a week to daily.


The airline will fly up to 24 return services a week from Western Sydney, including up to 14 to Melbourne, daily services to the Gold Coast, and three to Brisbane. Flights will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft seating up to 188 customers, carrying around 460,000 seats to and from WSI each year.


The new services add to Jetstar and Qantas’ existing network at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport, giving customers across Greater Western Sydney and the surrounding regions a choice of two Sydney airports depending on where they live, work, and want to travel.


Jetstar’s plans at Western Sydney International Airport could soon reach beyond Australia, with the airline recently bidding to operate flights to Bali. The new route would grow its extensive Bali network and give people in Western Sydney a direct flight to one of Australians’ favourite holiday destinations.


Opening day sale:


To celebrate the start of flights from Western Sydney, fares are on sale starting from:



  • Western Sydney – Gold Coast one way from $54^


  • Western Sydney – Melbourne one way from $61^


  • Western Sydney – Brisbane one way from $65^



Comments from Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully:


“This is an historic day for aviation in Australia, and we’re proud to bring more choice and low fares to Western Sydney. “For many customers, the uber or taxi across the city has been the most expensive part of their trip.


"From today, for three million people who live in and around Western Sydney, low fares start a lot closer to home.


"We've got a strong track record of opening up new markets, and Western Sydney, one of the fastest growing regions in the country, is going to be one of the great ones.


“We can't wait to help more people takeoff more for less."


Western Sydney International Airport CEO Simon Hickey said:


“As Australia’s first major international greenfield airport in more than 50 years, in the cultural heartland of one of Australia’s most rapidly growing regions, WSI brings the world closer to Western Sydney and opportunity closer to home.


“We are delighted to launch our inaugural passenger flight with Jetstar today – an airline, which since its inception, has continued to boost access to air travel for Australians across the nation.


“Today we mark an incredible milestone for WSI, Western Sydney and New South Wales. Our city now has a 24-hour airport that will grow with Sydney for the coming century and expand choice and flexibility for travellers and airlines, and connect more people with more places and greater opportunities.”


The Qantas Group at Western Sydney International


The Qantas Group is building a strong presence at Western Sydney International Airport. Qantas Freight has been operating at WSI since July, with up to 72 flights per week, helping move parcels around the country. With more freighters arriving in recent weeks, WSI is going to be a critical part of freight operations this year’s peak from Black Friday and Cyber Monday right through to Christmas and the New Year sales.


From 28 March 2027, Qantas will add passenger services with QantasLink Embraer E190 aircraft to Melbourne and Brisbane, four times a week on each route with business and economy cabins.


^Sale ends 11.59pm AEDT Monday 26 October 2026, unless sold out. Prices based on payment in AUD at jetstar.com. A Payment Fee applies for Afterpay and Zip payments, see jetstar.com/fees. One-way, includes one Underseat carry-on bag and Priority Carry-on can be purchased (subject to availability). Excludes checked bags. Travel dates and conditions apply.

In the event of any inaccuracies, problems, or queries arising from the content shared in this press release, we encourage you to notify us immediately at [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our diligent team will be readily available to respond and take swift action within 8 hours to rectify any identified issues or assist with removal requests. Ensuring the provision of high-quality and precise information is paramount to us.

At a glance

Company
Jetstar
Announcement
Expansion
Location
Sydney, Australia

Key figures

Planned weekly return services from Western Sydney
up to 24
Planned weekly services to Melbourne
up to 14
Seats per Airbus A320 aircraft
up to 188
Annual seats to and from WSI
around 460,000
Gold Coast one-way sale fare from
$54
Melbourne one-way sale fare from
$61

People

  • Stephanie TullyJetstar CEO
  • Simon HickeyWestern Sydney International Airport CEO

Products and programs

  • Western Sydney–Gold Coast flights
  • Western Sydney–Melbourne flights
  • Western Sydney–Brisbane flights
  • Proposed Western Sydney–Bali flights
  • Airbus A320 aircraft

Earlier from Jetstar

  1. Jetstar takes off for the first time from the Sunshine Coast to Bali and Singapore with sale fares from $209^
  2. Jetstar makes history with inaugural Newcastle to Hobart service, offering sale fares from only $59^
  3. Jetstar celebrates 20 years in Christchurch with the launch of direct flights between Christchurch and Hamilton
  4. Jetstar takes off from Perth to Manila, offering West Australians a fifth direct route to Asia
  5. Jetstar offers Qantas Frequent Flyers a new way to supercharge their earning power
Back to News Center
EdgeNewswire

EdgeNewswire distributes your news to a targeted and established network of journalists and media outlets. We help build visibility and credibility for your organization and brand through trusted media coverage.

Copyright © 2024 - 2026   EdgeNewswire – Cutting Edge Press Release Distribution Services. All Rights Reserved.