Search & book flights with Koala Airlines

Started in 2018, Koala Airlines has been in the works for a while now. The team behind it includes people who've worked at major airlines like Singapore Airlines and Emirates, so they're not complete newcomers to the industry.

What makes them different? They're not trying to be the cheapest option out there. Instead, they want to offer decent service at reasonable prices - picture comfortable seats and included luggage without breaking the bank.

They've also promised something pretty rare in budget travel: actual cash refunds if your flight gets cancelled. No credit vouchers, no run-around.

Koala Airlines has three Boeing 737 planes lined up and plans to start with just a few routes before expanding.

Right now, Koala Airlines is keeping quiet about exactly which routes they'll fly.

What we know so far 🌏

They're focusing on the big cities: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. These are where most international visitors land and need to connect to other parts of Australia.

Melbourne will be their home base. They might also fly to Perth and Canberra, based on rumours, but nothing's confirmed.

What you won't see 🚫

Don't expect flights to tiny regional airports. Koala Airlines learned from watching other start-ups fail by trying to fly to places with hardly any passengers. They're sticking to proven routes where they know people actually want to travel.

Planes arrive July-August 2026, flights start late 2026, assuming everything goes to plan with regulations and approvals.

Starting with just three planes means limited flights at first. You won't have hourly options like Qantas or Virgin, but they're planning to grow to 20 planes over the next few years.

Expect more flights during school holidays and peak tourist seasons, fewer during quiet times.

The big question mark? Whether they'll actually get regulatory approval on time. New airlines in Australia have a habit of announcing launch dates that come and go.

Since flights aren't on sale yet, this is what we can assume the airline's check-in procedure will look like:

Airport check-in 🛫

• Show up with time to spare (they'll announce exact times later)
• Bring your photo ID - driver's license works fine
• Should be standard check-in like any other airline

Online check-in 📱

They're building an app and website for booking, so you'll probably be able to check in online 24 hours before your flight. You should be able to pick your seat and download your boarding pass.

The refund promise 🔍

If your flight gets cancelled, you get your money back. Actual money, not credit. This is a big deal after recent airline collapses left thousands of Australian travellers out of pocket.

They claim fares will be held in trust accounts, so even if the airline doesn't succeed, you'll get refunded.

You can't book yet, but here's what works for Australian domestic flights in general:

• Book 1-3 months ahead and you'll save up to 25%.
• If you're leaving it to the last minute, expect to pay a bit more.

Money-saving tricks 📅

• Book on Sunday, fly on Saturday. Sunday bookings are typically 6% cheaper, Saturday flights 17% less than Sunday.
• May is the sweet spot, usually 13% cheaper than other months.
• Avoid December flights - the peak holiday pricing will kill your wallet.
• Book months in advance. Six months out can save you 36%, but only if you're sure about your dates.

When Koala Airlines starts flying 🐨

• Watch for launch deals. New airlines usually offer promotional fares to get customers!
• The refund policy might be worth it. Less risk booking early if you're guaranteed your money back.
• Shoulder seasons are March-May and September-November - these will probably be cheapest months to fly.

✨Top tip: At Alternative Airlines, you can split the cost with Buy Now Pay Later - handy when you need to book ahead but don't want to pay upfront!

Koala Airlines will be flying with Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes - standard single-aisle jets you've probably flown on before.

What to expect 💺

Details are thin, but here's what they're promising:

• Better than bare-bones - more legroom and service than ultra-budget carriers
• Not premium pricing - they won't have all the bells and whistles of Qantas
• Somewhere in the middle - they're aiming for that sweet spot between budget and full-service

Still waiting to hear about 🍴

• Included luggage or pay extra
• Free snacks and drinks or buy on board
• Seat selection fees
• Actual legroom measurements
• Entertainment options

We'll update this section once more information is released!

Whether you end up flying Koala Airlines or someone else, here's what you need to know:

Airport basics 📋

• Photo ID required - a driver's license or passport works fine.
• No liquid restrictions - unlike international flights, bring your full-size toiletries.
• Security's getting stricter - body scanners are becoming standard across all airports.
• Arrive early - it's better to wait at the gate than miss your flight.

State-by-state quirks 🌏

• Flying to WA? No fresh fruit or vegetables allowed through quarantine
• Tasmania or NT? Similar restrictions apply
• Some Indigenous communities have alcohol bans - respect them

Seasonal smarts 🌦️

• March-May or September-November has the best weather and better prices.
• Winter (June-August) has the cheapest fares, perfect for Queensland escapes.
• Summer (December-February) is expensive and hot, but great for Melbourne and Sydney beaches.

If you're booking Koala Airlines 🐨

• Don't book anything non-refundable until they're actually flying.
• Keep watching for updates - launch dates for new airlines tend to slip.
• That refund guarantee might be worth the risk if prices are right.