The airline that started life in Wagga in 1967 with small propeller-driven aircraft is now booking tickets on the national capital city routes with its first three Boeing 737 passenger jets.
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Regional Express (REX) announced on Wednesday that it will be selling tickets for its own services between Sydney and Melbourne, which will start flying from March.
A REX spokesperson said the new domestic services would provide "seamless connectivity for REX passengers travelling from Wagga to Sydney, Melbourne and eventually Brisbane that isn't currently available".
"They can jump on our regional service, switch to our 737, and end up in their destination without worrying about transferring their luggage, or checking-in in between," the spokesperson said.
"And they can book their regional and domestic flights on the same website. Our 737s will give them a full premium service at budget airline prices."
Passengers at Wagga airport can currently connect regional and domestic Qantas flights with a single check-in.
REX has launched its new services with 100,000 Sydney-Melbourne route tickets going on sale for $79.
"REX will offer all the usual perks of a full service carrier including eight Business Class seats. All fares include checked baggage allowance, food, pre-assigned seating and online check-in," REX deputy Chairman John Sharp said.
"Lounge access and on-board Wi-Fi will be free for Business Class, whilst Economy passengers can access these options for a small fee.
"In short, we will be offering premium full service with our trademark country hospitality but at fares pegged at the budget carrier level.
"The first three REX Boeing 737-800s will take off between Sydney and Melbourne on March 1, 2021. REX will begin with 9 Sydney-Melbourne return services a day. By Easter, two additional 737s will be added to expand our domestic network to Brisbane and other capital cities."
The spokesperson said REX had "no plans to change Wagga services just yet" in order to integrate them with its new national services.
"There should be enough services in our domestic schedule for Wagga flights to connect in the capital cities," the spokesperson said.
"That said, flight schedules change all the time and adjusting them is something we may consider if needed."
REX sold 48 per cent of its shares to a Hong Kong investment company last month to raise the $150 million to pay for the new jets and services and took delivery of its first 737-800 NG passenger get early in November.
The airline received tens of millions of dollars in aid from the federal government after warning it could collapse due to travel restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.