Australia’s newest low-cost airline Bonza has officially taken to the skies.
Daily Mail Australia was on board Bonza’s first flight alongside 160 other passengers for a trip from the Sunshine Coast to the Whitsundays on Tuesday.
Bonza tickets went on sale last week and more than 10,000 seats have already been sold, with flights starting from $49 to $79 one way.
The airline says it is focused on being for all Australians and therefore all staff are referred to as ‘Bonza legends’.
Even Bonza’s fleet is named in the most Down Under way, with the three planes on the Sunshine Coast to the Whitsundays route named Bazza, Shazza and Sheila.
And everything Bonza can be done on your phone from booking flights to buying purple Bonza branded budgie smugglers.
Here’s what to expect when flying with the new budget carrier.
Australia’s newest low-cost airline Bonza officially takes flight with first trip from the Sunshine Coast to the Whitsundays on Tuesday
Bonza’s first trip saw 161 jetsetters take their seats on Australia’s most recent boom airline with the airline saying they have already sold more than 10,000 seats on upcoming flights
The airline has a focus on being for all Australians and therefore in an Aussie touch all Bonza staff are referred to as ‘Bonza legends’ and branded budgie smugglers can even be purchased while in the air via their app
Their fleet is named in the most down under way, with the three planes taking passengers from the Sunshine Coast to the Whitsundays named, Bazza, Shazza and Sheila
What to expect when flying Bonza
Bonza’s key message revolves around modernising flying, being for all Australians and focusing on low costs, all which were showcased as it took to the skies for the first time.
From booking, to checking in, to ordering food and in-flight entertainment, the Bonza app is where it is all done.
The moment you set foot on the plane it is a little squishy, with minimal legroom in all seats that aren’t next to emergency exists but while it isn’t as flashy as some other fleets of aircrafts you get what you’re paying for.
Everything in-flight is done through the Bonza app or the Bonza website which can be accessed on boardby scanning the QR code in the seat in front of you.
The food and drinks menu was the most popular feature, loved by all on the inaugural flight as many passengers drew comparisons to the service being like Uber Eats in the air.
From booking, to checking in, to ordering food and in flight entertainment the Bonza app is where it is all done
The food and drinks menu was the most popular feature, loved by all on the inaugural flight as many passengers drew comparisons to the service being like Uber Eats in the air. Food and beverages on board much like the airline focus on Australian regional produce, with beers and food all sourced from local Australian breweries and locally sourced
Food and beverages on board featured Australian regional produce, with beers and food all sourced locally.
As for entertainment there are games, music, comics, colouring stencils and even merchandise – purple Bonza budgie smugglers – that can be purchased in the air.
The entire aircraft is a 176 economy class cabin and aims itself at getting its passengers from point A to B with minimum frills and stress.
‘It’s about getting people flying who don’t currently fly and fly non stop to regional regions,’ Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan said.
‘Whether you are snorkelling the Whitsunday Islands or grabbing a cold one in the craft beer capital of Australia – the Sunshine Coast – we are humbled to take you there.
‘Today’s milestone flight comes at a time where demand is high for Aussies to explore their own backyard.’
Mr Jordan said the airline will target communities which have not been serviced to date, with the carrier placing its focus on regional communities, and promising the low fares are here to stay.
‘We are confident that we can keep fares at these levels and we must offer Australians low fares,’ Mr Jordan said.
The budget airline will fly a total of 17 routes including 13 from its base on the Sunshine Coast (pictured)
‘We’re a leisure focus airline and we don’t have those bells and whistles of other airlines, it’s all about not adding costs to our customers and we want to keep it cheap.
‘What our first customers will experience onboard is a fresh approach to flying where we keep the bar high on quality, and our costs low.’
Mr Jordan previously said the airline’s target market was ‘average Australians’ such as ‘tradies, teachers, kids and carers’.
‘Demand for domestic travel is high and Aussies deserve for travel to be a basic right for many, not a luxury for the few.’
Bonza’s flight network is expected to expand to some 27 routes in the near future – consisting of domestic, interstate and international – as the carrier’s fleet and workforce grows.
Backed by US venture capital firm 777 Partners, 93 per cent of the budget carrier’s destinations are not served by any other airline.
Bonza’s CEO said the airline will target communities which have not been serviced to date, with the carrier placing its focus on regional communities and promised the low fares are here to stay
The introduction of Bonza, adds competition to Virgin, Qantas and JetStar which in turn is expected to drive down prices.
Tuesday’s launch makes Bonza the first new major Australian airline since Tiger Airways in 2007 which ultimately closed down due to Covid imposed travel lockdowns.
The airline will service regional airports across NSW, Queensland and Victoria, including 13 from its base on the Sunshine Coast.
Within Queensland, Bonza passengers will be able to fly from the airline’s hub to Cairns, Townsville, the Whitsunday coast, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Toowoomba Wellcamp.
Interstate Bonza travellers can fly from the Sunshine Coast to Albury, Avalon, Coffs Harbour, Melbourne, Mildura, Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Tamworth.
Travellers catching a flight from Melbourne can fly directly to 10 destinations including Mildura, Bundaberg, Sunshine Coast and Port Macquarie.
The introduction of Bonza, adds competition to Virgin, Qantas and JetStar which in turn is expected to drive down prices
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