One day, I was talking to my friend about how I really wanted to go visit her in Australia. She told me that she had just been there on vacation and it was amazing- but the flight was really expensive. I did a little research and found out that the average cost of a flight from the United States to Australia is around $1,403! I was shocked- how could something be so expensive?

I started looking into it and found out that there are a few reasons why flights to Australia are typically more expensive than other flights. Let’s dive in and take a look at some of those reasons.

Why Are Flights to Australia So Expensive?

These are the common reasons why flights to Australia are so expensive:

1. The High Cost of Fuel Is One Reason Why Flights to Australia Are So Expensive 

One of the primary reasons why flights to Australia are more expensive than flights to other destinations is the high cost of fuel. Given the distance involved, airlines have to purchase large amounts of fuel for these flights, and this expense is passed on to passengers in the form of higher ticket prices.

Additionally, the price of fuel can fluctuate quite a bit, making it difficult for airlines to predict how much they will need to spend on fuel from one month to the next. As a result, the cost of flying to Australia is often subject to sudden increases that can make tickets unaffordable for many travelers.

2. Taxes and Airport Fees Are Also a Major Contributor to the High Cost of Airfare 

Taxes and airport fees are a major contributors to the high cost of airfare. The Australian government imposes a tax of $55 per passenger on all international flights departing from Australia. This is in addition to the $30 passenger movement charge that all airlines must pay when arriving or departing from an Australian airport.

As a result, the cost of a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Sydney can be more than $1,000 just in taxes and fees. In addition, many airlines add a fuel surcharge to their tickets, which can add an additional $100 or more to the cost of a flight. When you factor in the cost of the actual flight, it’s no wonder that flights to Australia are so expensive.

3. Country’s Stringent Security Requirements

Given the country’s stringent security requirements, it’s not surprising that flights to Australia are among the most expensive available. In order to fly into Australia, airlines must comply with a number of strict security measures, including enhanced background checks for all passengers and crew members.

These measures add significant time and costs to these flights, which are ultimately passed on to passengers in the form of higher fares. Given the extra time and expense involved in flying to Australia, travelers should weigh the cost of their ticket against the value of their vacation to determine if this destination is right for them.

4. Increased Competition from Low-Cost Carriers Has Driven Up Airfares 

Increased competition from low-cost carriers is one of the main reasons why airfares to Australia are so expensive. In the past, there were only a few airlines that operated flights to Australia, and they had little incentive to compete on price.

However, in recent years, a number of low-cost carriers have entered the market, and they have been aggressively competing for passengers. As a result, average airfares have risen sharply. Another factor that has contributed to the high cost of flying to Australia is the significant drop in demand for international travel that has occurred since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With fewer people flying, airlines have been forced to raise prices in order to remain profitable. Although the cost of flying to Australia is currently high, it is likely to fall in the future as competition from low-cost carriers intensifies and travel demand begins to recover.

5. Many Airlines Have Been Forced to Raise Fares in Order to Stay Afloat 

Airlines have been struggling to stay afloat in recent years, and many have been forced to raise fares in order to stay in business. This has made flights to Australia extremely expensive, and many people are now reconsidering their travel plans.

However, there are still some ways to find affordable flights to Australia. By being flexible with your travel dates and searching for deals well in advance, you can often find good deals on airfare. Additionally, consider flying into smaller airports that may offer lower fares. With a little effort, you can still find reasonably priced flights to Australia.

6. The Weakened Australian Dollar Has Made It More Expensive for Airlines to Operate in the Country 

The weakened Australian dollar is making flights to Australia more expensive for foreign visitors. Prior to the recession, the Australian dollar was worth over US $1.00. However, it has since fallen to around US $0.70, making it much more expensive for Americans and other foreigners to purchase tickets.

The decline in the value of the currency has been especially hard on airlines, which have had to contend with rising fuel costs and declining demand. As a result, many carriers have been forced to raise fares in order to offset their losses. For potential visitors to Australia, this has made traveling to the country much more expensive.

7. The Long Distance Between Australia and Other Major Continents Is Another Factor That Contributes to the High Cost of Flights

Flying to Australia is expensive because the country is so far away from the rest of the world. It is located in the southern hemisphere, and the closest major landmass is Antarctica. This means that airlines have to fly a lot farther to reach Australia than they would to other destinations.

The distance also makes it difficult for airlines to offer direct flights, which results in higher prices. In addition, Australia has a small population compared to other continents, so there are fewer people flying to the country.

This lack of demand means that airlines can charge more for tickets. All of these factors add up to make flying to Australia a very expensive proposition.

8. There Are Not Many Stopover Options from North America

There are limited stopover options when flying from North America to Australia, which makes flights more expensive. The vast majority of flights go from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Sydney, with stops in Honolulu, Fiji, and New Zealand.

This limited route means that there is little competition among airlines, and prices are high as a result. There are a few direct flights from Los Angeles to Sydney, but these are even more expensive.

The limited stopover options also make it difficult to find cheaper flights, as most airlines price their tickets based on the total journey, rather than the individual legs. As a result, travelers looking for a bargain often have to settle for longer itineraries with multiple stops. While this may not be ideal, it is often the only way to find a reasonably priced flight to Australia.

What Month Is the Cheapest to Fly to Australia?

Travelers looking to save on their next flight to Australia should aim to book their tickets during the low season. This period extends from May 1 through the first week in June, and again from about the third week in July through the third week of September.

During these times, airlines typically offer significant discounts on airfare in order to fill seats that would otherwise go empty. As a result, travelers can often find round-trip tickets for less than $1,000 during the low season. So if you’re flexible with your travel dates, booking your flight during the low season is a great way to save on airfare.

What Is the Cheapest City in Australia to Fly Into?

If you’re looking for the cheapest city in Australia to fly into, there are a few things to consider. Avalon in Victoria and Broome in Western Australia are both popular destinations with cheap flights available from a number of major airlines.

Burnie and Devonport in Tasmania are also worth considering, as they offer both budget-friendly accommodation and easy access to some of the state’s most beautiful scenery. Hamilton Island in Queensland is another great option, as it’s served by both domestic and international flights. And if you’re looking for somewhere truly unique, Kangaroo Island in South Australia is well worth a visit – although be aware that accommodation can be pricey.

Launceston in Tasmania is another good choice for budget travellers, with a number of affordable hotels and plenty of things to see and do. Finally, Prosperine in Queensland is a great place to catch a bargain flight – just be sure to book early!

What Days Are Flights Cheapest in Australia?

If you’re looking to snag a cheap flight from Australia, Wednesday is typically your best bet. According to data from Skyscanner, an online flight booking website, flights originating in Australia are typically the cheapest on Wednesday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

The most expensive days for flying from Australia are typically Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. So, if you’re looking to save money on your flight, it’s worth considering making your travel plans for mid-week. Of course, Fridays can still be cheaper than Saturdays and Sundays if you’re willing to be flexible with your travel dates.

And if you’re really hoping to score a deal, it’s worth checking fares for multiple days to see which ones offer the best prices. No matter when you fly, though, there’s sure to be a deal to be had if you’re willing to do a little digging.

What Is the Cheapest Airline in Australia?

There are a few different airlines that can be considered the “cheapest” in Australia. This title is often given to Jetstar, which is a low-cost airline. Tiger Airways was another low-cost airline, but it closed in 2020.

There are also a few regional airlines that are considered to be cheaper than the major airlines, such as Rex Regional Express, Skytrans, and Qantaslink. Bonza is a new entrant into the market and is also considered to be a cheaper option.

When choosing the cheapest airline in Australia, it is important to compare prices of all the different options and choose the one that best suits your needs.

Final Thoughts On Why Flights to Australia Are So Expensive

In Conclusion, there are many reasons why flights to Australia are so expensive. The high cost of fuel, taxes and airport fees, the country’s stringent security requirements, and increased competition from low-cost carriers have all driven up airfares.

Many airlines have been forced to raise fares in order to stay afloat. The weakened Australian dollar has also made it more expensive for airlines to operate in the country.

Finally, the long distance between Australia and other major continents is another factor that contributes to the high cost of flights to Australia. All of these factors combine to make flying to Australia a very expensive proposition.