Business class compared: Qantas vs Virgin vs Rex
Premium travellers are spoiled for choice, but which airline is best in business class?
By Staff Writers, March 19 2024
Competition for business class flyers in Australia has never been more fierce, with Qantas, Virgin Australia and now Rex all fighting for a share of the domestic travel pie.
Despite all three largely relying on Boeing 737 aircraft, that’s where the similarity ends, with the experience on and off the ground, as well as pricing, resulting in vastly different offerings across the board.
Here’s how the business class compares in eight areas frequent flyers value most.
In this article:
Priority perks: check-in, security, boarding
Priority check-in and boarding for business class passengers are standard perks across all three airlines. Here, it’s the security process where things take very different paths.
Qantas offers priority screening at a number of airports including Brisbane (via Premium Lounge Entry), Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, in addition to Adelaide and the Gold Coast, where the priority lane is shared between airlines.
Bypass the main queue at Qantas' Brisbane Premium Lounge Entry.
Virgin Australia, on the other hand, has two Premium Entry options: Sydney and Brisbane. Both deliver a direct path from the kerb to the lounge – bypassing the main security area. However, opening times are limited to only a few hours on weekdays: 5am to 10am.
Rex business class passengers can skip the main security queue at Adelaide and Gold Coast.
Winner: Qantas takes the gong with fast-track security at Australia’s six busiest airports.
Checked baggage
Qantas and Virgin Australia allow 2 x 32kg bags (64kg total) for business class passengers, or 3 x 32kg (96kg total) for Platinum-grade frequent flyers and above. This includes Oneworld Emerald cardholders on Qantas, too.
Rex instead provides a flat 32kg baggage allowance for all business class passengers.
Winner: First place is shared by Qantas and Virgin Australia.
Carry-on allowance
Here’s where things get interesting: both Qantas and Virgin Australia allow up to 14kg of cabin baggage in business class. Qantas permits one bag to weigh up to 10kg, while Virgin Australia caps that at 7kg per bag.
Rex instead provides 10kg for those on Biz Saver fares, but a higher 15kg on Biz and Biz Plus tickets (with up to 10kg in a single item).
Winner: With very little difference between the three, we’re calling this one a draw.
Business class lounges
With Qantas welcoming business class flyers in over 20 domestic airports around Australia, the Flying Kangaroo really is unmatched here.
It’s also the only one with dedicated business class lounges, found in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
Qantas' business class lounge in Perth.
Naturally, these sit a rung above Qantas Clubs – with Qantas also the only domestic airline to afford business class passengers one complimentary lounge guest, without also requiring frequent flyer status or a paid lounge membership.
Virgin Australia is the Roo’s nearest competitor in the lounge stakes, but offers a smaller network of seven domestic lounges, found in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
Virgin Australia's Sydney lounge.
Rex has just three established lounges – located in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
Rex's lounges cater to a lower volume of travellers.
Winner: Qantas nabs this trophy with over three times the lounges of its closest competitor.
The business class seat
On domestic flights, Qantas offers business class across its Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 fleet, in addition to its newer regional Airbus A220s via QantasLink.
Business class onboard a Qantas Boeing 737.
Aboard these single-aisle jets you’ll find 10-12 business class recliners, many of which allow you to keep devices charged up thanks to inbuilt AC and USB outlets.
On Airbus A330 flights, you’ll instead have a flatbed at your disposal – much appreciated on longer Perth to Sydney flights, plus the odd hop between Sydney and Melbourne.
Virgin Australia offers business class across its Boeing 737s, with eight reclining seats at the pointy end, as does Rex Airlines.
Virgin Australia's latest 737 business class.
Except for the embossed logo, the seats across most of Rex’s 737 fleet are the same as Virgin, which makes sense given Rex took over the leases on some of Virgin’s planes.
You’ll find AC power outlets on most Virgin Australia aircraft, though rarely on Rex Airlines.
A newly-refurbished Rex Airlines 737.
Winner: While all three offer comfortable seating, Qantas’ wider seat and the addition of flatbed seating on select routes gives it the edge.
Business class food and beverage
Travellers taking to the skies are offered meal service aboard all three carriers, though there are a few distinct differences.
Qantas generally skips the pre-departure drink on short hops but delivers a meal with drinks after take-off, offering a bread plate, sweet item, and a hot or chilled main. Beer, wine and spirits are also part of the deal.
Lunch time service on a Qantas 737.
It’s also the only airline catering to dietary needs with diabetic, gluten-free, vegan, Kosher, Halal, and children’s meals available for pre-order on all domestic business class flights.
Virgin Australia dishes up a more café-style offering in business class. But what it at times lacks in presentation and finesse, it makes up for with flavour.
Lunch time service on Virgin Australia.
In addition, pre-departure drinks are typically provided, ahead of a full meal service – where spirits feature on the menu too – but without the ability to request a dietary meal in advance, meaning some travellers may go hungry depending on the day’s menu.
Rex offers pre-departure drinks as well (typically juice or sparkling water), followed by hot food options in the air, plus beer and wine. Sadly, spirits are not on the menu.
The meal on a lunchtime service with Rex Airlines.
These are all served via single-use packaging and utensils, along with plastic cups for wine and cardboard cups for coffee, making the overall presentation more akin to traditional economy, rather than restaurant fare in the air.
Winner: This one is a tie between Qantas and Virgin.
Business class fares compared
As a rule, Qantas business class is consistently the most expensive (though fares have dropped quite recently), while Virgin Australia and Rex hover in a similar bracket.
Obviously the fares vary between routes, and also depend on time of year – allowing for peak periods such as school holidays – so readers are advised to run their own comparisons to suit their travel habits and schedule.
Virgin Australia's refreshed business class.
For example, a search for a one-way fare between Sydney and Melbourne shows Qantas at $450, and both Virgin Australia and Rex starting from $369 (although the latter two ramp up quite a bit depending on the fare type, in Rex’s case as much as $300).
Winner: With Virgin Australia consistently price-matching Rex Airlines, though without the additional fees Rex charges for greater flexibility, we’d call this a win for Virgin.
WiFi and inflight entertainment
The importance of entertainment and connectivity no doubt depend on the length and timing of your flight: but where that’s a factor for your journey, here’s how the airlines stack up.
Qantas provides complimentary entertainment on all its Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 jets – either through seatback screen or streaming to your own device – along with free inflight Internet aboard selected Boeing 737s and Airbus A330s.
Stay connected above the clouds with Qantas' free inflight WiFi.
Virgin Australia also streams content to your device across its Boeing 737s, while inflight Internet is available on select aircraft free of charge to business class passengers.
Rex beams WiFi across select Boeing 737s, with Business class passengers enjoying complimentary access above the clouds.
Winner: Though all carriers provide free WiFi to business class, Qantas and Virgin’s entertainment offering eclipses that of Rex Airlines, resulting in a tie to the duo.
Qantas vs Virgin Australia vs Rex business class: the verdict
Based on the above, Qantas trumps its rivals as Australia’s top airline for the business class traveller – especially on the core experience of seats, lounges, and airport priority services.
However, that premium service is reflected in the asking price: Qantas’ fares are higher than both Virgin Australia and Rex on every mainline domestic route we searched.
In keeping with its mid-market value positioning, Virgin Australia strikes a pleasing balance between the overall business class offering and the price you pay for it.
More affordable fares, a network of lounges in key airports and several aspects of the Velocity Frequent Flyer program result in a formula geared to appeal to small business owners and premium leisure flyers.
Though the smallest challenger in the business class battle, Rex isn’t to be ignored. With sharp fares alongside seats and aircraft mirroring its nearest rival, plus a frequent flyer program featuring standout perks ready to take flight, it’s certainly one to watch.
19 Mar 2024
Total posts 1
Qantas has had spirits back in J for years....?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 780
Domestic? I just want a comfortable seat, something to fight off the hangry and be exposed to less people. Rex wins if they have the route you need and you're paying with your own money.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 767
Good analysis by the Staff Writers (thank-you), only one benchmark I find myself disagreeing with - F&B. In business class on VA flights I've never seen a meagre offering like that shown in the photograph above. Never. All of my meals have been better/closer depicted by the quality shown in the QF photo. Perhaps I've been lucky.
VA's business class seats on flights to/from Perth have always been perfectly comfortable (as I'm sure are those on QF). In fact, the comfort factor has never even entered my consciousness on those flights. But where I positively DETEST VA's business class seats, is the lack of them (only 8) compared to QF having 10-12. I typically book airfares 2 weeks ahead of flying. All too frequently I need to re-schedule return flights whilst in the destination city and, almost always, business class are full on the return flight. That adds a layer on complication I could do without. Rant over.
07 Feb 2022
Total posts 24
The Virgin meal service does vary a bit, in our experience. We've switched out that original shot for another.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 767
Great reporting Chris, un-biased and objective. We wouldn't get this from a certain 'aviation writer' at Australia's national broadsheet, as her recent articles there demonstrate.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 May 2018
Total posts 20
I am a former rusted on Qantas FF, and last week i flew Rex (Hba to Mel, business class) for the very first time.
The negatives of my Rex experience were -
Check in was a bit slow
No Rex lounge in Hobart (with only one departure a day, not surprising)
The guy sitting next to me and I both wanted the hot meal, but there was only one left
Even though my checked bag was priority tagged, several economy class passengers got their bags ahead of me
The positives were -
An economy class passenger tried to board during the business class boarding period, but was turned back
The hot meal was nice
The rope separating business and economy, thus not having to compete for the bathroom
When we arrived at the gate in Melbourne, a flight attendant removed the rope and stood at the rear of the business class cabin thus allowing business class passengers to get their carry on baggage in a relaxed manner and depart the plane
Price, price, price.
My overall impression was that Rex is significantly better than Qantas on this route. Even though Qantas has a lounge in Hobart, it is often overcrowded, the food offering is poor, and there are a lack of toilets. So i nearly always found sitting in the quiet part of the terminal. So, whilst i will never say. never, i cant see myself flying Qantas in a while. Even though I have never flown Virgin, from the reviews i have watched and read, they are my clear second choice.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Nov 2012
Total posts 125
Good article and comparison. I love what you said about Rex being akin to a domestic meal offering - yes back in 1984. But I like what they offer and don’t mind the recycle products. But as someone who pays for their fares, VA wins for me on Dom J. I NEVER thought I’d say that in my life but QF Dom J is awful and expensive and I’ll pay for VA J but only ever QF Y. Internationally QF have lifted and I still fly them so have Platinum on both and fly Rex J only occasionally because it reminds me of flying Ansett NZ in the ‘90’s (those Lounges LOL).
All that said, we are very spoilt in 🇦🇺 Fly Euro Biz or US domestic First (which is what they call Biz for the most part) and you see how lucky we are across every one of the metrics you measured.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer P1
23 Aug 2014
Total posts 147
Well structured article.
It would be useful to know:
1. What factors domestic frequent flyers actually regard as the important headings under which these 3 carriers are compared
2. The relative importance they assign to each of these factors
3. A more structured comparison which restricts itself only to routes that actually overlap (at present) between these three carriers
16 Oct 2012
Total posts 52
Golly… your article talks about VAs lack of presentation and finesse in regards the inflight meal vs that of QF. In my experience VA are all over QF in the business class meal department. So much so that on rare occasions when I have to fly QF I dread seeing what sits on my plate. Indeed QF have no real food presentation. The FA simply peals back the foil and plonks a dish of often unidentifiable contents on the try. And don’t even start me on the flavour… while other airlines seemingly let you preorder what’s called a ‘bland’ meal, it seems all my meals on QF fall into that category. To be fair, VAs business class meals and overall service have declined under the new management, but imo it’s still ahead of QF.
24 Jun 2020
Total posts 46
I haven't flown Qantas for a while in Business due to the cost but Virgin has been a pleasure to fly at a discounted price to Qantas. I find the staff/crew are enjoying the flight more than their competitors are and that shows in their service with a smile for me.
19 Jan 2012
Total posts 1
...and the onboard service comparison?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
Onboard service can vary widely and wildly from one flight to the next, so there's simply no way to accurately say service is X, Y or Z based on just one or two flights. Meals, WiFi etc are more consistent between flights so can be more of a reliable marker. Some people will say Qantas has better service, others rate Virgin higher, others still will put Rex ahead of both – it all comes down to their own experiences and also expectations, for that matter, so it's more subjective than objective.
28 Feb 2012
Total posts 5
I have to disagree about QF vs VA in the entertainment stakes, Qantas' offerings go well beyond Virgin's pretty short list of movies and low grade TV shows. The only thing that Virgin wins out on is the travelling map on board. If that's entertaining!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 767
When it comes to IFE, I rarely ever these days rely on the carrier's offering, preferring always to download from Netflix & Ors beforehand. Although . . . pre-Covid I did catch most of the 1st series of House of Cards on a VA flights (got me hook, line & sinker). FU rocks.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2019
Total posts 11
An interesting discussion and varying viewpoints . I will own up to the fact I am primarily a Qantas Traveller and despite the problems post COVID I have stayed with them more out of convenience & their extensive network. I have found Virgin to be well priced when I have used them and service is more that adequate . I have to admit I haven’t been on REX for some time and then was only economy. I have done 2 Melb to Cairns trips in 2024 in QF Business and have to say a huge improvement on the same leg Oct 2022 ,, I believe given the size of our nation physically and the relatively low population we are spoiled a little on Domestic Business travel.
31 Jan 2018
Total posts 1
QF status points are now approx. $25/point, before Covid it was about $12/point J class. Pay more to get less status points now also. Example Hba-Bne-Hba prior to covid paid approx. $2,400 and got 200 points J class, now approx. $3400 and 160 points sometimes 140 points.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 May 2018
Total posts 29
Never like how Qantas allows economy to walk through to the bathrooms at the front and on disembarkation with Virgin having the separation rope.
This is associated with my next beef with Qantas where the first row of economy has no separation wall from business and your business seat gets "hit" by persons in that row.
01 Jun 2021
Total posts 10
I love the Virgin J experience but one reason I think it really trumps Qantas is in the difference between an economy ticket. I can enjoy a meal and a glass of wine flying Qantas economy, I just can't justify the price difference to have a bigger comfier seat. Virgin it is worth the splurge occasionally.
18 Mar 2016
Total posts 39
What an insult it is for Western Australians, that in most cases, IF we fly Business Class across the country, it is usually in 737’s.It is just ok, IF you are in row 1, after that you are at the mercy of the passenger in front when they recline their seat, then you are locked in, with little movement for your legs. Admittedly, the QF A330 offers a far better experience.
Forget the average food and the usually limited drinks (max. 3 glasses at best),and you have had to work hard to pay the exorbitant fare and not like most of the passengers “on the company”, it is woeful value for money.
I now usually pay for the Economy EXIT row, eat up in the lounge and save up to $1000.00
Think about it !!!!!!
28 Apr 2021
Total posts 32
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Business class compared: Qantas vs Virgin vs Rex