Rex (Regional Express) Flights – Book Tickets on Traveloka

About Rex Airlines

Rex (Regional Express Holdings) is an Australian regional airline flying under IATA code ZL and ICAO code RXA. Headquartered at Mascot, near Sydney Airport, Rex is one of the backbones of regional air connectivity in Australia, linking rural and remote communities that larger domestic carriers simply don't serve. Rex has changed hands in the past couple of years — after a period in voluntary administration, the airline is now owned by US-listed holding company Air T, Inc., which completed its acquisition of Regional Express in December 2025.

Rex operates the largest fleet of Saab 340 turboprop aircraft anywhere in the world, a fleet that has long defined its identity as Australia's dedicated regional specialist. Its two principal hubs are Sydney (SYD) and Melbourne (MEL), from which Rex fans out to dozens of regional towns across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia.

For domestic Australian travellers, Rex is most useful as the airline that gets you from a capital city to the regional centre you actually need to reach — whether that's visiting family, handling business in a country town, or getting to a rural destination that mainstream jet networks skip entirely. If your trip starts or ends somewhere off the main east-coast corridor, there's a good chance Rex is the airline that closes the gap. You can browse current schedules and fares any time on Traveloka's Rex Airlines page.

Airline Overview and History

Rex's history reflects both the importance of regional aviation to Australian communities and the tough commercial realities facing a mid-sized carrier in a competitive market. Here are the key milestones:

• 2002: Regional Express was formed from the merger of Kendell Airlines and Hazelton Airlines, two regional carriers that had struggled following the collapse of Ansett Australia.
• 2002: Rex began scheduled operations, taking over routes previously flown by its predecessor airlines and preserving air links that regional communities depended on.
• 2021: Rex expanded into capital-city jet routes using Boeing 737-800 aircraft, competing directly with Qantas and Virgin Australia on trunk routes such as Sydney–Melbourne.
• July 2024: Facing financial pressure, Rex entered voluntary administration. All capital-city jet bookings were cancelled and the Boeing 737 operation was grounded.
• December 2025: Air T, Inc. completed its acquisition of Regional Express, exiting the airline from administration and committing new capital to rebuild the regional Saab 340 operation.

Following the restructuring, Rex has gone back to what it built its reputation on: being a dedicated regional turboprop operator. The capital-city jet routes flown with Boeing 737-800s have been permanently discontinued — Rex is not currently competing with Qantas or Virgin Australia on major trunk routes, and this content does not assume that network exists. Instead, the airline is concentrating fully on the regional network that communities rely on for everyday connectivity, education, healthcare access, and trade.

Under the new ownership structure, Rex has secured additional financing earmarked for progressively returning grounded Saab 340 aircraft to service and overhauling its existing fleet, with the stated aim of growing its active aircraft count over the next couple of years. For everyday travellers, the practical takeaway is that Rex's core regional network — the routes it has flown for decades — remains the airline's clear focus, and it's the network you should plan around when booking.

It's worth remembering that Rex's return to a pure regional focus post-restructuring actually reinforces its long-standing strength as Australia's rural aviation specialist, rather than positioning it as a head-to-head rival to the national jet carriers. With Air T's backing, Rex is working to stabilise and gradually rebuild capacity on the routes that have always been its backbone — good news if you rely on Rex to reach a regional destination that few, if any, other airlines serve.

Fleet and Aircraft

Rex's fleet is built around the Saab 340B, a twin-engine turboprop seating up to 34 passengers, purpose-built for short regional sectors and airports with limited runway infrastructure. Rex holds the largest Saab 340 fleet of any airline in the world, with dozens of aircraft on its register, though the number in active daily service has fluctuated through the administration period and subsequent recovery as the airline works through maintenance and return-to-service programs.

• Saab 340B: A twin-turboprop with a 34-seat, single-class configuration. It's a proven workhorse that has served Australian regional routes reliably for decades.

The Saab 340B's short-field performance makes it well suited to the compact runways found at many regional Australian airports that larger jets simply can't use. Rex maintains its fleet in line with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requirements, so safety standards remain consistent across the regional network regardless of the airline's ownership changes.

If you haven't flown on a turboprop before, it's worth knowing the Saab 340B cabin is noticeably smaller than the jet aircraft typically used on longer domestic or international routes. Overhead locker space and seat dimensions are more compact, so it pays to pack a little lighter and check carry-on limits carefully before your Rex flight.

Top Flight Routes

Rex's network is built around intra-regional routes across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia, many of them serving towns with no practical road or rail alternative for time-sensitive travel. Popular Rex routes include:

• Sydney – Dubbo: A key link to one of the largest regional centres in inland New South Wales.
• Sydney – Broken Hill: An essential service connecting the remote outback town of Broken Hill with the state capital.
• Sydney – Albury: Connecting Sydney with the Albury–Wodonga region straddling the New South Wales–Victoria border.
• Melbourne – Mildura: Linking Melbourne with Mildura's farming and wine-growing region in north-west Victoria.
• Melbourne – Mount Gambier: Serving the regional South Australian town of Mount Gambier.
• Adelaide – Port Lincoln: Connecting the South Australian capital with the main port town on the Eyre Peninsula.

Availability and frequency on any given route can vary as Rex continues rebuilding capacity, so it's worth checking current schedules before you lock in travel dates. Search live fares and timetables for a specific Rex route on Traveloka's flight route search, and compare Rex against other regional operators on the same corridor before you book.

If you're combining a Rex regional leg with an international arrival into Sydney or Melbourne, it makes sense to plan both segments together. Search your international arrival alongside your onward Rex connection so you can line up realistic transit times between touching down and your regional departure.

Many of Rex's regional destinations are worth a look in their own right. Mildura is known for its vineyards and wine production, while Broken Hill offers classic red-dirt outback scenery under wide open skies. If you're keen on nature, agritourism, or simply want a different side of Australia away from the busier capital cities, a Rex connection can be a genuinely worthwhile addition to a longer domestic itinerary.

Baggage Allowance and Policies

Rex's baggage policy is straightforward and tailored to the realities of smaller regional aircraft:

• Cabin baggage (carry-on): One bag up to 7 kg, with maximum dimensions of 48 × 34 × 23 cm.
• Checked baggage (Flex fares): Passengers on Flex fares receive a free checked baggage allowance of 23 kg.
• Checked baggage (other fares): Passengers on standard (non-Flex) fares receive a free checked baggage allowance of 15 kg.
• Additional baggage: Extra baggage beyond your free allowance can be pre-purchased. Buying extra baggage in advance is generally more cost-effective than paying at the airport counter on the day.

Because the Saab 340B has a smaller cabin, oversized carry-on items may be restricted more strictly than on a larger jet. If you're travelling with bulky items or sports equipment, contact Rex ahead of your flight to confirm how it will be handled.

If you're connecting from an international flight into Sydney or Melbourne before flying onward with Rex, check the baggage policy of your international carrier as well, since allowances can differ between segments. Even when booked on a single itinerary, you may still need to collect checked baggage on arrival and re-check it for your Rex domestic flight, so factor this into your connection planning.

Baggage weight limits on turboprop aircraft like the Saab 340B tend to be enforced more strictly than on larger jets, given the more limited cargo capacity. Weighing your bags before you head to a regional airport is a simple way to avoid unexpected excess baggage charges on the day.

Check-in Guide

Rex's check-in process is shaped by the smaller-scale operations typical of regional Australian airports:

• Airport counter check-in: Rex recommends arriving at the airport at least 30–45 minutes before departure for regional flights, since many regional terminals are smaller and processing is generally quicker. Check-in counters typically close around 20–30 minutes before departure.
• Online check-in: Rex offers online check-in via its official website for eligible flights. Check the Rex website or your booking confirmation to see whether online check-in is available for your specific route.

Since Rex operates purely domestic Australian routes, there's no additional immigration processing for your onward Rex leg. That said, if you're connecting from an international flight from overseas, build in enough transit time in Sydney or Melbourne, since immigration clearance and international baggage collection both take time before you can check in for your Rex flight.

As a general guide, allow a minimum of three to four hours between an international arrival and a connecting Rex departure, particularly if it's your first time managing a multi-segment domestic connection in Australia. That window needs to cover immigration processing, baggage collection, any terminal transfer, and re-checking in for your domestic flight. Giving yourself generous transit time reduces the risk of a delay disrupting the rest of your itinerary.

Cabin Classes and In-Flight Experience

Rex flies a single-class configuration across its Saab 340B fleet, reflecting the practical, no-frills nature of regional flying:

• Economy Class: An all-economy configuration with 34 seats arranged 1–2 per row. Seating remains comfortable for the short regional sectors Rex typically flies.
• In-flight service: Light drinks and snacks may be offered on select services. Given Rex's typical flight times of roughly 30–90 minutes, a full meal service isn't standard.

The Saab 340B offers large windows and a relatively quiet cabin for a turboprop aircraft. Lower cruising altitudes on regional routes often deliver striking views of the Australian countryside and coastline — a different experience from the high-altitude jet flights most travellers are used to on longer domestic or international routes.

If you haven't flown a turboprop before, know that the vibration and engine sound from the propellers feel a little different to a jet. Overall, though, the Saab 340B has a long and well-proven safety record across decades of Australian regional operations. Passengers prone to motion sickness are generally advised to choose a seat near the wings, in the middle of the cabin, as this area typically experiences the least turbulence.

Passenger Policies and Special Services

Rex applies a number of passenger policies shaped by the smaller size of its regional aircraft:

• Infants and children: Infants under 2 years old can travel on a parent's lap without a separate seat. Children aged 2 and over require a paid seat. Contact Rex directly for current policies on unaccompanied minors.
• Pregnant passengers: Rex follows standard Australian airline guidelines. Passengers in later stages of pregnancy should contact Rex before booking to confirm fitness-to-fly requirements and any supporting documentation needed.
• Passengers with disability or special needs: Rex provides assistance where operationally possible across its regional network. Because aircraft are smaller, some mobility aids may have usage limitations. Passengers requiring special assistance should contact Rex at least 48 hours before departure.
• Weight and balance restrictions: As is common on regional turboprop operations, aircraft weight and balance requirements can occasionally affect baggage acceptance. Rex staff will advise passengers if any adjustment is required.

Reschedule, Cancellation, and Refund Policy

Rex's change and cancellation policies vary depending on fare type, with Flex fares generally offering greater flexibility for schedule changes. If you booked through Traveloka, here's how to manage your booking:

1. Open the Traveloka app and go to the My Bookings menu.
2. Select your Rex flight booking.
3. Tap Change Flight or Cancel Booking.
4. Review any applicable fees based on your fare type before confirming.
5. Refunds are processed according to your fare conditions — typically within 7–14 business days.

Non-refundable fare value can often be converted into Traveloka travel credit for use on a future booking. Always check the fare conditions at the time of booking so you understand your rights and obligations as a passenger.

Traveloka's TPasti commitment means you get clarity on refund and rescheduling terms right from the start of your booking, with no hidden fees springing up later.

Why Book Rex Airlines Flights on Traveloka

Booking your Rex regional connection through Traveloka comes with several practical advantages:

• Convenient search: With TPraktis, you can search Rex's regional routes and compare them against other Australian carriers on the same platform, making trip planning more efficient.
• Multiple payment options: Pay with credit card, debit card, PayPal, or Afterpay, giving you flexibility to choose the method that suits your budget.
• Transparent pricing: See all taxes and fees upfront before you complete your booking, with no surprise costs at the end.
• Instant e-ticket: Receive your booking confirmation and e-ticket instantly through the Traveloka app and email.
• Integrated itinerary planning: Combine an international arrival with your onward Rex domestic segment in a single, easier-to-manage booking flow.
• 24/7 customer support: In line with TPercaya, Traveloka's support team is available around the clock, including help with issues affecting connecting domestic flights.

Tips for Finding Cheap Flights on Traveloka

Here are some practical tips for getting good value on Rex's regional routes:

• Book ahead: Seats on Australian regional routes can be limited, especially on routes with fewer daily services, so booking early helps secure both availability and better fares.
• Choose the right fare type: Compare Flex and standard fares. If your plans are fixed, a standard fare often delivers better value; if there's a chance your plans could change, the flexibility and baggage allowance that come with a Flex fare may work out cheaper overall.
• Check Traveloka promos: Keep an eye on the Promo section of the Traveloka app for periodic fare deals and campaigns.
• Plan connections carefully: Search your international or interstate flight into Sydney or Melbourne alongside your onward Rex connection so your transit time and total trip cost are both well optimised.
• Use Price Alert: Turn on Traveloka's Price Alert for your preferred Rex route to get notified whenever fares move, so you can book at a time that suits your budget.

How to Book Flight Tickets on Traveloka

Booking your Rex flight through Traveloka is simple:

1. Open the Traveloka app or visit www.traveloka.com/en-au.
2. Select Flights from the homepage.
3. Enter your departure and arrival airports, travel dates, and number of passengers.
4. Tap Search and use the filters to display Rex flights.
5. Select your preferred flight and fare type, then review the baggage and fare conditions.
6. Enter passenger details exactly as they appear on valid travel documents.
7. Add any extras, such as seat selection or travel insurance, if available.
8. Proceed to payment and choose your preferred method, including credit card, debit card, PayPal, or Afterpay.
9. Confirm your booking and receive your e-ticket instantly through the Traveloka app and email.

To track your connecting flight in real time, use Traveloka's Flight Status page for up-to-date departure and arrival information ahead of your travel day.