Jetstar has launched the first direct low-fares service between Australia and Sri Lanka, with its inaugural Melbourne to Colombo flight departing today, backed by a 48-hour sale offering one-way fares from $319.
New route adds 100,000 seats annually
The year-round service will operate three times weekly on Jetstar’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, adding more than 100,000 low-fares seats between Melbourne and Colombo. Flights operate as JQ5 from Melbourne, departing 12:00 and arriving Colombo 17:50, and JQ6 from Colombo, departing 19:50 and arriving Melbourne 10:00 the following day, running Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday through 3 October 2026.
Jetstar Group chief executive Stephanie Tully said the route responds to strong demand, particularly from Victoria’s Sri Lankan community, which the airline said is Australia’s largest. “This route showcases just how far our refreshed Dreamliner fleet can take us, opening the door to even more long-haul destinations in the future,” Tully said.
Aircraft refit doubles business class capacity
The route is being progressively serviced by an upgraded 787 configuration featuring doubled business class capacity, onboard Wi-Fi for device streaming, and a new lie-flat crew rest area supporting flights of up to 16 hours. Some services will initially operate with the existing aircraft configuration during the rollout period.
For agents selling Sri Lanka and VFR travel from Melbourne, the new direct service removes the need for connecting itineraries via other Asian hubs, while the 48-hour First Flight Sale, running until 12:00 AEST on 27 August 2026 for travel from mid-February 2027, gives a concrete booking window to promote to clients. Fares are one-way, exclude checked bags, and carry-on inclusions vary depending on travel date.
