Rex Boeing 737 business class explained

Premium travellers between Sydney and Melbourne will be spoiled for choice from March next year, when Rex joins Qantas and Virgin Australia as the market’s third business class option.

With lounges at each end of the journey, up to nine return flights each day, inclusive catering, same-day flight changes and sharp pricing, here’s what to expect of Rex's Boeing 737 business class when it takes wing in 2021.

Rex's Boeing 737s will take wing from March 2021.

Rex business class fares

With Rex going head-to-head against Qantas and Virgin Australia, the airline’s business class fare pricing is sure to grab your attention.

Offering three types of business class tickets – Biz Saver, Biz, and Biz Plus – here’s what you’ll pay for a one-way flight from Sydney to Melbourne at the pointy end of Rex's Boeing 737s, based on current pricing:

• Rex Biz Saver (I class): $300
• Rex Biz (D, C classes): $400-$503
• Rex Biz Plus (J class): $606

By comparison, on the same travel date, Qantas business class tickets currently begin at $715 one-way, with Virgin Australia charging $449 for a Business Saver fare and $599 for a Business ticket.

In fact, on the same flights, Qantas is asking for as much as $235 for an economy Red e-Deal and $521 for an economy Flex ticket, with Virgin similarly charging $205 for an economy Elevate fare and $439 for flexible economy Freedom.

This makes Rex’s business class pricing competitive against even economy fares at its rivals.

Just to note, however – bookings made via the Rex website also attract a compulsory “booking/handling fee” of 1.1% regardless of payment method, on top of advertised fare prices – a fee not levied by Qantas or Virgin Australia.

A Rex payment method surcharge applies on top, being between 0.902% and 3.597% (including GST), depending on the card type or other payment method used.

The only way to avoid both fees is to purchase a ticket in cash at a Rex airport counter.

Rex business class schedule

As well as price, the breadth of flights available to business travellers can make or break their journey – and their decision to book with one airline over another.

Between Sydney and Melbourne, Rex will run up to nine return flights per day from March 1 2021, all of which offer business class.

On days where all nine flights operate, here’s the schedule from Sydney to Melbourne:

In the reverse direction from Melbourne to Sydney, here’s what that schedule looks like:

Accordingly, a business traveller booked to fly at the end of the business day, but who finishes their meeting early and heads to the airport, may find an earlier flight available from Melbourne, but that’s less likely to be the case from Sydney, owing to the three-hour mid-afternoon gap in flights.

Rex business class seating

As Rex’s Boeing 737 jets arrived straight from Virgin Australia, they’ll be flown with the same eight business class seats as you’d otherwise expect on a Virgin flight.

Rex business class will already be very familiar to regular travellers.

These are spread across two rows in a 2-2 layout, offering the ability to recline – albeit without a leg rest as you’d find in Qantas’ Boeing 737 business class.

You won’t find an inflight entertainment screen in front of you, so be sure to load your own device with content, or pack a good book.

Rex business class meals and drinks

All food and beverages served in Regional Express’ business class cabin come complimentary to all guests, regardless of fare type.

On the food front, travellers will be served “a specially crafted meal box”, although the airline is yet to elaborate on what that entails.

Soft drinks, juice, beer, white wine and red wine will also be available.

Rex business class inflight WiFi

As Rex’s Boeing 737s are arriving with satellite Internet access already installed, the airline has opted to keep the service active rather than ripping out its expensive hardware.

Inflight WiFi access will be free for all business class passengers, the airline has confirmed.

However, as the system can be programmed to offer a complimentary standard-speed service with a paid upgrade available to a higher speed connection – as Virgin Australia had implemented – it remains to be seen which option Rex will provide for business class flyers.

Rex business class lounge access

Regional Express currently offers Rex Lounges in both Sydney and Melbourne – perfectly positioned for the launch of flights between the two cities – as well as in Adelaide.

Sydney Airport's Rex Lounge is cosy, but gets the job done.

All business class passengers will enjoy complimentary lounge access, whether purchasing a Biz Saver, Biz, or Biz Plus fare.

Rex business class cabin baggage allowance

If you’re flying with only carry-on baggage, pay close attention to Rex’s cabin luggage allowances, as they vary between business class fares.

• Rex Biz Saver cabin baggage: two bags, up to 10kg combined total weight.
• Rex Biz, Biz Plus cabin baggage: two bags, up to 15kg total (max. 10kg in a single item).

For example, a traveller packing a single 10kg bag would be able to fly under all three fares types – but if they also wanted to bring along a second cabin bag, this would only be possible on a Rex Biz or Biz Plus fare, owing to the extra weight.

Rex business class checked baggage allowance

Unlike cabin baggage where the allowances change by fare type, when it comes to packing your suitcase, all three Rex business class tickets provide a flat 32kg of baggage.

That’s in contrast to the 23kg allowance in economy class on Rex’s jet routes, giving you more wiggle room for shopping or other heavy items like business samples.

Rex business class flight changes

If your plans wrap up early and you’re keen to get home, Rex’s ‘Get Me Home’ service offers exactly that.

All business class guests can standby for an earlier flight at the airport at no charge – so if you arrive in time for an earlier departure, and there’s still a seat available, you can jump on and fly.

For all other flight changes including cancellations and no shows, here are the rules that apply:

All options provide the option of cancelling the journey with a Travel Bank credit for future travel, or to refund the flight to the original form of payment – the only difference is when this can occur.

Beyond the Sydney-Melbourne route, Rex is also looking to launch business class on flights to Brisbane from April 2021, and then more broadly.

Also read: Regional Express’ Sydney-Melbourne flights now on sale

Chris Chamberlin

Chris Chamberlin is the Associate Editor of Executive Traveller, and lives by the motto that a journey of a thousand miles begins not just with a single step, but also a strong latte, a theatre ticket, and later in the day, a good gin and tonic.