BACKGROUND
Founded in 2002 from the merger of regional airlines Hazelton and Kendell, both subsidiaries of the now-defunct Ansett Australia, Rex has been eagerly preparing for this day.
And what a day it was! I had the pleasure of being on the inaugural service between Melbourne and Sydney, and it was quite the experience.
Rex pulled out all the stops, offering coffee from local specialty coffee pioneer St Ali and breakfast boxes with delicious scones and jam before boarding.
The excitement was palpable, with media and aviation enthusiasts participating in the fanfare of the first flight.
INAUGURAL FLIGHT
On this particular flight, everyone was treated to a certificate commemorating the first jet service, along with a nifty corporate gift filled with goodies like a book, water bottle, hat, pen, and inflight magazine.
And let’s not forget the Mimosas, Orange Juice, and Champagne served shortly after takeoff to kick off the celebrations.
The inflight service offered a choice of beverages (tea, coffee, or water) and a scrumptious cupcake, followed by a sweet snack from the Byron Bay Cookie Company.
Alcoholic beverages were available for purchase after 11 am.
REX LOUNGE
The lounge at Sydney Airport, near Gate G2, offered Nespresso coffee, soft drinks, juices, snacks, sandwiches, and wraps.
Though the Rex Lounge might not boast the opulence of some larger international lounges, it delivered on functionality and comfort.
The staff in the lounge were attentive and friendly, ensuring that the space remained clean and that all guests felt welcome.
This personalised touch added to the overall positive experience, making it clear that Rex Airlines values its passengersโ comfort and satisfaction.
BUSINESS CLASS
On my return journey to Melbourne, I was lucky enough to experience their business class firsthand.
Within just ten minutes of takeoff a glass of champagne and a snack were promptly offered.
Rahul, the cabin manager inquired whether I would be joining them for dinner that evening and offered me a choice between a hearty hot meal (beef) or a lighter cheese platter option.
As he noted my preference, he navigated the cabin, taking orders from the other six passengers on this flight.
The beverage selection featured a range of South Australian wines and beers from some of Victoria’s finest breweries, including Furphy.
The innovative Rex business-class meal concept was served on single-use cardboard trays, with packaging crafted from sustainably managed forests.
The tray featured wooden cutlery, while the bread and dessert were served in cardboard boxes.
This creative approach eliminated the need for traditional crockery and cutlery, lightening the load and reducing waste.
The business class meal tray packaging is made from recycled cardboard and paper, all of which is 100% recyclable.
As for the meal itself, the beef with polenta, broccoli, and peas was a solid choice, with the beef bursting with flavor.
The polenta wasn’t my favorite, but the star of the tray was undoubtedly the handmade dessert. .
I’m not typically impressed with airline bread, but the bread roll served with the meal was exceptionally fluffy and delicious.
CONCLUSION
The entire journey had an air of premium economy rather than conventional business class, yet at a mere AUD$199.00 for a one-way trip, it’s difficult to grumble.
The crew was incredibly professional, and the service was top-notch. I would gladly travel with Rex Airlines again in the future, and I’m looking forward to their brand new domestic jet services.
