REGIONAL EXPRESS review : 12 August 2008 : by J O'Hara

Customer Rating : 5/5

Sydney to Orange return. First experience with Rex. Compared to some of the larger domestic and international carriers, Rex provided excellent service and warm, friendly crew on both legs. Although only a 45 minute flight each way we were still provided with a snack and hot beverage. Baggage collection at Sydney was outstandingly quick. We'd fly them again. The checked baggage limit of 15 kg per person could provide a challenge for some people.

REGIONAL EXPRESS review : 26 July 2008 : by Michael Smolders

Customer Rating : 4/5

Have flown with Rex 3 times Sydney - Albury and have a few more sectors booked. Small Saab aircraft - but that means quick boarding and disembarking! Relatively comfortable and flight crew very fast and efficient. Always with a smile. Although you wouldn't want to be taller than 6'3" (I'm 6'3") to sit in their seats - unless you can secure the emergency exit row! A pleasure to fly with.

Regional Express review by G Wilson

12 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

MEL BWT return; relatively easy check-in & boarding. On short (1 hour) flight tea/coffee & nibbles served by friendly FA. A minor problem was in the different configuration of the aircraft (all are Saab 340). On outward flight there were overhead lockers above the "2 seat" side of the aircraft, but on the return ,when we had extra carry-on, there was none. Fortunately the flight was only half full, so we could store it under the next seat. They do a good job for a regional airline.

Regional Express review by S Hilsberg

12 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating : n/a

Sydney-Griffith return. Comfortable trip although the Flight Attendant was very 'grumpy' going to Griffith. Refreshment was a glass of water and packet of savoury 'nibbles'. The return flight was equally comfortable although we were treated to an aerial tour of Sydney courtesy of ATC and the only airport in Australia that qualifies for Third World Status.

Regional Express review by Roger Stone

29 July 2007  Customer Trip Rating : n/a

SYD-GTH-SYD-CMA-SYD over a few days. REX is a charming airline with excellent staff attitudes. Check-in in Sydney was very good. On arrival at your destination, the First Officer hops off the aircraft to welcome you to your destination. Aircraft are Saab 340s. You might be lucky and get one with sheepskin covers on the seats. Good coffee or tea and a snack is served. Once again, its the 'little' regional airlines that seem to be trying the hardest for their passengers.

Regional Express review by M Hood

1 May 2007

Sydney to Albury , Staff at Check-in genuine, warm and inviting. On time departure on small and very full plane, no room for much baggage. Just over an hour flying time . One crew operation and I was looking forward to a bubbly friendly crew member however this Hostess was abrubt and rude. Most of the short flight she stood in the flightdeck with door wide open talking with the flight crew. A little girl sitting opposite me travelling alone ( 6yr old ) pressed the call light 3times to no avail of the hostess. This was my first experience with REX and maybe I should try again as most comments posted here are positive.

Regional Express review by Peter Cox

30 July 2006

I fly each week with them and their service standards have to be amongst the best in the world. Last year they flew for the first time 1 million plus passengers, to have no complaints on this site is a plus. Well done Rex.

Regional Express review by S Eichler

15 May 2005

REX Is now flying to Cooma/Snowy Mountains airport as of 10th June (starting at AUD$129 one way all inclusive, I think it's on the web). A number of airlines have tried to make it successful, but it hasn't worked, but with REX already having a good reputation, and more financial support, I think it might work. My only worry though is that the Airport is at 960m above sea level and is right on the Gt Div Range and it's flat, and between to other ranges, it is a pretty bad wind tunnel, and if it snows (which is quite often in winter, maybe once every 3 weeks) will the flights be cancelled?

Regional Express review by Jarrett Johnson

11 May 2005

Flew REX from Sydney to Lismore January 2005. Friendly check in staff, flight attendant was very friendly. Small D8 style aircraft, but I felt safe. The landing made for some great views landing into Lismore.

Regional Express review by Paddy Ward

17 January 2005

In response to Alan Hume's post - Rex has just ditched it's Canberra-Sydney route. Bad news all round as Qantas is the only one flying to Sydney. I am predicting a sharp rise in CBR-SYD fares. Why should Qantas lower them? Who have they got to compete with? The flipside of the coin however is the leisure market and hopefully demand for low fares will ensure this remains the case.

Regional Express review by David Brown

20 December 2004

Also recently flew REX from Sydney to Canberra. Very friendly check-in staff member gave me Seat 6A (Emergency Exit) and was very friendly helping me as it was my first REX flight. Plane was small but comfortable. Kath the flight attendant was constantly smiling and helping passengers. Were given some water and mentos for the 30minute flight. I will definitely fly REX again. But unfortunately now the Sydney to Canberra service has been axed and Qantas now has a monopoly. Shame that REX has dropped this route but according to their website there are a few reasons why it's been unsuccessful.

Regional Express review by Phil Schubert

13 December 2004

Recently flew Rex from Armidale to Sydney. The prices here just keep going down, its fantastic (was 98, now 86 on special). Great cabin, really friendly crew. A bikkie or packet of chips and a cuppa are quite sufficient though perhaps not so great if you're raher hungry, but for a quick flight its just fine. Coming back from Canberra it was a really windy day and lots of flights were cancelled. Rex booked me at no cost onto both the CBR-SYD and SYD-ARM sectors. Perhaps my only gripe was trying to quickly speak to a rex person in Sydney checkin - the supervisor wasn't wearing anything that made her obvious, and I actually thought she was just another passenger. But all smiles and repeat business here.

Regional Express review by Paddy Ward

30 September 2004

Yes I have to agree. I mean, Rex has an excellent product but it should be focusing on regional routes. The simple fact is we are largely a "Qantasised" nation now and that's all there is to it. Alan Hume is right it's all about power and prestige and status (And sucking up to George W). What a self-centred bureaucracy this is turning into.

Regional Express review by Alan Hume

29 September 2004

Rex has ditched its MEL-CBR run and has given notice that it will soon do likewise with the SYD-CBR service too, if Govt business doesn't increase. The problem is, unfortunately, one of status and prestige. Exec Govt business fliers do not like "small" turboprop aircraft, being bussed to the terminal from the aircraft, having to declare to their colleagues in Qantas Club that they are flying Rex, etc. etc. They like to be waited on hand and foot and have Business Class-size seats waiting for them at the end of a sealed corridor. It's a status/prestige thing, that's all. If Rex could afford to operate midsize business jets on these premium services, they would get more Govt business. Since this is not a viable option for them, it must focus on regional services and forget the major trunk routes, I fear, to remain solvent.

Regional Express review by A Chang

27 August 2004

I had pleasant flight on REX , I had both SYD-CBR and CBR-MEL.... well done for Rex. Even though the costs and fleets they are using nowadays can't beat virgin and qantas but the service are unbeatable..overall I think they deserve more supports from all of us

Regional Express review by Paul Garde

13 August 2004

Flew SYD-Ballina return on 6 & 10 August & very pleased with on time departures & early arrivals. Sole crew very friendly & helpful & fares very affordable compared to Virgin & Qantas on same route. Even my late check-in at SYD 15 minutes before take-off handled very efficiently & helpfully-unlike Jetstar these days. Flts not full and request for extra leg room seat very helpfully handled. Their promised new low fare regime deserves to be supported by Aussie passengers.

Regional Express review by Andrea Mirra

26 May 2004

I recently flew with REX from Adelaide to Melbourne and return and found them to be excellent. The staff were very friendly at checkin and on board - it was only 10 minutes longer than on other airlines (due to smaller aircraft) but the checkin was swift, the baggage collection also efficient and all-in-all the same amount of time from checkin to baggage collection as with larger airlines (no huge queues at checkin or collection). Comfortable seating, adequate snacks served on board. Wouldn't hesitate in flying with REX!

Regional Express review by Peter Cox

3 April 2004

Yes the last couple of comments about REX are 100% correct. I fly with them up to 2 return trips a week from my regional NSW home so feel I am in a position to give an accurate and impartial view. The check in service at my regional airport and Sydney is outstanding, the friendliness of the staff and the on time departures and arrivals(usually) is outstanding compared to the other players in the market.

Regional Express review by Paddy Ward

16 January 2004

In response to a comment made on December 31, yes absolutely. Rex, in my opinion help to keep the spirit of Ansett alive, and I would be overjoyed for them to reinstate their Canberra-Melbourne service. There isn't much competition on that route and it would be good to see all of Australia's remaining three airlines serving it.

Regional Express review by Sasha Nikolas

31 December 2003

Flew Rex from Sydney - Canberra last month and was pleasantly surprised by the level of service that is provided by Rex on such a short route(45min or so) Cabin hostess was extremely down to earth and friendly, catering was quite good and we enjoyed breathtaking views on landing in Canberra. All in all I like Rex and think they should reinstate their Melbourne - Canberra service.

Regional Express review by Edmund Carew

10 October 2003

MEL-WGA on a Friday morning in both Victorian & NSW school hols. Check in staff available from 0700 when first flight ex MEL at 0815. If staff hours were reduced, the airline might have a chance at surviving. Only 12 pax on a 34 seat SAAB 340 despite monopoly on this route. Sole hostess pleasant, flight on time ex MEL, 10 late into WGA. Airline may have lost many gov't contracts since Ansett/Kendall cessation, and is reducing services on some other routes.

Regional Express review by Paddy Ward

12 July 2003

In response to T John's comments yes it is a disgrace and yes it is unfair. But that's the Australia of today. Bureaucratic and selfish. I myself was shattered when Rex announced they were cancelling their CBR-MEL flight too. I flew with them to Sydney twice and found their service outstanding - they offer you free champagne as you no doubt know. Something Virgin Blue should probably do. Let us hope Rex do not cancel their Sydney flights too.

Regional Express review by T John

9 July 2003

I found the recent announcement that REX will no longer be flying from MEL - CBR because of lack of government staff, to be unfair and un-Australian like. After the demise of Ansett, REX made sure that an airline would be servicing regional ports. I find REX prices very affordable and their flights great. This airline kept regional ports open, therefore government staff should be backing the airline 110%. What happened to the Australian way of helping out when needed? And for government staff to be flying QF, the largest and most well off airline in Australia - I find is disgusting!

Regional Express review by E Carew

12 May 2003

Check in for the 50 minute CBR-SYD flight was quick on a Thursday evening (no queue.) Assigned a window in the SAAB 340 (1x2 config) This former Kendall aircraft was showing its age a bit.  The friendly hostess served either a cold lamb meal (which only 3 of 29 passengers accepted) or peanuts, with champagne or soft drinks (no beer available, but unlike other REX routes, all free.) After great views of Canberra's Parliament House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge on landing - then pax were bussed to the terminal, not a practice historically used at Australian airports.





 

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